Does your canine companion go wild when the mail arrives?  Does the slightest disruption in routine send Fluffy into a  barking frenzy?  Ever wonder what your dog is thinking?  Okay, we may not be able to help with that last one (we can’t read minds), but here are some great resources for those aiming to improve their comprehension of dogs.  For rescued animals, you may not always know the specifics of background, so it may take a little patience to figure out the primary causes of concern.  One of the best ways to “correct” animal behavior concerns is to understand the situation from a dog’s eye view!

• Talk to your veterinarian: Many behavior issues may indicate underlying health issues, so a call or visit to your vet may help deal with an underlying health concern!
• The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior: The AVSAB is an organization for veterinarians and doctoral level research professionals focused on understanding animal behavior.  Their online resources include a tool to find a behavior consultant.
• The Ethology Institute: In addition to on site classes, The Institute also offers online certification programs and courses online for those interested in pursuing formal study of animal behavior, behavior modification, and animal learning; they also offer a number of free resources to assist people at all levels of learning in the field!  A great resource for those who want to improve canine
• Read Up: Of course, there are also oodles of books dedicated to understanding cats, dogs, and other companion animals to explore at a library or bookshop near you.
• The Basics: Many nonprofit organizations also offer a wealth of online information about companion animal care.  Check out the available animal care resources from the HSUS  and the ASPCA.
• Troubleshoot: You may find tips to solve common behavior problems with the resources from the National K-9 dog Trainers Association (NK9DTA) or the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT).
• Call for Backup: You may find that you want to work with a behaviorist or dog trainer.  To get a first hand recommendation, you may want to start by asking your veterinarian or the organization where your animal was adopted for suggestions.  You may also look to the AVSAB to find a professional behavior consultant, or search through the NK9DTA or  APDT  to find member dog trainers. (Since training methods, programs, and teaching standards vary: CLAWtheory makes no representations or guarantees regarding the accuracy or quality of the information or services provided by the individuals, organizations, or companies listed).

Whatever challenges you face, we hope this quick list of resources helps you to start to navigate them successfully.  Some issues may take a little longer to solve than others, but the loving companionship you’ll have makes it worth the effort.

Don’t give up on your dogs because they won’t give up on you!