Vet Psychiatry with Dr Sagi Denenberg

Dr Sagi Denenberg
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  • Pets & Animals

Is your dog or cat growling, biting, hiding, or falling apart when you leave the house? If training hasn't worked, or you suspect pain, anxiety, or something medical is behind the behavior, you're in the right place. Dr. Sagi Denenberg is a veterinary behaviorist who looks past the behavior itself to find what's actually driving it, medical, emotional, and environmental, before deciding what to do next. New episodes on dog and cat aggression, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, separation-related distress, and the early warning signs most owners miss before things escalate. If your pet's behavior has stopped making sense to you, start here.Dr. Sagi Denenberg, DVM, Dip. ACVB, Dip. ECAWBM

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Dog Won’t Listen? Stop Trying To Be The Alpha

    📌 Learn how Dr. Denenberg works with dog and cat behavior cases here: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Your dog is not plotting to take over the house. That couch growl, that ignored command, that pulling on leash, none of it means what you think it means. The alpha theory sounds simple, but it sends most owners in exactly the wrong direction. In this video, I'm going to break down why the alpha and dominance explanation is outdated, what is really happening when your dog seems to ignore you, and what I would do instead to actually solve the problem. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Dog Won’t Listen? Stop Trying To Be The Alpha 0:54 The couch growl explained 1:42 What actually happened versus the story we tell 3:24 Why the alpha idea makes everything look like a challenge 5:54 Why dogs know a cue but still do not respond 7:11 Reactive dogs and overwhelmed brains 8:08 When stubborn really means something hurts 8:52 Why I never punish the growl 10:00 Is dominance ever real 13:28 How to actually read your dog's behavior ❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED Does my dog ignore me because he does not respect me? Usually not. Dogs often fail to respond because the situation is too distracting, too scary, or too painful, not because of rank. Should I punish my dog for growling? No. The growl is a warning that tells you the dog wants something to stop or change, and punishing it only removes your early warning system. Is dog dominance theory real? Dominance can describe interactions between dogs over resources, but it does not explain the bond between dogs and their owners, which is based on attachment and dependence, not rank. 📱 RESOURCES Website: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Blog: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.psychiatry/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpsychiatry 🔔 If you found this helpful, subscribe for more videos on dog and cat behavior, aggression, and veterinary psychiatry. 💬 Has anyone ever told you to be more "alpha" with your dog? Tell me what happened in the comments, I read every one. ABOUT DR. SAGI DENENBERG Dr. Sagi Denenberg is a veterinarian and board certified veterinary behaviorist with more than 23 years of clinical experience treating thousands of dogs and cats across North America, the UK, and beyond. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, and a Certified Companion Animal Behaviourist. He teaches veterinary students, mentors residents, publishes research, has written a textbook and book chapters, and regularly serves as an expert witness in courts and tribunals. His work integrates medical assessment, psychopharmacology, and behavior modification to treat complex behavioral disorders. #DogAggression #VeterinaryBehaviorist #DogBehavior #ReactiveDog #VetPsychiatry

  2. Oct 15

    Veterinary Psychiatrist Warns: Hyperactive Dog? Stop Doing This

    📌 Learn how Dr. Denenberg works with dog and cat behavior cases here: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com If your dog seems impossible to tire out, stop trying to tire him out. That advice sounds backwards, but exhausted dogs who still pace, bark, and react to every sound are not proof that exercise is working. Sometimes more activity just builds a fitter, more wound up dog who cannot switch off. In this video, I'm going to explain why exhaustion is not the same as calm, and show you exactly what to watch for after exercise to know if it is actually helping your hyperactive dog. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Veterinary Psychiatrist Warns: Hyperactive Dog? Stop Doing This 1:00 The exercise escalation trap 2:08 When fetch and daycare backfire 3:20 The half truth of a tired dog is a good dog 5:15 How to work with Dr. Denenberg 5:49 Restlessness is a symptom, not a diagnosis 7:02 The 30 minute test after exercise 9:09 What to actually change instead 10:33 The breed exercise research 11:19 What to watch tonight after activity ❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED Q: Why is my dog still hyper after lots of exercise? A: Dogs adapt and get fitter, so the same activity stops tiring them out over time. Being physically exhausted does not always mean the dog is mentally calm, and some dogs stay wound up even after intense exercise. Q: Is a tired dog always a good dog? A: Not always. A dog can be physically tired but still unable to settle, especially if restlessness is linked to anxiety, poor sleep, or a medical issue rather than lack of exercise. Q: How do I know if exercise is actually helping my dog calm down? A: Watch what happens in the 30 minutes after the activity ends. If your dog gradually settles and sleeps, it is working, but if he immediately searches for the next thing to do, that activity may not be the right fit. 📱 RESOURCES Website: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Blog: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.psychiatry/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpsychiatry 🔔 If you found this helpful, subscribe for more videos on dog and cat behavior, aggression, and veterinary psychiatry. 💬 Does your dog stay wired even after a long walk or a trip to daycare? Tell me what you notice in the 30 minutes after activity ends, it might reveal a lot about what your dog actually needs. ABOUT DR. SAGI DENENBERG Dr. Sagi Denenberg is a veterinarian and board certified veterinary behaviorist with more than 23 years of clinical experience treating thousands of dogs and cats across North America, the UK, and beyond. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, and a Certified Companion Animal Behaviourist. He teaches veterinary students, mentors residents, publishes research, has written a textbook and book chapters, and regularly serves as an expert witness in courts and tribunals. His work integrates medical assessment, psychopharmacology, and behavior modification to treat complex behavioral disorders. #DogAggression #VeterinaryBehaviorist #DogBehavior #ReactiveDog #VetPsychiatry

  3. Oct 8

    Is Your Anxiety Making Your Dog Anxious?

    📌 Learn how Dr. Denenberg works with dog and cat behavior cases here: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Someone has probably told you that your anxiety is making your dog anxious. That advice can get inside your head fast, especially after a bad reaction in public. But the real story is more specific than bad energy passing between a leash. In this episode, I'm going to explain what your dog is actually noticing when you get nervous, and what to do differently on your next walk so he can stay calmer before things escalate. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Is Your Anxiety Making Your Dog Anxious? 0:40 What your dog actually notices 1:35 A walk where another dog appears 2:40 Why "sensing" is the wrong word 4:10 When your anxiety became part of the pattern 5:45 The medical and genetic reasons your dog is anxious 6:35 Why avoiding everything is not a plan 8:00 What to do the moment another dog appears 9:35 Fixing the leash tension before it starts ❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED Can my anxiety make my dog reactive? Your anxiety does not transfer directly, but your dog notices changes in your leash grip, body movement, and attention, and learns to predict trouble from those cues. Should I avoid walks if my dog is reactive? Reducing exposure temporarily can help for safety, but permanent avoidance should not become the whole treatment plan since it shrinks your dog's world. What should I do when another dog appears on a walk? Create distance early by crossing the street or turning down another path while your dog can still think, rather than waiting until he is already overwhelmed. 📱 RESOURCES Website: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Blog: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.psychiatry/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpsychiatry 🔔 If you found this helpful, subscribe for more episodes on dog and cat behavior, aggression, and veterinary psychiatry. ABOUT DR. SAGI DENENBERG Dr. Sagi Denenberg is a veterinarian and board certified veterinary behaviorist with more than 23 years of clinical experience treating thousands of dogs and cats across North America, the UK, and beyond. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, and a Certified Companion Animal Behaviourist. He teaches veterinary students, mentors residents, publishes research, has written a textbook and book chapters, and regularly serves as an expert witness in courts and tribunals. His work integrates medical assessment, psychopharmacology, and behavior modification to treat complex behavioral disorders. #DogAggression #VeterinaryBehaviorist #DogBehavior #ReactiveDog #VetPsychiatry

  4. Oct 1

    Why Your Dog Freaks Out When You Leave (It May Not Be Separation Anxiety)

    📌 Learn how Dr. Denenberg works with dog and cat behavior cases here: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Your dog paces when you grab your keys. He whines by the door. You come home to a chewed door frame or a message from your neighbor about howling. It looks exactly like separation anxiety. But some of the most common advice for this problem can actually make your dog worse, and treating the wrong issue wastes months. In this episode, I'm going to break down why barking, destruction, and accidents do not automatically mean separation anxiety, and how I actually figure out what your dog is experiencing before deciding on treatment. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Why Your Dog Freaks Out When You Leave (It May Not Be Separation Anxiety) 0:55 What barking and destruction actually tell us 1:58 Why guilty looking dogs are not actually guilty 3:12 What true separation distress looks like 4:46 Why leaving your dog to figure it out can backfire 6:14 When the crate makes things worse 7:19 Sudden separation problems and hidden medical causes 8:31 Setting up a camera to see what really happens 10:18 Building tolerance without full blown panic 12:48 When medication should be part of the plan ❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED Is my dog destroying things out of anger or guilt when I leave? No. Dogs do not connect destruction from hours earlier with guilt. The submissive posture you see when you get home is a reaction to your tone and body language in that moment, not a memory of what they did. Should I ignore my dog when they cry and let them "figure it out" alone? Only if your dog eventually calms down and settles on their own. If they stay panicked, pacing, or howling the whole time, they are practicing distress rather than learning it is safe, and this can make the problem worse. How do I know if my dog actually has separation anxiety? Set up a camera or phone to record what happens right after you leave. If the dog cannot settle, paces continuously, drools, or tries to escape, that points to true separation distress rather than boredom or a one time incident. 📱 RESOURCES Website: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Blog: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.psychiatry/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpsychiatry 🔔 If you found this helpful, subscribe for more episodes on dog and cat behavior, aggression, and veterinary psychiatry. ABOUT DR. SAGI DENENBERG Dr. Sagi Denenberg is a veterinarian and board certified veterinary behaviorist with more than 23 years of clinical experience treating thousands of dogs and cats across North America, the UK, and beyond. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, and a Certified Companion Animal Behaviourist. He teaches veterinary students, mentors residents, publishes research, has written a textbook and book chapters, and regularly serves as an expert witness in courts and tribunals. His work integrates medical assessment, psychopharmacology, and behavior modification to treat complex behavioral disorders. #DogAggression #VeterinaryBehaviorist #DogBehavior #ReactiveDog #VetPsychiatry

  5. Sep 24

    What No One Tells You About Rehoming or Euthanizing an Aggressive Dog

    📌 Learn how Dr. Denenberg works with dog and cat behavior cases here: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com When your dog becomes aggressive, every choice can feel awful. Keep him and you worry someone will get hurt. Rehome him and you fear you are just passing the problem to someone else. Consider euthanasia and it feels like giving up on the dog you promised to protect. In this episode, I'm going to walk you through the exact questions I use to help families think clearly before making any of these decisions. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 What No One Tells You About Rehoming or Euthanizing an Aggressive Dog 0:45 Has the aggression actually been properly assessed 2:09 Can this dog live safely in this specific home 3:11 Why management plans fail on the worst day 4:07 What rehoming really requires to work 6:48 Why the move itself can make a dog worse 9:24 How dangerous could the next incident be 11:41 Judging quality of life, not just safety 12:07 When behavioral euthanasia becomes responsible ❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED How many dog bites are too many before rehoming or euthanasia? There is no universal number. The decision depends on bite severity, predictability, the target of the bite, and whether the risk can be reliably managed in that specific home. Does rehoming an aggressive dog actually solve the problem? Rehoming only helps if the new environment removes something central to the aggression. If the new caregiver does not fully understand the dog's history and triggers, the risk is transferred, not solved. Is behavioral euthanasia the same as giving up on a dog? No. Behavioral euthanasia is not a punishment or a sign of owner failure. It becomes part of a responsible decision when treatment, safe rehoming, and quality of life have all been honestly considered. 📱 RESOURCES Website: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Blog: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.psychiatry/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpsychiatry 🔔 If you found this helpful, subscribe for more episodes on dog and cat behavior, aggression, and veterinary psychiatry. ABOUT DR. SAGI DENENBERG Dr. Sagi Denenberg is a veterinarian and board certified veterinary behaviorist with more than 23 years of clinical experience treating thousands of dogs and cats across North America, the UK, and beyond. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, and a Certified Companion Animal Behaviourist. He teaches veterinary students, mentors residents, publishes research, has written a textbook and book chapters, and regularly serves as an expert witness in courts and tribunals. His work integrates medical assessment, psychopharmacology, and behavior modification to treat complex behavioral disorders. #DogAggression #VeterinaryBehaviorist #DogBehavior #ReactiveDog #VetPsychiatry

  6. Sep 17

    Before You Hire Another Dog Trainer for Aggression, Do This First

    📌 Learn how Dr. Denenberg works with dog and cat behavior cases here: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com If your dog is still aggressive after working with a trainer, hiring another trainer is not automatically the right next step. Many dogs I see have already been through several trainers, more corrections, more exposure work, and the aggression is still there. The problem may not be the trainer. It may be that nobody figured out what is actually driving the behavior. In this episode, I'm going to explain why the title "dog trainer" doesn't guarantee expertise in aggression, why labels like dominance can send treatment in the wrong direction, and what needs to happen before you choose your next training approach. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Before You Hire Another Dog Trainer for Aggression, Do This First 0:26 Why training alone keeps failing 1:08 The real problem trainers often miss 2:15 Why "dog trainer" isn't a protected title 3:15 Dangerous labels like dominance and alpha 5:02 What dogs are actually feeling 6:33 Questions that matter more than technique 7:06 When aggression is really a medical problem 9:15 Why medication is a medical decision, not a training style 11:39 What to do before hiring anyone else ❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED Should I hire another dog trainer if aggression training didn't work? Not right away. If aggression continues or returns after training, the underlying cause was likely never identified, so a behavioral and medical assessment should come first. Is dog aggression usually about dominance? No. Aggression is more often driven by fear, pain, frustration, or learned responses, and labeling it dominance can lead to confrontational methods that make things worse. Can a dog trainer diagnose a medical cause of aggression? No. Trainers can spot behavior patterns but cannot diagnose pain, neurological issues, or other medical conditions, which is why a veterinary evaluation matters when aggression is sudden or worsening. 📱 RESOURCES Website: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Blog: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.psychiatry/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpsychiatry 🔔 If you found this helpful, subscribe for more episodes on dog and cat behavior, aggression, and veterinary psychiatry. ABOUT DR. SAGI DENENBERG Dr. Sagi Denenberg is a veterinarian and board certified veterinary behaviorist with more than 23 years of clinical experience treating thousands of dogs and cats across North America, the UK, and beyond. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, and a Certified Companion Animal Behaviourist. He teaches veterinary students, mentors residents, publishes research, has written a textbook and book chapters, and regularly serves as an expert witness in courts and tribunals. His work integrates medical assessment, psychopharmacology, and behavior modification to treat complex behavioral disorders. #DogAggression #VeterinaryBehaviorist #DogBehavior #ReactiveDog #VetPsychiatry

  7. Sep 11

    The #1 Mistake People Make With an Aggressive Dog

    📌 Learn how Dr. Denenberg works with dog and cat behavior cases here: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Three dogs can growl, lunge, or snap in almost the same way and need completely different treatment. One may need behavior modification, one may need medical treatment, and the third may need both. The number one mistake owners make is trying one training technique after another without ever figuring out why the aggression is happening in the first place. In this episode, I'm going to show you what may be driving your dog's aggression, what training alone can miss, and how to choose treatment that actually makes your dog and the people around him safer. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 The #1 Mistake People Make With an Aggressive Dog 0:41 Why aggression is a warning sign, not the problem 1:24 Why the same growl can mean different things 2:52 What the behavior actually accomplished 3:00 Why context matters more than labels 4:47 How genetics and learning shape aggression 6:02 What a vet sees that training alone misses 7:43 How pain and stress build up over time 9:18 Why correction can hide the real problem 10:00 What to do before your next training session ❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED Why does my dog suddenly become aggressive with no warning?  Sudden aggression often signals pain, illness, or another medical change rather than a training failure, so a veterinary assessment should come before more training. The behavior itself is a warning sign, not the full explanation. Do I need a trainer or a veterinary behaviorist for dog aggression?  A trainer can help change how a dog responds to a trigger, but only a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist can identify and treat medical causes like pain, ear infections, or neurological changes. Complex or worsening aggression usually needs both perspectives working together. Why does my dog keep getting worse even though we train every day?  Training that ignores an underlying medical or emotional cause can look like progress while the real problem continues untreated. If pain or stress keeps building, the dog can still reach a breaking point despite consistent training. 📱 RESOURCES Website: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Blog: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.psychiatry/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpsychiatry 🔔 If you found this helpful, subscribe for more episodes on dog and cat behavior, aggression, and veterinary psychiatry. ABOUT DR. SAGI DENENBERG Dr. Sagi Denenberg is a veterinarian and board certified veterinary behaviorist with more than 23 years of clinical experience treating thousands of dogs and cats across North America, the UK, and beyond. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, and a Certified Companion Animal Behaviourist. He teaches veterinary students, mentors residents, publishes research, has written a textbook and book chapters, and regularly serves as an expert witness in courts and tribunals. His work integrates medical assessment, psychopharmacology, and behavior modification to treat complex behavioral disorders. #DogAggression #VeterinaryBehaviorist #DogBehavior #ReactiveDog #VetPsychiatry

  8. Sep 11

    The Early Warning Signs of Dog Aggression Most Owners Miss

    📌 Learn how Dr. Denenberg works with dog and cat behavior cases here: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Most dogs do not bite without warning. The problem is that the early signs rarely look like aggression at all. They can look like kisses, closeness, or even protectiveness. In this episode, I'm going to break down the early warning signs of dog aggression that most owners miss, using a real case where a family thought their dog's aggression appeared overnight, when he had actually been warning them for months. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 The Early Warning Signs of Dog Aggression Most Owners Miss 0:39 Real case: the dog everyone thought suddenly turned 1:24 Face licking that looks like affection but isn't 2:34 Why your dog stops eating around certain people 3:22 Following without settling: closeness or vigilance 4:26 The behavior families mistake for protectiveness 6:32 The single most important lesson on early detection 7:39 Stillness: the warning sign people mistake for calm 8:53 Why some dogs stop warning altogether 10:19 What to watch for in your own dog ❓ QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are the earliest signs of dog aggression? Early signs include face licking during unwanted contact, refusing to eat around a specific person, constantly following or monitoring someone, and sudden stillness or freezing during handling. These behaviors often look harmless but signal discomfort building over time. Why does a dog suddenly become still before biting? Stillness is often mistaken for calm, but a frozen dog has tight muscles, a closed mouth, and fixed eyes rather than loose, relaxed body language. If touching or handling continues after that pause, the dog may escalate to a growl, snap, or bite. Why do some dogs bite without any warning at all? Some dogs stop showing obvious warning signs because earlier signals were ignored, or because a medical issue is shortening the distance between discomfort and aggression. In many cases the warnings were present but brief, subtle, or mistaken for something else. 📱 RESOURCES Website: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com Blog: https://www.denenbergvetmed.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vet.psychiatry/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpsychiatry 🔔 If you found this helpful, subscribe for more videos on dog and cat behavior, aggression, and veterinary psychiatry. ABOUT DR. SAGI DENENBERG Dr. Sagi Denenberg is a veterinarian and board certified veterinary behaviorist with more than 23 years of clinical experience treating thousands of dogs and cats across North America, the UK, and beyond. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine, an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, and a Certified Companion Animal Behaviourist. He teaches veterinary students, mentors residents, publishes research, has written a textbook and book chapters, and regularly serves as an expert witness in courts and tribunals. His work integrates medical assessment, psychopharmacology, and behavior modification to treat complex behavioral disorders. #DogAggression #VeterinaryBehaviorist #DogBehavior #ReactiveDog #VetPsychiatry

  • 8 Episodes

About

Is your dog or cat growling, biting, hiding, or falling apart when you leave the house? If training hasn't worked, or you suspect pain, anxiety, or something medical is behind the behavior, you're in the right place. Dr. Sagi Denenberg is a veterinary behaviorist who looks past the behavior itself to find what's actually driving it, medical, emotional, and environmental, before deciding what to do next. New episodes on dog and cat aggression, anxiety, compulsive behaviors, separation-related distress, and the early warning signs most owners miss before things escalate. If your pet's behavior has stopped making sense to you, start here.Dr. Sagi Denenberg, DVM, Dip. ACVB, Dip. ECAWBM

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Sagi Denenberg
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Vet Psychiatry with Dr Sagi Denenberg