Adventures in Puppyhood: Nature and Nurture in Dogs

We don’t want our dogs deciding for themselves. Or do we? Maybe it’s actually not up to us humans. Our dogs make choices all the time whether we want to admit it or not. It can be a problem if we try to control something we can’t control. I think the answer might be in managing and influencing their choices instead of trying to decide for them!

Dog training is evolving rapidly. Some in the dog community feel that we need to actively prohibit the use of training equipment like electronic and prong collars. There are generations of habits and methods built up around these tools. How do we facilitate the transition to new methods without creating new problems? I think it’s a question we should be discussing.

Motivation is not something people associate with dogs. After all, there are no doggy motivational speakers. We just assume that our dogs want to do what we ask of them without considering things from their perspective. But what’s in it for them? Companionship? Adventure? Tasty snacks? Maybe nothing at all. The answer is more complex than you might think.

The science of dogs and training can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. There are things that we need to know about our dogs and how to train them and there are things that are just nice to know. As science provides us new insights into our dogs, it is important to look at this new information in a larger context. We’re just trying to live better, happier lives with our dogs. Keeping the science in perspective can help us do that.

It's been almost 20 years since our dog Vince showed me how much I didn't understand about dogs.  Oh, I THOUGHT I knew all I needed to know.  But Vince's low growl and bared teeth said otherwise.  That began a marvelous journey of learning that has made life so much better for my family and my dogs.  Science has helped me understand both my dogs and myself better.  And that has made all the difference.

There is a trend in modern dog training toward kinder, more dog-friendly training methods. Training that seeks to remove everything unpleasant for the dog and to make learning more enjoyable. But is kindness enough to teach our dogs? Is there more to being effective trainers than just being kind to our dogs and not using force?

The sport of Dog Agility has been an unexpected delight for both my dog and me. In the beginning, it was a reason to teach my dog a number of novel behaviours using Mark and Reward training and behavioural science. But my adventures with my dog in this wonderful sport have taught me a great many lessons about kindness, persistence, patience and trust.

How social is your dog?  Different dogs will want more or less social engagement.  But what is most important is that we teach our dogs how to cope with the lifestyle we bring them into.  Socialization is not just about giving your dog play time with others.  It's about exposing them to a variety of sights, sounds, and experiences in a safe and enjoyable way.  To have a dog that is comfortable and happy in different social situations, you have to take them with you, teach them kindly, and never overwhelm them.

Is a new puppy’s personality all down to genetics and breeding or does the way they are raised determine who they will become? How much of a role does the environment a puppy grows up in play in who that puppy will become?  Both nature and nurture will shape the personality of a dog as they grow.  Sometimes in some surprising ways!

The greatest difficulty I have always had in improving how I live and work with my dogs has been my own attitudes and beliefs about dogs.  It can be difficult to keep an open mind and admit that I’m wrong.  Trying to be objective about dogs, behaviour, and training has allowed me to learn and grow. And that has benefited both me and my dogs.