08/06/2025
This...
It’s easy to label a dog’s behavior as “bad.”
They bark, they pull, they chew, they growl, they ignore cues. And we’re quick to call it disobedience.
But what if we stopped looking at behavior as something to correct… and started seeing it as something to understand?
Because the truth is, behaviour is communication.
It’s your dog’s way of navigating a human world that doesn’t always make sense to them.
It’s how they express their needs, emotions, fears, and excitement. It’s their voice.
When a dog jumps on guests, they may be overjoyed and unsure how else to say hello.
When they pull on leash, they’re excited, curious, or possibly anxious.
When they growl, they’re saying, “I’m uncomfortable, please give me space.”
None of these behaviours are “naughty” or malicious.
They’re messages and signals. Opportunities to listen.
Yet too often, these behaviours are punished or shut down without ever asking why they’re happening. We silence the symptom without addressing the cause.
And in doing so, we risk making things worse: not only suppressing behaviour, but suppressing trust.
When we shift our mindset from "disobedience" to "communication," our entire relationship with our dogs transforms. We move from frustration to empathy.
We need to teach our dogs that they can trust us to listen when they’re struggling. We become their safe place, not their source of pressure.
So the next time your dog “misbehaves,” pause.
Ask yourself: What are they trying to tell me?
Because every bark, every growl, every moment of resistance - that's not defiance.
It’s dialogue. And dogs are desperate for us to hear them.
