The Common-sense Dog: The genetic factor

I hope I have made it clear in the last year of writing this column that not all dogs are the same, not all breeds are the same, and not all owners are the same. They are very different, and many different factors come into play when it comes to training and behavioral issues. One factor we haven’t discussed is genetics.

Genetics plays one of the biggest roles in our dogs’ temperaments, behaviors, and overall health, but I feel that this is often overlooked. People seem to focus more on the breed or the aesthetics of the dog rather than delving into what makes the dog tick.

Do you know a dog that has lived a perfectly pleasant life from the time it was a pup, but is still terribly fearful? Have you met a dog that has never had a bad experience but simply can’t relax? Have you ever met a dog that no matter what people try, the dog is highly territorial or aggressive?

This all stems from genetics.

Weak genetics (mental and physical) can be passed along through breeding. This can mean our dogs can suffer from certain genetic diseases or behavioral issues simply because it was passed through the bloodlines. People can have mental and physical weaknesses through genetics, too.

If you are looking into getting a new dog for the family, don’t just judge the dog on how it looks or the breed it happens to be. Get to know the dog through a thorough evaluation process where you can see those weaknesses shine through. This will help you know whether the dog is a good fit for you or not.

If you own a dog that has tremendous fear or anxiety, despite your best efforts to do everything right during the process of raising them, don’t beat yourself up. You may be dealing with a genetic factor that is making things much more difficult.

If you know a dog that seems to be struggling more than most dogs, consider that the dog may be dealing with weak genetics and needs more time and dedication to reach certain milestones.

Sometimes it doesn’t matter how many classes we take, how early or late we neuter and spay, how often we exercise the dog, how consistent we are, how much money we paid for the dog, or how young we started training. Genetics can cancel all of that out.

If you feel like you are dealing with a matter of genetics, contact a qualified professional to formulate an in-depth training program to help your dog reach its highest potential.