Owner complaints about canine behavior

Abstract

Behavioral complaints reported from surveys of dog owners were compared with those from owners whose dogs were examined in referral behavior practices. Types of behaviors that dog owners considered to be problems varied from those only mentioned in surveys to those considered serious enough to seek professional help. The most common complaints listed by owners in surveys included territorial aggression, excessive protection of the owner, and excessive vocalization. Problems reported for referred behavior cases were aggression, especially dominance-related, and house soiling. Types of referral cases reported in the literature were similar to those examined at a university behavior clinic, but distribution of problems varied.