3 Common Mistakes in Addressing Dog Behavior

As a dog trainer, I see many well-intentioned owners working hard to do right by their pets. However, there are a few common pitfalls that I often encounter. These mistakes aren't just minor misunderstandings; they can fundamentally change the trajectory of a dog's training plan and ultimately impact their quality of life.

1. The "Fear" Label Trap: Mistaking Drive for Distress

One of the more frequent mistakes I encounter is mislabeling a big reaction for fear.

When we see a dog barking and/or lunging (particularly a small dog) our human instinct may be to attribute this behavior to fear. We want to comfort the dog and remove the scary thing. And if your dog is indeed afraid, this is generally where you should begin your work. However,  often what we are witnessing is not fear. While dogs can and do feel fear, they also experience:

• Frustration: Sudden barking and/or lunging could reflect a dopamine spike in anticipation of an interaction.

• Excitement: Think of a human adrenaline junkie. Just like some people, some dogs actually enjoy the feeling of exciting situations. Bring it on!!!!

• Instinctive drift:  Instinctive drift is formally defined as the tendency of an animal to revert to unconscious and automatic behaviour that interferes with learned behaviour. For example, terriers and hunting dogs are bred to bark and flush out prey. That isn’t fear; it’s a centuries-old job description!

Why this matters: When you mistake frustration, excitement or instinctive feelings for fear, you may effectively handicap or limit your dog. An experienced trainer with a solid understanding of dog body language can be of immense help in interpreting such behavior. 

2. Downplaying the Human Bite

There is a massive difference between a dog-on-dog scuffle and a dog biting a human.

Statistically, an estimated 80% of the world's dogs are free-ranging scavengers. Many still survive by securing resources and guarding their find from other hungry dogs. Dogs did not evolve from fighting over resources with people. Dogs have evolved besides us, offering us protection and companionship in return for food.  When a dog bites a person, something is wrong and needs to be addressed immediately. 

I often hear clients say, "It didn’t break the skin," or "It was just a little nip on the finger." This is a dangerous mindset. A human bite is a serious event that needs to be addressed, ideally by a qualified and experienced canine professional. 

3. Treating Enrichment as a Panacea

Enrichment is wonderful for dogs and is an important part of a healthy canine life. However, enrichment is not a cure-all for behavioral issues such as aggression or reactivity. I see many owners spending their hard-earned dollars on puzzle and chew toys, only to find that the core problem remains unchanged. Enrichment is indeed a wonderful supplement,  but it is typically not a solution. It doesn't get to the root of the behavior.