25/08/2023
Excellent
I've heard it, you've heard it, we have all heard the phrase "it's all about how you raise them."
I've been told so many times that dogs who struggle with reactivity or simply displaying normal breed traits, for eg. Guarding, are dogs who have not been loved enough.
The other common saying is "Dogs become like their people." Another big myth that is just not true.
While HOW you raise your pets is extremely important, raising your dog in an environment with a flood of love will not guarentee you a "perfect" dog who never displays normal dog behaviour.
Nature and nurture are both huge components in making up a dog's personality and being.
Instead of focusing on, "was this dog loved enough" as the reason for a dog displaying normal behaviour, ask yourself "what is this behaviour showing me?" "What is the reason for this behaviour?" If a behaviour is displayed, it usually means that the behaviour has been successful at communicating your pets needs in the past, what need was that behaviour communicating?
This is also why it is extremely important to research the breed you are interested in and finding out if that breed is correct for you. This is also why, if you are wanting a pup from a breeder, you make sure that breeder is doing all the health tests, breeding for temperament and you make sure you meet the parents and find out what behaviour issues they have. If you are planning on rescuing a pup, make sure you find out as much as possible about how their behaviour has been at the rescue and if possible, their history.
Here are some other factors that can influence your dogs behaviour.
