As dog owners and trainers, it’s easy to jump into solution mode when we notice a change in behavior. We might think, “She’s acting out, I need to correct this,” or “He’s suddenly reactive—time for new training tools.” But behavior is never random. It’s always communication.

Before we implement new training strategies, it’s crucial to pause and ask: What’s behind the change?

Context Is Everything

When a dog’s behavior shifts—subtly or dramatically—it often points to something deeper than simple disobedience or defiance. Here are just a few factors that can influence behavior:

• Underlying Health Conditions: Pain, discomfort, or neurological changes can dramatically shift a dog’s behavior. This can include anything from being less tolerant of handling, to becoming more reserved, or even more reactive.
• Life Stage and Maturity: Development isn’t always linear. Some dogs, especially those with a history of health challenges, may mature at a different pace. Behaviors that appear “out of the blue” may actually be emerging as part of normal development—just on a different timeline.
• Household Dynamics: Dogs communicate constantly with each other, often in ways we overlook—taking toys, gently displacing one another from human contact, licking another dog while it sleeps. These are subtle social maneuvers, and over time, they can build into larger conflicts. What looks like a sudden outburst may have been brewing quietly for months.

Case in Point: Malibug

Take Malibug, our 5-year-old German Shepherd. She has fused vertebrae in her neck and a history of health challenges that delayed her maturity. Until recently, her behavior was uncharacteristic of her breed. But now, we’re seeing classic GSD traits emerging—alongside signs of arthritis and increased pain.

What’s important here is that these behavior changes aren’t simply “bad.” They’re her way of saying: “I hurt more than I used to.” In her case, we’re not turning to training strategies. Instead, we’re focusing on management and pain relief. We’re listening to her body language and responding to what she’s trying to tell us.

Listen Before You Train

Before you decide a dog needs more obedience work, consider the whole picture. Is the behavior new? Subtle? Escalating? Could it be health-related? Environmental? Social?

Behavior is information, not misbehavior. When we approach it with curiosity rather than correction, we can meet our dogs where they are—and give them what they truly need.