When people adopt a dog or puppy, they may have a vision of competing successfully in a sport or simply taking long walks with a good friend. People do not normally choose to adopt an expensive, time consuming problem, that can even become dangerous at times. Worse, because most people continue to love their dog, anger, guilt, feeling trapped, or feeling isolated often accompany dealing with a difficult dog.

Some resources for people coping with dogs with behavior problems.
- When Pigs Fly!: Training Success with Impossible Dogs by Jane Killion
- Click to Calm by Emma Parsons
- Feisty Fido: Help for the Leash-Reactive Dog by Patricia B. McConnell Ph.D. and Karen B. London Ph.D.
- The Cautious Canine-How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears by Patricia B. McConnell Ph.D.
- Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt, MLA, CDBC, CPDT
- Calming Signals: What your Dog Tells You by Turid Rugaas
- Canine Body Language, a Photographic Guide by Brenda Aloff
