The majority of dog breeds throughout the world were developed for utilitarian reasons, which means they were designed to either guard, chase, herd, follow scent trails, retrieve, pull carts, or just simply as a comfort companion. Some more recent studies in human behaviour have actually helped us understand why dogs think and behave the way that they do - which is the concept of evolutionary psychology.
Just as humans have several learning mechanisms within different spheres of experience, our dogs do too. Their minds are hard-wired to be just as flexible as ours and as such, seek out different avenues to establish learning mechanisms. Importantly, via selective breeding of dogs, we have managed to pinpoint many of the effective learning mechanisms, while diminishing others.
So what are some of the things dogs are hardwired for?
Intuitive Eating
Dogs have an instinct to regulate their food intake based on what their body craves and their nutritional needs. This intuitive eating behaviour helps them establish a balance in their diet for when food is available in abundance. If a dog senses that it needs more energy, it will seek out food accordingly. However, through their domestication and the availability of high-calorie foods, we have managed to disrupt much of this natural balance - just look at your average Labrador.
Intuitive Knowledge of Motion and Forces
This is something that puppies have always naturally done better than human babies. Dogs have an inherent understanding of basic physics principles such as motion and forces. This intuitive knowledge allows them to predict the trajectory of moving objects, and understanding how their own body works as well, which is essential for puppyhood training. They can judge the speed and direction of a thrown ball or another dog running at full speed, helping them to time their movements perfectly.
Understanding Relationship and Status
Dogs are just as social as humans. In fact, probably more. Dogs understand complex social structures and they can intuitively recognise and respect hierarchy within their circle. This understanding helps them navigate social interactions, from recognising the authority of their owner (or thinking they themselves are the authority) to interacting appropriately with other dogs. They can interpret body language and social cues to determine their status and relationships within their group.
Habitat Selection
Similar to people, dogs naturally seek out environments that offer safety, comfort, and resources. Their instinctive behaviour leads them to select habitats that provide shelter, access to food and water, and opportunities for social interactions. You probably notice this in your own home, where your dog has its favourite space to lay down and relax, whether it be on the couch next to you, in its crate, or on a bed in the corner.
Intuitive Patrolling
A lot of people don't like their dogs exhibiting this behaviour, but it is natural. Dogs instinctively patrol their territory to ensure their safety and maintain control over their environment. This behaviour involves regular walks around their designated area (for example, your garden), during which they use their senses to detect any changes or potential threats. Patrolling helps reinforce their territorial boundaries and provides a sense of security for the dog and their family.
Stranger Danger
Many people with reactive dogs understand this aspect of their behaviour all too well. Dogs have a natural wariness of unfamiliar individuals, which basically came about as an essential survival mechanism. This "stranger danger" intuitively helps them protect their territory and family from potential threats. Unlike us, dogs can sense intentions beyond physical appearance, such as the way someone smells, which allows them to react how they see appropriate.
Understanding Others' Behaviours
Something that a lot of humans lack is the ability to interpret the behaviours and emotions of other humans and animals. Unlike us, dogs are experts at this and can use visual and olfactory cues to understand the intentions and feelings of everyone and everything around them. Their ability to read body language, facial expressions, and scents enables dogs to respond accordingly and to facilitate better communication and bonds with their family.
Yes, every dog inherits these hardwire behaviours!
Obviously, some dogs have better hardwiring than others and are more efficient at learning and establishing these behaviours. All breeds share common behaviours, but through selective breeding for specific behaviours within individual breeds, some behaviours are intensified, while others are nearly entirely diminished.
In more recent years, there's been a large shift of focus from utilitarian breeding to aesthetics and companionship. Even within the small population of genuine working dogs that are bred for utility, they're also typically used for familial companionship alongside their working duties.
