If you are in a rush, here is a quick summary of behaviors that warrant immediate veterinary attention versus those that usually require a trainer.

Likely Medical or Severe Behavioral (See a Vet)

• Sudden Aggression: A friendly dog suddenly snapping without warning.

• Head Pressing: Pushing the head against a wall (medical emergency).

• Fly Snapping: Biting at invisible flies.

• Sudden House Soiling: A fully potty-trained dog urinating indoors.

• Freezing/Staring: prolonged stiffness or staring at shadows.

Likely Training Issues (See a Trainer)

• Jumping Up: Excitement greeting.

• Counter Surfing: Stealing food.

• Pulling on Leash: Lack of loose-leash skills.

• Demand Barking: Barking for treats or attention.

One of the most distressing calls we get at the clinic sounds like this: "My 3-year-old Lab, who has never hurt a fly, just growled at my toddler."

Sudden aggression, particularly in a socially mature dog (around 2 to 3 years old), is rarely "out of nowhere," but to the untrained eye, it certainly feels that way. If your dog goes from a cuddle-bug to Cujo overnight, this is not normal canine behavior—it is a symptom.

The Pain Factor

In my experience, roughly 70-80% of "sudden behavior problems" in adult dogs have a root in physical pain. Dogs are stoic; they don't cry out until the pain is excruciating. Instead, they get grumpy.

Common hidden pain points include:

• Dental Disease: A cracked tooth or abscess.

• Orthopedic Pain: Early onset arthritis or hip dysplasia flare-ups.

• Otitis (Ear Infections): Deep ear pain can cause a dog to snap when touched near the head.

"Rage Syndrome" and Neurological Issues

While rare, true neurological episodes (sometimes colloquially called Rage Syndrome, though that term is outdated) can cause unprovoked aggression. This is different from a dog guarding a bone; this is a dog that appears glazed over, attacks, and then seems confused afterward. This requires an immediate neurological workup.

Dr. Stone's Advice: Never punish a growl in this context. The growl is a warning. If you punish the warning, the dog learns to bite without warning next time. Schedule a full "nose-to-tail" exam with bloodwork immediately.

We often talk about tail wags, but we don't talk enough about the lack of movement. A dog that goes completely still is shouting a warning.

Stiff body posture is a hallmark of high arousal, fear, or impending aggression. If you are petting your dog and they suddenly go rigid, close their mouth tight, and show the whites of their eyes (whale eye), they are asking you to stop immediately.

Why This Isn't Normal

A relaxed, happy dog has a loose, wiggly body. Curves are good; straight lines are bad. If your dog freezes when you approach their food bowl, their toy, or their bed, this is resource guarding. While common, it is a dangerous behavior that requires modification, not acceptance.

Interpreting the Stiffness

1. The Stare: Hard, unblinking eye contact.

2. The Mouth: Lips pulled tight, sometimes slightly lifted at the front.

3. The Tail: Often held high and vibrating (flagging), or tucked tight—but the key is the tension.

If you see this, back away. Do not force interaction. This is a dog at their threshold.

We all know dogs love routine, but there is a line between a habit and a compulsion. Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD) is real and can be debilitating.

Fly Snapping and Shadow Chasing

Does your dog snap at the air as if catching invisible flies? Or maybe they stare obsessively at light reflections and shadows for hours, unable to be distracted? These are classic signs of CCD or potentially focal seizures.

Flank Sucking and Tail Chasing

While puppies chase their tails for fun, an adult dog that spins in circles until they collapse or injure their tail is displaying dog behaviors that are not normal. Similarly, Dobermans and other breeds are prone to "flank sucking," where they obsessively nurse on their own skin.

Why it happens:

• High Anxiety: The behavior releases endorphins that soothe the dog, creating an addictive loop.

• Lack of Enrichment: Boredom in high-drive working breeds can mutate into OCD.

• Neurology: Brain chemistry imbalances.

If you cannot interrupt the behavior with a high-value treat or a noise, it has crossed into pathology.

A calm dog is a blessing; a lethargic dog is a worry. Owners often mistake lethargy for their dog just "settling down" as they age. However, a sudden drop in energy levels is a massive red flag.

The "Hiding" Phenomenon

If your normally social dog starts spending all their time under the bed, in a closet, or in a distant room, they are likely sick or in pain. In the wild, a sick animal is a target, so instinct tells them to hide.

Anhedonia (Loss of Interest)

If your ball-obsessed Border Collie suddenly watches the ball roll past without reacting, or your food-motivated Beagle skips dinner, do not wait. In veterinary medicine, we call this "ADR" (Ain't Doin' Right). It is a valid medical symptom that warrants bloodwork to check for tick-borne diseases, organ dysfunction, or metabolic issues like hypothyroidism.

Chewing shoes is a bad habit. Swallowing socks, rocks, or drywall is a medical or behavioral disorder known as Pica.

The Dangers of Pica

I have assisted in more foreign body surgeries than I care to count. A dog that compulsively eats non-food items is at risk of a fatal intestinal blockage.

Causes of Pica

• Nutritional Deficiency: Historically linked to anemia or mineral lack (though rare with modern commercial diets).

• Gastrointestinal Disease: IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) can sometimes manifest as pica.

• Anxiety: Like OCD, eating objects can be a self-soothing mechanism.

If your dog is eating dirt, rocks, or fabric, this is not normal. It requires a basket muzzle for safety and a vet visit for diagnosis.

If your 5-year-old dog who hasn't had an accident since puppyhood suddenly starts urinating on the rug, do not scold them.

Owners often think the dog is acting out of "spite" because they were left alone or because of a new baby. I need to be very clear: Dogs do not pee out of spite.

The Medical Checklist

Before assuming this is behavioral, we must rule out:

1. UTI (Urinary Tract Infection): It burns to hold it, so they let it go.

2. Crystals/Stones: Bladder stones can cause urgency.

3. Kidney Disease/Diabetes: These conditions cause increased thirst (Polydipsia) and increased urination (Polyuria).

4. Cognitive Dysfunction: Basically, doggy dementia. They simply forget where the bathroom is.

Only after a urinalysis comes back clean can we treat this as a behavioral regression.

Licking can be a sign of affection, but when it becomes repetitive and intense, it indicates nausea or anxiety.

• Licking Surfaces: Dogs that frantically lick the floor, walls, or carpet are often nauseous. This can be a sign of acid reflux, pancreatitis, or GI upset.

• Licking Self (Acral Lick Granuloma): If a dog licks one spot on their leg until it is raw and bleeding, this is a severe anxiety response or a reaction to deep localized pain (like arthritis in the joint below the skin).

If the licking is difficult to interrupt, it falls under the category of dog behaviors that are not normal.

So, you've identified a behavior on this list. Now what? Here is the protocol I use with my clients to tackle these issues.

Step 1: The Veterinary Workup

I cannot stress this enough: Medical before Behavioral. You cannot train away a tumor or a toothache.

• Request: A full physical exam, CBC/Chem blood panel, urinalysis, and a thyroid check.

• Discuss: Pain trials. Sometimes we put a dog on pain meds for a week just to see if the behavior improves. If it does, we have our answer.

Step 2: Management and Safety

While figuring out the cause, you must stop the practice of the behavior.

• Aggression: Use baby gates, separate the dog from triggers, and muzzle train (basket muzzles are great!).

• Pica: Crate training and environmental management (pick up the socks).

• Anxiety: Consider pressure wraps (like Thundershirts) or pheromone diffusers (Adaptil).

Step 3: Hire a Professional

If medical issues are ruled out, you need a certified behaviorist (CAAB or CDBC), not just a standard obedience trainer. You are dealing with psychology, not simple manners.