Have You Ever Seen Anyone Yelling at a Dog?
Why Do We Lose Control Over Small Things?
Have you ever seen someone yelling at a dog? The dog just stands there, oblivious, confused, absorbing the outburst without reacting. It’s a ridiculous sight—one that makes you stop and wonder: Why would anyone do that? But if we step back, how different is that from what we do every day?
We rage in traffic. We slam our fists on the keyboard when our computer lags. We snap at a cashier over a small mistake. We take our frustration out on people and things that have nothing to do with what’s really bothering us. These outbursts feel justified in the moment, but later, we’re left wondering: Why did I react like that?
That question is at the heart of Have You Ever Seen Anyone Yelling at a Dog? by existential psychologist and professor RJ Starr. This book isn’t just about the people who explode over minor inconveniences—it’s about all of us. It’s about understanding why we react impulsively, why small triggers feel so overwhelming, and, most importantly, how to break free from these emotional cycles.
The Hidden Forces Behind Emotional Overreaction
RJ Starr explores the psychology behind misplaced anger, emotional dysregulation, and impulse-driven behavior. Why do minor inconveniences feel like major injustices? Why do certain situations send people into a spiral of frustration while others remain unaffected? Why is public anger—on social media, in customer service interactions, and in everyday life—becoming more common?
Starr reveals that most emotional overreactions aren’t really about the situation at hand. Instead, they stem from:
Unresolved stress and anxiety that has nowhere else to go
Cognitive distortions that exaggerate the importance of minor inconveniences
Emotional displacement, where frustrations about one issue get misdirected at something unrelated
Lack of self-awareness, where people don’t recognize their own triggers until they’re in full emotional meltdown
Through real-life case studies, psychological research, and practical strategies, Have You Ever Seen Anyone Yelling at a Dog? unpacks why we misplace our emotions and what we can do to stop.
A Path to Emotional Mastery
This book isn’t about suppressing emotions or pretending frustration doesn’t exist. Instead, it’s about learning to recognize emotional patterns, build self-awareness, and reclaim control over reactions that feel automatic. Starr offers a roadmap to emotional mastery through:
Understanding why certain triggers cause exaggerated reactions
Learning how to pause before reacting and break the impulse-response cycle
Reframing frustrations to reduce emotional intensity
Building long-term emotional awareness to create healthier responses
Who Should Read This Book?
Anyone who has ever found themselves reacting impulsively to small frustrations
Those who feel easily irritated, impatient, or overwhelmed by stress
People interested in psychology, self-improvement, and emotional regulation
Anyone who wants to break the cycle of frustration and choose how they respond to life
More Than a Book—A Challenge
One of the most powerful takeaways from Have You Ever Seen Anyone Yelling at a Dog? is simple but transformative: pause before you react, just once, and see what happens.
The next time frustration rises, take a breath. Give yourself a moment to observe your emotions before acting on them. That single pause can begin to reshape how you experience anger, stress, and frustration.
RJ Starr doesn’t just ask you to reflect—he asks you to take action. This book is an invitation to step out of emotional autopilot, question habitual reactions, and start living with greater clarity and intention.
In Bookstores March 1, 2025
Have You Ever Seen Anyone Yelling at a Dog? will be released on March 1, 2025, and will be available through all major bookstores, online platforms, and publishing houses. If you’ve ever wondered why small things push you over the edge—or how to stop letting them—this book is for you.