June 18, 2025, 3:33 pm | Read time: 10 minutes
Nowadays, there are almost as many services for dogs as there are for humans: groomers, liability and health insurance, physical therapy, and even psychologists. But what exactly does a dog psychologist do? Do they talk to dogs about separation anxiety, toxic relationship patterns, or traumas from puppyhood? PETBOOK spoke with someone who knows: Marc Ebersbach, a dog psychologist himself.
Does your dog pull on the leash, bark at other dogs, or show fear or aggression? Many owners turn to traditional training methods, but sometimes that’s not enough. When behavior needs to be understood rather than “trained,” a dog psychologist comes into play. However, many people have never heard of dog psychologists or dismiss their work as quirky, anthropomorphizing nonsense. Marc Ebersbach is one of Germany’s most well-known dog psychologists and captivates millions with his videos on TikTok and Instagram. PETBOOK spoke with him about dog psychology, misconceptions, and his profession.
Also of interest: “I would advise everyone to spend a night in nature with their dog”
This Is the Difference Between a Dog Trainer and a Dog Psychologist
PETBOOK: Marc, how did you become a dog psychologist?
Marc Ebersbach: “The trigger was my own dog. She came to me when she was about a year and a half old. She had severe behavioral issues, was full of fears, and was reactive. Previously, she had been poorly socialized by a hobby breeder and then ended up with an overwhelmed couple. I sought help from dog trainers, read a lot, and researched online. But the problems persisted. A defining moment was a city training session in Berlin. When I asked the trainer what I should do if my dog was completely overwhelmed, he just said, ‘Stand on the grass strip and let her sniff.’ That’s when I realized that I wasn’t getting anywhere with traditional dog training and needed to take action myself.”
What happened next?
“I then came across a degree program in dog psychology, which I started out of a desire to truly help my dog. It was the best decision of my life because with the new knowledge, I was able to systematically and sustainably solve her problems.”
What exactly distinguishes a dog psychologist from a dog trainer?
“Dog trainers focus on teaching dogs a specific, desired behavior–in other words, training something into them. Dog psychologists, on the other hand, focus on analyzing the reason behind a dog’s out-of-control behavior and help the dog overcome it. It’s less about traditional training and more about therapy.
The dog exhibits behavior because it is overwhelmed, stressed, or traumatized–we need to find and resolve the cause. For example, a dog barking at a garden fence might be displaying normal territorial behavior, in which case traditional dog training is sufficient. But if the dog was previously bitten, it’s likely a stress response or even trauma–that’s when psychological work is needed.”
“The Job Title Itself Is Not Protected”
What qualifications do you need for this? Is it a protected profession?
“The job title itself is not protected–anyone can call themselves whatever they want. But anyone working with dogs in Germany needs state approval under Section 11 of the Animal Welfare Act. This is examined by the veterinary office and consists of theory, an expert discussion, and a practical exam. It’s not a trivial test. Many fail it. For example, I had two dogs with identical symptoms but different causes. The appropriate differentiation was relevant for the exam.”
What are the most common problems people come to you with?
“It’s mostly about stress behavior. I distinguish three types:
- Insecure-defensive dogs
These animals react uncertainly to stimuli such as people, unfamiliar places, or vehicles–they withdraw or show signs of fear. - Insecure-offensive dogs
They are also afraid but react with threats or aggression instead of fleeing. - Overstimulated dogs
They have no specific triggers but collapse under the sum of all stimuli. Everything is ‘too much’ for them–their stress system is overwhelmed.
The challenge is to recognize these differences and train them specifically. Many owners say, ‘I’ve been to three or four trainers–nothing has helped.’ They come extremely tense, often as a last resort. It’s very emotionally taxing for them.”
„Many of My Cases Are Rescue Dogs“
Does the origin of the dogs – rescue or breeding – play a role?
“Yes, often. Many of my cases are rescue dogs–the problem is less the dog itself and more the completely wrong approach after arrival. Many of these dogs come from Romania, Bulgaria, or Portugal–they don’t know our world. Yet new owners often expect them to ‘function’ immediately. The animals are completely overwhelmed by the new environment and stimuli. Their history is simply ignored.
If I bring a Romanian livestock guardian dog to Berlin and expect it to feel comfortable in a two-room apartment with a nine-to-five routine–that’s unrealistic. Such misconceptions cause many problems. Many owners underestimate the adjustment. Love alone is not enough.”
And what about purebred dogs?
“I see similar patterns there. Many dogs come from hobby breeders–in the countryside, on farms. They grow up there without being exposed to environmental stimuli like traffic or crowds. Then they suddenly end up in big cities like Hamburg or Frankfurt–completely unprepared.
The imprinting phase in the first twelve weeks is often neglected. If a dog grows up in the countryside but is later supposed to live in the city, this imprinting is missing. In the past, dogs spent their lives where they grew up; today, they are sold to other places they are not accustomed to. Many do not act out of malice but out of ignorance. However, this has consequences.
There are also cases of overbreeding, where dogs are physically or neurologically overbred. This can also lead to stress. So, it doesn’t really matter whether the dogs come from shelters, professional breeders, or hobby breeders. The real question is how well people are prepared to address the problem where it exists.”
„The Situation Is Dire – We Have Two Million More Dogs“
You once told me in another conversation that the current situation is dire. Why?
“Before COVID-19, we had about eight million dogs in Germany–now there are over ten million. Two million more in just a few years! And many of these dogs come from Eastern European countries such as Romania or Bulgaria–where dealing with stray dogs is a never-ending cycle.
A whole industry has developed there: killing stations, subsidies, placement portals–the system sustains itself. And out of compassion, people bring these dogs to Germany–well-intentioned, but often without understanding what kind of creature is coming.”
What does this mean for the animals?
“Imagine you come as a dog to a killing station–you smell fear, death, confinement. That affects your nervous system. Many of these dogs are emotionally wounded. And then they end up with loving but overwhelmed people who have no professional help.”
And these dogs end up with you?
“Yes–but unfortunately only when everything else has already failed. Many clients have been to three or four trainers before. They are exhausted, disappointed–and often cry during our first meeting because it’s the first time they see that their dog is even reachable, that it responds to an appropriate method. I often say: Dogs are masters of transformation–but only if you approach them correctly. And that’s not magic, but knowledge, experience, and very targeted methodology.”
What prejudices do you encounter most often as a dog psychologist?
“Honestly, I just have to look at social media. Comments like: ‘Dog psychologist? What nonsense!’ or ‘That’s just what we needed!’ are commonplace. Many consider it esoteric or exaggerated.
The image some people have in their minds is: In the past, dogs lived on the farm, got something to eat, and were happy–so why psychology? This notion completely misses the point that we live in a very different dog society today. Many animals have traumatic backgrounds–they come from killing stations, have experienced multiple changes of ownership, or were improperly trained. The fact that such dogs can become neurologically unbalanced, that their stress system is overwhelmed–is often not understood. And instead of acknowledging that, many respond with ridicule or rejection.
Dog trainers teach behavior–sit, stay, leash manners. I, on the other hand, take away the problem that leads to the behavior. I’m not a behavior giver; I’m a problem taker. And that’s a completely different approach.”
„If You Take Off His Muzzle, He’ll Kill You!“
Was there a case in your career that still haunts you today?
“Yes–a case that really touched me deeply and also made me angry. A federal police officer came to me with her service dog, a Malinois. The dog already had a severe history: He was taken in by the police after being bought from owners who had abused him with an electric collar.
Instead of giving him the necessary rest and rehabilitation, he was then further trained with the usual aversive methods of police training–and eventually exploded. The officer later told me verbatim: ‘If you take off his muzzle, he’ll kill you!’
In a joint session, I was able to show her how to get the dog out of his aggression pattern through targeted, non-violent interventions. It was the beginning of a long journey, but she had initial successes–the dog began to ‘ask’ before reacting. He communicated.”
„You Have to Break the Dog“ – When Online Courses Cause Animal Suffering
And then?
“The system remained rigid. Her superior continued to demand training with the old methods. For me, it was a symbol of everything that is wrong in this area: a dog that becomes the product of systematic failure. An empathetic officer who treats him out of her own pocket. And a system that prefers to enforce harshness rather than allow healing.”
That’s really sad …
“Another case left me similarly speechless. A couple came with a seven-month-old German Shepherd. The dog–beautiful but highly aggressive, full of fear, already wearing a muzzle. I immediately recognized a frightened dog that had learned that aggression protects him.
I asked the owner how it had come to this–with such a young dog. His answer: ‘I took an online course. It said you have to break the dog to earn respect.’
He had used brutal methods–throwing the dog on its back, kicking, pinching, spraying with water. All to demonstrate dominance. In training, the dog showed immediate progress with the right approach. But his wife later whispered to my assistant: ‘I’m afraid he’ll continue like this at home.’ I never heard from them again.”
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„Some Cases Should Be Reported – but the Authorities Fail“
I hear that as a dog psychologist, you also witness many tragic stories up close.
“Yes, such cases show how dangerous unreflective ‘training’ from the internet can be. I have also reported cases to the veterinary office–such as an emaciated dog that could barely stand. The result: The dog was allowed to stay with its owner. The bureaucracy often fails completely here. There is a lack of consistency, empathy–and the political will to change things structurally.”