Dog Behavior Problems: We Fix the Root Cause
No matter what type of dog behavior problems your pet has, we can help. With experienced and trained dog behaviorists near you, we help with everything from aggression and separation anxiety to leash reactivity and resource guarding Our trainers build calm, reliable habits at home and in the real world-backed by lifetime support across the US.
Helping Dogs since 2005
Humane Behavior Plans
Lifetime Support Classes
Recognizing Specific Behavior Challenges in Dogs
Whether it’s a rescue that leans to the aggressive side, a new pup that has separation anxiety, or your dog barks at nothing, owners need to be equipped with the right skills and knowledge to help their canine friends overcome triggers, fear and anxiety and engage in confidence building. With our balanced approach, we assess triggers, coach owners, and enable you to practice your newfound knowledge in real-life settings. Before we review how to correct dog behavior problems, let’s go over some common issues.
One of the most concerning canine problems is aggression. Living with an aggressive dog can be stressful and dangerous, not just for the people around them, but also for the dog itself. You can usually detect aggressive behavior by looking for the following signs:
- Growling or snarling
- Stiff posture
- Snapping or nipping
- Lunging
There are many possible reasons behind aggression, from fear to possessiveness. No matter the cause, aggression shouldn’t be ignored. When left unaddressed, it can escalate and result in injuries.
Dogs are pack animals, which means they like being surrounded by others. As a result, some dogs may develop separation anxiety or extreme anxiety when left alone. To cope with anxiety, dogs might resort to:
- Excessive barking
- Destructive behavior
- Constant whining
Ultimately, separation anxiety is stressful. This dog behavior problem is especially common among rescue dogs. Treating separation anxiety involves addressing those fears and building your dog’s trust in you. Learning how to deal with a dog with separation anxiety can be challenging, but with patience, dedication, and the right training techniques, you can help your furry friend overcome this problem.
Just like people, dogs can get nervous in new environments. If your pet is unfamiliar with something, it might pull on its leash, whimper or even refuse to walk. The key to preparing your dog for new adventures is socialization. Here are a few things dogs should be introduced to:
- Different atmospheres (such as busy shopping centers or veterinarian offices)
- Other dogs
- Young children
Ideally, socialization should begin early, as young dogs are more open to new experiences. Unfortunately, many rescue dogs don’t have the opportunity to be socialized early on. In these cases, special training helps.
Resource Guarding
Does your dog lunge when you grab its favorite toy or growl if you take away food? If so, it’s probably resource guarding. This common canine behavior occurs when a dog is possessive over something valuable. To protect the desired item, it might:
- Growl
- Bark
- Lunge
In worst-case scenarios, resource guarding can grow into full-fledged aggression and result in biting. Even seemingly minor cases can become serious. Thus, it’s important to address it as soon as possible.
Here are a few other behaviors you might have noticed in your pet:
- Constant barking: When a dog barks incessantly, it’s usually a sign that it’s anxious, bored, or wants attention.
- Chewing: While chewing is common among puppies, it should naturally decrease as your dog ages.
- Digging: Some dogs have a natural instinct for digging, which can damage your carpet or furniture.
Common Dog Behavior Problems We Can Help With
We guide young pups through crate training, house manners, and early socialization.
From chewing to leash pulling, we teach better choices through calm, consistent training.
Not sure which applies? Explore all the behavior issues we help with 
How Behavior Training Works
Our dog behavior training sessions start with a free evaluation. This is where we look at a range of issues and discuss your ultimate behavior goals, after which your assigned certified trainer will create a specialized plan for your dog. During the assessment, we’ll look at things like history, triggers, their environment, and more.
When it comes to creating a tailored behavior plan, we’ll look at management, skills, and real-world practice. Our balanced approach helps with aspects such as gradual exposure to real-world distractions, while also focusing on enrichment through socialization and positive associations.
We also help with owner coaching so that you understand the right timing and handling techniques to offer calm leadership to your pet. There are also progress tracking sessions with homework. And of course, our lifetime support group maintenance that you can tap into at any time.
What Is Behavior Training (vs. Obedience)?
There are some important differences between obedience and behavior training. While obedience teaches useful commands and skills such as Sit, Down, Heel, and Come, behavior training is about the emotions, triggers, and habits that require changes. With the latter, our dog behavior modification programs target the why behind unwanted actions, underpinned by fear, frustration, or habits. This way, dogs learn calmer choices in real life. At The Dog Wizard, we combine both. We change how your dog feels about triggers and give them clear behaviors to do instead.
Training Methods We Use
We don’t punish fear. Corrections, if used, are reserved for clearly taught behaviors outside fear moments. Here are some examples of the methods we apply as part of our balanced training approach:
- Marker/Clicker reward timing: A clear “yes” the instant your dog gets it right.
- Targeting and place: Go-to spots and body targets for calm, controllable movement.
- Relationship-based coaching: We teach you timing, leash handling, and calm leadership.
- Gradual exposure with positive associations: Introduce triggers at a safe distance, pair with good outcomes, and close the gap over time.
- Fair boundaries: Corrections, if used, are kept separate from fear moments and reserved for clearly taught behaviors.
Which Training Program Is Right for Your Dog?
Whether you’re interested in puppy training or our adult dog training programs, our certified trainers can help with a range of challenges and behaviors. With advanced training, your dog will learn basic obedience and leash manners for a healthy and happy relationship based on good manners. Wondering which of our obedience training programs is right for you? Take a look at the different options we offer below.
Our puppy obedience training program is ideal for young pups aged 10 weeks and over. Their young and impressionable minds learn quickly and starting early with the right approach is the best solution as they grow and mature into adults. With us, your pup will learn a variety of skills and new behaviors, including leash training, crate training, and socialization.
Choosing our board and train dog training program is ideal for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages. This program allows you to send our dog to a training facility or our trainers’ homes for seven, 14, or 21 days where they learn basic obedience commands and undergo dog socialization for good manners and healthy behaviors.
Finding time to train your dog can be difficult. If you’re too busy during the day, you might benefit from The Dog Wizard Day Training program. Throughout the day, your pet will work with a trainer to improve behavior. Between day schools, you’ll enjoy a private lesson in the comfort of your own home. Depending on your and your dog’s needs, you may choose between 6-day and 15-day programs.
Our balanced dog training can also be accomplished in a group environment where distractions and social interactions thrive. This is the perfect opportunity to help your dog learn new skills and good behaviors, together with other dogs, to ensure they thrive in group settings and learn sound manners despite distractions.
Looking for one-on-one lessons with tailored plans and individualized attention? Our private dog training lessons are the perfect way to get the desired results. From young private puppy training to adult dogs, we’ve got you fully covered. With an individual approach, your canine friend will get the full attention of their trainer and benefit from all aspects of training, including off-leash control.
Need a more unique approach to your dog’s advanced dog training? Let us help. We can help with agility mastery for dogs of all sizes. We also offer scent training, therapy prep, and baby prep. Every aspect to help your furry companion thrive in any environment. Go beyond off-leash control, distraction-proofing, and more with our team of experts.
Communication, crate and potty training, scent work and agility. These are just a few of the AKC training aspects we can help with. Regardless of whether you have a pup, a rescue, or an adult dog, we’re here to ensure your canine companion thrives in any environment with good manners and excellent behavior based on proven and advanced training techniques, accompanied by progress reports.
At The Dog Wizard, we don’t believe in a once-off training program. Instead, we offer lifetime support to dog owners who’d like to enhance their companions’ skills and keep them fresh. We also help you and those in your household learn effective communication with your furry friends, so that everyone can contribute to the success of a healthy and happy relationship.
Let Us Guide You
Need a more unique approach to your dog’s advanced dog training? Let us help. We can help with agility mastery for dogs of all sizes. We also offer scent training, therapy prep, and baby prep. Every aspect to help your furry companion thrive in any environment. Go beyond off-leash control, distraction-proofing, and more with our team of experts.
What We Teach to Change Behavior
At The Dog Wizard, we go above and beyond. We teach replacement behaviors and coping skills and not just “stop it.” We understand the whys and the hows and our trained experts work with you and your dog to optimize behaviors and manners, no matter where they find themselves right now.
| Category | Skills Taught |
|---|---|
| Core Obedience Commands | Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Heel, Place, Off |
| Leash Skills | Loose leash walking, polite leash behavior in public |
| Manners and House Skills | Crate training, potty training, waiting at doors, no jumping |
| Socialization | With children, other dogs, and in busy environments |
| Problem Behaviors Addressed | Play biting, barking, jumping, chewing, separation anxiety |
| Emotional Development | Confidence building, resilience, calm under distraction |
| Owner Communication | Recognizing your dog’s body language, giving clear commands |
| Situational Response | Responding to doorbells, visitors, busy parks, distractions |
| Training Reinforcement | Lifetime access to FREE group classes for continued learning |
Why Choose The Dog Wizard
Magical Methodologies
All of our trainers use balanced training techniques that are proven to be effective in and out of the classroom.
Everywhere Dogs Are
With over 100 locations — the majority of them being mobile — we have the ability to bring balanced dog training right to you.
Trained to Transform
Our knowledgeable trainers complete a rigorous dog training curriculum through The Dog Wizard Academy that teaches them methods that truly work
A Lifetime of Support
Those who complete our obedience programs have access to indefinite group class training support.
Real Stories, Real Success
Breed-Specific Training Secrets
With years of experience and thousands of success stories to our name, we really have all the expertise needed to help your unique pet become their best. We understand that different breeds have different training needs, and that’s what makes us experts in creating the best well-mannered companion for your household. Here’s a glimpse at what different breeds require with specialized balanced training:
- Herding breeds: channel energy into focused heel/place.
- Retrievers and doodles: impulse control for over-friendliness.
- Bully breeds: calm greetings and neutrality.
- Small breeds: gentle handling and noise sensitivity.
- Huskies and nordics: outlet for endurance + recall games.
