Not every behavior that frustrates us is a “problem.” Sometimes it’s a mismatch between what we expected and what the dog was bred to do. Dogs were developed for specific jobs: - Herding breeds notice movement - Terriers dig and chase - Hounds follow their noses - Guardian breeds monitor and alert - Sporting breeds carry and retrieve - Working breeds seek tasks and stimulation When those instincts show up in daily life, it can look like: - Reactivity - Stubbornness - Hyperactivity - Selective listening - Obsessive sniffing - Barking at sounds But often, it’s not defiance. It’s genetics doing their job. So what’s the difference? A behavior problem: - Causes distress or risk - Escalates beyond typical expression - Interferes significantly with safety or daily life - Doesn’t improve with appropriate outlets A breed-typical trait: - Is predictable based on genetics - Can be redirected or channeled - Improves when needs are met - Makes sense when you look at the dog’s history The goal isn’t to erase instinct. It’s to understand it and work with it. A helpful reframe Instead of asking:❌ “How do I stop this?” Try:✅ “What was this dog bred to do — and how can I support that safely?” Meeting instinct with structure, enrichment, and training often reduces frustration on both ends of the leash. 💬 What behavior used to frustrate you that now makes more sense when you consider your dog’s breed or genetic background? Understanding changes everything 💚

This is our second year at Geek-Con' Boise is two years old. One of the best training situations there is. I have been training Boise myself since she was 8 wks old. She is my 4th service dog and non of them have been alike. Rob caught us on camera walking in on a loose leash. We ended up doing a big outside circle of the room & man was it crowed this year. I did not think we were going to make it because OFA got in touch with me and told me the Veterinarian left shoulder did not process and we had to redo that one. They did it for nothing but it was earlier today and I was afraid they would sedate her again which they did not. Spiderman, who my grandson & I just love, saved Princess Boise from the Joker Clown tonight. Plus she got to take a picture of herself to hang on our wall looking stoic in a lighting storm. It was a little over whelming there was standing room only. And I must say the elevator leaves something to be desired it was so tiny. There also was this SDit or I would like to think so. Him & his person were down this aisle we were thinking of going down but he the dog saw us and his hackles went up I just turned and went the other way. So far she has never had a bad experience with another SD or even dog so let's keep it that way.❤️🦫😊 P.S.A former women's champion from WWE went nuts and had to giver her some love.❤️ She had chihuahuas also. LMB