Dog behavior explained

Reading stress and fear

Dogs communicate mostly through posture and movement, and the whole body tells you more than any one part. The AVSAB position statement on training lists behaviors that researchers recorded as stress related in dogs:

When you see several of these together, give your dog space and make the situation easier: increase distance, stop what you were doing, or leave. Pushing a frightened dog to "face its fear" is flooding, which AVSAB advises against.

Socialization

The AVSAB calls the first three months of life the primary and most important time for puppy socialization, the period when sociability outweighs fear. Puppies should meet as many new people, well socialized animals, places and experiences as can be achieved safely, without overwhelming them. AVSAB says puppy classes can start as early as 7 to 8 weeks, as long as the puppy has had at least one set of vaccines at least 7 days before the first class, a first deworming, and stays up to date. It warns that incomplete socialization raises the risk of fear, avoidance and aggression later. Full details: The puppy socialization window.

The dominance myth

The idea that dogs are constantly trying to become "alpha" over their owners traces back to studies of unrelated captive wolves. The wolf biologist L. David Mech, after 13 summers watching wild wolves on Ellesmere Island, concluded that a typical wild pack is a family, with the parents guiding the group. AVSAB advises against trainers who use "dominance", "leader of the pack" or "alpha" explanations and against forceful techniques such as alpha rolls. Most behavior that gets labeled dominance, such as pulling on the lead, jumping up or guarding food, is better explained by what the dog has learned pays off, or by fear. Read the full explainer.

Common problem behaviors: a general approach

AVSAB notes that common issues such as jumping up, barking and house training can be managed by arranging the environment well and rewarding the behavior you want, while more serious concerns such as aggression, anxiety and fear need a treatment plan. A general approach for everyday problems:

1. Rule out pain and illness. Sudden behavior changes can have a medical cause, so see your vet first.
2. Work out what the dog gets from the behavior. Attention, food, play, distance from something scary, or relief from boredom.
3. Manage it. Prevent rehearsal with gates, leads, closed doors or by putting temptations away.
4. Teach and reward an alternative. Sit to greet instead of jumping; go to the mat when the doorbell rings; chew a toy instead of the sofa.
5. Meet the underlying need. More exercise, sniffing, chewing outlets or company, depending on the cause.

AVSAB also recommends teaching puppies to enjoy short periods alone with a stuffed food toy, and offering a wide variety of experiences in the first year, which it links to a lower risk of separation related behavior.

When to get professional help

Seek help early for aggression, fear that is getting worse, behavior when left alone that leads to injury or damage, or any behavior that puts people or other animals at risk. AVSAB says animals with aggression should be treated with humane methods with no exceptions, and that trainers struggling with a case should refer to a vet, a board certified veterinary behaviorist or a certified applied animal behaviorist.