Author: Evie Van Hove
At Pettherapy.be, we support not only dogs with ‘serious’ behavioural issues, but also families who are struggling with their day-to-day life with their dog. This case involving Gust from Booischot illustrates very well how a dog’s behaviour is rarely an isolated issue. What on the surface appears to be stubbornness, or what used to be described as dominance, often turns out in practice to be a combination of tension, insecurity, frustration, sensitivity to stimuli and learned responses.
Gust is an Australian Labradoodle who is almost four years old. His owners contacted us because various situations at home were becoming increasingly difficult: resistance and hostility when putting on his harness, tension and outbursts during grooming, strong reactions when corrected, and explosive behaviour in front of the television as soon as he saw or heard animals. Taking away certain objects or food could also cause tension. In addition, there had been a number of biting incidents in specific, stressful situations. This makes such a request for help emotionally difficult for a family, especially when the behaviour does not improve spontaneously but rather seems to be getting worse.
What we do first in dog therapy: looking at the full picture
In dog therapy, we do not rely on quick labels. We look at the whole picture: medical factors, daily routines, stress build-up, body language, triggers, walking patterns, sleep, interactions at home, methods of correction, and the predictability of daily life.
With Gust, we identified several relevant factors. These included physical sensitivity due to allergies and itching, tension during certain grooming moments, conflict situations involving materials and belongings, and clear overstimulation from visual and auditory triggers such as animals on TV or certain sounds. It also emerged that some reactions from the people around him, though entirely understandable given their concern, unintentionally contributed to the tension. This is often a key aspect of dog behaviour therapy: not ‘fixing the dog’, but making the whole system calmer, clearer and safer.
What specific problems were there?
This case involves various forms of problem behaviour that we often see occurring together in practice:
1. Aggression or threatening behaviour when putting on and taking off the harness
What seems to many people like a minor daily routine had become a real source of stress for Gust. In one instance, a harness even remained half-fastened around his body for hours because being touched caused too much stress.
2. Outbursts and risk of biting during grooming
Brushing had been a tense experience for some time. Tension escalated quickly, particularly around sensitive areas such as the legs and muzzle.
3. Violent reactions to animals on television
When seeing or hearing animals, Gust would completely ‘lance’ towards the screen. Once he crossed his threshold, he was difficult to reach. This is a typical example of overstimulation and trigger reactivity.
4. Tension around taking away objects or food
At home, there were signs of possessive aggression or resource guarding: growling, snapping or biting when something was taken away.
5. Difficulty with frustration, correction and transitional moments
Even when he was told off or had to leave a room, the tension could rise sharply. Evenings seemed particularly more difficult than mornings.
"This case involves various forms of problem behaviour that we often see occurring together in practice."
Our approach: management, safety, training and behavioural change
At Pettherapy.be, we combine behavioural analysis with practical guidance in the home. We do not use coercion or quick fixes, but instead adopt an approach that focuses on safety, predictability, stress reduction and rebuilding difficult situations in a positive way.
In this case, we worked on, amongst other things:
- managing difficult moments, so that conflicts are less likely to arise;
- adapting equipment, such as a new harness with magnetic fastenings that does not need to be pulled over the head and can be put on more quickly;
- desensitisation and counter-conditioning, for example during grooming and in response to TV triggers;
- reward-based training, including the use of a licking mat, treats and attention exercises;
- teaching alternative behaviours, such as “look here” instead of staring or lunging;
- more opportunities to sniff around during walks, to support stress regulation;
- guidance for the people around the dog, so that signals are recognised earlier and tension builds up less.
The latter is hugely important. Dog behaviour therapy is always a team effort. Progress does not come from a single magic trick, but from consistently adjusting small daily interactions.
What progress has been made so far?
Although this case is not yet ‘complete’, there has already been clear progress in several areas following the initial coaching sessions.
For instance, the harness became much less of a problem within a short time and later ceased to be an issue altogether. Brushing also improved by adopting a different approach and using a licking mat as positive reinforcement. During walks, more time was allowed for sniffing, which is often an underestimated aid in stress regulation. The trainers also noticed that Gust generally seemed calmer. This was even remarked upon by a family member.
Also striking was the change in behaviour when walking on a fleece blanket. By altering the context, offering more calm and providing alternative options, that behaviour disappeared completely. In addition, we saw improvement in passing other dogs using the ‘look here’ exercise. Not every situation went quite as smoothly, but the foundation for dealing with triggers differently had clearly been laid.
What still needs work
An important part of honest dog therapy is also acknowledging what has not yet been fully resolved. With Gust, it was mainly the reactions to the TV, the evening tension and certain transitional moments in the house that still required further guidance. That is not unusual. Behaviour that has been present for months or longer cannot usually be completely changed in just a few sessions.
And that is perhaps the most important message of this case: a dog needs time.
Anyone searching for terms such as ‘resolving aggression in dogs’, ‘dog barks at the TV’, ‘dog growls at harness’, ‘dog bites when being brushed’ or ‘dog behaviour therapy at home’ is, understandably, often hoping for a quick fix. But in reality, quick fixes for dog behaviour are usually an unrealistic fantasy. Genuine behavioural change takes time, repetition, proper guidance and, above all, an environment that adapts accordingly.
What this case reveals about dog behaviour
This case from Booischot clearly demonstrates that behaviour does not arise ‘out of nowhere’. A dog that growls, lunges or snaps is usually not trying to ‘play the boss’, but is indicating that a situation has become too difficult, too stressful or too conflict-ridden. The more often such a pattern is repeated, the more ingrained it becomes.
That is why professional dog therapy is about more than just giving tips. It is about:
- learning to read behaviour;
- recognising triggers;
- reducing stress levels;
- increasing safety;
- improving the relationship between dog and handler;
- and building new, achievable behaviour step by step.
In conclusion
Gust is a fine example of a dog whose behaviour had become stuck in various areas, yet who also clearly shows potential for growth as soon as the approach changes. Not by being tougher, but by taking a smarter approach. Not by punishing, but by understanding. Not by chasing speed, but by working sustainably.
That is exactly what we stand for at Huisdierentherapie.be: understanding dog behaviour, reducing stress and helping humans and dogs work together again in a safe and realistic way.
Evie Van Hove holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Animal Behaviour and is a qualified puppy coach, dog trainer and behaviour coach. She has been the manager of Pettherapy.be since 2021.
