12/25/2024
While we all know that dogs are often afraid/unsure/nervous around things that are novel — thus my consistent emphasis on proper socialization/exposure — there’s also an enormous reluctance/denial that many have embracing the hard, cold, unforgiving reality of genetics.
And I get it. If a pup or dog is dealt an unlucky and unfavorable hand genetically, it’s certainly not the dog’s fault, and it certainly feels unfair. But as sad and unfair as this genetic deal may be, it doesn’t dissolve into the ether simply because we don’t like it.
Are there things to be done, both with training and proper socialization, which can improve a pup/dog’s ability to better navigate their world? Absolutely. But is that “ceiling” of progress determined by the pup/dog’s genetics? 100%. Even if you don’t like hearing it.
Here’s the thing that very few want to honestly face: genetically robust/resilient dogs will also encounter novel things they are afraid/unsure/nervous about, but these dogs will quickly overcome these challenges. They will encounter, assess, and very quickly move on. Dogs who are less genetically robust/resilient will struggle with the same novel encounters to a far greater degree, and their ability to completely resolve their concerns and no longer be impacted by them will be determined far more by how they’re wired than by the work done with them.
Yep, all the socialization work in the world won’t make a highly unstable dog highly stable, or a moderately unstable dog perfectly stable. Whether we like it or not, the genetics trump the work.
Once again, does this mean the less lucky dogs have no room to grow, or can’t make huge strides? Of course not. But to ignore the realities that genetics play is to be extremely foolish, and delusional — and serves neither dog nor owner.
