We are in the process of creating "tip sheets" on specific behavior issues you might encounter with an adult shelter dog. The first of these are listed below. Many more will follow. If you have a problem that is not addressed below, please email with the topic and we will call you and / or post the topic at our earliest convenience!
Tip Sheets currently available (some in Adobe format)
Aggression | Barking Problems | | Bolting | Carsickness | Chewing | Calming the Fearful Dog | Digging |
Dog / Cat Introductions (reprinted with the permission of the SF SPCA)| Escaping Dogs |
Housetraining a puppy | Introducing dogs | Jumping | Leash Aggression | Nipping and Play Biting | Separation Anxiety
Are dogs REALLY trying to be dominant? Have you often thought that your dog's behavior (such as jumps on people, won't get off the couch, growls at visitors, not obeying your commands) means he is a dominant, or alpha, dog? Many owners mistakenly assume that an unwanted canine behavior is a "dominance" issue. How did dominance theory become one of the most popular and unthinking labels ever bandied about in dog circles? Pamela Buitrago speaks about "Debunking the Dominance Myth."
Dogs are not staging a coup at night to take over your household. Most dogs aren't looking to become dominant. They are looking for leadership, that this comes from you. You can establish yourself as leader through a partnership with you dog and not through force or fear. There is no evidence that so-called "dominance exercises" - like making him go second after you through a doorway, forbidding access to furniture, not playing tug of war, "alpha rolls" - prevent dominance.
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