Why Does My Dog Do That?
As a trainer I hear statements from owners almost daily about what they do not want their dog to do, and very few where the owner tells me what they would like instead. It is rare that an owner calls me and says “can you help me teach my dog to do (insert behavior here).” Some of the more common frustrated proclamations sound like this:
“I’ve got a 4 month old Golden Retriever (or Labrador, or Doodle, or any other sporting dog) and I want him to stop stealing my (insert item here!)”
Or:
“My 6 month old Aussie (or any other herding breed) won’t stop chasing my children, and now he’s starting to nip (or herd them.)”
Or:
“How can I stop my Schnauzer (insert any other terrier breed here) from digging when he’s outside?”
Or another frequently heard emergency call:
“My year old German Shepherd won’t stop barking at people. How do I make him stop barking?”
Problem behaviors in dogs do not just happen overnight. When an owner is frustrated it is because the behavior has reached a point where it is affecting the owner’s quality of life. All too often the owner doesn’t understand that the behavior has many factors that have influenced the dog, some that they may have had control over, some that they may not.
With behavior we know that there are certain aspects of behaviors that are hard wired, or have served some significant purpose for that breed in the past, and those that are shaped by life experiences. We often refer to these as Nature vs. Nuture. Behaviors that are selectively bred for, over generations, are difficult, if not impossible, to erase. The sporting breeds have been used for centuries to leap through tall grass to flush and point, jump out of the boat or off the bank to retrieve the bird that was shot, and carry back whatever they can. That 4 month old Golden isn’t going to stop putting things in his mouth! What the owner needs to do is train a solid recall and drop it cue, AND manage his house so that inappropriate objects are not within reach of his puppy! Those Doodle’s are genetically programmed for this as well, and that Labrador puppy purchasedfrom a “field breeder” because the “show types” are “unhealthy” has been pre-programmed with enough energy to be out in the field ALL DAY LONG! That means that the owner now has to deal with how to channel 5 or 6 HOURS of energy everyday into something positive.
Terriers dig, herding dogs circle, chase, and nip (when they have too much energy and no self control,) and dogs bred to be guardians require extra positive socialization in order to learn that strangers don’t mean danger!
That brings me to the “nurture” aspect. Don’t blame the dog if his social skills are not what you expected. There are several critical early development periods that shape behavior.
4-6 weeks of age – Puppies must be exposed to a variety of different people, sights, and sounds in order to help them develop confidence and sociability.
6-8 weeks of age – Puppies MUST REMAIN WITH LITTERMATES or they fail to develop social skills critical later on, such as bite inhibition.
8-12 weeks of age – Primary imprinting period that also encompasses early fear period.
12-16 weeks of age – Age of exploration but also the first primary fear period.
17 weeks to maturity – Continued POSITIVE associations are needed to create a stable, well behaved adult.
In addition to these learning periods your dog’s genetic makeup also influences behavior. Puppies from high strung, fearful, or poorly socialized mothers (and fathers) are often genetically programmed to behave the same way.
Pet store puppy? He probably didn’t see anyone until he was shipped to the store. Transplant rescue dog from “the south?” He may not have lived indoors, with people, or near traffic. Puppy shipped in from out of state internet breeder. Congratulations! You may have just won the behavior nightmare trifecta! If you do not know where your puppy came from then you don’t know what genetic and poor or non-existent early learning influences are at work to shape his behavior.
So don’t blame the dog if you failed to train him properly. Don’t blame the dog if you don’t know his history. Don’t blame the dog if you failed to socialize him as a puppy because you were “too busy” or didn’t think it was “necessary.” Blame Mother Nature. Blame yourself. But don’t blame the dog. And yes, we can help teach behaviors that can replace “naughty ones,” and with patience and an understanding for how the dog feels we can help many learn to be more comfortable in the world around him.
