Dog Behavior as Art: A Conversation with SF Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Alison Gerken

As an Oakland dog trainer and behavior consultant, I spend a lot of time helping people decode their dogs’ body language—figuring out whether that yawn means stress or just a stretch, or if that stillness at the park is excitement or uncertainty. Recently, I got the chance to sit down with Dr. Alison Gerken, a veterinary behaviorist based in San Francisco, to talk about exactly that: how understanding dog behavior is a bit like interpreting art.

The full interview was featured in Bay Woof’s May issue, but one metaphor Dr. Gerken shared stuck with me. She compared dog behavior to sculpture—a form of expression that’s easily misinterpreted, yet deeply meaningful when you know how to look. We also covered big topics like the myth of dominance, how meds can support training, and what recent studies are teaching us about the gut-brain connection in dogs.

Whether you’re dealing with reactivity, confusion about your dog’s triggers, or just want to better understand what your dog is trying to communicate, I think you’ll find this conversation both validating and informative.

Read the full interview here:

Bay Woof: Canine Behavior as Art – A Conversation with Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Alison Gerken

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