A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that 99.12 percent of dogs have behavioral issues, based on survey data drawn from the Dog Aging Project totaling more than 43,000 animals.

The analysis, assembled from the Dog Aging Project’s database, suggests nearly every enrolled companion dog had at least one behavior that owners rated as moderate to severe. The study found that, among surveyed U.S. dogs, separation and attachment issues, aggression, and fear/anxiety-related behaviors were the most commonly reported behavior problems. The finding, presented by researchers affiliated with Texas A&M, calls attention to how common a range of responses are among pet dogs and raises questions about how those behaviors are identified and discussed during veterinary care.

Dr. Bonnie Beaver, listed as a study co-author and affiliated with Texas A&M, said the survey items were not designed to provide clinical diagnoses. “The questions used in the study are not intended to be a diagnosis, and many behaviors overlap into different categories,” she said, framing the results as descriptive rather than diagnostic. This aligns with findings from other studies, which have reported that similar high percentages of dogs exhibit behavioral issues globally.

The study relied on a long-term scientific database maintained by the Dog Aging Project, which contributed the large sample size that underpins the headline percentage. Coverage of the study’s methods and dataset details appears in outlets including MyVetCandy, which summarized the research team’s use of the project’s survey material.

Researchers and the study authors highlighted a range of behavioral responses observed across the sample. Officials noted that anxiety and separation-related behaviors commonly occur together; the study reported that about 85.9% of dogs had moderate to severe separation and attachment issues. Apparent aggression can be driven by fear, underscoring that the same observed action may have different underlying causes. “Aggression is a normal behavior in animals and it happens for a reason,” Dr. Beaver said.

Those nuances matter because owners do not always treat every behavior as a problem worth addressing, the lead authors said. Dr. Beaver also pointed to interaction gaps in clinical practice: “Some studies report that only 50 percent of veterinarians ask questions about behavior during appointments, and owners may not think to ask the veterinarian about something they don’t like.” This highlights the importance of open dialogue about behavioral concerns, as these discussions could lead to effective interventions and support from qualified professionals, such as Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists or veterinary behaviorists.

The study’s reliance on owner-reported survey data shaped both its strengths and its limitations: the Dog Aging Project provides a very large and diverse pool of companion animals, but the authors stress the results reflect owners’ perceptions and survey responses rather than formal clinical assessments. Reporting on the research in outlets such as ModernSciences has noted the scale of the dataset and how the findings speak to common everyday challenges for dog owners.

Veterinary researchers behind the paper presented their findings to emphasize description over diagnosis: they catalogued types of behaviors and their prevalence in owner responses, and they advised interpreting the high prevalence as a measure of how often owners report issues rather than as a clinical label applied by professionals. Vivid details drawn from the study note that dogs may act aggressively out of fear and that anxiety and separation problems frequently overlap. The study’s findings resonate with ongoing discussions within the veterinary community about the need for a closer examination of behavior-related issues.

The authors and affiliated institutions say the results point to an opportunity for veterinarians and owners to discuss behavior more proactively during routine care, so that manageable problems do not escalate. Addressing these issues early, through professional guidance and positive reinforcement strategies, can help improve the overall well-being of both dogs and their owners. The paper frames its conclusions around survey evidence and the large sample available through the Dog Aging Project rather than clinical casework.

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Original reporting: view the original article.