The power of genetics…

Recently a pupil and friend, got a ‘new’ dog. He is new to her, but an older dog that was to be rehomed. He is a Giant Schnauzer from really strong working lines.He came to be rehomed because of various reasons, but for the sport that he is hoping to be trained for, he will be required to do bitework. He had done some work in his previous home, however his owner decided to start as though he had done nothing, and set some new foundations.

In his first few sessions, she was dubious about what she had taken on as there were some ‘issues’ which could be a huge concern later on.
However, in the next subsequent sessions, the diamond in the rough, she had taken on… really started to shine.

In just a few sessions, you could see what potential this awesome dog had….

So why was his progression so quick? And such a difference in a relatively short space of time? Well, partly from the right approach but a more valid factor was quite simply, good genetics.

Good dog training will often improve or ‘mask’ issues, and bad dog training will often create issues, however the affects of genetics cannot be underestimated.

In the litter that I bred between my own two dogs, it amazes me to see genetics coming through.

Physical and mental traits from parents, aunts, uncles, grandfather etc…. literally clones of predecessors!
It even amazes me, how genetics can assist your dog training! 

I’ve repeatedly said since the second I got him, my smooth coated collie ‘super’ is a complete gift. He just has a natural aptitude to do anything I ask, and seems to ‘know’ what it is…. when there is in actual fact, no way he should! I literally train him one day, and then can leave him for varying amounts of time and he just has worked it out! Now, if I had less experience in training dogs, I would be patting myself on the back as to how great a dog trainer I am…. when in actual fact, its the dog!
I know when I first started dog training, there were several distinct lines of dogs, that all had a very strong ‘type’.
This type would be looks, attitude, temperament and even characteristics.

The power of genetics cannot be underestimated! And as such certain techniques to train them consistently worked, not necessarily because it was good sound training, but because it suited a type of dog… however when the occasional anomaly didnt confirm, they were often labelled a ‘reject’, ‘thick’ or dud. When in reality they needed a different approach.

Genetics can be positive and negative, when you place a dog in an environment which is unsuitable or the person doesn’t understand nor honour the dogs genetics. It doesnt make it a bad dog, just a mismatch. I see this constantly when you have people who want the dog they think will be the quickest and fastest route to success, vs the dog that would suit their lifestyle and ability. Its not a failing to say you’re not the worlds best driver, as its lucky you aren’t racing in a Formula one grand prix! 
A really good friend of mine, who is a extremely competent dog trainer would always say to me, when I had my large malinois Strut, she could admire him but wouldn’t want him, as he wouldn’t suit her. And she would be right. Does that make her a ‘bad dog trainer’? Absolutely not! It makes her a smart dog owner!
Genetics are a powerful force, literally running through your dogs veins… both the good bits and the bad bits.

Understanding them, embracing them, channelling them and working with them will ultimately lead to joy and peace for you and the dog! The key is dog training…..
Enjoy your dogs!