Play time! Nature, Nurture and Your Dog
Have you ever wondered why some dogs naturally love retrieving balls, while others would rather chase squirrels, herd children, or curl up quietly beside you?
Or why one puppy seems naturally confident while another is more cautious, despite being raised in loving homes?
The answer is often a combination of both genetics and life experience.
As behaviourist Nicholas Dodman famously summarised, behaviour is shaped by both “nature and nurture.” In other words, genetics matter — but so does learning, environment, socialisation, nutrition, and experience (Houpt, 2007).
Understanding this can completely change the way we see and train our dogs.
Dogs Are Born With Tendencies, Not Fixed Destinies
Every dog is an individual, but genetics help shape the behavioural “blueprint” they begin life with.
Research has shown that inherited traits can strongly influence behaviour. In one study, nervous Pointer dogs were selectively bred, and their offspring also displayed nervous traits (Murphree & Dykman, 1965).
Similarly, the famous Silver Fox experiment bred foxes over generations for friendliness and sociability toward humans. Over time, not only did the foxes become calmer and easier to handle, but they even began developing physical changes such as floppy ears and curly tails (Trut et al., 2006).
This highlights something fascinating: when we selectively breed for behaviour, we often influence much more than temperament alone.
Why Breed Traits Still Matter
All dogs can perform normal “dog behaviours” like chasing, digging, stalking, sniffing, barking, or guarding. But genetics heavily influence how likely they are to display certain behaviours and how intensely they may perform them.
For example:
Border Collies often instinctively herd movement
Retrievers naturally enjoy carrying objects
Terriers are more likely to chase and dig
Livestock guardian breeds tend to be naturally watchful and protective
This doesn’t mean every dog within a breed behaves identically. There is huge variation between individuals (Scott & Fuller, 2012).
However, understanding breed tendencies helps owners work with their dog’s natural instincts rather than constantly fighting against them.
A Border Collie who chases bicycles may not be “naughty” — they may simply be expressing inherited herding instincts in the wrong outlet.
Genetics Are Only Part of the Story
While genetics provide the foundation, life experiences shape how those traits develop.
A naturally confident puppy may still become fearful through poor experiences. Likewise, a genetically sensitive dog can thrive with excellent socialisation, patient training, and appropriate support.
Environmental influences include:
Early socialisation
Training methods
Nutrition (Bosch et al., 2007)
Stress levels
Health and pain
Lived experiences
This is why two dogs of the same breed can still behave very differently.
Why Understanding Genetics Helps Owners
One of the biggest mistakes in dog training is expecting every dog to behave the same way.
Dogs are not blank slates.
Some dogs are naturally more sensitive. Some are more driven. Some are highly social, while others are naturally more independent or cautious.
Research has even shown breed differences in how dogs respond to people. In controlled studies comparing puppy breeds, some breeds were more cautious around disciplinary humans, while others were more resilient or independent (Scott & Fuller, 1974; Houpt, 2007).
This doesn’t mean certain breeds are “good” or “bad.” It simply means genetics influence behavioural tendencies and emotional responses.
Training Works Best When We Understand the Dog in Front of Us
When owners understand what their dog was bred to do, training often becomes far less frustrating.
Instead of asking: “Why is my dog like this?”
we can start asking: “How can I channel this behaviour appropriately?”
That shift changes everything.
For example:
Herding dogs often thrive with structured mental work
Retrievers enjoy carrying and searching games
Terriers benefit from scent work and digging outlets
Guardian breeds often need calm social confidence building
Dogs tend to succeed when their natural instincts are acknowledged rather than suppressed.
Genetics Do Not Excuse Behaviour — But They Help Explain It
Understanding genetics is not about labelling dogs or giving up on training.
It’s about compassion, realistic expectations, and better communication.
A dog may inherit tendencies toward nervousness, excitability, or intense drive — but environment, training, and experiences still shape how those tendencies are expressed.
Good training does not fight genetics. Good training works alongside them.
The Bigger Picture
The most successful relationships between dogs and humans happen when we stop expecting dogs to fit a perfect mould and instead appreciate them for the individuals they are.
Genetics play a huge role in canine behaviour, but they are only one piece of the puzzle.
With understanding, appropriate outlets, kind training, and good socialisation, dogs can thrive — not despite their instincts, but because we’ve learned how to guide them in healthy and productive ways.
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