Failing to research a breed’s natural instincts before getting any dog is the main source of problems.
Some people might get shocked to know that their cute little terrier is a natural killer of mice, until some poor hamster pays the price if the dog is left with it unsupervised.
In this piece I want to dispel the statement “it’s all about how you bring your dogs up” which can be quite risky. “It’s all how you raise them” is probably one of the most deadly sentences in, what we can call, “the dog industry.” In uttering such a statement, people will forget that your dog’s genetics matter – that is, WHAT YOUR DOG WAS BRED FOR. All the love, and the cuddles and affection that you give to your dog will not change that your dog was genetically bred for protection work; that your dog was bred to be territorial; that your dog was bred to have high prey drive; that your dog was bred to be independent.
People frequently repeat the phrase, ‘There are no bad dogs – only bad owners.’ Yes, this is true, and I have also stated in another piece that it’s also about the individual’s energy. But, there are two crucial points that are being missed and which I want to tackle.
If you are thinking of adopting a dog, you must also take into consideration their genetic predisposition. Every dog, whether they receive it from outside sources or not, has a genetic predisposition that determines their personality. Some breeds are more notable than others, and the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is one of them. Over many centuries, the American Pit Bull Terrier was bred to combat bulls and then other canines. No amount of love or teaching will totally reverse the genetic predisposition towards dog aggression that characterizes a true, game-bred APBT. People will be led to believe differently by the ‘Pibble’ world, which is why the next door Cocker Spaniel turns out to be a delicious brunch. Dog training is heavily influenced by genetics, which has little to do with “how you raise them.”
Numerous other breeds also exhibit similar behaviors. It’s in their genetic makeup for greyhounds to run and chase tiny animals, for Malins to bite objects just for enjoyment, and for Patterdales to hunt. This is the cause of the problems that many people are experiencing with their “out-of-the-blue” dogs.
Before the ‘Pibble’ army starts to scream at me, let me say this: I adore all dogs but not all type of dogs are good for me,for my personality, for my stature, and my lifestyle, whether the dog is pure breed, mixed breed or a mongrel. So, I think it’s stupid and risky to be totally unaware of a dog’s genetic makeup.
Whoever is thinking of adopting a bully breed for example, understand that you have to deal with their hereditary proclivities.
In addition, because of some grey areas that local sanctuaries are faced with when they have adult dogs of whose past they know nothing about, it is important that local sanctuaries, including the shelter of the government, are equipped with dog trainers and behaviourists who not only assess the dogs that are brought in, but train them and who then can also guide potential adopters and match the dog that suits them and their lifestyle.
Whatever the breed, each breed is not for everyone.
Another misconception I come across is that large dogs cannot be kept in small apartments. It’s not about whether you keep your dog in an apartment or in a big house. It’s all about understanding the dog’s genetic needs and fulfilling those. If you are in love with sheep dogs or sled dogs for example, who are bred to run for miles in open countries, then it’s useless adopting or buying one when you don’t have the time to give him enough exercise or you yourself don’t like going for long walks. It’s simple. Once you exercise him, it doesn’t matter the space you have in your home. A home is not where the dogs’ genetic needs get fulfilled. It is what you do with them when they are out.
Give up being a fur mom or a fur dad and accept that some characteristics are ingrained in dogs. Depending on whether or not you find the traits desirable, you can either manage or encourage them after you acknowledge that.
Rather than saying “it’s all in how you raise them,” let’s change it to “it’s all about how you raise them, and how educated you are about what you have.”
So, if you are thinking of adopting a dog, you need to research the breed that you’re looking into. So you need to research the protection breeds, the working breeds, the sporting breeds and so forth while understanding what their genetics were designed for.
Educate yourself about the dog in front of you – where do they come from? What lineage did it come from if you bought it from a breeder? What was its past if you got it from a shelter and a rescue? And you need to pay attention to the behaviours that the dog is actually showing you.
Whatever the dog shows you, whether it’s a territorial behaviour, a fear and anxiety behaviour, an uncontrollable high prey drive – you need to seek training help. All the love, cuddles and affection won’t change the fact that your dog is struggling to fit in a human environment.
Understanding a dog’s genetic traits to decide which type of dog you want by your side in your life and make the best out of such an experience
Failing to research a breed’s natural instincts before getting any dog is the main source of problems.
Some people might get shocked to know that their cute little terrier is a natural killer of mice, until some poor hamster pays the price if the dog is left with it unsupervised.
In this piece I want to dispel the statement “it’s all about how you bring your dogs up” which can be quite risky. “It’s all how you raise them” is probably one of the most deadly sentences in, what we can call, “the dog industry.” In uttering such a statement, people will forget that your dog’s genetics matter – that is, WHAT YOUR DOG WAS BRED FOR. All the love, and the cuddles and affection that you give to your dog will not change that your dog was genetically bred for protection work; that your dog was bred to be territorial; that your dog was bred to have high prey drive; that your dog was bred to be independent.
People frequently repeat the phrase, ‘There are no bad dogs – only bad owners.’ Yes, this is true, and I have also stated in another piece that it’s also about the individual’s energy. But, there are two crucial points that are being missed and which I want to tackle.
If you are thinking of adopting a dog, you must also take into consideration their genetic predisposition. Every dog, whether they receive it from outside sources or not, has a genetic predisposition that determines their personality. Some breeds are more notable than others, and the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is one of them. Over many centuries, the American Pit Bull Terrier was bred to combat bulls and then other canines. No amount of love or teaching will totally reverse the genetic predisposition towards dog aggression that characterizes a true, game-bred APBT. People will be led to believe differently by the ‘Pibble’ world, which is why the next door Cocker Spaniel turns out to be a delicious brunch. Dog training is heavily influenced by genetics, which has little to do with “how you raise them.”
Numerous other breeds also exhibit similar behaviors. It’s in their genetic makeup for greyhounds to run and chase tiny animals, for Malins to bite objects just for enjoyment, and for Patterdales to hunt. This is the cause of the problems that many people are experiencing with their “out-of-the-blue” dogs.
Before the ‘Pibble’ army starts to scream at me, let me say this: I adore all dogs but not all type of dogs are good for me,for my personality, for my stature, and my lifestyle, whether the dog is pure breed, mixed breed or a mongrel. So, I think it’s stupid and risky to be totally unaware of a dog’s genetic makeup.
Whoever is thinking of adopting a bully breed for example, understand that you have to deal with their hereditary proclivities.
In addition, because of some grey areas that local sanctuaries are faced with when they have adult dogs of whose past they know nothing about, it is important that local sanctuaries, including the shelter of the government, are equipped with dog trainers and behaviourists who not only assess the dogs that are brought in, but train them and who then can also guide potential adopters and match the dog that suits them and their lifestyle.
Whatever the breed, each breed is not for everyone.
Another misconception I come across is that large dogs cannot be kept in small apartments. It’s not about whether you keep your dog in an apartment or in a big house. It’s all about understanding the dog’s genetic needs and fulfilling those. If you are in love with sheep dogs or sled dogs for example, who are bred to run for miles in open countries, then it’s useless adopting or buying one when you don’t have the time to give him enough exercise or you yourself don’t like going for long walks. It’s simple. Once you exercise him, it doesn’t matter the space you have in your home. A home is not where the dogs’ genetic needs get fulfilled. It is what you do with them when they are out.
Give up being a fur mom or a fur dad and accept that some characteristics are ingrained in dogs. Depending on whether or not you find the traits desirable, you can either manage or encourage them after you acknowledge that.
Rather than saying “it’s all in how you raise them,” let’s change it to “it’s all about how you raise them, and how educated you are about what you have.”
So, if you are thinking of adopting a dog, you need to research the breed that you’re looking into. So you need to research the protection breeds, the working breeds, the sporting breeds and so forth while understanding what their genetics were designed for.
Educate yourself about the dog in front of you – where do they come from? What lineage did it come from if you bought it from a breeder? What was its past if you got it from a shelter and a rescue? And you need to pay attention to the behaviours that the dog is actually showing you.
Whatever the dog shows you, whether it’s a territorial behaviour, a fear and anxiety behaviour, an uncontrollable high prey drive – you need to seek training help. All the love, cuddles and affection won’t change the fact that your dog is struggling to fit in a human environment.