Growth and Development

No trait is inherited as such; genetic factors are transmitted by inheritance, but the traits themselves are modified by interacting genetic and environmental factors. Training and early experience greatly influence these traits, it is the selection of traits which facilitate easier training to perform particular tasks that differentiates one breed from another and individuals within the breed. The most widespread use of modern dogs is for companionship, and a great variety, differing widely in size and shape, have been produced. A physically small, easily dominated and controlled dog is the most popular type showing expressive affection-seeking behavior toward the owner. 

Breed variations in aggressive behavior emotionality and condition ability have been found. Some dogs, such as beagles, can be housed in large numbers, for they are non-aggressive. In mixed groups of dogs, it has been found that one particular breed is consistently dominant, so it is possible that dominance in genetically heterogeneous groups is determined by heredity. 
The so called ‘ silent whistles; used by many trainers of hearing powers. A man standing only a few feet away cannot hear the sound which emanates from these instruments, yet a dog will respond to the same sound from a distance off more than 75 yds. The reason for this is that the dog can hear extremely high pitched tones from a considerable distance. A piece of wood touched only by the tip of a master’s finger can be selected by a trained dog from 20 other identical pieces, Bloodhounds have been known to follow perfectly the t rail of a stranger 48 hours after the path was traversed. 

In the neo-natal ( new born) period, the puppy’s activity is largely confined to the bitch, little additional care is needed, except to make sure the puppies are kept warm and the mother is well fed. In about 14 days, its eyes will open, marking the beginning of the transition period. During the third week, the puppy undergoes a rapid change in behavior and in sensory and motor abilities, approximately three weeks after birth. The puppy will now slowly approach a strange person, noising and wagging its tail. Another social response is playful fighting with its littermates. At any time during this period, which lasts up to 12 weeks of age, it is easy to form a close social relationship between a puppy and its owner. 

Puppies left in a kennel environment much beyond 12 weeks of age are likely to permanently shy and timid when brought into the outside world. Terriers are more resistant to this effect than are more sensitive breeds. From the viewpoint of the dog trainer, best results are obtained if the puppy is adopted sometimes between 8 and 12 weeks of age. Adopting a puppy late in the period will throw the balance in the opposite direction, so that the puppy’s strongest relationships are with dogs rather than with human beings. The puppy has two basic behavior patterns that can be used in house breaking. One is a tendency not to defecate or urinate in a sleeping place, so that if shunt up in a fairly small box or kennel for the night, the puppy will ordinarily not urinate or defecate until morning. The second is this tendency to urinate and defecate at special sports. 
Mild punishment can easily inhibit undesirable behavior in many of the shephered dogs, whereas similar punishment may only stimulate resistance and fighting in the aggressive terrier breeds. The basic of most training is reward. The trainer should offer reward for desirable behavior and withhold reward for undesirable behavior To be effective, the reward must immediately after the action, so that the dog can form a connection between the two. Good habits formed in this way also help prevent the formation of bad habits, since one interferes with the other. 

Another useful technique is “forced training”. In which the animal is compelled to go through a particular activity and so learn what is required. This is particularly useful in leash training, in which he will usually anticipate the required action with further force being used. If you have only one dog and want to get the best out of him, have him about with you and let him live indoors. There is widely held belief that a gundog should live in a kennel until fully trained, but experience has taught that this is a fallacy and, providing that he is treated sensibly and not allowed liberties or to be petted by strangers, you will get far more out of him by treating him as a companion. 
Always remember that young puppies learn very quickly, but have little persistence and power of concentration. In most breeds there is considerable steadying of these qualities at maturity, sometimes as early as six months but often at a year or more of age. Therefore, it is usually best to begin at the earliest. A dog may not detect a person standing perfectly still downwise, but notices his only when the person moves. In their motor abilities dogs are good runners but only fair leapers. They have little power of comprehensive with their paws, and hence are incapable of solving problems involving complex manipulation.

Dogs have a high capacity for developing motivation and attention towards their handlers, and similarly high capacity for accepting inhibitory training. A highly trained dog is capable of mastering hundred of different commands. At the same time there are definite limitations on canine intelligence. Like other mammals ( excluding man), dogs cannot be taught to talk, and indeed learn to bark on command only with great difficulty. There is no evidence that dogs are able to recognize the meaning of words when they are used in new combinations.