03/26/2026
š MOST DOG BEHAVIOUR CASES HAVE MULTIPLE BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS
When I watch a video on social media where a professional claims to have saved the day and āfixedā a dog they feature in one context, I canāt help but wonder how thorough they have been.
Itās highly unusual to get a case where there is an isolated behaviour problem, such as reacting at people or dogs.
ā”ļø If a dog lunges at barks at people on walks, I would put money on that dog struggling at the vets and reacting at visitors.
ā”ļø If a dog is quick to chase wildlife or livestock, Iād hazard a guess that they also engage in similar behaviour in the garden and potentially be vigilant of garden activity from within the home- resulting in restlessness and perhaps even frequent barking.
ā”ļø If a dog exhibits resource guarding towards their owner, thereās a big chance that dog is difficult to groom and that this may extend to being difficult to treat at the vets.
ā”ļø If a dog reacts at dogs on walks, thereās every possibility theyāre barking at dogs when inside the garden and house and that this extends to barking at noises outside of the house.
ā”ļø A dog who exhibits frustration related behaviours towards dogs or people (social or anti-social) may well have āattention seekingā behaviours and overall restlessness at home.
Professionals who work thoroughly will look to address all of these things as best as they can, as they know full well that such problems can be interlinked!
As an example;
A dog who reacts at people MAY make progress on walks, until they have to go to the vets for treatment. Without a plan in place, aversive experiences in one context can cause a resurgence of the behaviour in another.
One of my biggest annoyances in this industry is how manypeople do not think out the box. There is a distinct decline in the ability to critique and consider the bigger picture.
š¬ Instead, a one minute reel from a professional showing apparent results is soaked up as evidence of excellence- despite them giving zero information that suggests an adequate understanding of behaviour, thorough assessment and behaviour modification plan has been put in place.
A one minute video of a dog in one context?
Yeah, Iām not sold on that, sorry!
ā¼ļø If anyone is directly or indirectly suggesting behaviour modification is quick and/or easy, theyāre either skimming the surface or implementing a coercive and surpressing approach.
Pic of my olā galā¦..just because!
