Dogs and Cars

Posted on June 14, 2011 by amygarabedian

Dogs and cars have a somewhat tenuous relationship.  There are plenty of dogs who love to chase cars, certainly a dangerous undertaking.  Other dogs can’t wait to go for the ever-popular ‘car ride’.  Lately I have been hearing upsetting stories, (yes, more than one) about dogs actually falling out of moving cars.  How does this happen?

Well, now since attention has been drawn to it in my own consciousness, it seems that everyone I see driving with their dogs is letting their animal’s head and whole upper body hang out the window!

Now, admittedly, I am a worry wart when it comes to my dogs and I have made my husband’s eyes roll more than once when I say, “well, what if…” in regards to our dogs’ safety.  But, on this issue I know I am not overreacting.

Here are a couple of scenarios about allowing your dog to be in the car with you.

Worst possible option – Read: Never, ever do this!

  • Dog is allowed to be unsecured, and hang their head and upper body out the window with paws on the door frame.  This is what I’ve been seeing lately, and simply can’t believe people would allow their dogs to do this!  Now, if you are one of those people who haven’t really thought anything bad could happen, please believe it could happen to your dog.

Slightly better scenario, but not totally safe

  • The window is down only far enough for the dog to get their head out, as we know they love to do, but only at slow speeds.  (Aside from them actually falling out of the car or truck, debris can be kicked up as you go down the road and can be ingested or worse, get in the eye and cause injury)

Safest possible option

  • Dog is in a crate, or a harness – just as you are in a seatbelt and no part of their body is outside the confines of the vehicle.  The pet stores now sell them in all kinds of sizes.  Visit our friends at Premier Pet Supply in Beverly Hills to see your options.

Another tale recently related to me has to do with a dog who was so enticed by seeing another dog walking down the road, that he actually leaped out of the moving vehicle.  Luckily the dog was not seriously injured, but that story could just have easily ended in the death of the kamikaze dog.  The woman didn’t think that the dog even had enough room to get out the window.  So, the moral to the story is that a highly motivated dog is capable of pretty much anything.

Training Tip:  Make a specific command for your dog to get into and out of the car.  That way, they will know to wait when you open the door and not come flying out into a dangerous situation.  Also, it prevents the inconvenience of trying to get your dog out of the car when he really wasn’t invited in the first place.  Start by telling him to “sit” before even trying to open the car door.

In short, remember when traveling with your dog to keep your dog safe and secure.

Posted in Blog | 2 Comments

The myth of the happy, tail wagging dog…or, safety first

Posted on May 18, 2011 by amygarabedian

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this one, “Look, he’s wagging his tail, that means he’s happy to see you.”

I also can’t tell you how many times dogs have bit or attempted to bite me while wagging their tail.

Here’s the reality, dogs who are wagging their tail are in a state of excitement.  But it’s not necessarily happy excitement, it could be nervous or anxious excitement just as easily.  So, definitely, when your buddy greets you at the door wagging away, they are happy to see you.  When you are thinking about reaching your hand over a fence to a dog you don’t know nearly as well, a wagging tail does not necessarily a happy dog make.

This is an example of a commonly held myth regarding dog behavior and body language.

Recently, we were approached by two Detroit post offices to speak to their mail carriers regarding dog safety.  We gladly accepted, and when they asked if we would charge for that, there was no hesitation as we said, “Nope.”

I put together a one pager with some bullet points for discussing safety around dogs.  You can find it here.  Reading this, and sharing the material with your kids just may avert a terrible accident.

Of course, it certainly helps when you have a few dogs with you to demonstrate the difference in body language.  The postal workers got to see four or five different dogs.  All well behaved, of course!  But very different in presentation and posture and overall body language.

We’d love to do more safety presentations, so let us know if you have a group that may benefit from a Safety Around Dogs presentation.

Posted in Dog Training | Leave a comment

Old Dogs, New Tricks?

Posted on April 20, 2011 by amygarabedian

“You can’t train my dog!  He’s too old.”

We hear this many times at the various shows and events that we do.  But the truth of the matter is, many dogs we train are not exactly puppies anymore.  We have trained many dogs who seven, eight, and nine years old, and also dogs who are in their double digit years.  The oldest dog we’ve trained was almost 13 years old.  Depending upon health and the expected longevity of your dog’s breed, there may well be things training can do to improve the quality of life for an old dog.

First Things First

The number one consideration for training an older dog has to be health.  While training is generally not overly stressful or physically taxing, it is also a deviation from a normal behavior pattern that can cause stress.  So, when considering whether or not to train an older dog, first make sure the dog will be safely able to handle a variation in their routine and potentially some stress.  If you are unsure if training is safe for your dog, consult a qualified veterinarian.

As with people, stress in low levels sometimes can have good side effects. There is a whole theory of gently stressing a puppy’s immune system for the first week of their life to increase their ability to handle disease and stress as an adult.  Read more about early neurological stimulation.

In training dogs, this is not dissimilar to an older dog having a young pup enter the home.  Sometimes it can be an invigorating experience for everyone, and brings some new life into the older dog.  This is the same with training.  An older dog may love the additional attention training brings them and can serve to strengthen the bond between dog and owner.  However, be realistic.  Bringing a new pup into the home can also have negative consequences, especially if your older dog is arthritic or in pain.  The same methodology would apply with training.  If your dog is dysplastic, asking it to repeatedly “sit” is not acceptable.

So, approach training an old dog with caution and prudence.  It’s better to start slowly with an older dog.

Why train an old dog in the first place?

The answer varies for everyone.  Sometimes a behavior is getting worse and worse with time, as is often the case.  For us as trainers, common reasons to train an older dog are increased aggressive behaviors or behaviors that are likely to cause safety issues with the dog (failure to come when called, bolting out the door, etc.)

Sometimes an older dog becomes a tag along in the process of training a younger dog.  For example, we are called out to deal with a younger dog who has typical obedience issues and the owners realize it may be a good time to work on the one or two issues with the older dog as well.

And finally, sometimes the owners simply can’t take it anymore.  We have trained more than one old Bichon or Pomeranian whose barking has been tolerated for years and the owners realize that they really don’t have to live that way.

Does it take longer to teach an old dog?

That depends.  As with all training, the more consistent and frequently you work with your dog, the better they will respond no matter their age.  But dogs are creatures of habit and the behavior patterns formed over years are harder to break than patterns that are brand new.  So, telling your dog that suddenly they are not allowed on the furniture after eight years may prove to be more difficult than teaching new a behavior that you would like to see.

Should I train my old dog?

There is no doubt that the older dogs develop a special place in the heart, and probably they are allowed to get away with things as they get older that maybe you never would’ve tolerated several years ago.  This is the choice of an owner.  More than once, we have told an owner that we can fix the problem with the dog, but they have to be committed for the process to work as well.  Many times, the owners realize that they really wouldn’t want to try to enforce new rules on an older dog.  Again, this is a perfectly acceptable choice for an owner.  (The only exception being if the dog is a risk to other people or animals.)

In the end, all dog training should be done to improve the quality of life for both the owner and the dog.  If that applies to your situation, then training an old dog may be something you’d like to consider.  Don’t automatically assume an old dog can’t learn new tricks, that is far from the case.  If your older dog is being excluded from events, trips, walks, due to bad behavior – training would lead to an improved quality of life for all involved.

Posted in Blog, Dog Training | Leave a comment

Little dog, BIG attitude

Posted on April 18, 2011 by amygarabedian

Picture this: you are walking with your 60 lb dog, who is trotting happily at your side and in the distance you see another walker approaching with a little tiny ball of fluff on a flexy leash. Now, if you are confident in your dog, you probably would see no problem in scooting over to share the sidewalk for a moment.  First problem is the flexy leash, but that topic warrants its own blog post!  Second, don’t think your big dog is safe, simply because it is bigger.  Most people assume that small dogs pose no threat.  Believe me, the small dogs don’t necessarily share that opinion.  While it seldom gets press, because a dog bite from a chihuahua is far from sensational, small dogs can be quite vicious.

Owners of large dogs need to be as wary of small dogs approaching as they would of other larger breeds.  While they probably won’t bleed out as a result of a Yorkie bite, it is still a bite and bites hurt.  (I know, it happens to be an occupational hazard for me.)  Not only that but any negative interaction can cause your dog to become wary of other dogs.

According to the AKC, in our Detroit area, two of the top five most registered dogs in Detroit are very small (Yorkshire Terrier, and Shih Tzu)  Top 5 Dog Breeds in Detroit in 2010.

As a trainer, one thing we impress upon owners of small dogs is this:  they are still dogs.

They have the mind, the attitude, the response of other much larger breeds.  Sometimes, it can be argued that small dogs are more aggressive than their larger counterparts. From more than one study, the most aggressive breed of dog is listed as the dachshund, with chihuahua normally in the top five as well.  Dachshunds are small dogs that were bred to tenaciously hunt badgers into holes, hence their famed hot dog like shape.  They needed to fit into holes.  However – as a common breed, people don’t necessarily take that into account.

Poppy is behaving with her much larger counterparts

This is my litmus test for little dog owners:  would you accept “X” behavior from a Rottweiler?  If the answer is no, then it is probably an issue that needs to be addressed with training.

A couple of examples:  growling at company, nipping at shoes, or baring teeth when toys or food is approached by another dog or person.  It certainly presents a different picture when you are thinking of a Rottie, doesn’t it?

Most of the time, instead of actually dealing with the problem, people have the tendency to just pick up the small dog to avoid the issue altogether.  Of course, this actually rewards the dog for the behavior.  Attention is a powerful motivator.  So, while you have avoided the situation for now, you have virtually guaranteed that the situation will present itself again.  Now, I don’t think that small dog owners are doing this on purpose, or deliberately treating their small dogs this way out of anything but an abundance of love – but the end result is the same.

And just because you have a small dog doesn’t mean it can’t be well trained, or that they have less capabilities. Click here to read about Chloe, the star chihuahua.

Just remember this rule of dog training when dealing with dogs of any size: it is always better to deal with problems now, rather than later.

Posted in Blog, Dog Training | Leave a comment

Why NOT to have a litter of puppies

Posted on March 16, 2011 by amygarabedian

Common Reasons People Cite for having a litter of puppies

  • I want my kids to have the experience of raising a litter of puppies
  • My dog is the greatest ever (substitute a variety of adjectives here:  smartest, nicest, cutest, etc.)
  • There is a dog down the street of the same breed – and they would make such cute puppies!
  • I paid $____ for my dog, and I just want my investment back

A Litter for your kid’s benefit?

This is probably the worst reason ever created to have a litter of puppies.  I have heard it cited many, many times.  Here is the reality of breeding.  Your dog may die.  Her puppies may die.  Even setting aside the life and death situations, your carpet could get ruined.  Nothing, and I mean nothing, gets the green tint of placenta out of carpet. There are a million and one ways that things could go not according to plan.  Especially if your knowledge of whelping is limited.  Is that really the experience you are hoping for your children to have?

Think of the preparation and work that you took to bring your children into the world…don’t you owe at least half as much when choosing to bring puppies into the world?  And if your answer is no, consider this: the first eight weeks of a puppy’s life has the potential to set the tone for the rest of that puppy’s life.  And if you still say, “it’s just a dog” then consider that you could be putting someone else’s children at risk by giving them a puppy who had less than an ideal start to life.

Here’s the reality:  puppies, when raised correctly, are a tremendous amount of work.  Your kids won’t pick up half the poop you think they will.  I don’t even have kids and I would bet my paycheck on it.  The burden and the workload will be overwhelmingly on your shoulders, and not your children.  And if you do leave it up the kids?  The only ones who will suffer are the puppies, and your momma dog.  Many times when we see dogs with behavior issues, a common theme is that they got their pup when it was only 5-6 weeks old.  Why?  Because someone who found out too late they really didn’t want puppies sold them as soon as they could.  But the reality is that taking a pup away from it’s mother that young is abuse, and can cause permanent psychological trauma to a young pup.

My Dog is the greatest (smartest, cutest, nicest, etc) ever

No, they’re most likely not.  Does that sound mean?  It probably does.  There is always the possibility that they may be as great as you think – you’re dog may even be the smartest, cutest dog ever….but is it the healthiest?  If you haven’t completed all the recommended health testing on your dog, you don’t know.  If you are confused and asking, what health testing?  Then pick up the phone, call your vet, and make the appointment to have your girl spayed….or start doing your homework in a major way.

Purebred dogs in this country are in the midst of a health crisis.  It is largely, in my opinion, due to the fact that people don’t make the effort to have simple health testing done on their dogs.  Every breed has its own individual health concerns.  If you are breeding a female dog without doing any health testing first, you are contributing to that problem, pure and simple.

There is a dog down the street of the same breed – and they would make such cute puppies

If the only reason is that you are breeding is because your dog has a “boyfriend” that she adores down the street, again not a good reason.  I have heard this one a few times too.  When a good breeder selects a mate for her dog, she does it with specific intent and with detailed information regarding the pedigrees of the involved dogs, and planning several generations down the road.  Contrast that with a convenient dog down the street, and it’s no wonder we have the health crisis we have.

A good breeder is familiar with the health issues in each area of the pedigrees she deals with.  It’s how canine genetic disease can be virtually eliminated in many cases.  Choosing the right mate for your dog is arguably one of the most important decisions in breeding.  Convenience rarely makes a convincing argument.

I paid $___ for my dog, and I just want my investment back

Dogs are not great investments.  Take this from someone who previously had her stockbroker’s license and dealt with investments on a daily basis.  There is cost associated with simply trying to have a litter of puppies, and there is absolutely  no guarantee that you will get pups, or how many puppies you will get.  Even if you do have a large litter, that simply means large costs in care for the puppies.  It is an average cost for us to raise a Leonberger puppy with no health issues of the pup or their mother and taking into account only the costs directly associated with pregnancy, whelping, and raising of the litter to eight weeks old that each pup of an average size litter (6-8) will cost at least $600.  Again, that assumes everything goes well.  Take for instance, our second litter which required  an emergency C-section to save the lives of several pups and their mother – price tag $3,500.

Now, you have to find homes and assume that people will want the puppies.  People are becoming more and more educated puppy buyers.  If they sense that you are trying to sell puppies without proper care, you will have a hard time getting top dollar for them.  Even assuming you have no problems with placing your pups, what is your obligation for the remainder of the puppies lifetimes?  Our contract states that we will, no questions asked, take a puppy we bred back for duration of their lifetime.  Are you willing to do the same?

If none of that matters to you and you do things as cheaply as possible, again who suffers?  That’s right, the momma dog and her puppies.  I think I’m starting to notice a theme developing here….

And, finally, just to be realistic, what are the odds that someone in the family won’t fall head over heels in love with a puppy that they worked so hard to raise?  More food, more vet bills, more leashes collars toys, etc.

So – now it really doesn’t seem like a good investment, does it?

Bringing Life into the world

As you can probably guess, I take breeding dogs very seriously.  Mostly, I suppose, I do this out of fear.  I am terrified every time I make a breeding decision because my brain works in a such a way to try to figure out all possible outcomes.  One of my worst nightmares is getting a call from a puppy owner who has a serious health crisis with a pup that I brought into this world. To this end, I try to make sure I do everything in my power to educate my puppy buyers, or in fact, anyone who will listen.

So if you have plans to breed a dog, consider your reasoning.  Why breed when even now there are hundreds of purebreds awaiting homes (or gas chambers) in your local shelter?  If you can truly say your goal is not monetary, not convenience, but to improve the quality of future generations of dogs then maybe it’s time to educate yourself further.

If I could have one wish, it would probably be that every pup was brought into this world in a way they deserve – with love, planning, and a deep abiding respect for the place that dogs have earned in our homes, and our hearts.

Posted in Dog Training | Leave a comment

Designer Dogs … Or Mutts?

Posted on February 16, 2011 by amygarabedian

Over the last several years, there has been a sharp increase in the phenomenon of what are called “designer dogs”.  While the phrase can mean different things, usually a designer dog refers to a dog who is not technically a purebred, but a deliberate mix of two or more purebreds.  Dog fanciers, and specifically those who show dogs, may cringe at the thought of yorkie-poos and labradoodles.  But the fact remains, with the general public designer dogs appear to be here to stay.

It is quite interesting as both a dog trainer and a person who shows dogs that many people are quite insistent when asked what kind of dog they have.  “It’s a cock-a-poo.”  “It’s a chi-noodle.”  Etc, etc.

Even more, I had a recent experience where I was going to do training at the home of a yorkie-poo and when I mentioned it, the woman sharply corrected me.  “No, this is shorkie-poo.  Shih tzu, Yorkie and Poodle.”  Well, excuse me.  And then she added, “Have you ever trained one of these before?”  I smiled and nodded, while thinking to myself, “Yes, I’ve trained plenty of mutts.”

Ok, ok, so I have to admit the designer dog thing is kind of lost on me.  But in honor of full disclosure, I do, in fact, own a semi-designer dog.  I have a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois cross.  But, when people ask I tell them he is a shepherd.  Most people seem content with this explanation.

Points for Designers Dogs

History

Every purebred started out as a mutt, with certain exceptions.  People bred traits from different breeds to create the look and the skillset they were attempting to get.  For example, look at the miniature schnauzer.  If you read on the history of the breed you would see other breeds mentioned in the creation of the dog we know today as the mini schnauzer.  Affenpinscher, German Pinscher, even Poodles are possibly responsible for the smallest Schnauzer breed of today.

The difference between a designer dog and an official purebred is in what the people do who breed the dog.  Every purebred has what is called a “standard”.  It details everything that the purebred should be.   It creates the standard to which all of that particular breed will be compared to.  Though, there are registries popping up that will take two registered purebreds of different breeds and register the litter, to keep track of pedigree data.

Genetics

There is the issue in any purebred that there is a closed gene pool.  And, further, when specific traits are repeatedly bred for, the gene pool gets smaller.  This just increases the likelihood that there will be inherited disease in the breed as a whole.  When you take two different breeds and breed them, you are enlarging the potential gene pool.  So, in theory, designer dogs may be healthier.  Of course, this depends on the dogs that were actually bred together, as is important in all dog breeding.

Considerations for Designer Dogs

Consistency and Type

Here’s the thing.  There’s a reason that there a couple of hundred types of breeds of dogs.  People like to know what to expect out of a pet, size, temperament, coat, etc.   When you mix several breeds, you can’t be quite sure.  There is a no more striking example of this than with dogs that are crossed with poodle genes in the expectation of having an “allergy-friendly” dog.  If you take a Labrador and a Standard Poodle and breed them, that doesn’t guarantee you a Poodle coat.  Just ask any reputable breeder.  There a million consequences for choosing to breed for one specific trait.  Who knows?  Maybe the hair/coat gene directly affects temperament.  This was certainly true when Dmitry Belyaev tried to breed less aggressive silver foxes in the 1960′s for the fur trade.  He succeeded.  But he also dramatically changed the coat color that he was trying to preserve in the process.  Genetics is a tricky, tricky thing.

Who is breeding designer dogs?

That’s another great question because there certainly seem to be quite a few of them around.  I have heard all types of answers from clients as to where their designer dogs came from: pet stores, adopted, breeder.  Not to mention, those who are breeding these dogs purposely are certainly not charging the same price as going to your local shelter or rescue.  I continue to be amazed that people are paying large amounts of money for these designer dogs, and sometimes not even being sure what it is that they are getting.

At the end of the day…

Designer dogs are still dogs, and I love dogs.  There is nothing inherently wrong with having a designer dog.  But all the standard advice still applies.  Know the breed(s) that you are getting.  Make sure the breeder has the best interests of the dogs at heart.  Make sure you are ready for a dog.  And if you like the idea of getting a mixed breed, consider going to your local shelter first because along with purebreds, there are plenty of “designer” mutts awaiting their forever homes!

Posted in Dog Training | 2 Comments

What is a dog’s primary sense?

Posted on February 15, 2011 by amygarabedian

In other words, which sense gives the most information to help a dog learn about his surroundings?

A.  Sight

B.  Hearing

C.  Smell

D.  Touch

The Answer:  C. Smell  As Alexandra Horowitz says in her book Inside of a Dog: What dogs see, smell, and know, “What prominence suggests, and what all science confirms, is that the dog is a creature of the nose.”  A beagle’s nose may have 300 million sensory receptor sites, just for smelling.  A human, by comparison, has only about 6 million.

Posted in Blog, Dog Trivia | Leave a comment

A Lovely Question

Posted on February 14, 2011 by amygarabedian

Today is Valentine’s Day.  Love is in the air.  Everyone is telling the people they care for that they are loved.  So I ask this question:

Do our dogs love us?

Some may be quick to respond, “Of course.”  Others may ponder the question a little more deeply.  And some will say, undoubtedly, “No way.  Not possible.”

Well, how do we know another person loves us?  They want to spend time in our company.  They smile when we enter the room.  They take care of us in our time of need and are there for us when others are not.  They would put your interests above their own personal best interest.  These are the first things that come to my mind when I think of a person who loves me.

Now, setting aside the obvious disadvantages of not having opposable thumbs and a voicebox to express emotion, do our dogs love us?

It is still debated whether or not animals in general have and express emotions.  But for those of us who share our lives with dogs it seems an almost ridiculous question.  We know they do.  We know they feel fear, discomfort, joy, and certainly happiness.

So, given the things I said about people who love us, do our dogs?

They want to spend time in our company. Check.

They smile when we enter the room.  Ok, maybe sometimes just a tail wag.

They take care of us in our time of need and are there for us when others are not. Most definitely.  Our dog, Aja, would not leave my husband’s side when he came home from getting his appendix removed.

They would put your interests above their own personal best interest.  There are many accounts of dogs helping their humans, sometimes at great risk to their own selves.  A recent story was relayed to me about two dogs who actively woke up their owner when the house was on fire.  The amazing thing?  The dogs had access to a dog door, and instead went upstairs to save their human.  If that’s not love, then I don’t know what is.

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment

Q: How long from a batch of eggs to a litter of puppies?

Posted on February 8, 2011 by amygarabedian

A. The average gestation for a dog is 63 days, or 9 weeks. One week of a dog pregnancy is roughly one month of a human pregnancy. Amazing!
Posted in Blog, Dog Trivia | Leave a comment

Genetics, Temperament and Aggression

Posted on January 31, 2011 by amygarabedian

“Just so long as it is believed that environment alone will influence the behavior of our dogs, and that heredity is not the main influence, just that long will we have timid and uncertain temperaments in the breed.” 

~ Lloyd Brackett, from the May 1932 Shepherd Review. 

  

Many times as trainers we are called into a situation where a dog is exhibiting some sort of aggressive or undesirable behavior that leaves his owners completely befuddled as to how to fix it.  With aggressive dogs, we will tell people up front that the best case scenario for a dog with severe aggression issues is to manage it, not necessarily that given reign to its own instincts will that dog be trustworthy in all situations. 

Picking a Purebred 

As I’ve no doubt mentioned before, my husband and I breed a rare large dog called a Leonberger.  Leonbergers are well known for exceptional temperaments around people, children and most animals.  But that will only continue to be the case so long as the majority of breeders specifically choose breeding stock with that temperament in mind.  As it is, there are some Leonbergers whose temperaments are better than others.  If we only breed the mediocre, or worse, not so great temperaments, than that fundamental characteristic of our breed is subject to change, possibly extinction. 

The quote at the heading of this article  accredited to Mr. Brackett was specifically related to German Shepherd Dogs, but it applies to all dogs. 

If you decide to purchase a purebred dog, make sure you do your research. Don’t just research the supposed temperament of a given breed, look at the parents, and be objective. By making smart decisions about where you purchase your pup, you are making good decisions about the life you can expect to build with your new family member. 

This is true with any dog, but all the more so with breeds who are reputed to have “bad” or “aggressive” temperaments. A massive media focus has been paid to pit bulls in the last few years. I have known many, many pit bulls who are docile, and sweet, definitely loving. Does that mean that all pit bulls are? No. Just as it means one pit bull dog bite incident does not mean all pit bulls will bite – hence the absolute absurdity of breed specific legislation.  Just as I mentioned earlier, in my own breed, Leonbergers, whom I will love with my dying breath, there are questionable temperaments, but the vast majority of Leos are some of the most gentle dogs anyone is likely to find. 

What about Shelter Dogs? 

If genetics are so important, what about shelter dogs, you ask.  Or, I as I think of them, dogs of ambiguous, if not mysterious, heritage.  Dogs don’t lie.  The temperament of a dog when you first meet them many times is largely representative of how they will be.  There is no first date, make a good impression inclination in dogs, if anything the opposite is true.  A dog is likely to be more wary of you in the beginning than once you earn their trust.  In other words, what you see is what you get!  If the dog is shy, or growls, or comes right up to you, that is temperament of the dog.  Now as the dog adjusts to its new home, some other behaviors may definitely come out as they become more comfortable – some for the better, and some for the, well, not so good.  A shelter environment can be very stressful for a dog.  I personally own a shelter dog, Zip.  He quickly told us that he needed some work done.  And with time and training, he has become a core part of our family, even sleeping with us at night when we allow it. 

Zip and Nick

Nature versus Nurture 

Nature versus nurture has been around for centuries. Or, genetics versus environment. Does environment also have a role to play in temperaments? Unequivocally YES. Everything from a pups earliest socialization with his mother and litter mates, to the prime socialization period up to four months of age, training, and experiences. In short, much like people, every experience a dog has shapes who he will be from that moment forward. But because their brains are not as complex as ours, dogs rely more on preprogrammed responses. Much of the work we do with aggressive dogs is to reprogram that programming. 

At the end of the day, as much as genetics plays a key role in determining a dog’s temperament, so does the environment in which he was raised.  If genetics were the only factor, and it was true that say, Rottweilers, just had an “aggressive” temperament, than there would simply be no more Rottweilers.  Why?  Because there are literally millions of Rotties in this country, and death by Rottweiler would literally be an every day occurence.  As it stands, the total number of fatal dog attacks in the United States averages 30 or less each year (still 30 too many).  But there are millions or Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and yes, Pit Bulls in this country, not to mention every other dog out there.  So clearly, these dogs are neither genetically, nor environmentally, preprogrammed to killing or seriously injuring people. 

The opposite is also true.  If all that mattered was the environment in which a dog is raised, there would never be a case of a dog from a loving home who bites.  We have trained plenty of dogs who have been in that exact situation.  

One final consideration with regard to temperament are medical conditions.  Just as people have conditions that may make them more violent, or, for lack of a better term, “not quite right”, dogs are the same.  There is some evidence that a sudden shift in behavior from a dog may be an indication of a thyroid imbalance.  But there are countless other conditions which may have an impact on a dog’s temperament. 

The best thing to do when you notice a shift in your dog’s reaction, say, to a loud noise, or another animal, is to seek to adjust the reaction quickly – usually through a professional trainer who has experience with behavior modification.  Most behavior problems simply do not get better with time and no intervention.

Posted in Blog | Leave a comment