USA Dog Behavior

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

Why do some dogs with aggression, fear, anxiety, and reactivity improve while others struggle? Dog behaviorist Scott Sheaffer explains the four owner-related factors that strongly predict success in difficult canine behavior cases.

This episode explores one of the biggest realities in canine behavior work: the strongest predictors of success are often not about the dog at all. After working with thousands of dogs with aggression, fear, anxiety, reactivity, and separation anx...

05/15/2026

Meet Enzo. My new client’s 160 lb Great Dane. I love when dogs rest their jowls on things.

05/06/2026

Aggression is not usually about a “bad dog.” It’s communication. In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explains the real reasons dogs growl, lunge, snap, or bite, and why understanding the cause matters more than simply stopping the behavior.

Aggression in dogs is one of the most misunderstood behavior problems owners face. In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explains why dogs growl, bark, lunge, snap, or bite, and why these behaviors are usually not about a “bad dog.” Aggression is often ...

04/21/2026

If your dog’s behavior feels unpredictable, it’s not disobedience—it’s something you’re missing. This episode breaks down the pattern behind the problem.

Most dog behavior issues aren’t what they seem. What looks like disobedience is often the result of underlying behavioral patterns that haven’t been correctly identified. In this episode, Scott breaks down why traditional training approaches can f...

04/09/2026

Most dog owners are trying to do the right thing—but some of the most common advice is actually making behavior worse. Here are 3 things to stop doing immediately.

Most dog owners are trying to do the right thing—but some of the most common advice out there is actually making behavior worse. In this episode, Scott breaks down three widely accepted dog training tips that sound logical but often lead to escala...

03/26/2026

Is your neutered dog struggling with "irrational" fear or sudden aging? It might not be a training problem, it could be "Spay-Neuter Syndrome." We’re diving into the new world of canine hormone replacement therapy in this episode.

In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explores the groundbreaking and often controversial topic of canine hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for neutered male dogs. For years, "fixing" our dogs was seen as the gold standard of care, but we are now discov...

03/10/2026

You might be accidentally cueing your dog’s fear or aggression without realizing it. In this podcast episode, Scott Sheaffer explains how everyday behaviors from dog owners can unintentionally signal danger to reactive dogs—and what to do differently to help them feel safer.

Many owners of reactive, fearful, or aggressive dogs are unknowingly sending signals that reinforce their dog’s fear. Subtle changes in voice, body language, or leash handling can act as cues that something in the environment is dangerous. Over ti...

02/24/2026

Not all dog aggression looks the same. Some types appear suddenly, without warning, and can seriously injure someone. In this blog post and podcast episode, I break down 6 rare and scary forms of dog aggression most owners have never heard of but need to understand.

Discover six rare and often misunderstood types of dog aggression, including sleep startle, redirected aggression, and predatory behavior toward humans. Learn why professional help is critical.

02/11/2026

When we lose a special dog, grief hits us at a primal level. Across religions and cultures, people have asked the same question for centuries: Do dogs go to heaven? This blog article and podcast episode seek answers to that question.

Do dogs go to heaven? A pan-religious look at what Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Eastern traditions say about pets and the afterlife, plus personal reflections on grief, the Rainbow Bridge, and the book Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant.