A New World View
The focus of this writing is to highlight some of
the principles for bringing quality dogs into existence through thoughtful
planning, selection, breeding and training, thus enabling handlers and trainers
to ensure optimum genetic potential from each and every dog coupled with
appropriate strategic environmental design from their carer
Having been involved in dog training and breeding
since 1980, I have experienced the luxury of having extensive exposure to
almost every type of temperament from sensitive pet dogs to the most advanced
competition and service dogs. Perhaps the most puzzling phenomenon I
continue to experience is the lack of understanding dog owners’ have about how
their dogs function, particularly at an emotional level.
Interestingly, some dog owners eventually become
dog breeders and this is where I believe the difficulties begin.
The problem is not the breeding of animals. The
real problem is the breeding of animals without the necessary understanding to
do so. I am 100 % convinced that there is a relationship between
breeding (genetics) and training (environment). Stressful environmental stimuli
are not solely responsible for maladaptive behaviours in dogs. Rather,
the behaviours expressed are a reflexive response and is a result of the dog’s
genetic predisposition.
I believe the final result is determined by 100%
genetic influence and 100% environmental pressures and it is important to
consider that both equally influence a behavioural outcome. However, the
initial or foundational reflexive responses to any stimuli, both positive and
negative, are primarily embedded within the dog’s genes. Hence why I also
believe that it is the dog that dictates how he interprets what we try to teach
him and not the other way round.
The brain is an amazing mechanism – one of its main
characteristic is neuroplasticity – that is, the ability to alter in response
to certain environmental factors. This has provided an incredible adaptation
possibility and has enabled dogs to survive. Studies show that the brain is far
from “finished” at birth; it still needs to develop in many ways, with
environmental factors playing a decisive role in this process.
It seems logical that the brain structures which
are largely in place at birth (the hardware) determine the process whereby our
identity or behaviour (the software) is built up. Without mirror neurons,
behaviour can’t take place, but what is mirrored depends on our environment.
Moreover, the environment has a very demonstrable effect on the physical
development of the brain, which goes on for years after birth. The brain is
important in behaviour, but its content is provided by the outside world is
response to your genes.
The only correct scientific conclusion is that we
are the product of our constant interaction between our brains – or, more
broadly, our starter kit of genes, neurons, and hormones – and our
environments. And, right from birth, it’s very hard to distinguish the
contribution made by nature from that of nurture. Even brain structures can be
modified by external factors. I believe that genes can be seen as the hardware
that determines and limits our software, the specific content of that software
is another issue.
External factors can, for instance, effect gene
expression- a field known as epigenetics. Moreover, the link between genes and
behaviour is extremely complex. In reality, things are somewhat less clear-cut.
Most dog trainers have experienced dogs that have
certain behavioural inclinations (predispositions) for a given task. With the
view of assisting the dog to reach its full potential, people have in recent
times, become all too familiar with the necessity of providing puppies with an
elaborate emotional stimulation and developmental programme, ranging from
bio-sensory stimulation to socialisation, habituation and counter conditioning
programmes. However, many puppies and dogs still fall short and
never become worthy of what is referred to in the professional dog world as a
“quality dog”. Hence, one may speculate that quality genetics in this
instance may potentially be the missing ingredient.
On the other hand, there are the dogs that are
equipped with little potential from the beginning, establishing the importance
of why appropriate selection is so important when breeding dogs for a
particular outcome. Consequently, I am adamant that selecting dogs that thrive
on ‘achieving drive fulfilment’ and those that operate within a particular
function zone (optimum function zone), enables handlers and trainers to focus
their dogs into their desired application far easier; rather than forcing dogs
with inadequate behaviours to go where they can’t or don’t want to go.
Then there are the dogs that have all the essential
behaviours for a “quality dog” only to show issues during their training and
development phase. Such quality dogs rarely meet their full genetic potential
for one main reason, most probably due to inappropriate environmental pressures
(conflicting learning) and the disregard of the reflexive nature of dogs by
owners and trainers, pushing them too hard too fast.
The focus of this writing is to highlight some of
the principles for bringing quality dogs into existence through thoughtful
planning, selection, breeding and training, thus enabling handlers and trainers
to ensure optimum genetic potential from each and every dog coupled with
appropriate strategic environmental design from their carer.
In my travels I have found dogs that operate within
a zone, an “Optimum Function Zone”, and these dogs contradict
conventional behavioural models and drive theories and consequently exhibit far
more plastic, adaptive and predictive responses.
These dogs display less volatility with negative
feedback (aversive learning), and if anything, mentally grow and develop a form
of mental inoculation even if treated unfairly. As a result, they are adaptive
by nature and appear to have a buffer of tolerance or adaptive optimism that
enables them to cope more effectively with uncertainty and negative learning.
Adaptive dogs tend to adjust to negativity in a
proactive way, while reactive dogs by their very nature, operate outside the
realm of an “Optimum Function Zone” and tend to react to negative feedback and
remain inhibited causing negative feedback loops and maladaptive behaviours.
This inhibition or reactivity is an inner urge / reflex or uncontrolled
response to remain unharmed and avoid any form of stress however small it may
be, highlighting the fact that these dogs have tremendous difficulty in recovering
from stressful stimuli, severely hampering their learning.
This is not to say that the adaptive dogs should be
treated with disrespect, quite the contrary. Access to knowledge regarding
correct models of animal learning establishes that such dogs are easier to
train and maintain robust responses because they are naturally more responsive,
plastic or forgiving. I am a strong believer that breeders and trainers
should be focusing their attention on these dogs, as I believe it will provide
us with behavioural predictability.
The alternative is what we have today; the loss of
predictability and control over aversive and appetitive events with reactive
dogs. The result is increased anxious arousal, persistent frustration and
nervous genetic tension creating the maladaptive behaviours currently
experienced all over the world. This is one reason why positive only training
systems have evolved - to suit such dogs. But these training systems are not
our enemy as some perceive, quite the opposite.
Communication systems like conditioned reinforces
(the “clicker”) are truly ingenious and provide a pathway for better
communication, creating a win – win communication system for reactive dogs as
much as they do for highly determined dogs, assisting with compliance and
reducing resistance in learning. On the flip side I must also add that
e-collars are equally ingenious in design and when appropriately integrated
with the clicker they provide the most sophisticated double feedback system any
dog trainer will ever experience, cementing what is referred to as stimulus
control in the dog trainer’s world; and I am sure every trainer will agree that
it is exactly what every dog owner ultimately wants and needs. After all,
having a stable, open, friendly, and uncomplicated animal that is under verbal
control by its owner is essential in our social community.
Whether by conscious or unconscious design, most
breeders have selectively bred for a low prey drive dog for ease of handling.
However, in doing so have created an innately unbalanced dog. It is also true
that highly specialised working kennels have created the opposite imbalance where
if the dog is not constantly at work, in a world where opportunities for such
are reducing rapidly, they too become highly subject to behavioural
disturbances.
To add to the disparity, many working kennels are
intentionally eliminating assertive tendencies favouring the promotion of prey
instincts solely, creating and locking into their genes further unbalanced
working behaviours. Of course, as responsible breeders we must address the
issue of undesirable and unmanageable defensive aggression in dogs in the
interest of personal and public safety, but we must simultaneously address the
issue that we are inadvertently producing dogs that lack strength of character;
subsequently producing reactive dogs that develop maladaptive behaviours far
too easily.
Defensive aggression is highly undesirable and
certainly unfavorable in working dog circles; and in my opinion should be
totally avoided at all costs. However, the assertiveness that manifests from
the “Optimum Function Zone’ during stimulation in training, or under controlled
circumstances is predictable, stable and manageable and should be highly
sought.
It is not my intention to say which of the polar
extremes is right or wrong, rather that breeders have specialised their dogs
specifically for their own desires, and the resulting unbalanced dog does, on
average, make a very poor family pet. The key for all breeders is to achieve a
balanced dog through careful selection and to ensure that the right people are
trained with sound training principles to own such dogs. Equally all breeders
should seek further understanding on the necessary steps to further develop
their dogs through the art of breeding in order to achieve a stable and
consistent global standard.
It should be obvious that a detailed evaluation of
a dog’s emotional reactivity should be conducted prior to any serious attempts
at training and or breeding, with the emphasis on reliably identifying a dog’s
personal thresholds and reactivity potential. Currently training methods are in
drastic need of sophisticated adjustment to suit reactive dogs, however I
believe more emphasis could be placed on getting the job done rather than
having to constantly adjust training methodology to best suit the individual
concerned; dogs that are never really able to achieve functional genetic
potential. Sadly, our daily lives are filled with such dogs leading from
disappointment to disappointment. Society has been breeding dogs for a long
time yet most would agree that things don’t seem to be getting better.
Why?
In my opinion the “Optimum Function Zone” model is
a better approach in evaluating a dog’s innate thresholds and emotional
reactivity to testing, training and breed worthiness. This “Optimum
Functional Zone” is unique, heritable and visually identifiable and can be a
bench mark for future assessment or solid functional behaviour. It identifies
dogs that function with emotional freedom and although training methods will
always require ongoing adjustment due to the nature of behaviour - being fluid,
the parameters are nowhere near as rigid as with volatile dogs.
Optimum Function Zone
I am often asked, “what is the optimum function
zone”? This is a question that has plagued me for years and is very
difficult to answer because the ‘Optimum Function Zone’ is a particular type of
behaviour which is very difficult to articulate in text. It is a behaviour
(response to stimulation especially aversive) that one must see and experience.
It is a place where certain dogs function at optimum efficiency and is
primarily the result of the dog’s genetic disposition along with empowering
experiences through logical design. The dogs ‘brain’ and its ‘being’ are
hardwired to function within this zone. Regardless of what transpires as these
dogs continue to remain within this biologically functional realm, maintaining
stable, robust, open and uncomplicated behaviour because they are born that way
and their trainer understands the process of learning, repetition and appropriate
reinforcement. This organised adaptive behaviour helps the dog cope proactively
with the uncertainty of environmental diversity.
In my ‘working dog world’, I believe we are
witnessing a dog training revolution whereby traditional systems of dog training
are being integrated with “operant” methods, creating the most powerful and
humane systems of dog training ever in existence. In these elegant and
tightly-integrated systems, rewards are used to teach and motivate performance;
corrections are exploited to rapidly establish stimulus control over
powerfully-motivated behaviours; and a sophisticated system of conditioned
behaviour markers are used to render it all clear to the dog.
There seems to be a distorted reality of breeding
and behaviour and it is now at epidemic proportions, particularly in the UK,
USA and Australian dog communities. Today, science is integrated with our
breeding and training system, providing an understanding of animal learning and
quantitative genetics like never before; nonetheless, the information seems to
only be heard by those who genuinely want to listen.
It has been proven time and time again that
sensitivity and fear (genetic tension) is highly heritable.
Yet - what are the temperaments most people breed?
We seem to have an affinity with dogs that display
fear and feel the need to help them, and we should ensure these dogs are helped
and feel safe. However, these dogs should never be breeding dogs, for reasons
including; it is the family pet, because we feel the dog has an affectionate
temperament, or the dog should bear puppies.
Different Temperaments
The famous Russian scientist Pavlov’s believed
there were four of Types of Dogs;
“Pavlov discovered that a dog’s degree of
vulnerability to neurosis is dependent on its temperament”
Hans Eysenck (1916 – 1997) also developed the
biological model of personality and arousal. “Healthy and abnormal behaviour is
the result of the way that individuals respond to the stimuli in their
environment”. Some individuals are more susceptible to developing
psychopathology because of their inherited vulnerabilities.
Below are four types of temperaments
1. Sanguine: - very active, socially uncomplicated
and flexible.
2. Phlegmatic: - less active, socially retiring and
stable.
3. Choleric: Highly unstable, manic, and prone to
develop neuroses.
4. Melancholic: Low activity, socially withdrawn,
and susceptible to neuroses.
Dogs with weak unbalanced temperaments (Choleric
and Melancholic) were found to be more easily stressed and at greater risk of
psychological disturbances than Sanguine and Phlegmatic dogs that possessed balanced and adaptive temperaments.
Genetics are pivotal for a successful outcome, and
mental inoculation via environmental stimulation can only mask or enhance what
is possible from within the animal and to believe that it will fix fearful
behaviour is wishful thinking. In truth, dogs with maladaptive behaviours most
likely require long-term behavioural management. This idea is
demanding of owners, many requiring advanced understanding of canine behaviour,
time, patience and commitment.
I am consequently convinced, after many years of breeding
and training dogs that the appropriate selection of certain traits is
absolutely critical in order to achieve open and uncomplicated dogs and the
development of breeds based on performance and stable behavioural responses.
Selection is critical because the results in our
training behaviours are not only related to the training system we adopt but
also directly proportional to the genetic resilience of the animal.
• The
problem we all face is reaching agreement as to what is quality behaviour and
then narrowing down the desired traits that produce such behaviours.
• To
a large degree these traits determine quality responses in our chosen
application be it IPO, Police service dogs, ANKC, Search and Rescue and the
family pet which is equally important.
Traditionally, we have addressed dog behaviour from
the opposite end of the spectrum. The issue is that we are not addressing
behaviour from a platform of rigorous testing and then measuring the best
responses for specific performance and related behaviours that are proven to
provide behavioural outcomes that are predictable and adaptive. Addressing dog
breeding from this paradigm will result in an immediate impact on the
temperament of dogs within three to four generations.
Breeder Responsibilities
It cannot be emphasized enough that it is the
breeders’ responsibility to ensure that all puppies are bred from rigorously
tested stock and raised in environments which will foster/promote/cultivate
each dog’s maximum innate potential.
Experience also recognises that there are
additional factors that may influence maladaptive behaviours in dogs. It is
important to recognise the factors that may influence maladaptive behaviours in
dogs.
These include
Strategies for improvement
General heightened awareness through education of appropriate dog breeding,
selection, socialisation and training.
The need to develop appropriate breeding practices
can be highlighted by beliefs involving dog aggression. One common misnomer
involves the breeding of dogs diagnosed as displaying dominance or active
aggression.
According to Dr. D F Tortora (1983), the aim for
aggressive displays is to avoid some perceived aversive outcome rather than
establishing or maintaining the offender or offending dog’s social status. Assertive
dogs may be more prone to learn an active defensive coping strategy during
social conflict in order to control, avoid or escape aversive outcomes than a
more submissive counterpart, but the underlying behavioural dynamics and
motivations are not to enhance dominance status or “combative instinct” but
simply to terminate a perceived threat.
Fear based aggression and the learning of fearful
responses begins very early in the dog’s life and continues throughout its
lifespan. Most cases of inappropriate aggression are caused through the
aggressive displays frequently being rewarded by the reduction of negative
emotions the dog was experiencing prior to the aggressive response.
Such negative emotions engage the dog’s innate
defence potential and the reaction occurs and reoccurs. The severity of the
dog’s reaction is again a combination of the dogs innate, genetic potential in defence and the amount of success it has had
previously in reducing its negative emotional load by using aggressive
responses.
The only way to minimise fear is to breed with dogs
that are:
- React
positively to stress
- Intense
in their drives and not just high in prey drive
- Dogs
that have a hard solid grip, - because tug games depict their mindset
reality.
A Hard grip usually depicts a sound solid
mind, whereas soft and passive grips usually depict the opposite.
Inherited Fear of Man
Dogs have an inherited fear of man and unfortunately
there is always some remnant of that fear in all dogs despite the many years of
domestication. The dogs we are specifically selecting are required to operate
in the exact opposite manner regardless of nature’s pure intention; to resist
our deliberate selection process.
Nature finds it a priority to keep things the way
they are and in the case of dogs “wolf-like”. This primal state is totally
contrary to the type of dog we are striving for; this is not only relevant to
the working breeds but, all dogs in society. Nature’s intended result is
juvenile, soft, suppressive, and fearful behaviour with regards to human
interaction. In essence, it is the flight before fight that is a priority for
nature whereas we are looking for dogs that fight (possesses courage under
duress) before considering flight.
Historically we have used the ‘wolf’ as our model
for behaviour and consequently we have identified and named behaviours based on
that model. Naturally, we have then selected dogs based on these fight or
flight responses (prey and defence behaviours) and consequently continue to
reproduce them. Strange how genetics works, or is it?
But there is more to it.
The prey and defence model we have adopted has
served us well for decades and in many respects is our world view for breeding
selection. While this model still has merit, it only functions
within the prey and defence realm and does so for a number of reasons.
1:
We have been told for decades that these two
instinctive responses are all that exist and are the main drives required for
training working dogs.
2:
We have all acted on
that assumption and hence this idea remains entrenched in our belief system.
Trainers have noticed that there is more to the
prey and defence model and like all of us find it difficult to put into words.
Therefore, it is lumped into the too hard basket; and then becomes a point of,
“that which is difficult is best left alone”.
As a result of this view, we have never really been
exposed to other possibilities and our selection for breeding has been limited
to prey and defence possibilities – mating after mating after mating;
producing guess what?
You guessed it more of the same - prey and defence
puppies that turn into adult dogs that unfortunately continue the same or
similar inherited cycle. On rare occasions there comes into being a positive
“mutation”, if you will, a rare dog that defies current world views. This dog’s
behaviour is confusing for most breeders, handlers and trainers because it does
not fit into our conventional paradigm.
Defence behaviour is in fact, just that,
“defensive”, primarily driven by fear or “insecurity” and is unfortunately
interpreted as strength by most. This type of behaviour is an
expression of fear, yet for some reason, more often than not, this behaviour is
interpreted by many breeders and trainers as a powerful response, depicting
strength in character.
Behaviour driven primarily by “defensive
aggression” over and above prey facilitates unbalanced responses. The same
occurs when the dog’s primary drive is prey as it is with many current dogs and
bloodlines. Unfortunately in the recent past the pendulum has swung to absolute
prey drive purely for the purposes of competition. We now know that this
extreme selection of behaviour from far left to far right does not create a biologically
appropriate and functional animal. Hence why I am careful about which dogs I
choose to breed with and most importantly, which bloodline I decide to continue
with to produce “a physically functional and emotionally stable animal
that is able to be managed by many’ and its application is not limited to
certain activities due to behavioural limitations”.
I believe if we are going to make a sincere effort
to breed and train dogs; if we are going to breed extraordinary dogs, and train
to get extraordinary results; we must all be well versed in the art of
selection for breeding, the psychology of motivation and understand how dogs
learn.
I must point out that I am not one to believe that
I am always right; and I am very aware that extreme rigidity in beliefs and
illusions can be dangerous. Hence, I am very interested to engage in
future discussions with anyone who wishes to discuss the ideas presented,
because for me, the concept of knowledge is continuous learning and I will
never stop learning.
After all, once we realise that imperfect
understanding is a human condition there is no shame in being wrong, only in
failing to correct our mistakes.
Author:
Kris Kotsopoulos has been involved in Breeding and
Training Dogs since 1980. He has worked with first-time dog owners to the most
demanding Law Enforcement Canines and World Championship Competitors. Kris and
his wife Tonia are breeders of Dobermanns and German Shepherds under the kennel
name “Von Forell”. His dogs and training philosophies have been incorporated
into many training systems by World Championship Competitors and Law
Enforcement agencies worldwide.
In this new book on “Advanced Dog Training” or
”Training Dogs To Achieve Drive Fulfillment” as Kris prefers to describe it,
you will find a complete manual on preparation and application with an emphasis
on mental tactics for dogs focused at the working dog.
“Everything you ever needed to know about breeding,
selecting, raising and developing your dog for tactical deployment or competition”
This book
provides a philosophical and technical plan for achieving understanding without
the decades of hardship. Written for working dog training enthusiasts who value
innovative insights into breeding and training dogs that thrive on achieving drive
fulfillment, this book fills in the gaps to help you achieve a better
understanding of how these dogs function and how to assist them.
There is a new idea, the foundation of which may change the way you see your
dog forever.
To register
your interest in a training workshop, seminar or ongoing coaching please
contact Von Forell Instinctive Training Systems for further information.
Phone: 03 57865388
Mobile: 0418 348 804
Fax:
03 57865377
Int
: +61 3 57865388
Int:
+61418348804
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+61 3 57865277
Email: info@vonforell.com
