32 behaviour guides

The same guides that are in the app. They exist to take the worry out of what your dog is doing, then tell you what to actually do about it.

Chasing cars, bikes and wildlife

A hardwired motor pattern that is self-rewarding.

Pawing, whining and nudging for attention

Even annoyed attention counts.

Trouble settling in the evening

Evening restlessness usually means the day was under- or over-stimulating.

Puppy biting and mouthing

Puppies bite to explore and learn bite control.

Chewing during teeth change

28 puppy teeth out, 42 adult teeth in, between 3 and 7 months.

Adult chewing (boredom)

Chewing is self-soothing.

Jumping on people

Jumping is excitement plus a history of being paid for it.

Pulling on the leash

Dogs pull because it moved them forward.

Barking at the doorbell

The bell predicts an exciting event.

Barking at other dogs

Usually frustration or discomfort.

Demand barking

The dog barks because it has worked before.

Whining at night

Night crying is separation distress, not manipulation.

Crying in the crate

Confinement is unnatural until the crate is trained as a den.

Home alone struggles

Being alone is a learned skill, not a factory setting.

Digging

Digging is hardwired.

Counter surfing

The counter paid out once.

Eating poop (coprophagia)

Common, rarely diet-related.

Eating things on walks

Dogs are opportunistic scavengers by design.

Resource guarding (early signs)

Freezing, hard stare or a growl means fear of loss.

Leash reactivity (lunging)

Big feelings with no escape option.

Fear of fireworks and storms

Preparing a den, why comforting your dog is fine, and the sound work to start in November.

Not coming when called

The environment pays better than you.

House training accidents

A puppy bladder holds roughly its age in months in hours.

Marking indoors

Small deliberate deposits on vertical spots.

First heat

Between 6 and 15 months, lasting 2 to 4 weeks.

Humping

Mostly over-arousal and stress relief, not dominance and often not sexual.

Zoomies (FRAP)

Sudden racing laps are a normal, healthy energy release.

Begging at the table

Those eyes once earned a chip.

Stealing items and running

Grab a sock, humans erupt into a chase.

Fear of car rides

Motion sickness, or the car only ever drives to the vet.

Excited peeing at greetings

Immature bladder control, not spite.

Hates nail trimming

One painful quick-cut creates a long memory.

When to stop reading and call someone

If your dog has bitten a person or another dog, guards food or objects with snapping, panics when left alone, or has changed behaviour suddenly, see a veterinarian and a qualified behaviourist in person. These cases need someone in the room. See our approach.

Train it, do not just read about it

Every guide is in the app, alongside 99 training skills in 3-minute sessions, streaks that freeze instead of reset, and a care calendar. Free, without subscription or paywall.