The One Behavior Change Every Dog Owner Should Notice

In this episode, we dive into the single most important thing every dog owner should watch for in their dog’s behavior: change. Dogs thrive on routine, and even small shifts in how they eat, sleep, play, or interact can signal stress, anxiety, pain, or other underlying issues. Scott breaks down why noticing these subtle changes early can make a huge difference in keeping your dog healthy and happy.

Scott also shares practical steps for observing, tracking, and interpreting behavior changes, along with real-life examples from his work as a dog behaviorist. Whether you’re a new dog owner or have years of experience, this episode gives you actionable advice to better understand your dog, prevent problems from escalating, and strengthen the bond you share.

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Disclaimer
If your dog is aggressive toward humans, consult an experienced, certified canine behavior consultant immediately and ensure your dog cannot harm anyone. This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional guidance. Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not liable for outcomes resulting from the advice provided.

Transcript

Welcome back to the USA Dog Behavior podcast! I'm Scott Sheaffer, a certified dog behaviorist specializing in all types of canine behavior issues. Today’s episode: The One Behavior Change Every Dog Owner Should Notice.

I get this question a lot in my work as a dog behaviorist: “Scott, what’s the number one thing I should be watching for in my dog’s behavior?”

Some people expect me to say things like deficiencies in training. Others think I’ll say exercise, or socialization. And while those are all important, the single most important thing to watch for is change.

Here’s why. Dogs are creatures of habit. They really enjoy their routines. Dogs love predictable daily routines just like another animal that we all know very well, humans! Humans really like predictable routines too.

Dogs eat, sleep, and interact with us in predictable ways. When something shifts, that’s almost always something you need to pay attention to. Here are some common examples:

A social dog that suddenly avoids interaction.

A playful pup that leaves toys untouched.

A calm, steady companion who starts pacing or whining at night.

A long term dog who suddenly starts resting and sleeping in remote parts of the house.

Those aren’t random quirks. They’re your dog’s way of saying, “Something’s not normal, something has changed.”

Now, here’s the tricky part: changes are often subtle. They creep in gradually. Your dog hesitates before getting in the car. She greets you with less enthusiasm at the door. He barks a little longer at night than he used to. 

If you’re not tuned in, you can miss those small signals. But when you know what “normal” looks like for your dog, you’ll spot “not normal” quickly. And that makes all the difference. 

The most important part of noticing changes in your dog’s behavior is that you, the dog’s owner, are going to be the first to notice these changes. Don’t rely on your dog trainer, groomer or vet to notice these changes. You know your dog better than anybody; you’ll see these changes first. Don’t ignore them.

So what do you do when you see a change? First, don’t overreact. Just observe. Ask yourself:

When did I first notice this?

Does it happen at certain times or in certain situations?

Is it getting better, worse, or staying about the same?

Then—make notes. Seriously, grab a notebook or use your phone. Because I can tell you as a dog behaviorist, when an owner walks into a consult with notes about changes they’ve seen, it speeds things up tremendously. We don’t have to guess—we can look for patterns right away.

I’ve had cases where an owner noticed what seemed like a “small” change and didn’t know if it was significant—

I had one recent case, for example, where their dog didn’t want to jump on the couch anymore. The owner couldn’t figure it out. It turned out that the dog was fearful of the new slippery wood floors in the house and it made it too scary to jump on and jump off the couch. We addressed this problem with physical and behavioral exercises. 

Another one of my clients noticed their very small and calm dog was suddenly barking at night and wouldn’t go into the backyard anymore. Upon further investigation, we discovered there was a trigger for this new behavior. A large eagle was roaming their neighborhood at night and the dog was afraid to go out – smart dog! We addressed this by simply managing when the dog went out and doing some exercises that reduced the dog’s newfound fear of the backyard in general. 

These early observations matter.

So remember this: the one behavior change every dog owner should notice is just that—change. Every change tells a story. Some are small. Some are serious. But all are worth paying attention to.

And here’s the good news: the earlier you notice, the better your chances of helping your dog quickly, and giving them the safe and happy life they deserve.

That’s today’s tip. Thanks for listening. And if you’ve got a few extra minutes today, just sit with your dog. Watch how they move, how they rest, how they react to their world. That quiet attention now might help you spot a change later that makes all the difference.

Thanks for tuning in. If you enjoy quick insights into dog behavior, don’t forget to subscribe for more bite-sized episodes and leave a review if you find these episodes helpful. You can find us at USADogBehavior.com or follow us on Facebook by searching for USA Dog Behavior. See you next time, now go love your dog.