USA Dog Behavior Podcast

Why does my dog bark at the doorbell?

Why does your dog start barking before you've even opened the front door? In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explains how the doorbell can become a learned signal for a

Why Does My Dog Pull on the Leash?

Why does your dog pull on the leash? The answer may be a simple training gap, a habit that has repeatedly worked, or an emotional response to something in the environment

8 Things Your Dog Wishes You Knew Today

What would your dog tell you if they could explain how life with you feels? In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explores eight truths hidden inside everyday dog behavior, inc

5 Things Dog Trainers Do That Drive Me Crazy, Part 2 of 2

Last episode, I talked about five things dog owners do that drive me crazy. This time, it's only fair that I turn the spotlight on a segment of my own profession. I

5 Things Dog Owners Do That Drive Me Crazy, Part 1 of 2

Dog owners usually mean well, but some common habits can confuse dogs, increase stress, and make behavior problems worse. In Part 1 of this two-part series, certified can

Separation Anxiety in Dogs: The Signs You're Missing and What Actually Helps

When your dog barks, destroys things, pants, drools, or has accidents only when you leave, it may be more than a nuisance behavior. In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explai

Why Does My Dog Bark at Other Dogs?

Why does a perfectly normal walk with your dog suddenly turn into barking, lunging, and chaos the moment another dog appears? In this episode, canine behavior consultant

He Loved His Dog. He Never Heard the Warnings.

This is one of the most memorable cases I’ve encountered in my career as a dog behaviorist. It’s a true story about a kind, intelligent man named Tim and his rescue dog

4 Reasons Some Dogs With Behavior Issues Improve and Others Don’t…And They’re Usually Not About the Dog

This episode explores one of the biggest realities in canine behavior work: the strongest predictors of success are often not about the dog at all. After working with tho

Why Dogs Become Aggressive

Aggression in dogs is one of the most misunderstood behavior problems owners face. In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explains why dogs growl, bark, lunge, snap, or bite, an

You’re Not Dealing With Disobedience. You’re Misreading Behavior.

Most dog behavior issues aren’t what they seem. What looks like disobedience is often the result of underlying behavioral patterns that haven’t been correctly identified.

3 Common Dog Training Tips That Sound Right—but Make Behavior Worse

Most dog owners are trying to do the right thing—but some of the most common advice out there is actually making behavior worse. In this episode, Scott breaks down three

Is Your Neutered Dog "Hormonally Bankrupt?" The New Science of Canine HRT

In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explores the groundbreaking and often controversial topic of canine hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for neutered male dogs. For years, "

How You’re Accidentally Making Your Dog More Fearful or Aggressive

Many owners of reactive, fearful, or aggressive dogs are unknowingly sending signals that reinforce their dog’s fear. Subtle changes in voice, body language, or leash han

The 6 Most Misunderstood and Frightening Forms of Dog Aggression

Dog aggression isn’t always what people think it is. Some forms appear suddenly, without warning, and can be terrifying for owners who don’t understand what’s happening.

Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

When a beloved dog dies, many of us ask the same question: Do dogs go to heaven? In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explores this deeply emotional topic from a pan-religious

Do Dogs Understand Death? What Science (and Experience) Really Show

When a dog dies in a household, many owners wonder if the surviving dogs truly understand what happened. In this episode, Scott Sheaffer explores how dogs perceive death,

The Myth of the "Mean Dog"

In this episode of the USA Dog Behavior Podcast, we challenge one of the most ingrained misconceptions in the world of dog ownership: the idea of the "mean dog." Scott Sh

New Baby Meets Dog: How to Set Yours Up for Success

For expecting parents with dogs, the question of safety can be a source of deep anxiety. This episode provides essential reassurance and a clear, practical roadmap. We be

Why Standard Dog Training Can Worsen Canine Fear and Anxiety

Many anxious dogs get worse—not better—after traditional training. In this episode, we explore why obedience-based methods often fail fearful dogs, how corrections intens