06/16/2026
One of the biggest misconceptions I see is people labeling dogs as “aggressive dogs,” as if aggression is a personality trait or a type of dog.
In reality, aggression is often a form of communication. It’s how many dogs express frustration, fear, conflict, overwhelm, or unmet needs when they don’t have better coping skills or alternative behaviors.
In 99% of the cases I’ve worked with, these dogs aren’t trying to give us a hard time, they’re having a hard time. They aren’t waking up with the intention of being difficult, dominant, or “bad.” They’re struggling, and their behavior is a reflection of that struggle.
This doesn’t mean aggressive behavior should be ignored or excused. Safety always matters. But it does mean that these dogs deserve understanding, guidance, and skilled intervention rather than judgment and labels.
Yesterday, Achillies reminded us just how important it is to pay attention and listen to the subtle signals dogs give us. He is a Bouvier and his instincts to set boundaries to what he perceives as a threat, are a part of what came naturally for him.
He is a dog who needs more reassurance when he is making good choices and more guidance in learning how to accept handling without feeling the need to take control of the situation himself.
During his grooming appointment, Achillies was actively managing the room and the groomer’s hands. His communication was incredibly subtle, making it easy to miss the early signs that he was becoming uncomfortable. When those signals went unnoticed, he began escalating his behavior because he didn’t know another way to communicate his discomfort.
It’s okay for dogs to feel scared. Fear is an emotion, not a behavior problem. Our role is not to punish fear, but to help dogs navigate through it. We can acknowledge that a dog is uncomfortable while still teaching them which choices are acceptable and which are not.
While Achillies may have concerns about being handled, it is not appropriate for him to decide if, when, or where a groomer is allowed to touch him. Most of this process is about slowing down, providing clear guidance, building trust & leadership in helping him learn that he can safely work through discomfort without resorting to aggressive behaviors.
A huge shout out to Stinky Dog Grooming for welcoming us into today’s grooming appointment. Even while balancing the demands of a busy workday, they were open-minded and eager to learn additional ways to help Achillies have a better grooming experience.
Rather than simply working around the behavior, they wanted to understand what could be added to what they were already doing to help prevent biting, lunging, and those explosive moments that happen when a dog feels unheard or overwhelmed.
Groomers like Stinky Dog Grooming understand that trainers and groomers don’t work against each other, we work together.
By combining skills and dog psychology perspectives, we can create safer, less stressful experiences for everyone involved while helping dogs build confidence and better coping skills.
Behind every aggressive behavior is a story. Our job is to understand it, help dogs develop healthier ways to navigate the world around them, and rebuild trust for both the dog and the people who love and care for them.
Next step, Achilles will see us at doggy dayschool to help him learn how to grow his confidence and clear up his fustrations around other dogs next.
We are grateful for owners like his who do the work and are willing to take accountability to fix learned behaviors rather than blaming the dog.
