Behavior Problem Solving Topics Index

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This page contains the links for information related to solving canine behavior problems, ie for changing a behavior that the dog's guardian finds objectionable. Most solutions also require some change in the guardian's attitude and behavior.

If your problem in any way involves AGGRESSION, it is imperative that you consult a well qualified behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist who has a lot of experience dealing with aggressive dogs, some sources for which are given on my Farewell page.   Even if you have never yet felt dissatisfied with any dog's behavior, it is well to be acquainted with problem prevention and problem solving protocols.   Please also look at the Canine Nature sub-topic of the Training topics (which I will try to keep duplicated here), as many objectionable behaviors are actually perfectly normal canine behaviors that in Nature would promote the dog's survival, but that in our human Society need to be re-directed into acceptable outlets. Also please look at the Puppy Rearing topics, because many problems can be prevented by well thought out puppy rearing proceedures.   This section deals only with behavior issues. For health issues, see the Health Issues sub-topic of the DOG CARE section. (Thanks to one of my site users for pointing out that some people would look for health issues under Problems.)

Introduction to Problem Solving : possibly should be read first.

PROBLEMS : (Some Solutions for Behavioral Issues)

Contents :

• Canine Nature Dog evolution, behavior, etc.

• DOGS, A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, & Evolution by Ray & Lorna Coppinger (book review)
• Dog Language by Roger Abrantes (book review)
• The Other End of the Leash, by Patricia McConnell, PhD (review of superb book on how our natural human behaviors can cause us to mis-communicate with our dogs; how the 2 species are alike and how they are different). (added 6/09/03)
• The "D" word, discussion of why "dominance" is NOT a dirty word, why we must recognize the canine need for social hierarchy and put ourselves at the top of it.

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• General Problem Solving and Problem Evaluation

• The Culture Clash & Dogs Are From Neptune (book reviews)
• Don't Dump the Dog by Randy Grim , book review by Pam Green book about behavior problem solving, written with great humor.
• Dog Behavior Record, an evaluation chart to guide and organize owner's or fosterer's detailed observations of dog's reactions to various situations, including many common situations, and classify reactions as being more or less accepting (calm, trusting, or happy), fearful, or aggressive.
• Book review of "Leader of the Pack" by Baer and Duno, which advises humans on how to ensure that their dogs regard them as pack leader. Some of the advice is good, but some is debatable, and I am always ready to debate.

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• Specific Problems and some Tools to solve problems

• Tools
• The "Feeder Hand" and the "Pickup Hand", new tools for rescuers and shelter workers to use in behavior modification, especially those that might result in a bite to the hand.
• "The Feeder Hand in Action " : illustration and discussion of the very first attempt to use the food dispensing fake hand in behavior modification of a dog with an aggression towards strangers problem.
• Dogs "Stealing" Food, about dogs taking food from your countertops, garbage, tables, sidewalks.
• Food Guarding : testing and training with the Food-Giving Hand. Why this method is better than the one communly used in shelters.
• "Muzzle it !", an article about use of muzzles in ordinary life situations and for behavior testing and behavior problem solving.
• Keeping a Muzzle On (Preventing Dog from Removing Muzzle) : a method for reducing risk of dog getting rid of a muzzle when using one for safety in a training situation.
• In Honor of Halters , article on use of halters in training (especially for loose leash walking) and warnings against mis-use. includes illustrations. Updated in 2020 with section "it's NOT a muzzle" and photos showing that a correctly fitted halter allows the dog to pant and to bite.

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• Problems with Urination, Defecation, Housebreaking
• What is Housebreaking ? (detailed discussion of everything the puppy or dog needs to learn and everything the human must do. )
• Housebreaking when no one is home (article proposing a method for use when human supervision is not available for periods exceeding a puppy's "hold it" ability ; also applicable to adult dog.)
• Housebreaking an Adult Dog
• Two Books on Housetraining (book review)
• Urine Marking Indoors, what it is and how to solve it ; strict housebreaking plus "belly band"..

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• Problems with dog who do not COME when called
• Dogs who COME only when they have nothing better to do
• Training Recall and more with the Remote Training Collar (NOT for inexperienced trainers !!!)
• Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening (verse about a dog who won't come when called and the passerby who tries to rescue him).

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• Problems with Fear or Anxiety
• Dog Appeasement Pheromone , possible uses in treament of behavioral conditions with an anxiety or fear component. This is a report and discussion of some recent clinical trials plus ideas of my own.
• "Ashley", A case of a dog timid towards humans, with good outcome.
• Book review of "Help for Your Shy Dog" , a good book on building confidence in timid or shy dogs, thus enabling the dog to become a rewarding pet.
• Book Review of "Help for Your Fearful Dog", by Nicole Wilde, reviewed byPam Green This is an encyclopeia of fear issues. excellent !
• guest article "Tips on Interacting with Fearful Dogs", by Nicole Wilde, CPDT (Certified Pet Dog Trainer), discussing your body language and actions when dealing with a timid or fearful dog.
• Separation Anxiety, some modifications and implementations to programs for prevention and cure. (if you looked for this earlier and got a 404 not found error message, try again now : I will have posted it by 1/1/08)
• Book Review : Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs : review of an excellent book on exactly the topic indicated in the title. An absolutely essential MUST READ if you think you are dealing with a dog who may have this problem
• Fearful Dog site : this is a really excellent site with clearly written material.

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• Problems with being Touched or Groomed
• Desensitization to Grooming and Handling, a problem usually having some fear components, though it can also have dominance components.
• "Hardy" , case history of a touch / groom problem , with good outcome..
• Cross-tie for Grooming, as an aid to grooming difficult dogs, especially those who resist foot scissoring or toenail clipping.

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• A lot of Miscellaneous Problems
• Teaching a dog to Walk on a Loose Leash. I should have written this years ago, but almost every dog training and puppy rearing book covers the topic more or less well.
• Dogs who are "reactive" on leash, about handling dogs who get over-excited when seeing another dog , person, jogger, vehicle, etc.
• In Honor of Halters , article on use of halters in training and warnings against mis-use. includes illustrations. Updated in 2020 with section "it's NOT a muzzle" and photos showing that a correctly fitted halter allows the dog to pant and to bite.
• Escape Artist Dogs
• Preventing Fence Climbing is also covered in "DO Fence Me In !"
• Dogs Getting into Garbage (dogs helping themselves to food)
• Rabbits, Chickens, and Cats    article about dogs chasing cats and livestock
• Coping with Copraphagia (various attempted cures)
• "Bingo's Song" (humorous song about coprophagia --- if you can't cure something, it's easier to live with it if you can laugh about it !)

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• Problems with Aggression towards dogs or humans
  

  These problems are ones that could result in serious injury to dog or human. Please consult a certified Veterinary Behaviorist or Applied Animal Behaviorist with experience treating canine aggression, some sources for which are given on my Farewell page, if you think you might be having any problem with an aggressive component. All advice given here is merely to give you some background. It is not a substitute for treatment supervised by a properly qualified expert.

• Book Review : Dogs Bite but Balloons and Slippers are More Dangerous, by Janis Bradley. An outstanding ground-breaking MUST READ for ALL dog people book about the rarity of serious dog bite injuries and the media whipped social hysteria about the non-existant "dog bite crisis".
• Family Feuds, a new consideration in analysis and treatment of conflicts between dogs within the household. This is a discusion of a new idea presented by veterinary behaviorist Dr Jacqui Neilson DVM, plus a lot of discussion of how this relates to my own experiences and ideas.
• When Dogs Collide , how to distinguish play fighting and dominance squabbles from serious fights and how to deal with recurrent fights.
• The Jealous Dog, about the problem of a dog being possessive of a person or of that person's attention and showing "jealousy" towards another person or another dog.
• Aggression over Food
• "Shady", A case history of a Food Guarding dog with good outcome.
• Food Guarding : testing and training with the Food-Giving Hand
• "Zeke", A case history of an Unpredictably Aggressive to Humans dog with bad outcome.
• The "Feeder Hand" and the "Pickup Hand", new tools for rescuers and shelter workers to use in behavior modification, especially those that might result in a bite to the hand.