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“It’s how you raise them” … or is it?
Let’s talk about genetics in dog behavior
“It’s how you raise them”
… or is it?
Let’s talk about genetics in dog behavior
Written By: Joey Morris, Animal Behaviorist & Dog Trainer
You’ve probably heard it before, maybe you’ve even said it yourself.
“It’s all in how you raise them.”
It’s a comforting thought, right? That if you just love a dog hard enough, give them all the snuggles, the best treats, and the perfect Instagrammable life, they’ll turn out to be a model canine citizen. After all, dogs are a product of their environment… right?
Well—sort of, but not really.
Let’s break this myth down, shall we?
the truth: genetics is the blueprint
If you walk away with one nugget of truth from this blog, let it be this: genetics lays the foundation, training builds the house, and nurture decorates the walls.
Dogs are not blank slates.
They are not waiting to be “molded” into whatever personality we hope they’ll become. From the moment they’re born, a dog’s genetics are already pulling the strings on things like:
You’ve probably heard it before, maybe you’ve even said it yourself.
“It’s all in how you raise them.”
It’s a comforting thought, right? That if you just love a dog hard enough, give them all the snuggles, the best treats, and the perfect Instagrammable life, they’ll turn out to be a model canine citizen. After all, dogs are a product of their environment… right?
Well—sort of, but not really.
Let’s break this myth down, shall we?
the truth: genetics is the blueprint
If you walk away with one nugget of truth from this blog, let it be this: genetics lays the foundation, training builds the house, and nurture decorates the walls.
Dogs are not blank slates.
They are not waiting to be “molded” into whatever personality we hope they’ll become. From the moment they’re born, a dog’s genetics are already pulling the strings on things like:
- Prey drive
- Defensive drive
- Threshold for fear and stress
- Recovery time after being startled
- Confidence
- Prey drive
- Defensive drive
- Threshold for fear and stress
- Recovery time after being startled
- Confidence
- Trainability
- Sociability
- Energy level
- Aggression potential
- Athletic ability
- Trainability
- Sociability
- Energy level
- Aggression potential
- Athletic ability
This is not to say nurture doesn’t matter! Of course, the environment plays a role. But if you adopt a Malinois and expect it to act like a Golden Retriever because “you raised it right,” you’re in for a rude (and possibly shredded) awakening.
This is not to say nurture doesn’t matter! Of course, the environment plays a role. But if you adopt a Malinois and expect it to act like a Golden Retriever because “you raised it right,” you’re in for a rude (and possibly shredded) awakening.
Let’s use an analogy: the soup bowl theory
Imagine genetics as the size and shape of a soup bowl.
Now imagine training and environment as the soup you pour into it.
You might have the best soup recipe in the world (aka the most enriching environment, the kindest hand, the best treats, and hours of training), but if you pour a gallon of soup into a coffee cup, you’re still going to have a mess.
Likewise, if your dog has been genetically wired to have a short fuse or a high defensive drive, all the love and “Who’s a good boy?”s in the world won’t change the size of that bowl. But the good news? You can learn to work within the bowl and train in a way that makes the most of what’s there.
Nature loads the gun.
nurture aims it.
This isn’t just catchy—it’s science.
Aggression, reactivity, drive, even impulse control, all have genetic components. We’ve worked with countless dogs over the years, from the nervy German Shepherd who can’t handle the mailman walking by, to the easygoing Labrador who somehow thrives in a chaotic home with zero training.
You start to notice patterns. Real patterns. Patterns that match breed lines, parental temperaments, and even litter placement.
Here’s the hard truth: Some dogs are born with wiring that makes them more likely to struggle.
No amount of positive affirmations is going to overwrite bad breeding.
Let’s use an analogy: the soup bowl theory
Imagine genetics as the size and shape of a soup bowl.
Now imagine training and environment as the soup you pour into it.
You might have the best soup recipe in the world (aka the most enriching environment, the kindest hand, the best treats, and hours of training), but if you pour a gallon of soup into a coffee cup, you’re still going to have a mess.
Likewise, if your dog has been genetically wired to have a short fuse or a high defensive drive, all the love and “Who’s a good boy?”s in the world won’t change the size of that bowl. But the good news? You can learn to work within the bowl and train in a way that makes the most of what’s there.
Imagine genetics as the size and shape of a soup bowl.
Now imagine training and environment as the soup you pour into it.
You might have the best soup recipe in the world (aka the most enriching environment, the kindest hand, the best treats, and hours of training), but if you pour a gallon of soup into a coffee cup, you’re still going to have a mess.
Likewise, if your dog has been genetically wired to have a short fuse or a high defensive drive, all the love and “Who’s a good boy?”s in the world won’t change the size of that bowl. But the good news? You can learn to work within the bowl and train in a way that makes the most of what’s there.
Nature loads the gun. nurture aims it.
This isn’t just catchy—it’s science.
Aggression, reactivity, drive, even impulse control, all have genetic components. We’ve worked with countless dogs over the years, from the nervy German Shepherd who can’t handle the mailman walking by, to the easygoing Labrador who somehow thrives in a chaotic home with zero training.
You start to notice patterns. Real patterns. Patterns that match breed lines, parental temperaments, and even litter placement.
Here’s the hard truth: Some dogs are born with wiring that makes them more likely to struggle.
No amount of positive affirmations is going to overwrite bad breeding.
This isn’t just catchy—it’s science.
Aggression, reactivity, drive, even impulse control, all have genetic components. We’ve worked with countless dogs over the years, from the nervy German Shepherd who can’t handle the mailman walking by, to the easygoing Labrador who somehow thrives in a chaotic home with zero training.
You start to notice patterns. Real patterns. Patterns that match breed lines, parental temperaments, and even litter placement.
Here’s the hard truth: Some dogs are born with wiring that makes them more likely to struggle.
No amount of positive affirmations is going to overwrite bad breeding.
“But my rescue dog is sweet!” — The Pitfall of Anecdotal Logic
There’s always that one person who says,
“Well my rescue Pitbull is the sweetest dog ever. So it is how you raise them!”
Cool. But here’s the kicker—you got lucky.
For every cuddly couch potato who wouldn’t hurt a fly, there’s another dog with the exact same upbringing who’s lunging at kids on skateboards and can’t be left alone with cats. Same breed, same age, raised in a similar home, with a different outcome.
Why? Because genetics.
That’s not to shame rescue dogs, many of them are fantastic companions, but it’s important to recognize when we’re making decisions based on luck rather than predictable patterns. A single success story doesn’t rewrite the biology.
“But my rescue dog is sweet!” — The Pitfall of Anecdotal Logic
There’s always that one person who says,
“Well my rescue Pitbull is the sweetest dog ever. So it is how you raise them!”
Cool. But here’s the kicker—you got lucky.
For every cuddly couch potato who wouldn’t hurt a fly, there’s another dog with the exact same upbringing who’s lunging at kids on skateboards and can’t be left alone with cats. Same breed, same age, raised in a similar home, with a different outcome.
Why? Because genetics.
That’s not to shame rescue dogs, many of them are fantastic companions, but it’s important to recognize when we’re making decisions based on luck rather than predictable patterns. A single success story doesn’t rewrite the biology.
There’s always that one person who says,
“Well my rescue Pitbull is the sweetest dog ever. So it is how you raise them!”
Cool. But here’s the kicker—you got lucky.
For every cuddly couch potato who wouldn’t hurt a fly, there’s another dog with the exact same upbringing who’s lunging at kids on skateboards and can’t be left alone with cats. Same breed, same age, raised in a similar home, with a different outcome.
Why? Because genetics.
That’s not to shame rescue dogs, many of them are fantastic companions, but it’s important to recognize when we’re making decisions based on luck rather than predictable patterns. A single success story doesn’t rewrite the biology.
Let’s talk dog breeds
(and how the internet is lying to you)
Let’s talk dog breeds (and how the internet is lying to you)
Go type “best family dogs” into Google, you’ll get a generic list of Goldens, Labs, Shepherds, maybe a Doodle or two. But what these articles don’t tell you is that even within a breed, genetics can vary drastically.
Take working-line German Shepherds vs. show-line.
Take field-bred Labs vs. English Labs.
Take Pitbulls bred for the show ring vs. backyard-bred ones from unknown parents.
A breed name alone tells you very little, what matters far more is the bloodline.
If you’re looking for a low-drive, chill couch buddy, don’t go adopting a high-drive Malinois because “they’re loyal and smart.” That’s like buying a Formula 1 car because it has a seatbelt.
We’ve had clients who “did all the research,” but ended up with a dog that clearly was not what they expected. That’s because the internet didn’t tell them about genetic variations and bloodlines—they placed an entire breed with thousands of living creatures into one bubble.
Examples We See all the time
Here’s a peek into our real-world training trenches:
- Dog A: A Doberman raised in a loving household, never abused, always socialized. Starts showing resource guarding at 7 months. Parents are known to be high in defensive drive. Surprise? Nope.
- Dog B: A backyard-bred Aussie mix adopted at 10 weeks. Hates strangers. Fear-based reactivity shows up by 5 months despite perfect socialization. The rescue “didn’t know” anything about the parents. Genetics at play? You bet.
- Dog C: A Labrador from a working line, raised with markers and structured training from the start. Off-leash recall at 6 months, can perform obedience under high distraction. Why? Drive and nerve strength inherited from well-selected breeding. Plus consistent training.
These aren’t flukes. These are examples of training built around what a dog is, not what we wish they were.
Examples We See all the time
Here’s a peek into our real-world training trenches:
- Dog A: A Doberman raised in a loving household, never abused, always socialized. Starts showing resource guarding at 7 months. Parents are known to be high in defensive drive. Surprise? Nope.
- Dog B: A backyard-bred Aussie mix adopted at 10 weeks. Hates strangers. Fear-based reactivity shows up by 5 months despite perfect socialization. The rescue “didn’t know” anything about the parents. Genetics at play? You bet.
- Dog C: A Labrador from a working line, raised with markers and structured training from the start. Off-leash recall at 6 months, can perform obedience under high distraction. Why? Drive and nerve strength inherited from well-selected breeding. Plus consistent training.
These aren’t flukes. These are examples of training built around what a dog is, not what we wish they were.
Here’s a peek into our real-world training trenches:
- Dog A: A Doberman raised in a loving household, never abused, always socialized. Starts showing resource guarding at 7 months. Parents are known to be high in defensive drive. Surprise? Nope.
- Dog B: A backyard-bred Aussie mix adopted at 10 weeks. Hates strangers. Fear-based reactivity shows up by 5 months despite perfect socialization. The rescue “didn’t know” anything about the parents. Genetics at play? You bet.
- Dog C: A Labrador from a working line, raised with markers and structured training from the start. Off-leash recall at 6 months, can perform obedience under high distraction. Why? Drive and nerve strength inherited from well-selected breeding. Plus consistent training.
These aren’t flukes. These are examples of training built around what a dog is, not what we wish they were.
So what’s the key takeaway?
If you’re a new dog owner, thinking of getting a dog, or struggling with a dog you already have—look at the genetics first. You wouldn’t buy a horse without understanding what it was bred for. Dogs are no different.
- Stop blaming yourself.
If your dog isn’t perfect despite your best efforts, it might not be your fault. It might just be genetics. - Stop blaming the dog.
They didn’t ask to be wired this way. They’re doing the best they can with the genetic hand they were dealt. - Start training smarter.
Use methods that acknowledge who your dog is. Marker-based communication, drive-building exercises, and real-world exposure that’s paced—not rushed. - Respect the breed, research the line.
If you’re buying or adopting a dog, don’t just look for a breed you like. Look at the line. Meet the parents if possible. And be honest about what lifestyle you can handle. - Get professional help early.
Don’t wait until your dog is a hot mess to call a trainer. Early intervention is your best friend, especially if you suspect your dog’s wiring might need some extra support.
marker training: our style meets their wiring
At OverWatch K9, we’ve developed a training system rooted in clear communication through marker training and a reward-based approach that doesn’t just teach obedience—it builds drive and engagement.
Here’s where our style meets science:
- We don’t try to “fix” what’s not broken.
If your dog is aloof or a little independent by nature, we’re not going to force affection on them or train like they’re a golden retriever. Instead, we meet them where they are and train with the dog in front of us. - We build drive on purpose.
Whether your dog is prey-driven, food-driven, toy-driven, or praise-driven, we tap into what makes them tick. Genetics might have handed us a dog with certain natural inclinations, but training is how we shape those inclinations into usable behaviors. - We expose, not flood.
Dogs genetically prone to nervousness or reactivity don’t need to be tossed into chaotic dog parks to “get used to it.” That’s not socialization—that’s trauma. We use progressive, controlled exposure and reward-based desensitization that helps build confidence over time. - We use real-world adventures.
A dog genetically wired to be anxious in novel environments needs more than a fenced backyard to thrive. Our adventures in the city, hiking trails, and parks help dogs practice obedience under distraction while developing trust in their handler.
Final Thoughts:
Dogs Aren’t Robots. They’re Beasts With Blueprints.
We love dogs. All of them. The weird ones, the wild ones, the anxious ones, the spicy ones. But loving them also means being honest about what they are—and what they’re not.
So next time someone says,
“It’s all in how you raise them…”
Smile politely.
Then remember: raising a dog right is only half the equation. The other half was written in their DNA before they ever opened their eyes.
Train with what’s in front of you.
Respect the wiring.
And build something beautiful.
So what’s the key takeaway?
So what’s the key takeaway?
If you’re a new dog owner, thinking of getting a dog, or struggling with a dog you already have—look at the genetics first. You wouldn’t buy a horse without understanding what it was bred for. Dogs are no different.
- Stop blaming yourself.
If your dog isn’t perfect despite your best efforts, it might not be your fault. It might just be genetics. - Stop blaming the dog.
They didn’t ask to be wired this way. They’re doing the best they can with the genetic hand they were dealt. - Start training smarter.
Use methods that acknowledge who your dog is. Marker-based communication, drive-building exercises, and real-world exposure that’s paced—not rushed. - Respect the breed, research the line.
If you’re buying or adopting a dog, don’t just look for a breed you like. Look at the line. Meet the parents if possible. And be honest about what lifestyle you can handle. - Get professional help early.
Don’t wait until your dog is a hot mess to call a trainer. Early intervention is your best friend, especially if you suspect your dog’s wiring might need some extra support.
If you’re a new dog owner, thinking of getting a dog, or struggling with a dog you already have—look at the genetics first. You wouldn’t buy a horse without understanding what it was bred for. Dogs are no different.
- Stop blaming yourself.
If your dog isn’t perfect despite your best efforts, it might not be your fault. It might just be genetics. - Stop blaming the dog.
They didn’t ask to be wired this way. They’re doing the best they can with the genetic hand they were dealt. - Start training smarter.
Use methods that acknowledge who your dog is. Marker-based communication, drive-building exercises, and real-world exposure that’s paced—not rushed. - Respect the breed, research the line.
If you’re buying or adopting a dog, don’t just look for a breed you like. Look at the line. Meet the parents if possible. And be honest about what lifestyle you can handle. - Get professional help early.
Don’t wait until your dog is a hot mess to call a trainer. Early intervention is your best friend, especially if you suspect your dog’s wiring might need some extra support.
marker training: our style meets their wiring
marker training:
our style meets their wiring
At OverWatch K9, we’ve developed a training system rooted in clear communication through marker training and a reward-based approach that doesn’t just teach obedience—it builds drive and engagement.
Here’s where our style meets science:
- We don’t try to “fix” what’s not broken.
If your dog is aloof or a little independent by nature, we’re not going to force affection on them or train like they’re a golden retriever. Instead, we meet them where they are and train with the dog in front of us. - We build drive on purpose.
Whether your dog is prey-driven, food-driven, toy-driven, or praise-driven, we tap into what makes them tick. Genetics might have handed us a dog with certain natural inclinations, but training is how we shape those inclinations into usable behaviors. - We expose, not flood.
Dogs genetically prone to nervousness or reactivity don’t need to be tossed into chaotic dog parks to “get used to it.” That’s not socialization—that’s trauma. We use progressive, controlled exposure and reward-based desensitization that helps build confidence over time. - We use real-world adventures.
A dog genetically wired to be anxious in novel environments needs more than a fenced backyard to thrive. Our adventures in the city, hiking trails, and parks help dogs practice obedience under distraction while developing trust in their handler.
At OverWatch K9, we’ve developed a training system rooted in clear communication through marker training and a reward-based approach that doesn’t just teach obedience—it builds drive and engagement.
Here’s where our style meets science:
- We don’t try to “fix” what’s not broken.
If your dog is aloof or a little independent by nature, we’re not going to force affection on them or train like they’re a golden retriever. Instead, we meet them where they are and train with the dog in front of us. - We build drive on purpose.
Whether your dog is prey-driven, food-driven, toy-driven, or praise-driven, we tap into what makes them tick. Genetics might have handed us a dog with certain natural inclinations, but training is how we shape those inclinations into usable behaviors. - We expose, not flood.
Dogs genetically prone to nervousness or reactivity don’t need to be tossed into chaotic dog parks to “get used to it.” That’s not socialization—that’s trauma. We use progressive, controlled exposure and reward-based desensitization that helps build confidence over time. - We use real-world adventures.
A dog genetically wired to be anxious in novel environments needs more than a fenced backyard to thrive. Our adventures in the city, hiking trails, and parks help dogs practice obedience under distraction while developing trust in their handler.
Final Thoughts:
Dogs Aren’t Robots. They’re Beasts With Blueprints.
Final Thoughts:
Dogs Aren’t Robots. They’re Beasts With Blueprints.
We love dogs. All of them. The weird ones, the wild ones, the anxious ones, the spicy ones. But loving them also means being honest about what they are—and what they’re not.
So next time someone says,
“It’s all in how you raise them…”
Smile politely.
Then remember: raising a dog right is only half the equation. The other half was written in their DNA before they ever opened their eyes.
Train with what’s in front of you.
Respect the wiring.
And build something beautiful.
We love dogs. All of them. The weird ones, the wild ones, the anxious ones, the spicy ones. But loving them also means being honest about what they are—and what they’re not.
So next time someone says,
“It’s all in how you raise them…”
Smile politely.
Then remember: raising a dog right is only half the equation. The other half was written in their DNA before they ever opened their eyes.
Train with what’s in front of you.
Respect the wiring.
And build something beautiful.
looking for dog training near atlanta?
If you’re in Metro Atlanta and aren’t sure which direction to go, we can help. Our expert dog trainers at OverWatch K9 Academy offer both options—and we’ll recommend the one that works best for your dog’s personality and your lifestyle.
📍 Serving Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Decatur, Roswell, Lawrenceville, Douglasville, and surrounding areas
Call Us Directly: (404) 267-0631
looking for dog training near atlanta?
If you’re in Metro Atlanta and aren’t sure which direction to go, we can help. Our expert dog trainers at OverWatch K9 Academy offer both options—and we’ll recommend the one that works best for your dog’s personality and your lifestyle.
📍 Serving Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Decatur, Roswell, Lawrenceville, Douglasville, and surrounding areas
Call Us Directly: (404) 267-0631
Want to learn more about us?
At OverWatch K9 Academy, we specialize in creating calm, confident, and obedient dogs—without sacrificing their spirit or drive.
VIEW OUR:
Dog Training Programs
Board and Train
Puppy Board and Train
In-Home Private Lessons
Private Puppy Lessons
Group Puppy Classes
Meet Our Dog Trainers
Want to learn more about us?
At OverWatch K9 Academy, we specialize in creating calm, confident, and obedient dogs—without sacrificing their spirit or drive.
VIEW OUR:
Dog Training Programs
Board and Train
Puppy Board and Train
In-Home Private Lessons
Private Puppy Lessons
Group Puppy Classes
Meet Our Dog Trainers
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