“Behavior and temperament problems develop, surprising though it may seem, because dogs have a strong tendency to grow up to behave like dogs.”

- Center of Applied

Animal Behavior

By Mary Jane Anderson

Excessive barking, chewing, house soiling, digging, running away, and biting belong to natural traits in a dog’s character. And not surprising, dog bites are the second-leading health hazard in the United States with only one out of ten dog bites actually reported to the authority.

You might assume that these bites happen in the home or in the yard by an over-zealous dog protecting their property, real or imaginary, but, in 1984, 194 dogs were excused from the show ring because of aggressive behavior!

A dog’s behavior such as growling, snapping, and biting are normal reactions to specific circumstances. A common occurrence is the dog that growls at the owner who picks up the dog’s food bowl, toy, or bone. The dog’s natural instinct comes to the foreground but the owner is upset; why did he do that?

Dogs, as well as humans, have both a good side and a bad side. For example, German Shepherds are intelligent dogs. By intelligence, I mean that they are suitable for many specific tasks, such as tracking, guiding the blind, guarding, and protecting. The good side of a German Shepherd is that they are loyal, faithful companions at work or play.

However, a German Shepherd dog’s good side for work in guarding and protecting becomes a bad side when the dog is for companionship only. The owner then, must keep this natural trait of guarding and protecting in the background and encourage the qualities they consider the most important in the foreground.

If they do not do this, the dog’s basic nature, what it was bred for, will take over and the dog will do what he or she knows best in their daily life.

Why do owners endure the bad side of their dogs that they do not enjoy? Some owners might back away from a biting situation while others correct their dogs by hitting them. But, punishment, in most cases, does not solve the problem. The dogs become very wise and make the best of the situation until it is over and will repeat the behavior when the animal is put in that situation again.

Reliable behavior, such as always coming when called, sit or down stay for as long as necessary until released, only comes from training. Training comes from a daily, consistent, practical application of obedience exercises.

“Bad dogs are made, not born . . . (dogs) only follow the predetermined course of development if the owner fails to instruct the dog otherwise.”

- Center of Applied

Animal Behavior