The Truth About Your Dog's "Issues" (It's Not What You Think)

I had an interesting conversation yesterday that I need to share with you.

A client asked me if I thought their Golden Retriever might have “doggy autism” because he couldn’t focus and acted out constantly.

I almost laughed (but didn’t, because they were genuinely worried).

The Rise of “Doggy Diagnoses”

More and more dog owners are wondering if their dog has some kind of mental condition. I’ve heard it all – doggy ADHD, canine anxiety disorder, even “dogtism” (doggy autism) has been mentioned once or twice.

I get why people think their dog might have an “ism”. They don’t work with dogs every day like I do, so there are a lot of unknowns. When your dog is bouncing off the walls, destroying furniture, or can’t seem to learn basic commands, it’s natural to wonder if something’s “wrong” with them.

But after working with thousands of dogs over the years, I can tell you this:

I’ve never met a dog with an “ism.”

What I Have Seen

I’ve definitely met LOTS of dogs who:

• Need more exercise (mental AND physical)
• Are eating garbage food that makes them feel terrible and act out
• Are bored out of their minds
• Have owners who accidentally reward the wrong behaviors

Look, I’m not saying dog mental health conditions don’t exist. I’ve met a handful of dogs with genuine learning disabilities. Please understand that they are so rare, like 1 in 5,000 dogs maybe.

And honestly, of the handful I’ve run into, all of them appeared to be inbred (bad breeding practices can really cause problems).

The Simple Truth

But for 99.9% of dogs? The “cure” for their issues is surprisingly simple:

1. Better Dog Food

Cheap kibble is like eating only McDonald’s every day. You’d feel terrible and act out too if that was your entire diet.

2. Mental Stimulation

Imagine being stuck at home with no phone, books, or TV. That’s your dog’s life when they don’t get mental enrichment.

3. Physical Exercise

Getting those wiggles out is key. A tired dog is a good dog, as the saying goes.

A Real-Life Example

That Golden Retriever I mentioned? Two weeks of proper exercise and switching from grocery store kibble to quality food, and suddenly he could focus like a champ. No medication needed. No special diagnosis. Just meeting his basic needs.

Your dog isn’t broken. They’re not mentally ill. They’re simply showing you what happens when we follow the standard “city dog” playbook:

• Buy the biggest bag of kibble at Costco
• Squeeze in a 15-minute walk before work
• Wonder why they’re “acting out”
•  

The Reality Check

The odds that your dog has an actual “ism”? Almost non-existent.

The odds that they need more adventure in their life and better fuel in their belly? About 100%.

Moving Forward

If you’re not sure where to start with exercise routines or food recommendations, it might be time to reassess your dog’s daily routine. Look at:

• Exercise: Are they getting at least 15-45 minutes of physical activity daily?
• Mental Work: Do they have puzzle toys, training sessions, or other brain games?
• Diet: Are you feeding high-quality food with real meat as the first ingredient?
• Consistency: Are all family members following the same rules and routines?

That client with the Golden? They texted me last week: “He’s like a completely different dog.” Turns out he wasn’t autistic. He was just waiting for his “good boy” side to be developed. 🙂

Your dog is mostly normal (no dog is 100% normal, that’s what I love about them). They just need you to meet their basic needs in a way that works for their energy level and breed.

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the hardest to see when you’re in the thick of it. But trust me – your dog’s “issues” are probably a lot more fixable than you think.

[Book Your Dog’s Free Session] to cure their “ism” 🙂