Genetics, environment, and personality are the root causes of reactivity. In the last entry, we discussed “The Many Faces of Reactivity: Will My Dog Bite?” Now, we will take a deeper look, exploring why dogs exhibit these behaviors.
Why Is My Dog Leash-Reactive?
Several factors contribute to a dog’s leash-reactive behavior, including genetics, environment, and personality. Genetics are set at conception. Genetically shy dogs are more likely to have genetically shy puppies, who are more likely to exhibit shy behavior. The same can be said for happy-go-lucky, anxious or defensive, hyper, or aggressive dogs. We can take actions that reduce or increase the role genetics plays in a dog’s behavior. A genetically shy dog can learn to enjoy new people. A genetically happy-go-lucky dog can learn to be a pessimist and to act out of anger. A genetically hyper dog can learn to calm down. The most significant action we can take is to develop and demonstrate control over the dog’s environment.
Controlling Your Dog’s Environment
Humans create and control the environment for pet dogs. We can not demonstrate 100% control over their environment, but we can control much of it. We can control where they are allowed to be and when they are allowed to be there. We can control what, when, and where they eat. We can control the types, timing, and location of play, games, socialization, and other activities. We can control their sleep schedule, including the amount of sleep they get, when they sleep, and where they sleep. We can use these controls to create greater trust, influence the dog’s energy output, and their ability to learn.
Many of us do not understand how the intentional use of our control over our dogs’ environment can influence their behavior. We use control of their environment to bond, develop relational structure, and create clear boundaries and expectations for their behavior, which affects how dogs express their genetics and develop their personality.
Dogs Are Just Like Us!
Dogs and people share many similarities. We are not as different from them as most people believe. Dogs and people have a broad range of characteristics, including both learned and genetic traits that shape our behavior, thoughts, and feelings, which are influenced by environmental factors and life experiences. In other words, we (humans and dogs) have personalities. Some people are naturally optimistic, others are naturally pessimistic. We all know people have a reactive personality, struggle with impulse control, struggle with emotional intelligence, seek adrenaline and dopamine, and get a rush from reactive and dangerous behavior. Some people have problems controlling their fear, which causes anxiety and defensiveness. Some people are lazy, others are high-energy, busy bodies. Some people try to fit in, others do not. Some people enjoy being with others, while others prefer to be alone. Some people prefer dogs over people, while others prefer people over dogs. All of these things are also true for dogs. These types of tendencies and their impact on our dogs’ behavior make up their personalities. However, unlike genes, dogs’ personalities can change, though that kind of change requires a reasonably high level of awareness from us, their owner and family members.
When a dog is genetically predisposed to be reactive, lives in an environment that triggers and reinforces their reactions, and develops a reactive personality, they are likely to remain reactive. However, if genetics, environment, and temperament do not encourage reactivity, there is a good chance the dog will not exhibit reactive behavior.
We cannot change our dogs’ genes, but we can help you develop control over their environment and influence their personality.
Thank you for reading. Click this Link to contact us, and Enjoy Your Dog!!!