Misbehavior or Message? What Your Dog is Trying to Tell You.

Batman the Dog

For a long time, I thought Batman—my red-nosed pit bull—was misbehaving.

He barked, pulled, ignored me on walks, and growled around food. I chalked it up to stubbornness, dominance, or just plain defiance. But one night, after a particularly nasty moment, a thought hit me that changed everything:

What if he’s not misbehaving?

What if he’s just being honest?

That question cracked the whole thing open. My dog’s behavior wasn’t random, rebellious, or malicious. It was communication about how he was relating to different situations and environments (me in particular).

Here’s what your dog might really be saying:

• “I’m pulling because I’m under-stimulated and under-exercised.” Not: “I don’t respect you.”

• “I’m barking because I’m lonely and bored.”Not: “I’m trying to ruin your neighborhood reputation.”

• “I’m guarding this bone because I don’t trust others near my food yet.” Not: “I’m aggressive and dangerous.”

• “I’m anxious at the door because you are.” Not: “I hate guests.”

Misbehavior vs. Message

When your dog acts out, they’re not being a “bad dog.” They’re giving you feedback—on their environment, their emotional state, and yes, your leadership.

And here’s the secret: The more you learn to listen, the less you’ll need control.

When I stopped trying to fix Batman and started trying to understand him, everything changed. I saw that his behavior wasn’t a problem to be corrected, but a message to be heard. And when I listened—really listened—and started making appropriate changes, he started listening too.

One Question to Ask Yourself This Week: “What might my dog be trying to tell me right now?”