A comprehensive study conducted by the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) has found that an overwhelming 99.12% of dogs in the United States exhibit at least one behavioral problem. Published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, the research drew on extensive data from 43,517 dogs enrolled in the Dog Aging Project, encompassing a diverse range of breeds, ages, sexes, and locations across the country.
Dog owners participating in the project were asked to assess their pets across several behavioral categories—aggression, separation and attachment behaviors, fear and anxiety, and house soiling—using a scale from 0 to 4, where 4 indicated a serious problem. According to the findings, nearly all dogs demonstrated either one moderate-to-serious behavior issue or at least two problems of moderate to serious severity.
Separation and attachment-related behaviors emerged as the most prevalent concern, reported in 85.9% of dogs. Owners frequently observed signs such as restlessness, constant pacing, shadowing their movements throughout the home, sitting in close proximity, escape attempts, barking, or destructive chewing when left alone.
Aggressive behaviors were also significant, affecting approximately 55.6% of dogs who showed moderate to serious aggression on at least two occasions. Meanwhile, 49.9% of dogs displayed signs of fear and anxiety. Although less common, house soiling was reported in 4.1% of cases. Other behavioral challenges highlighted by owners included persistent barking, frequent attempts to escape, eating grass or feces, and destructive chewing of inappropriate objects.
Of the tens of thousands of dogs studied, a mere 110 exhibited no reported behavioral issues, making them a rare exception.
The study noted that behavioral problems are a leading factor in the relinquishment of dogs to animal shelters in the U.S. However, owners often fail to disclose the severity of these issues—or whether behavioral challenges were the primary reason for surrender.
Bonnie V. Beaver, DVM, MS, DSc, DPNAP, DACVB, DACAW, professor of small animal clinical sciences at VMBS and lead author of the study, pointed out that many behavioral problems may go undiagnosed. “Most dogs likely show mild signs of behavioral issues so infrequently that owners don’t consider them serious enough to seek help,” she wrote. Beaver added that some moderate to serious problems are overlooked simply because owners may tolerate them, adapt their living arrangements, or remain unaware of where to find help.
Beaver emphasized that the veterinary profession has gaps in addressing canine behavior. Previous studies suggest that only about half of veterinarians routinely inquire about behavioral health during consultations. As a result, she concluded, “Essentially all pet dogs in the United States have at least one moderate to serious behavioral issue, which typically goes unaddressed by veterinary practitioners.”