This week I have received numerous messages from people having trouble with their dogs behaviour. I have had a German shepherd barking at passers by, a chicken chasing Terrier, a Lurcher who chases cars and a Border collie who nips at children. Although all of these behaviours are unacceptable and quite often dangerous in our world, all of these dogs are quite simply displaying the normal behavioural traits of their breed.
Many, many years ago and long before we had dogs sharing our sofas with us, dogs were bred for desirable traits such as hunting, controlling cattle, controlling vermin, rescue and sleigh pulling. Breeders selected dogs with the traits they sought and used them to produce the next generation, enhancing these traits and giving them the perfect dog for the job they needed them to do.
Coming back to the present day and looking at the many dogs who are still used for working; Labradors as gundogs, Collies to herd sheep, Huskies to pull sleighs and German shepherds as guard dogs. You only have to see some of these dogs in action to see how much pleasure they get from it and how it is clearly in their blood and instinctual to them to want to fill these roles.
So what happens when we want one of these breeds as a family pet?
Well all of these breeds make fantastic family pets if they are given the stimulation they need to fulfill their needs, but sadly many of these working dog breeds end up in rescue centres. This is because of bad behaviour brought on by the dog not being stimulated enough both physically and mentally in the family home. The sad fact is that many people get a dog because they like the look of it, maybe its cute and cuddly, maybe its big and mean looking, not bothering to look into the breeds traits. Knowing what a dog was bred to do can really help us understand their behaviour.
So the question is 'Can we still give these dogs a happy life if they are not working?' well the answer is 'Yes, of course', we simply need to find a different outlet for their instinctual drives.
A border collie is a classic example of an intelligent dog who requires lots of stimulation both physically and mentally so a good idea for this breed would be to play lots of fetch, try agility and flyball or take up running with your dog. Collies are the most intelligent breed and they need brain games to play too. If there is no job for him he will find one and this could be anything from simple shoe chewing to dangerously chasing cars.
Terrier type dogs are very energetic and originally bred to hunt vermin, this encourages them to be diggers and they have been known to destroy their owners gardens on many an occasion. Again they need an outlet, having a sand pit in the garden and hiding toys in it is a good game as is playing fetch...oh and Terriers love agility too.
When we combine a dog as energetic as the working Cocker Spaniel with the intelligence of the Poodle. What do we get? A cockerpoo that isn't the lap dog you expected, requiring lots of mental and physical exercise to ensure his contentment.
So next time you think your dog is being naughty, have a think about it, 'Do you know what was your dog originally bred for?'
Is this actually naughty behaviour or normal behaviour for the breed?
If you don't have a dog yet then please when you do, research the breed and ask yourself can you give that dog what it needs to be happy and healthy? Are you willing to accept his instinctual behaviours? Do your best to find a dog that is right for you and you will have a wonderful life together.