What About Googling My Dog’s New Problem Behavior?

Your dog has a new problem behavior (i.e. doing something that you don’t like) because of circumstances in their world. There are potentially many variables specific to your dog, that led to this behavior; their surroundings, their walks, their events, their family members, their home, their yard . . . Sometimes a single incident can lead to a change in how your dog behaves around other dogs, people, etc.

Googling, or even asking in a group, will provide a cookie cutter opinion that has nothing to do with any of these things. It is free-for-all GUESS! Also, now with AI, you are getting any and all advice that has ever been offered online. Advice from people who aren’t trainers, or who don’t align with your beliefs, or have no idea what they are talking about.

If you want to help your dog and yourself, you need to ask someone trained to view dog body language, who asks the right questions, to look at your dog. They will be looking for all of the different signs of what's happening and give you an assessment for YOUR dog and THAT specific behavior. Then they can come up with a plan that works for your dog and your life. This is why I go to the client’s home for sessions, with all family members present. I need to see everything from the dog’s point of view to get an accurate read on the adjustments that need to be made.

Dog training is counter-intuitive. Dogs are not little humans, they are an entirely different species. Domestic doesn’t mean they arrive knowing how to live and act as we desire in our homes. Dog training is also an unregulated profession. Do yourself a favor and seek out a certified professional and ask questions, so the trainer doesn’t do more damage with their aversive techniques. And just because your friend tried something and it worked, doesn’t mean it will work for your dog. Dogs, humans, issues, situations, experiences and capabilities are all different.