06/04/2025
Have worked with many behavioral cases in the 14 years I have been training.
This couldn't be more true!
Rescue dogs with behavioral problems probably haven't been abused...
It is a really common misconception that dogs who resource guard, do so because they've been starved.
Dogs who fear people, do so because they've been abused.
Dogs who hate dogs, do so because they've been attacked.
Reactive dogs haven't been socialised.
While this definitely can sometimes be the case, it's actually fairly unlikely.
It's more likely that these issues are the reason dogs have ended up in rescue. Contrary to popular belief!
I have met many, many dogs from abuse cases, who have been starved or beaten, Who have no issues with people/dogs/ food.
So what causes these issues to arise?
More often than not- genetics, breeding, pregnancy, personality and early learning.
Most dogs who resource guard do so because they're genetically predisposed to do so. That paired with environmental factors that encourage it ( such as an owner snatching food from them) causes it to escalate into a big problem. This is why Certain breeds are much more likely to resource guard, it's in their genes.
Reactive dogs who are bred from are much more likely to have puppies who grow up to be reactive. Low frustration tolerance being found to have a genetic marker in studies.
Stress in pregnancy, an aggressive mother who over corrects puppies physically (not normal behavior btw, despite these ridiculous videos claiming it is ) has also been proven to produce puppies who are likely to grow up anxious or reactive.
Touch sensitivity, fear of people, fear of dogs, reactivity, separation anxiety and aggression have all been found to have clear genetic markers.
My own pup, shares her behavior concerns with the majority of her siblings, despite being brought up completely differently and in completely different homes! Some of the litter have no issues, because genetics are inherited by each pup differently, and also are then influenced by environmental factors.
It doesn't mean genetics will always result in these behaviors, it also doesn't mean that these dogs are a lost cause.
For example, snatching food regularly from 2 dogs can produce very different results. 1 dog, who is not genetically predisposed to resource guarding may never develop it, even in this situation. Dog number 2, who is genetically predisposed, may quickly develop resource guarding which continues to escalate when managed poorly.
So I'm sorry, but it might not be your amazing training skills that landed you with an emotionally sound dog 😳.
The reason however I think this is important to point out is because people always assume a dog with these issues is a rescue, or, that they have been badly treated.
The reality however often is that these are loved family pets, they have a genetic predisposition to these issues and a family who have raised them in the same way you raised your dog, but have ran into much bigger problems that without extensive training knowledge are very hard to navigate.
Obviously there are other factors, training, socialisation and trauma can and will influence behavior problems in a big way. But you can do everything "right" and still have problems. Just as you can in humans!
This is why the breeding industry needs to be regulated. Behavioral traits can be passed onto puppies from parents and grandparents. No dog should be producing puppies if they have not been thoroughly health and temperament tested by a professional. Their line should not show any behavioral concerns.
The breeder should take huge care during pregnancy and the first 8 weeks to ensure the mother is healthy, happy and very well cared for. This costs thousands of pounds.
In my opinion, you shouldn't be able to breed a dog without a qualification in how to do this properly!
So what can you do if your dog is genetically predisposed to these issues?
Firstly, you need to recognise them early. For example, I recognised my pup was very fearful, and scared of people. This meant normal ' socialisation' that people would do, would have been far too much for her. Pushing her into normal situations such as a BBQ with lots of visitors, would have terrified her and encouraged reactive behaviour down the line. In a naturally confident puppy, it would have caused no problems.
If your puppy is displaying any fear, guarding or otherwise problem behaviours, please get a qualified, experienced force free professional involved. I'd highly recommend a clinical animal behaviourist, not your local ' dog trainer'.
You can manage genetics to prevent them escalating, you can teach your dog alternative ways to cope, you can improve problems with training. You can't " fix" the dog. They're not broken.
It takes a lot of time, skill and support to make improvements. And it takes a lot of management and acceptance to live with more sensitive soul.
