USA Dog Behavior Podcast

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, including why your tone may matter more than your words, how your emotional state can affect your dog, why simply being near you is meaningful, and how dogs work hard to understand a very human world.
You’ll hear realistic examples of these behaviors at home, learn why small shared moments matter, and consider how the relationship changes as a dog grows older. Scott also looks at what owners often call forgiveness and explains why, for a companion dog, one person can become the center of safety, routine, and belonging. This is a warm, science-informed reminder that understanding your dog begins with noticing what they’re already showing you.
Episode Links:
100 Reasons Why You Need to Give Your Dog More Respect
Ever Wonder What Dogs Think About All Day? Here’s the Answer
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.

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 discuss five practices in dog training that concern me, including promises that complex behavior can be “fixed” in a short board-and-train program, routine use of shock and prong collars, and trainers taking on serious aggression cases without the appropriate expertise.
I also discuss why trying to be every kind of dog professional can work against genuine expertise, and why hands-on experience should never replace serious study and continuing education. Underneath all five issues is one quality I believe good dog professionals need: the humility to understand the limits of our methods, our knowledge, and our expertise.
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.

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.

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.

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.