Resource guarding behavior. What is it, what does it look like, and what are the variables involved in each case? Also, are lap guarding and space guarding real things? Lisa breaks down the many factors in these cases and dispels some common prevention myths.

Aggression is a term that can't be easily defined. In one reference book, there are over 30 definitions! To avoid confusion or misunderstandings, Lisa defines terms like aggression, reactivity, and predation, in order to avoid misunderstandings in future episodes.

Animal Behavior Desk Reference

A little bit about Lisa Mullinax (she/her) and Aggression Bytes

Explore the five components of muzzle training and how to break them down to prevent early mistakes from becoming big meltdowns later.

Stranger-Directed Aggression For Behavior Professionals Starts March 30th!

Teaching A Chin Rest

Muzzle Training: Movement

Django: Muzzle + Chin Rest

Have you ever heard a dog's behavior described as "arousal"? What IS arousal, anyway? Lisa discusses what arousal is, what it looks like, and what it means for aggression cases.

Links:

Mouthing, Mounting & Mischief Webinar

LA Animal Services Employee Mauled By Dog

It's not uncommon for Lisa to be the 2nd or 3rd behavior consultant hired on an aggression case. What are clients paying for, why do they stop working with a consultant, and what are the 4 stages every behavior program needs to support clients and help them meet their goals?

Resources:

Mentoring Services

Book: Telling Ain't Training

Part 2: The practical side of working with resource guarding cases.

At threshold. Over threshold. Under threshold. Common terminology in the dog behavior world, but what do they mean and are they useful or accurate ways to measure a dog's emotional state?

Stranger-Directed Aggression for Professionals starts March 30th! For information and registration:

https://www.serenitycanine.com/sda

For decades, behavior consultants have been told that counterconditioning is the gold standard for changing behavior, especially aggression. But is that actually what the scientific literature says? Join Lisa as she talks about why counterconditioning may not be as effective as we're told.

Stranger-Directed Aggression for Professionals starts March 30th

Sources

1. Pavlov, I. (1916) An Analysis Of Some Complex Reflexes In The Dog; And The Relative Strength And Tension Of Several Centeres., Lectures on Conditioned Reflexes, Chapter XXV
2. Lindsay, S. Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol 3, Chapter 8
3. Spaulding, K. Making the Most Out of Counterconditioning, sciencemattersllc.com
4. Wood Brown, L. ClickerExpo Luminos: High Stakes, Effective Strategies: Counter-Conditioning as an Effective Procedural Choice for Aggression, clickertraining.com
5. Rogers, N. Behavioral “Freudian Slips” – The Neuroscience Of Maladaptive Avoidance Habits, aggressivedogs.com

Are you getting discouraged with clients not following your plan or losing them to the "other" trainers? Is the problem client compliance...or could it be your behavior plan? In this episode, Lisa looks at common mistakes all consultants make at some point (including her) and how to avoid them.

1. Stranger-Directed Aggression Starts March 30th
2. Mentoring Services

A listener asks if dogs that display stranger-directed aggression are being "protective," like so many of our clients think. Lisa answers and shares a story of a scary incident that involved her childhood dog and a would-be predator.

Stranger-Directed Aggression 3-Part Series for behavior pros - Starts March 30th

Many behavior consultants use a common bite scale to determine whether or not to take certain cases. In this episode, Lisa discusses why that's not an accurate assessment of risk and shares details about the dog who launched her journey into the world of dog behavior.

The 3-part online series, Stranger-Directed Aggression for Professionals, starts March 30th. Listen to this episode for a code to save 20% off registration (ends 3/1).

Resources

• Stranger-Directed Aggression 3-Part Series - Starts March 30th. 
• Language of Dogs, Sarah Kalnajs
• Canine Behavior, Barbara Handelman

When do you refer a client to their veterinarian for behavior meds? How do you know if they are working? Where is the line when it comes to discussing meds? In this episode, Lisa discusses the tricky subject of behavior medications and our role as behavior consultants.

Resources

Stranger-Directed Aggression Series

Behavior Medications: First Line of Defense or Last Resort?

Blackwell's Canine and Feline Behavior

When dogs target small dogs or children, the causes aren't always anxiety or fear. Lisa talks about non-affective aggression or "predation," cases, the signs, the risks, and how to work with them.

Links:

• Group Mentorship starts October 7th
• Predatory Drift, Cog-Dog Radio
• Predatory Drift Part 2, Cog-Dog Radio

Sources:

• Blackwell's Canine and Feline Behavior
• Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats
• Dog Bites, a Multidisciplinary Perspective
• Fatal Dog Attacks
• Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol 2

Lisa resumes Part 2 of her interview with Dr Micaela Young. They discuss pain trials, gait analysis, and more.

Check the Part 1 show notes for links to all the resources mentioned here.

Lisa kicks off a new season with a special guest, Dr Micaela Young. Lisa and Dr Young discuss lesser known pain symptoms in dogs, what information veterinarians need from consultants when a referral is made for suspected pain, what to do when diagnostics are unremarkable, and a lot more.

Resources Part 1 & 2:

• Urban Animal: Micaela Young, DVM
• Upcoming Seminar (Seattle area): But Are They Fine? With Micaela Young, DVM
• Daniel Mills - Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs
• Zero Pain Philosophy
• Canine Arthritis Management
• Canine Conditioning and Body Awareness FB Group
• One Week Wonder: The Crucial Reason Your Dog's Pain Management Trial Needs More Time
• I Like The Way You Move: Dog Gait Video

In stranger-directed aggression cases the antecedent is never just "strangers"

Lisa talks about the 5W's - Who, What, When, Where, and Why - found in these high-stakes cases.

• Stranger-Directed Aggression series starts 4/27/25
• Individual mentoring and case review
• Group mentorship starts June 2nd!

Click and treat! Support the podcast by becoming a member at buymeacoffee.com/aggressionbytes

What happens when a dog owner asks AI for help with their dog’s aggressive behavior? In this episode, Lisa reveals what she learned about AI’s surprising capabilities and what consultants need to prepare for with this rapidly expanding technology.

• Group Mentorship for Behavior Pros, Starts Oct 7

Dive into "Foggy Behavior Histories," where Lisa tackles the most challenging canine cases: those with unclear pasts. Learn how to navigate unclear histories, recognize subtle warning signs, and implement safety protocols, empowering you to develop effective and safe behavior plans for any dog, and ensure both you and your clients are set up for success and safety.

Links:

• Small Group Mentorship Starts October 2nd
• Stranger-Directed Aggression: Sign up for early-bird registration

Join me to explore this controversial topic and how we can prioritize welfare in every training and management decision we make.

Stranger Directed Aggression series coming in May. Listen to save $50!

Links

Ken Ramirez - Opening Dialogue About Aversives in Training

Susan Friedman - Why Animals Need Trainers Who Adhere to Procedural Hierarchy

CCPDT Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics

CCPDT Prohibited Practices Policy

For decades, behavior consultants have been told that counterconditioning is THE gold standard for changing behavior, especially aggression. But is that actually what the scientific literature says? Join Lisa as she talks about why counterconditioning may not be as effective as we're told.

Stranger-Directed Aggression for Professionals starts November 2nd

Sources

1. Pavlov, I. (1916) An Analysis Of Some Complex Reflexes In The Dog; And The Relative Strength And Tension Of Several Centeres., Lectures on Conditioned Reflexes, Chapter XXV
2. Lindsay, S. Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Vol 3, Chapter 8
3. Spaulding, K. Making the Most Out of Counterconditioning, sciencemattersllc.com
4. Wood Brown, L. ClickerExpo Luminos: High Stakes, Effective Strategies: Counter-Conditioning as an Effective Procedural Choice for Aggression, clickertraining.com
5. Rogers, N. Behavioral “Freudian Slips” – The Neuroscience Of Maladaptive Avoidance Habits, aggressivedogs.com

Lisa discusses the vital importance of handling skills for dog professionals, concentrating on safe and effective dog management and movement. It covers essential leash, along with various restraint techniques and emergency maneuvers.

NOTE: I misstate the date of my group mentorship. The group starts on OCTOBER 7TH, not 2nd. Sorry about that!

Resources

Stranger-Directed Aggression

Group mentorship - Starts 10/7

Equipment

Tie Down

Harness Lead

Bold Lead Designs Leather Leash

3-part series starts May 17th (but it's recorded so you can start later and catch up)! Learn more about what the series covers and how you can save $100 off the registration price (Hint: Use code SDASUMMER at checkout).

https://www.lisamullinax.com/sda