Explore every episode of the podcast Ask Dr. Caryn About Animal Behavior and Training

Dr. Caryn and The Happy Meemaw discuss resource guarding in dogs.

What is it? What causes it? How Serious is it? Can it be fixed?

Two Critical Mistakes to Avoid

Never Punish the Growl: If your dog growls, she is communicating that she is uncomfortable. If you punish the growl, you might successfully stop the noise, but you haven't fixed the underlying fear. Instead, you create a dog that suppresses their warning signs and resorts straight to a bite.

Don't Use "Alpha" Techniques: Forcing your dog onto her back, pinning her, or yelling will only validate her fear that you are a threat to her resources, making the guarding significantly worse.

When to Call a Professional: If your dog is snapping, lunging, or biting, or if there are children in the household, do not attempt behavior modification on your own. Reach out to a certified positive-reinforcement behavior consultant (such as an IAABC or CPDT-KA certified trainer) to help you set up a safe, customized plan. Or just Ask Dr. Caryn for help!

Dr. Caryn and The Happy Meemaw re-emphasize the importance of the critical socialization period for puppies between eight and twelve weeks old, emphasizing positive exposure to new environments. Dr. Caryn offers practical strategies for managing dogs and setting them up for success at community events such as festivals and markets to ensure safety and comfort. Finally she addresses complex emotional issues such as separation anxiety, reactivity in public spaces, and how to support rescue dogs that are fearful of strangers.

Dr. Caryn and The Happy Meemaw discuss the intersection between pet health and behavior. The discussion highlights why aging dogs may resist coming indoors due to physical discomfort, environmental stressors, or cognitive decline. Dr. Caryn also recommends seeing a Veterinary Behaviorist to rule out medical causes of behavioral issues. And she offers practical strategies for rehabilitating rescue animals through desensitization and positive reinforcement, specifically for those from traumatic backgrounds like puppy mills. Additionally, she explains how territorial anxiety and stacking stress hormones can trigger unpredictable aggressive behaviors in both cats and dogs.

Dr. Caryn and The Happy Meemaw discuss canine behavior and training techniques while answering questions submitted by a seventh-grade student. She emphasizes a relationship-based approach that relies on positive reinforcement rather than outdated, punitive methods. The conversation highlights how human owners are often the most difficult element of training, as they must learn to change their own behaviors to better communicate with their pets.  Ultimately, the she portrays dog training as a lifelong commitment rooted in kindness and clear communication.

Dr. Caryn and The Happy Meemaw answer questions from the public related to puppies with an emphasis that critical socialization period between 3 and 16 weeks. To prevent future fear based reactivity, owners must balance exposure to new environments...people, places, things... with vaccination safety, using tools like puppy backpacks or strollers. Socialization and training should start immediately upon bringing your puppy home!

In this show, Dr. Caryn and The Happy Meemaw discuss the legal and behavioral distinctions between ADA service dogs, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs. She explains that while service dogs require specialized task training for a specific disability, they do not need official government certification and are granted broad public access. Conversely, emotional support animals and therapy dogs offer comfort but lack the same legal protections and public access rights. The conversation also highlights the necessity for appropriate public behavior, reliability and focus in working dogs, advising owners on how to properly train or acquire dogs from accredited nonprofits. Finally, they emphasize the importance of public etiquette, urging people to always request permission before interacting with a working animal to avoid distracting it from its duties.

In this Episode, Dr. Caryn & The Happy Meemaw discuss behavior modification and training for dogs, addressing questions from the public about a puppy nipping at a vet, a dog exhibiting resource guarding by being overly protective of its owner, and an excited golden doodle that jumps and pees when greeting people. Dr. Caryn also provides safety tips for dogs during the holidays, including precautions against toxic decorations and foods, and advises on managing dogs’ stress when guests visit.

The Show that Started it All - The Happy Meemaw interviews Dr. Caryn and learns about her lifelong journey that eventually landed her in Colonial Beach VA Helping Dogs Fix Their People.

The Happy Meemaw says:

"This week's podcast features a woman who faced adversity in her youth but persevered, took care of her family, followed her dream, and has achieved many successes in the animal, non-profit, and business world.

"I met Dr. Caryn Self Sullivan several years ago when she served on her town council, and I had the opportunity to get to know her better as part of a local business networking group. Her story is inspirational for anyone who might feel they've missed opportunities. It's never too late to get started.

"I especially love this conversation because Dr. Caryn was a little nervous about doing the podcast. Still, nothing could've been more natural for her than to talk about her life, her accomplishments, and all the passions she's turned into positives.

"This week is especially great for dog owners, as we discuss Dr. Caryn's specialty of "helping dogs fix their people," as well as her fabulous boutique, which offers a range of items for pets and their owners. She has years of experience working with dogs and their owners. I encourage you to comment here or on Dr. Caryn's website with any questions you may have for her."