Sometimes the unwanted behaviors seen by owners are not caused by a simple lack of training. There may be other factors at work and in order to help the dog, we need to get to the root of the problem.
Some dogs have behavior problems that are the result of things that happened to them, through not fault of their own. Experiences like a lack of early socialization, abuse or neglect or trauma can cause dogs to be fearful, anxious or aggressive.
Some dogs may have hidden medical or physical problems such as limited vision or hearing, joint pain or soreness or metabolic problems that are not apparent to us, but make them feel irritable, sore, protective of their bodies and can result in snapping or biting.
Still other dogs don't have "Behavior Problems" at all. Instead, their behavior is being driven by genetic and ancestral influences that cause them to want to do certain behaviors, but in today's modern world, there is no appropriate outlet for them to do it. In those cases, those perfectly normal behaviors have become "problem behaviors" because they are happening out of the context for which they were intended. The dogs find themselves in a "Catch 22" where they are "darned if they do" and "darned if they don't" do what they were bred, sometimes for centuries, to do.
In all of these situations, historical, physical or genetic causes, or a combination of these influences result in problem behaviors. Growling, snapping, biting, being over-attached to their owner, fear of being left alone, fear of being touched, chasing moving objects, running away, barking, threatening strangers or general nervousness are all common examples.
In these situations, "training" in the traditional sense is not what is needed. Instead, the dog needs what might be thought of more accurately as "rehabilitation" or "treatment." This is very different from training and requires a separate and very individualized approach that is developed just for you and your dog after a full assessment of the problem behavior.
