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Kathy Sdao is an applied animal behaviorist and recommends keeping your dog out of the behavioral "deep end of the pool" by avoiding environmental situations that they do not have the skills to handle.  

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Behavior Issues

 

When troubleshooting behavior issues, please pause and remember that your dog is not giving you a hard time, he/she is having a hard time. Please take them to the vet to rule out health issues, manage the environment to help them feel safe, and reduce stimulation to prevent your dog from going over their threshold. Dealing with dog behavior issues is a family affair and can be stressful.

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** If your dog is displaying aggression or separation anxiety, please consult with a certified dog professional to immediately address this and keep everyone safe. **

 

 

Respect your dog's space bubble. If your dog is struggling with behavior issues, resist the urge to pet, stand over the dog, or restraining such as grabbing their collar or hugging them as this might set them off. Some dogs find comfort with affection, but not all dogs do. Please don't add fuel to the fire. 

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Does Your Dog REALLY Want to be Petted? - eileenanddogs

Dog Bites: Behavior of Dogs and Humans Before an Attack

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Go back to basics by reducing the size of their world and increasing sniffing, licking, and chewing opportunities.

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  1. Write down the events that took place right before the unwanted or concerning behavior occurred and describe your dog's reaction (tail tucked, lunging and barking, stiff body, etc.).

  2. Manage the environment (not the dog)

  3. Reduce stimulation (create a spa-like environment, use visual barriers, limit your body movement, turn on white noise, practice slow breathing)

  4. Avoid triggers with the goal of preventing your dog from repeating unwanted behavior

  5. When we are unwell or afraid, we may overreact verbally or physically to protect ourselves or completely shut down because we are so overwhelmed with fear. Your dog may be experiencing this as well.

 

​For example, my dog is lunging and growling at dogs when we go walking.

  • Increase sniffing, licking, chewing, and scavenging opportunities in your back yard or inside your home.

  • Train tricks or take an online beginner's nose work course

  • Find a place or a good time to when your chance to run into dogs is reduced. Use the environment like vehicles to provide a visual barrier. Bring a friend to protect you from dogs off leash. 

  • We are also part of the environment. If we are able to be calm and prepared, then we can help. This means doing research to learn techniques to help you and your dog create new behavior.

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Review reading dog body language

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Rule out medical issues

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Stage in life affects behavior

  • Puppies may have growing pains, teething, tummy issues from eating stuff

  • Teenagers may experience raging hormones

  • About 8 years+, dogs may begin to experience arthritis, tooth issues, gingivitis, etc.

  • Senior dogs may lose hearing, eyesight, hip dysplasia, or arthritis causing them to become jumpy or grumpy.

  • Dementia in senior dogs may cause separation anxiety.

  • Monitor your dog's food/treat intake during each stage of life, especially as they get older.

  • Keep your dog at a healthy weight. You should be able to feel their ribs.

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Be mindful when your dog is not feeling well. They may feel vulnerable or suddenly scared around strangers or other dogs even though he or she is comfortable with you. Dogs may develop arthritis from jumping on hard surfaces. Adjust your routine and consider reducing exercise and increasing mental stimulation.

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Other considerations

  • Pain affects behavior (pulled muscle or ligaments, etc.)

  • Change in routine may cause stress and anxiety

  • Lack of Communication (they may become frustrated - what do you want me to do?) 

  • Lack of or Interrupted Sleep (dogs get grumpy too, let sleeping dogs sleep please)

  • Traumatic experience (thunder, something scary occurred, etc.)

  • Stress & Anxiety (may create potty accidents, chewing, destruction, nervous zoomies, jumping biting)

  • Separation Anxiety versus Independence issues (there is a difference both need your attention)

  • Resource Guarding (always trade up, be a giver, let your dog eat in peace)

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Resource Guarding in Dogs: A Fear Free Approach:  https://youtu.be/LnSUerpBt1U

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If your dog is acting strange (i.e. is overly excited, grumpy, or nervous), pay attention. Most likely, your Malamute is trying to let you know that something is wrong. They may be stressed, bored, frustrated, or physically unwell. Work on finding the root cause for the strange behavior. Your dog may have an injury, need more exercise, mental stimulation, need time alone, or is anxious about a storm. As a dog enters different stages in their life, they may develop fear or hesitation towards things, sounds, that previously were not an issue. Like humans, dogs will have their guard up to protect themselves if they feel vulnerable or are experiencing pain or tummy issues.

 

Growling

It is important to never punish your dog for growling. A growl is a warning like a smoke alarm. 

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/understand-why-your-dog-growls/). 

 

Adjust the environment to help your dog feel safe.

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/fear-confidence/building-your-dogs-confidence-up/

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"Listen" to your dog by reading their body language (head-turning away from you, stiff posture, lip licking, freezing, air snap, growl), a dog will escalate and possibly bite you if we do not listen. Their life is in your hands!   

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Bucky's Story

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Bucky (pictured below) was easily aroused, frustrated, and passionate about getting his way. He expressed his feelings by bucking at the end of the leash or jumping, humping, biting and digging his paws into the handler's back. Ouch! The volunteer below is laughing because he was taken by surprise. Bucky worked with Stephanie Peebles, CHAAMP's professional trainer at the time, and he blossomed, but he was still struggling. 

 

We placed him a foster home with his special volunteer of over a year. We then consulted with a vet behaviorist. Bucky was diagnosed with generalized anxiety. We did not want to medicate him (who wants a zombie?), but Dr. Sinn explained that Bucky's quality of life was poor. Imagine becoming so anxious at the slightest movement, noise, and smell that you freak out? Bucky was prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). The purpose of medication is to help a dog's mental state so that he/she can learn new behavior. Medication alone does not work. Training is required.

 

Kelly Citrin, Trainer & Owner, 4 On The Floor Dog Training had Suzanne Clothier present, and our minds were blown! Bucky's had a private consult with Suzanne who advised Bucky's mom to work on fading the treat lure and to monitor his right hip. Bucky & his family improved their communication skills and life was good!

 

When Bucky became a senior dog, he started to regress. Kelly Citrin hosted another presentation on behavior and Dr. Katie Malehorn, Veterinary Park Potomac discussed the importance of a dog's mental health and that her practice offers behavior consulting. She became Bucky's family's new vet. When got his teeth cleaned, he had a hip x-ray too. Suzanne Clothier was right! Bucky had arthritis and was experiencing pain and frustration. Dr. Katie changed his medication and addressed his pain. Bucky was back to being the best boy in the neighborhood.

 

Today, instead of humping, he sits on his favorite rug and looks at his mom to let her know that he wants to be enriched! Our two-way communication improved thanks to Suzanne Clothier, and his mental/physical health is closely monitored by Dr. Katie. We are grateful to Kelly Citrin who improved Bucky's life by way of 4 On The Floor Dog Training resources.   

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