10/19/2026
I've been having a lot of conversations with dog owners about medication and behavior modification, and there is something I really feel the need to discuss.
First, I want to make it absolutely clear that I am NOT against medication. Medication can be an incredibly valuable tool in behavior modification, and in the right situations, it can make a world of difference for both the dog and their owner! There are dogs who genuinely need that additional support, and I will never discourage someone from seeking help when it's appropriate.
However, what has been increasingly disheartening is seeing how often we jump to medication without first looking at the bigger picture.
Are we implementing a consistent behavior modification plan? Are we willing to adjust that plan when our initial approach isn't working? Are we meeting the dog's physical, mental, and emotional needs? Are we providing appropriate outlets for their genetics, teaching them skills to navigate the world, and giving them the structure and lifestyle they need to succeed?
Or are we expecting a dog to fit into our lifestyle without considering what they were bred to do in the first place?
Please, research the breed you're bringing into your home. Understand their instincts, drives, tendencies, and needs before expecting them to live a certain way. A high-drive working breed, a livestock guardian, a terrier, and a companion breed were not developed for the same purposes. Their needs are not interchangeable, and neither are their behavioral tendencies!
Behaviors that frustrate us aren't always signs that something is wrong with the dog. Sometimes, we're seeing normal breed-related behaviors that haven't been given an appropriate outlet. Sometimes, we're seeing frustration, unmet needs, or a lack of skills that haven't yet been taught. And sometimes, there are underlying behavioral or medical concerns that absolutely warrant professional and veterinary support.
The answer isn't always as simple as more exercise, more training, or medication. Every dog is an individual, and we need to be willing to look at the whole picture.
Medication should never be viewed as a substitute for meeting a dog's needs, just as training and lifestyle changes shouldn't be viewed as substitutes for medication when a dog genuinely needs medical support. These tools can work together, and we need to stop treating them as mutually exclusive...
We owe our dogs the willingness to look at ourselves, our expectations, our management, and the environment we've created for them before deciding that the problem lies entirely with the dog.
They didn't choose their genetics. They didn't choose their breed. They didn't choose the lifestyle we provide them.
We chose them! With that choice comes the responsibility to understand them, advocate for them, and give them the best chance to succeed.
Stop blaming the dog for being a dog.
📷- Gemma Delano Photography
