USA Dog Behavior Podcast

Leave a Message for Scott
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 canine behavior consultant and aggression specialist Scott Sheaffer tackles five practices that drive him crazy: nonstop commands, outdated alpha thinking, shock and prong collars, blindly following a trainer's instructions, and taking serious behavior advice from people who aren't qualified to give it.
Scott explains what dogs may actually be learning in these situations and why punishment can backfire, especially when fear, anxiety, reactivity, or aggression is involved. You'll also learn how to communicate more clearly, evaluate professional advice, advocate for your dog, and choose approaches that address the reason for behavior instead of simply trying to suppress it.
You can visit USADogBehavior.com for lots of dog behavior resources—almost all of them are free—including videos, blog articles, and past podcast episodes to help you understand your dog.
If you'd like to learn more about working with Scott, please visit his website below.

Find us at USADogBehavior.com.
Follow us on Facebook.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If your dog is displaying aggression toward humans, consult an experienced and knowledgeable canine behavior professional who uses humane, non-aversive methods, and always take precautions to keep others safe.
Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of the information shared in this podcast.

Leave a Message for Scott
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 explains how separation anxiety can look, why video is essential to understanding what is really happening, and how to distinguish panic from boredom, outside triggers, crate distress, or other problems.
Scott also covers the practical steps that matter most: avoiding punishment, reducing full-panic absences when possible, setting up a safe environment, and building alone time gradually without pushing your dog over threshold. If your dog has a hard time being left alone, this episode will help you begin with observation, compassion, and a workable plan.
Episode Link(s):
Free Video: Understanding Dog Body Language
Free Video: Do Behavior Medications Work for Fearful and Aggressive Dogs?
You can visit USADogBehavior.com for lots of dog behavior resources—almost all of them are free—including videos, blog articles, and past podcast episodes to help you understand your dog.
If you'd like to learn more about working with Scott, please visit his website below.

Find us at USADogBehavior.com.
Follow us on Facebook.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If your dog is displaying aggression toward humans, consult an experienced and knowledgeable canine behavior professional who uses humane, non-aversive methods, and always take precautions to keep others safe.
Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of the information shared in this podcast.

Leave a Message for Scott
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 Scott Sheaffer explains why barking at other dogs is one of the most misunderstood behavior problems owners face. You’ll learn why “leash reactivity” is often only a description of the behavior rather than the diagnosis, why fear is frequently the real driving force, and why understanding the underlying cause is far more important than simply stopping the barking.
Scott also discusses the concept of behavioral rehearsal, common mistakes that unintentionally strengthen the problem, and why today’s standard of care focuses on changing a dog’s emotional response rather than suppressing outward behavior. If your dog struggles around other dogs on walks, this episode will help you better understand what’s happening and what effective treatment typically looks like.
You can visit USADogBehavior.com for lots of dog behavior resources—almost all of them are free—including videos, blog articles, and past podcast episodes to help you understand your dog.
If you'd like to learn more about working with Scott, please visit his website below.

Find us at USADogBehavior.com.
Follow us on Facebook.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If your dog is displaying aggression toward humans, consult an experienced and knowledgeable canine behavior professional who uses humane, non-aversive methods, and always take precautions to keep others safe.
Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of the information shared in this podcast.

Leave a Message for Scott
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 Buddy. Despite loving his dog deeply, Tim found himself repeatedly bitten by the very dog he adored. The mystery wasn’t why Buddy was biting. The mystery was why Tim couldn’t see the warnings that came before the bites.
In this episode, I share the surprising discovery that changed everything and the lesson every dog owner can learn from it. If you’ve ever wondered whether your dog is trying to communicate something you’re missing, this episode is for you.
Episode Link(s):
Understanding Dog Body Language Video
You can visit USADogBehavior.com for lots of dog behavior resources—almost all of them are free—including videos, blog articles, and past podcast episodes to help you understand your dog.
Scott Sheaffer provides customized behavioral seminars for shelters, rescues, and veterinary teams—available online or on-site—focused on real-world strategies, with discounted or complimentary options available. Learn more about Scott Sheaffer’s behavioral seminars.

Find us at USADogBehavior.com.
Follow us on Facebook.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If your dog is displaying aggression toward humans, consult an experienced and knowledgeable canine behavior professional who uses humane, non-aversive methods, and always take precautions to keep others safe.
Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of the information shared in this podcast.

Leave a Message for Scott
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 thousands of dogs with aggression, fear, anxiety, reactivity, and separation anxiety, dog behaviorist Scott Sheaffer explains the four owner-related factors that consistently predict whether difficult cases improve over time.
Scott discusses the importance of belief, patience, realistic expectations, and consistency when working through serious canine behavior problems. He also explains why quick-fix approaches often fail, why progress is rarely linear, and what meaningful success actually looks like in real-world behavior modification cases.
You can visit USADogBehavior.com for lots of dog behavior resources—almost all of them are free—including videos, blog articles, and past podcast episodes to help you understand your dog.
Scott Sheaffer provides customized behavioral seminars for shelters, rescues, and veterinary teams—available online or on-site—focused on real-world strategies, with discounted or complimentary options available. Learn more about Scott Sheaffer’s behavioral seminars.

Find us at USADogBehavior.com.
Follow us on Facebook.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If your dog is displaying aggression toward humans, consult an experienced and knowledgeable canine behavior professional who uses humane, non-aversive methods, and always take precautions to keep others safe.
Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of the information shared in this podcast.