Often dog's behaviour problems result from the lack of socialization in the puppy age. Because of what a puppy could not learn or know in the imprinting and socialization period, could hardly be catched up later. Therefore, it is so immensely important to offer many different environmental stimulus to the young puppy and to allow positive social contacts. Playfully should also be started very early with the basic education.

But also specific breed dispositions are often overlooked if, e.g., a potential dog holder goes mainly after the appearance of a dog and is not based if the family can cope with the requirements of this particular breed. A classic example for this are herding or sheepdogs like Border Collies. These dogs are under-worked without having an attractive job and are causing often problems because of not keeping them appropriate to the species. Before the wrong "partner" is selected and a decision is made which one you could regret a whole "dog life" long, you should consult professional help, so that also the dog can be glad about his new home.

Dog owners who want to understand the behavior of their dog – and every responsible pet holder should do so - must first realize that dogs normally live in social groups (packs) and need clear structures. Only these packs and the clear structures protect the survival from the point of view of the dog, taking as a basis his origin of the wolf. Each pack is led by a so-called leader of the pack (alpha-wolf). With a wild-living herd of dogs or a pack of wolves the leader part is normally taken over by the parents. However, living together with humans the dog expects that the owner takes over the position of the leader. Finally, it is our human world, where the dog should get along and we must help him.
 
If the person turns out, however, as "incompetent" from the point of view of the dog, the dog does not recognise the person as "a leading wolf", the dog will most likely take over the pack leader's role and downgrade the dog holder to a subordinated rank. However, in the reversed situation, this will not mean that your four-legged friend may not lie on the sofa or you should give him constantly some orders. Rather, is whether he leaves you on the sofa and immediately obeys when you ask him to go down! And one should not underestimate: A dominant dog can not only be inconvenient but also become dangerous.

To allow a conflict-free coexistence between dog and man, the owner must conscientiously fill his assigned position as a pack leader, so that the dog confides in his holder. A competent leader of the pack is not a dominant ruler, as it is often wrongly assumed, but rather a calm and mentally superior family member, which radiates security. For this purpose, it is essential that we build a violence-free and trusting relationship with our dog. Only a dog that placed confidence in his people, will be a trouble-free dog and will give a lot of joy and happiness to his owners.
 
And also if you have made everything right or have worked maybe even with your dog in a dog school or with a dog trainer on a successful basic education, it cannot be excluded that in the course of living together eventually are occuring behavioural problems. To recognise and to admit this, is quite difficult enough; to work independently on a solution or removal of the problem, is by far more difficult and not to recommend. In such cases one should not hesitate, and certainly not out of false modesty or false pride, to contact a behaviour consultant or specialist, even if „up to now everything went well“.

Because: If the bond of trust is entirely destroyed, it becomes very difficult to restore this. Then it is not working anymore without professional help at all. Here only the dog psychologist or behaviour consultant is able to help. Let explain where the reason for the problem lies and how you can take remedial action and resolve the problem. Then you have to be full of good intention and work consistently, but also your self-awareness and self-criticism are in demand.

According to the motto of the german animal psychologist Martin Rütter, known by TV specials and several bestsellers on the subject Dog training & Behaviour therapy:
 
"I train dogs, but especially its people."