Understanding the Mindset

When your dog is barking, do you instantly say, “no barking” or do you pause to identify the why behind the bark. The breed of dog will play a big factor on what is motivating your dogs actions and behavior.

Far too often, we respond to our dog’s behavior with frustration instead of curiosity. But here’s the truth: every behavior your dog displays whether it’s barking, chewing, digging, or even ignoring commands is being driven by something deeper. Dogs don’t act out of spite or stubbornness. They act out of instinct, emotion, and learned experiences. To connect with your dog and guide their behavior, you need to understand what’s motivating them.

A major part of that puzzle? Breed tendencies.

Different dog breeds were developed for very specific jobs such as herding, guarding, hunting, companionship. Those ingrained traits still influence how they think, react, and interact with the world around them. A Border Collie’s alertness and energy serve a very different purpose than a Bulldog’s relaxed nature or a Beagle’s persistent sniffing. What may seem like misbehavior is often your dog simply being who they were bred to be.

In other blogs, we’ll take a deeper look at:

• The importance of identifying your dog’s mindset category and behaviors

• How breed and genetics shape behavior and instincts

• The difference between a reactive vs. thoughtful response from you as an owner

• How to build a communication style that works with your dog’s mindset—not against it

Once you start approaching your dog’s behavior with empathy and understanding, everything begins to change and you will build a confident connection with your dog.