Behavior problems in dogs at an all-time high

What could be behind it?

According to a new study from Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, over 99 percent of dogs in the U.S. display at least one potentially problematic behavior.

Based on data from more than 50,000 dogs in the Dog Aging Project, the most common issues include separation and attachment behaviors (85.9 percent), aggression (55.6 percent), and fear or anxiety (49.9 percent).

Why are behavioral issues, like fear, aggression, and anxiety, so high in dogs?

The problem most likely has several roots:

1. Genetic predisposition of certain breeds. Yes, go ahead and call me a “breed-ist.” Some dog breeds were chosen and bred for specific characteristics that give them a higher probability of winning dog fights.

2. Lack of proper socialization and training. The current trend of using prong collars and electric shock collars does not make a compliant victim. If you doubt me, come over, try one out, and tell me how you like it.

3. DIET. The current state of highly processed dog food lends itself to glucose spikes, followed by h-angry hypoglycemia, insulin resistance and inflammation. In other words, gut aches, low blood sugar, creating brain fog and anxiety mixed with hyperactivity.

   A local dog trainer who has been a client of mine for years, recognizes the syndrome and has her clients come to me for diet changes which make it so much easier to train the dogs.

4. The Gut-Brain Axis: those same highly processed diets are filled with ingredients heavily laden with glyphosate, among other toxins. Glyphosate was originally labeled an ANTIBIOTIC and is known to kill off bacteria in the gut. The disruption of the microbiome can disrupt serotonin and dopamine production. They have even found certain species of gut bacteria, overgrown, can lead to aggression and undesirable behaviors.

So, what do veterinary behaviorists and conventional vets recommend to treat these dogs?

The same drugs that are being overprescribed in the human world: Trazadone, Prozac, and the benzodiazapenes like Xanax, Klonapin.

Let’s just share our pharmaceuticals with Fido and we can all sit around like zombies with minimal emotional affect.

Humans are having a hard enough time getting off of these drugs once they start, why are we putting our dogs on them?

The really sad thing is that shelters are handing out Trazadone to shelter dogs like its a milkbone biscuit, without having veterinarians on staff to prescribe it or monitor its use. If people hallucinate when coming off of SSRIs, what might dogs be experiencing?

Oops, we will never know because we can’t ask them.