Territorial Aggression

It is very common for dogs to instinctively guard resources that are important to them including food, toys, beds and people. 'Territorial aggression' addresses a similar need, but on a much larger scale, and often occurs along boundaries of territory that the dog lives in, such as a yard or home. Dogs that are territorial Read More

Aggression

Aggression in dogs is a massive issue. From dog bite prevention and public safety to the pet overpopulation problem due to over-capacity animal shelters, aggression is a leading cause of many of the major problems in the dog world. Dogs aggress under many different circumstances from leash reactivity to territorial issues, and aggression can be Read More

Dog/Dog Aggression

Dog/dog Aggression: There’s nothing pet parents like better than socializing with their dog in the summer sun. There are, however, two important questions to ask: “Is it safe?” and “Is my dog really having fun?” Your dog speaks to you through body language--ear and tail carriage, stance, behavior and vocalizations. Perhaps your dog is telling Read More

Are Domestic Dogs Losing the Ability to Get Along with Each Other?

VSPDT Laura Brody discusses the topic of dog socialization and why modern domesticated dogs are showing more signs of dog-dog aggression than ever before.

Resource Guarding

Resource guarding is when a dog controls access to food, objects, people and locations that are important to him through defensive body language or overt aggressive display. This is a relatively common canine behavior and is influenced by a number of environmental and situational stimuli, including a dog’s natural instinct to survive. The dog Read More

Can Spaying Make Dog Behavior Worse?

On an episode of “It’s Me or the Dog,” Victoria Stilwell tackled the problem of a bull terrier that exhibited mounting behavior. The first solution was to send the dog for a time-out when he mounted. However, the mounting was so severe that the trainer finally recommended neutering, which solved the problem. This case raises Read More

Jackson Galaxy Talks ‘Catification’

Steve Dale interviews Jackson Galaxy, host of Animal Planet's 'My Cat From Hell.'

FBI to Track Animal Cruelty Crimes

In a move that could have tremendous impact on animal law and the prosecution of animal cruelty offenders, the FBI has revealed that it will soon begin tracking crimes related to animal cruelty.

Behavior enrichment for rodents: how to have a happier, healthier pet

Enrichment is a big buzz word in the field of animal behavior. According to the Encarta Dictionary,” enrichment” is defined as “to enhance or improve the quality of something usually by adding something else to it.” Whether this term is applied to the behavior of a dog, cat, bird, fish, or other animal, the notion Read More

Jim Crosby Weighs in on Lennox

Valuable insight into the Lennox case from Jim Crosby, retired Police Lieutenant and Canine Dog Bite Investigator: Over the last few months I have watched the case of Lennox, a dog seized for having the “wrong” looks, as it has unfolded in Belfast, Ireland. Lennox was seized, not for behavior, but because he has a Read More

The Perfect Storm

“I can’t believe he snapped at that dog!” “She nipped me. She’s never done that before!” These exclamations come from owners of dogs who had never before acted in an aggressive manner. What caused these dogs to act out in such a way? Many things can cause dogs to become reactive, of course, but in Read More

Calaveras Man Killed by Two Pitbulls—A Lesson About Pitbulls or About What Not to Do with Dogs?

Local news reports, “A Mountain Ranch man was mauled to death by two pit bulls late Sunday afternoon.” The dogs belonged to a friend of the victim who was staying on his property. According to one newscast, the dogs were known to be territorial. They barked, growled and lunged at people from within their confined Read More