Genetics or training - Page 2

Genetics is very important but also the most illusive. Within a litter you still have a range of personalities and matching the puppy with the handler is important.  One of the biggest challenges is to match the training to the dog.  We also need to be able to read the dog and not try to make it into what it cannot be.

If you compare to humans, just think about those you know who were allowed to follow their own goals versus those who did what their parents thought a good fit or who took the path to least resistence when it came to a job to pay the bills.  How much of who people are as adults is genetics and how much is their environment?  The best environment for a human is one in which they are nurished and encouraged to make the best of their genetic abilities.  So it is with a dog as well.  The best environment is a handler who is sensitive to their dogs strengths and weaknesses and works to make the best of their genetics.  Trying to make any living thing what it cannot be makes for frustration and sometimes disaster.

In my opinion you have some dogs whose genetic temperment is so strong that they are can't be messed up by poor training.  I have had the joy of owning a dog like this and it is pure joy to work with them.  There are people like this as well, they go through hell and back as children and yet are well balanced, happy adults.  These are the humans that most challenge pschologists to define what makes them so resilient. 

Then we have dogs with good temperament that can be great dogs with the right handler or messed up dogs with the wrong handler.  Just think of the person who wants a laid back pet and buys a high drive shepherd.  Very bad combination and usually ends badly for the dog.  However, in the hands of a handler who wants those drives and nourishes them you have a great team.  Most dogs (and people for that matter) fall into this group.  Environment makes a big difference here.

Unfortunately we also have dogs with weak genetic temperament and a good handler can work with them but they will always be a challenge.  These situations are the saddest because often you have some of the most talented trainers frustrated because it takes extreme effort on the handlers part to get a minimal  result.

Add the effects of negative experiences during developmental periods and it become clear that the end result (the adult dog) is a combination of genetics, nurturing by the dam and environment.  One may play a bigger role in an individual dog than another but all three are important.  All three can make or break a good dog.

JMO.