Prevention and Recognition
Knowing about dog behavior can help you prevent and manage problems. It is easiest to solve problems when you get started right away.
We may find behaviors like barking, mounting, mouthing, begging, or jumping annoying. But these are normal dog behaviors. Teach dogs desired skills and provide acceptable outlets for normal behaviors.
There is a difference between unwanted, normal behaviors and abnormal behaviors. Abnormal behaviors include separation anxiety, fears, and aggression toward people or dogs. Extreme fears and repetitive behaviors are a sign of impaired welfare.
Abnormal behavior can indicate pain, boredom, or other suffering. The dog’s breed, age, health, sex, and their environment can impact behavior too.
Unwanted and abnormal behaviors can lead to owners to give up or euthanize their dogs. They can also lead to poor welfare. This is why early recognition and intervention is so important!
Many things affect a dog’s behavior, and behavior problems. Experience, learning, biology and environment all play a part.
Lindsay, S. (2013). Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training: Vol. 2. Etiology and Assessment of Behavior Problems. Ames, IA. Blackwell Publishing.
Bare bones – If you only have a few minutes for the basics
Kibble – If you want to take a deep dive into the science
Prevalence, Comorbidity, and Breed Differences in Canine Anxiety in 13,700 Finnish Pet Dogs
Inadequate Socialization, Inactivity, and Urban Living Environment Are Associated With Social Fearfulness in Pet Dogs
Early Life Experiences and Exercise Associate With Canine Anxieties
Human Directed Aggression in Domestic Dogs (Canis Familiaris): Occurrence in Different Contexts and Risk Factors
Aetiology of Separation-Related Behavior in Domestic Dogs
Dominance in Domestic Dogs – Useful Construct or Bad Habit?
The Epidemiology of Behavioural Problems in Dogs and Cats: A Survey of Veterinary Practitioners
Additional Resources to Support Dogs in Other Environments
SHELTER & RESCUE
Dogs living in shelter or rescue kennels face challenges specific to their living environments. Practical applications for their management and care may also differ. Additional resources for their caretakers, including those caring for dogs in home-based foster systems or rescue networks, are provided to support efforts to improve, maintain, and protect their welfare.
PET FAMILIES
Dogs living in homes as family pets face challenges specific to their living environments. Practical applications for their management and care may also differ. Additional resources for their caretakers, support the human-animal bond, keep pets in their homes, and improve, maintain, and protect their welfare.
Research & Teaching
Dogs living in research or teaching kennels face challenges specific to their living environments. Practical applications for their management and care may also differ. Additional resources for their caretakers are provided to support efforts to improve, maintain, and protect their welfare.
Applications for Research & Teaching
Aspects of Juvenile and Adolescent Environment Predict Aggression and Fear in 12-Month-Old Guide Dogs
Serpell, J.A. and Duffy, D.L. Aspects of Juvenile and adolescent environment Predict aggression and Fear in 12-Month-Old guide Dogs. Problem Behavior Recognition
Behavior of Laboratory Beagles Towards Humans: Assessment in an Encounter Test and a Simulation of Experimental Situations
Döring, D., Haberland, B.E., Ossig, A., Küchenhoff, H., Dobenecker, B., Hack, R., Schmidt, J., and Erhard, M. Behavior of laboratory beagles towards humans: Assessment in an encounter test and a simulation of experimental situations. problem behavior recognition
Consistency in Behavior: Evaluation of Behavior Tests in Laboratory Beagles
Döring, D., Haberland, B.E., Bauer, A., Dobenecker, B., Hack, R., Schmidt, J., and Erhard, M. Consistency in behavior: Evaluation of behavior tests in laboratory beagles. problem behavior recognition
Applications for Pet Families
Can Aggression in Dogs Be Elicited Through the Use of Electronic Pet Containment Systems?
Polsky, R. (2000). Can aggression in dogs be elicited through the use of electronic pet containment systems? Problem behavior recognition
Owner Perception of Problem Behaviours in Dogs Aged 6 and 9-Months
Lord, M.S., Casey, R.A., Kinsman, R.H., Tasker, S., Knowles, T.G., Da Costa, R.E.P., Woodward, J.L., and Murray, J.K. (2020). Owner perception of problem behaviours in dogs aged 6 and 9-months.
Puppy or Not
Puppy or Not Trailblazing Tails. problem behavior recognition
7 Prevention Tips for Parents
Trailblazing Tails. 7 Prevention Tips for Parents. problem behavior recognition
15 More Things I Teach My Kids to Do Around Dogs
Trailblazing Tails. (n.d.). 15 More Things I Teach My Kids to Do Around Dogs. Problem Behavior Recognition
Top 15 Things I Teach My Kids to Do Around Dogs
Trailblazing Tails. Top 15 Things I Teach My Kids to Do Around Dogs. problem behavior recognition
Milestones
Milestones. familypaws.com. problem behavior recognition
Owner Characteristics and Interactions and the Prevalence of Canine Behavior Problems
Jagoe, A. and Serpell, J. (1996). Owner characteristics and interactions and the prevalence of canine behavior problems.
The MUZZLE UP! Project
Muzzle Advocacy, education, and training. The Muzzle Up! Project. problem behavior recognition
Grumble and Growl Zones
Grumble and Growl Zones. FamilyPaws.com problem behavior recognition
Active and Social Life is Associated With Lower Non-Social Fearfulness in Pet Dogs
Hakanen, E., Mikkola, S., Salonen, M., Puurunen, J., Sulkama, S., Araujo, C., and Lohi, H. Active and social life is associated with lower non-social fearfulness in pet dogs.
Success Stations
Familypaws.com. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2022, from https://www.familypaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/FPPE_SuccessStation_Handout_FINAL_H-1.pdf
Association Between Prospective Owner Viewing of the Parents of a Puppy and Later Referral for Behavioural Problems
Westgarth, C., Reevell, K., and Barclay, R. (2012). Association between prospective owner viewing of the parents of a puppy and later referral for behavioural problems. Veterinary Record.
The 5 Types of Supervision
Five types of supervision. familypaws.com. Problem Behavior Recognition
Dog and Toddler Safety
Dog and toddler safety. FamilyPaws.com. Problem Behavior Recognition
Dog and Baby Safety
Dog and baby safety . Family Paws.com. problem behavior
Applications for Shelter & Rescue
Prevalence of Behavior Problems Reported By Owners of Dogs Purchased From an Animal Rescue Shelter
Wells, D.L. and Hepper, P.G., (2000). Prevalence of behavior problems reported by owners of dogs purchased from an animal rescue shelter. Recognition
Human and Animal Factors Related to the Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats in 12 Selected Animal Shelters in the United States
Salman, M.D., New, J.G., Scarlett, J.M., Kris, P.H., Ruch-Gallie, R., and Hetts, S. (1998). Human and Animal Factors Related to the Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats in 12 Selected Animal Shelters in the United States. problem behavior recognition
Characterizing Unsuccessful Animal Adoptions: Age and Breed Predict the Likelihood of Return, Reasons for Return and Post-Return Outcomes
Powell, L., Reinhard, C., Satriale, D., Morris, M., Serpell, J., and Watson, B. Characterizing unsuccessful animal adoptions: age and breed predict the likelihood of return, reasons for return and post-return outcomes. problem behavior recognition
Behavioral Problems of Dogs
Landsberg, G.M. and Denenberg, S. (2022). Behavioral Problems of Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. Retrieved June 24, 2023 from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/behavior/normal-social-behavior-and-behavioral-problems-of-domestic-animals/behavioral-problems-of-dogs.
Health and Behavior Problems in Dogs and Cats One Week and One Month After Adoption From Animal Shelters
Lord, L.K., Reider, L., Herron, M.E., and Graszak, K. (2008). Health and behavior problems in dogs and cats one week and one month after adoption from animal shelters retire rehome
Early Recognition of Behaviour Problems in Shelter Dogs by Monitoring them in their Kennels after Admission to a Shelter
Clay, L., Paterson, M., Bennett, P., Perry, G., & Phillips, C. (2019). Early Recognition of Behaviour Problems in Shelter Dogs by Monitoring them in their Kennels after Admission to a Shelter. Animals, 9(11), 875. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110875
Stress Reduction: Happy and Healthy Shelter Dogs
Bennett, S. (2016). Stress Reduction: Happy and Healthy Shelter Dogs. Maddie's Fund. Retrieved June 24, 2023 from https://www.maddiesfund.org/stress-reduction-happy-and-healthy-shelter-dogs.htm?p=topic1011.
Breed Specific Legislation Position Statement
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is concerned about the propensity of various communities’ reliance on breed-specific legislation as a tool to decrease the risk and incidence of dog bites to humans. The AVSAB’s position is that such legislation—often called breed-specific legislation (BSL)−is ineffective, and can lead to a false sense of community safety as well as welfare concerns for dogs identified (often incorrectly) as belonging to specific breeds.
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