Decoding Dog Behaviors: Why Does My Dog Act This Way? An Interview with Nick Franco | Pupford
54 Comments
Filed under behavior
Sometimes we watch our dogs do certain things and are left wondering... why in the world are they doing that?!
The best part is, as we strive to better understand why our dogs do certain things we can better understand how to stop those unwanted behaviors.
Although you don't need a degree in dog psychology, taking steps to think about the why will help you improve your dog's behavior.
In this episode with Nick Franco, we talk about why our dogs act the way that they do. Plus, we discuss some real-life examples of how understanding the 'why' can help us improve that specific behavior!
In Nick’s words, he is an animal addict on a journey to learn everything he can about pet behavior, nutrition, and products so that he can spread the word and improve the lives of as many pets as he possibly can.
LET'S USE LEASH WALKING AS AN EXAMPLE... HOW CAN UNDERSTANDING "WHY" DOGS PULL ON A LEASH HELP US OVERCOME THAT CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR? (Starts around 4:40)
Not understanding the way leads to excuses and lack of responsibility
When we look at why dogs do certain things, it opens up our way of thinking to… ‘How can I make my dog want to do what I want them to do”
When we see the why, it helps us understand the best way to give them the ‘how’
WITHOUT NEEDING TO GET A PHD IN ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, WHAT CAN PUP PARENTS DO TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW THEIR DOGS LEARN AND WHY THEY ACT THE WAY THAT THEY DO? (Starts around 12:55)
Simply put, if something gets reinforced, that behavior will increase in frequency (and sometimes we do NOT want that)
If we want to decrease the frequency of a behavior, how will you ensure situations lead to less opportunities of it occurring and how do you interrupt the behavior to reduce the frequency
Often, we want to prevent the behavior from ever occurring while also practicing real-life scenarios BEFORE they happen
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PUP PARENTS WHO STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE "WHY" IN MIND AS THEY TRAIN THEIR DOG? (Starts around 17:40)
Practice, practice, practice!
You have to practice and plan so you can practice the scenario BEFORE you are in a real-life challenge
Practicing leads you to better real-life results… education to application
Always be thinking… how can I set my dog up for success so that it is SO easy for my dog to do the right thing?
RECAP
Understanding why our dogs do certain things can help us better train our dogs and build stronger communication with them! Proper training,practice, positive reinforcement, and improving our communication with our dogs, will all assist in our efforts to better learn from and communicate with our dogs.
How do you think your communication is with your dog(s)? Let us know in the comments below!
Hi Susan, here is an article on that: https://pupford.com/why-do-dogs-eat-poop/
T
Team Pupford01/26/2025
Hi Kiki, when it comes to reactivity, we do recommend reaching out to a positive reinforcement trainer one-on-one. We also have a course in Academy+ that is helpful!
T
Team Pupford01/26/2025
I can definitely see how that could be a problem! You can try the removal method. It is powerful if after redirection your dog seems to just go right back to biting or nipping! More tips here: https://pupford.com/puppy-biting-tips/
K
Kiki01/26/2025
I am goin g to watch this soon. I love everything about Pupford, including the treats. I have a Sheltie that is 3 years old and has great behavior outside. No barking at other dogs, walks nicely on her leash and greets dogs and people by lying down. She has pretty good recall off leash and is easily trained. Now for the issue. She spins and barks and is reactive at home to everything from the coffee maker to brushing my hair. She is reactive to all our movements yet settles when things are calm. How do I stop this reactive behavior? This is my 6th Sheltie and I have never had one that is this reactive. I try to catch it before it happens by giving her a job. It works for a second and then she is again spinning and jumping in the kitchen.
J
Jasmine01/26/2025
Hello, my midnight is a one year old collie/ lab his leash behavior is terrible. He pulls me, when he sees other dogs he goes crazy and ignores me telling him to stop or sit. When I tried treats to redirect he is so focused on my hand or pocket I have them in and he is still not listening. In the house he is more behaved but outside horrible. Please help
Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
54 comments
Leave a CommentHi Susan, here is an article on that: https://pupford.com/why-do-dogs-eat-poop/
Hi Kiki, when it comes to reactivity, we do recommend reaching out to a positive reinforcement trainer one-on-one. We also have a course in Academy+ that is helpful!
I can definitely see how that could be a problem! You can try the removal method. It is powerful if after redirection your dog seems to just go right back to biting or nipping! More tips here: https://pupford.com/puppy-biting-tips/
I am goin g to watch this soon. I love everything about Pupford, including the treats. I have a Sheltie that is 3 years old and has great behavior outside. No barking at other dogs, walks nicely on her leash and greets dogs and people by lying down. She has pretty good recall off leash and is easily trained. Now for the issue. She spins and barks and is reactive at home to everything from the coffee maker to brushing my hair. She is reactive to all our movements yet settles when things are calm. How do I stop this reactive behavior? This is my 6th Sheltie and I have never had one that is this reactive. I try to catch it before it happens by giving her a job. It works for a second and then she is again spinning and jumping in the kitchen.
Hello, my midnight is a one year old collie/ lab his leash behavior is terrible. He pulls me, when he sees other dogs he goes crazy and ignores me telling him to stop or sit. When I tried treats to redirect he is so focused on my hand or pocket I have them in and he is still not listening. In the house he is more behaved but outside horrible. Please help