Top 5 Common Pet Owner Mistakes

As a certified trainer, I remind you that fear is an emotion, NOT a behavior. As such it can not be reinforced. If a dog is showing fearful or aggressive behavior, get him/her out of that situation ASAP! Making your dog comfortable and keeping them out of stressful situations is the best solution. Build a trusting relationship with your dog and show them that they don't need to react to scary things, because YOU, the human will manage it for them.

I think you need to revise your statement for: 4. 'Don't Be Scared; Give Him a Cookie'. Some readers may think you are advocating punishing the behaviour as you suggest attempting to calm down an anxious, fearful dog with attention or food will reinforce the behaviour.
By offering a really high value food reward we are attempting to change the underlying emotion which is generally fear and anxiety. We may or may not be successful but we will not be reinforcing the emotion. The dog needs to be calmly taken out of the situation.
If the growling dog is punished we may inhibit the behaviour but we have not changed the underlying emotion, in fact we have made the matter worse for the dog. The next time the dog is in a similar situation it may well indeed think this is a scary and dangerous situation. It may inhibit some of its warning signs and we have made it more likely to be relinquished or destroyed.

If a dog is afraid of something, and you do something to counter their emotional state, that's called counter conditioning. If a dog is food motivated and actually enjoys hugs and you give these when your dog becomes fearful of something, you're countering the fear, not reinforcing it.

Insisting that your dog has to just deal with what they're fearful of with nothing to change their fear, or punishing them for being fearful, however, DOES reinforce fear.

Question #4 needs to be altered to take this into account.

I disagree with the wording of #5. Many places don't have leash laws. But, even in places that do not require leash, like dogs parks, off-leash dogs can be a problem. Dogs often disregard commands while off-leash. The owners are often overly confident in their dog's training or become too complacent to keep their dogs under control. Off-leash dogs may approach other dogs in an overly aggressive manner, even if play is the intent, and end up getting into fights or biting someone. Off-leash dogs can be startled and run away. They are also more easily stolen if they get out of their owners' sight.

Keeping your dog leashed in public space can prevent injuries (to your dog, other dogs, and people), loss of your pet, and even lawsuits.

OH can I tell you how often I am out walking and people CANNOT keep their dogs on their own property!!! I have had to STOP walking mine because NO matter which direction we walk people feel they don't need to restrain their dog(s)... I walk 2-4 at a time. WHAT do you think could happen to that dog that comes charging at us?? MY dogs are supposed to stand between me and a threat. I am partially disabled and have been ON the ground holding mine- preventing them from ELIMINATING the threat while their owners often 2-3 of them CANNOT control one. I also carry an extra leash when walking. One time I even threw the extra leash to them it was AT least another 10-15 minutes before they could collect their dog and DRAG it into the house. The entire time I am on the ground in the road holding mine. The dog charged us across the road. The first comment was well no wonder look what you are walking! Really yes look at what I am walking. The fact that I am STILL in control of mine and have NOT allowed them to KILL yours... Instead of insults maybe a thank you would be more in order. ANYONE would be JUSTIFIED in shooting a dog OFF property with repeated charges such as what we have endured. I have well bred Boxers & rescue Pitties! :)

Vets have little to no nutritional training. The best you can do for your kritters WHATEVER kind is research species appropriate diets & feed them accordingly. Example my goats are total vegans so they get NO animals products at all. My chickens are omnivores they are little vultures and will eat ANYTHING- they will even eat mice if they can catch them. My K9s are carnivores and as such their main staple is meat. They do enjoy some grass & greens. Peace & blessings!!

Comments 1-3 demonstrate why the author advises to seek help for a fearful dog from a veterinarian or behaviorist. These three comments are by people who don't know what they are talking about and have even incorrectly interpreted the author's comment.

Owners of dogs that show any type of aggression should consult with a VETERINARY BEHAVIORIST, not a "trainer" or "behaviorist". You have no idea of the qualifications of people who call themselves trainers and behaviorists, but you do know the qualifications of veterinary behaviorists. It is a board certified specialty and you can look it up to see what these people have done to become board certified. Anyone can call him or herself a trainer and behaviorist.

And it is important to know that aggression is a general term, like heart disease. It doesn't tell you what kind of aggression the pet is exhibiting, or the proper treatment or management. There are different types of aggression and each type has its own appropriate therapy and/or management strategies. It is not a one-size-fits-all situation. It takes a trained specialist to correctly identify the type, determine appropriate therapy, and determine the most likely prognosis.