by Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA

Created on: December 17, 2011   Last Updated: December 20, 2011

Dogs behave in different ways, and most of these behaviors are either learned behaviors or innate. Innate behaviors are simply natural, instinctive behaviors that do not need to be learned, and they are therefore, programmed to happen. Many problem behaviors are instinctive in dogs, and this explains why it is impossible to remove them altogether since they are instilled in the dog's genetic core. Selective breeding may have played a significant role in instilling more or less of these instincts in dogs, and this explains why it is important for perspective dog owners to do their homework before adopting a dog of any breed. This may ultimately help them have a better idea of what they may be getting into and sense if it is worth it or not.

Problem Behaviors Which are Actually Naturally and Instictive

There are many natural behaviors which are hard-wired into the dog's brain that can become problem behaviors. Most dogs are governed by instincts, but such instincts may be more deeply instilled in some breeds. While these instinct behaviors may have been helpful back in a time when dogs were actively used as working dogs, nowadays, such behaviors are often perceived by dog owners as a burden more than a blessing.

It is important to point out, however, that innate behaviors are often intertwined with learned behaviors. For instance, digging is a naturally instinctive behavior. Dogs do not have to learn to dig, they do it automatically upon being placed on a surface that elicits such behavior. However, a puppy may learn to dig after observing another puppy doing it through a process known as ''local enhancement'' where a form of imitation takes place from being in the right place at the right time.

There are many breeds of dogs which were selectively bred for their digging capabilities. Terriers and Dachshunds for instance, were selectively bred to dig out game, therefore the instinct of digging is amplified in these specific breeds. While this was helpful years ago when these breeds were helpful in digging out vermin, foxes and otters, nowadays humans may get frustrated when their terriers dig up their rose bushes and carrots. Digging, therefore, transforms from a once very much sought behavior, into a problem behavior, but it is ultimately not the dog's fault!

Sniffing is an instinctive behavior as well. Equipped with about 220 million olfactory receptors in its nose, it is not surprising why some dogs are so concentrated

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