Jeremy Baer

Here it is again! “My dog is pretty good but...” This week I had owners complain about aggression (human and dog), jumping, fear, destructiveness, uncontrollable energy and leash issues. There is always one reoccurring pattern of what is actually taking place in that dogs environment and routine. Once we take the environmental factors out of the picture we are then able to see the dog in a totally different light. The questions are simple! Here are a few: Do you constantly allow your dog into your personal space? Do you use high pitch or baby voices? Pet the dog constantly? No longer use a crate because they are potty trained or is locked in a room? Are they constantly being yelled and screamed at? and has no clear guidelines when it comes to rules, boundaries and structure? The bottom line is; inconsistent owners get inconsistent dogs. How can you expect your dog to walk good on leash when the dog only gets walked every blue moon and on that walk the dog is constantly sniffing marking/pulling. IF you have a dog with behavior issues it might be a sign that the lifestyle you've been living with your dog isn't working and things need to change. I would bet most of these behaviors have been going on for years but now they could be surfacing do to a change in environment; new house or apt. new person, baby or dog in your life. The day to day dynamics have changed and maybe your love and affection and time has lessoned making a already needy VELCRO DOG just a little more demanding and not so tolerable anymore. Maybe you cannot identify the change. Whatever pattern has shifted has thrown your dog for a loop and the old routine is no longer relative. The things that once made you feel good has now created severe separation anxiety, distraction and stress. Leading to the chaos of today!