DiscoverUSA Dog Behavior PodcastThe Job Your Dog Is Begging For: How to Channel Instinct into Happiness
The Job Your Dog Is Begging For: How to Channel Instinct into Happiness

The Job Your Dog Is Begging For: How to Channel Instinct into Happiness

Update: 2025-12-02
Share

Description

In this episode, we decode the essential but misunderstood concept of "giving your dog a job." Far from a gimmick, it's the key to solving common behavior problems rooted in boredom and unspent instinct. We explain why your dog's natural drives, when left unchanneled, lead to anxiety, destructive chewing, and excessive barking—and how you can transform those very instincts into a source of focus and deep satisfaction. 

You'll get a practical, step-by-step guide to identifying your dog's innate "job role," whether they're a sniffer, a retriever, a herder, or a watcher. Learn how to implement simple, daily "work sessions" that build confidence, strengthen your bond, and create the mentally tired, happy hound you've always wanted. Stop managing symptoms and start fulfilling your dog's core needs.

Subscribe for more bite-sized episodes and visit USADogBehavior.com for additional resources!

Find us at USADogBehavior.com.
Follow us on
Facebook.

Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If your dog is displaying aggression toward humans, consult an experienced and knowledgeable canine behavior professional who uses humane, non-aversive methods, and always take precautions to keep others safe.

Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of the information shared in this podcast.

Comments 
loading
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

The Job Your Dog Is Begging For: How to Channel Instinct into Happiness

The Job Your Dog Is Begging For: How to Channel Instinct into Happiness

Scott Sheaffer, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CPDT-KA