Understanding the Factors Influencing Dog Behaviour

RFFDMSUK
May 30, 2024
13 min read

Updated: Apr 24

While our primary focus is on nutrition and natural health, we frequently see questions across our social media and community about whether raw feeding can enhance or worsen a dog's behaviour.

Behaviour is a complex topic influenced by multiple factors, and while we are not certified behaviourists, we always recommend seeking professional guidance from fully qualified experts, such as:

🔹 Find an APBC Member – APBC

🔹 INTODogs Behaviourists

However, we do have valuable insights into this area—one of our RFFDMSUK co-founders, Vic, is currently studying canine behaviour, providing us with a deeper understanding of how diet plays a role. While we cannot offer direct behavioural advice, we can explore how nutrition impacts a dog's emotional well-being and cognitive function.

Genetics – The Foundation of Canine Behaviour

A dog's behaviour begins long before birth, shaped by genetics, breed tendencies, and early environmental influences.

How Genetics Shapes Canine Temperament:

✔ Inherited Traits: Puppies born to parents displaying unwanted behaviours, such as aggression, have a higher likelihood of exhibiting similar tendencies. However, genetics do not guarantee behavioural outcomes—environment and training also play a critical role.

✔ Breed-Specific Characteristics: Dogs have been selectively bred over generations for particular traits, which influence their behaviour:

🐾 Herding Breeds (e.g., Border Collies) – Naturally high-energy, with a strong instinct to herd and control movement.

🐾 Retrieving Breeds (e.g., Labrador Retrievers) – Outgoing and eager to retrieve objects, often displaying a playful, cooperative nature.

Other Genetic Influences on Behaviour:

💡 Temperament: Certain dogs are genetically predisposed to anxiety, aggression, or calmness. Stress hormones like cortisol can even impact puppies while in the womb, influencing their future emotional responses.

💡 Trainability: Some breeds naturally exhibit higher intelligence and responsiveness, making them easier to train.

💡 Sensitivity to Stimuli: Genetics can determine how a dog reacts to loud noises, new environments, or unfamiliar situations.

💡 Social Behaviours: Some dogs inherit traits that make them more sociable, while others are naturally independent or wary.

💡 Health-Related Behavioural Changes: Genetic predispositions to conditions like hip dysplasia may impact a dog's activity levels—leading to less movement, frustration, or behavioural shifts due to pain.

This introduction is now more structured, engaging, and professional, clearly explaining the role of genetics in behaviour while naturally leading into the discussion on nutrition's impact.

How the Mother’s Environment Influences Puppy Behaviour

A dog’s behavioural development is influenced by more than just genetics—the environment in which the mother is raised plays a critical role in shaping her offspring’s temperament, confidence, and stress responses.

Both prenatal and postnatal conditions impact how puppies perceive the world, interact with humans, and respond to different stimuli. Let’s explore these key environmental factors.

Prenatal Environment – How the Mother’s Health & Stress Affect Puppies

Even before birth, a mother’s well-being influences her puppies' future behaviour.

Key Prenatal Factors:

💡 Stress Levels – High maternal stress during pregnancy increases cortisol levels, potentially leading to heightened stress responses in puppies after birth.

🥩 Nutrition – The mother's diet directly affects puppy development. Poor nutrition can result in nutrient deficiencies, which may contribute to behavioural challenges. (See our blog on pregnancy, lactation & weaning for more details.)

⚠ Exposure to Toxins – Harmful substances or environmental pollutants can negatively impact a puppy’s neurological and behavioural development.

Ensuring a stress-free and nutrient-rich prenatal experience fosters mentally stable and well-adjusted puppies.

Postnatal Environment – Direct Influences on Behaviour

A puppy’s first interactions with their mother and surroundings set the foundation for their future temperament.

Essential Postnatal Influences:

✔ Early Socialisation & Handling – Puppies exposed to positive human interaction and a rich sensory environment tend to develop better social skills and confidence.

✔ Maternal Care – A calm, nurturing mother fosters secure and emotionally balanced puppies. If the mother is anxious or inattentive, her puppies may mirror those behaviours.

✔ Stress & Stability – A peaceful home environment supports healthy emotional development, reducing the likelihood of fear-based behaviours later in life.

Providing structured, reassuring interactions during early puppyhood improves adaptability and resilience.

Indirect Environmental Influences on Puppies

Beyond direct interactions, a mother’s own history and experiences can indirectly shape puppy behaviour.

💡 Inherited Stress Responses – Puppies can inherit their mother’s tendencies toward stress reactivity, making it important to manage her emotional well-being before and after birth.

🐾 Behavioural Modelling – Puppies learn by observing their mother. If she exhibits nervousness, aggression, or avoidance behaviours, her puppies may adopt those patterns.

🧠 Environmental Enrichment – A stimulating, activity-rich environment encourages a mother to model exploration and engagement, fostering curious and confident puppies.

A mother’s mental state and exposure to enriching experiences play a subtle but powerful role in determining her puppies’ future behavioural tendencies.

Early Puppy Socialisation – The Key to Balanced Behaviour

Beyond genetics and maternal influence, early puppy socialisation plays a critical role in shaping temperament.

✔ Controlled & Structured Socialisation during weeks 3-14 introduces puppies to varied experiences

✔ Exposure to new people, environments, and animals fosters confidence and adaptability

⚠ Lack of socialisation can lead to fearfulness, anxiety, or aggression

By prioritising positive interactions, owners can help puppies develop well-rounded social skills and reduce behavioural concerns later in life.

While genetics set the foundation, environmental factors play an equally vital role in determining a dog's behaviour. A stress-free, nurturing, and enriching experience for the mother can set puppies up for a happy, confident, and emotionally balanced life.

🌟 Building a solid behavioural foundation starts long before birth!

The Role of Training & Nutrition in Canine Behaviour

A dog's behaviour is shaped by multiple factors, including training methods, nutrition, and overall well-being. While genetics and environment play a role, ensuring consistent training and proper diet can positively influence behaviour, leading to a happier, healthier, and more balanced dog.

Training – Building Trust & Structure

Training is essential in establishing boundaries and reinforcing positive behaviours.

✔ Positive reinforcement techniques (treats, praise, and encouragement) help dogs learn desired behaviours in a supportive way.

✔ Consistency is key—reliable training fosters trust between dogs and owners and prevents confusion.

⚠ Harsh or inconsistent methods can lead to fear, anxiety, and behavioural issues, causing negative emotional responses rather than progress.

A structured training approach builds confidence and obedience, leading to better emotional resilience in dogs.

Nutrition & Behaviour – How Diet Impacts Mental Well-being

What a dog eats significantly affects their mood, energy levels, and cognitive function. Poor-quality food or nutrient deficiencies can contribute to:❗ Hyperactivity❗ Lethargy❗ Aggression or anxiety

Ensuring a balanced diet with high-quality proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals supports brain function and overall health.

Protein – Essential for Mood & Behaviour

There is often a misconception that raw diets are excessively high in protein, but this is not the case.✔ Most DEFRA-licensed raw pet food contains 16-19% protein, aligning with FEDIAF guidelines, which recommend 18-21% for adult dogs.

What Makes a High-Quality Protein?

✅ Amino Acid Profile – Dogs require ten essential amino acids for healthy body function. Animal-based proteins like chicken, beef, and fish provide balanced amino acid profiles.

✅ Digestibility & Bioavailability – Raw, minimally processed proteins offer higher digestibility, ensuring dogs absorb and utilise nutrients efficiently.

✅ Source & Processing – Fresh proteins retain maximum nutritional value, whereas highly processed proteins lose essential nutrients during manufacturing.

✅ Avoiding Contaminants – Low-quality meat by-products and excessive additives can degrade protein quality, affecting long-term health.

Prioritising high-quality, bioavailable protein is crucial for muscle health, immune function, and behavioural stability.

Hydration – Why It Matters

💧 A dry food diet is… dry! Imagine eating Weetabix with no milk—not ideal, right?

🚫 Ultra-processed dry foods can be energetically "hot", leading to itchiness, discomfort, and behavioural stress.✔ Raw pet food contains 60-70% moisture, providing essential nutrients and hydration naturally.

🌟 Moisture is different from water—it enhances digestion and improves nutrient absorption, ensuring better gut health and behavioural stability.

(See our blog on energetics for more details.)

Vitamins & Minerals – Supporting Cognitive Health

✔ Minimally processed food retains natural vitamins & minerals, making them more bioavailable for dogs to absorb and utilise.

✔ Cooked foods often lose essential nutrients, requiring artificial additives—which are less bioavailable and harder for dogs to process.

Providing a diet rich in natural vitamins & minerals supports mental clarity, immune strength, and emotional stability.

Fats – The Role of Omega-3 & Omega-6

Fats fuel energy, cellular function, and nutrient absorption.

🐟 Omega-3 (from oily fish & green-lipped mussels) – Supports joint health, cardiovascular function, and inflammation control.

🌾 Omega-6 (from plant-based oils & poultry) – Necessary for immune response, but excess omega-6 can lead to chronic inflammation.

⚖ Balancing omega-3 and omega-6 is crucial—an imbalance can increase inflammation, affecting overall health and mood stability.

✔ Opt for whole food sources to maintain the right fat ratios!

Serotonin – The Gut-Brain Connection

💡 Did you know that 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut?

Serotonin is critical for mood regulation—imbalances can lead to:❗ Anxiety & stress-related behaviours❗ Depression-like symptoms❗ Aggression & irritability

✔ A balanced natural diet & probiotics improve gut health, ensuring optimal serotonin production for positive behaviour outcomes.

Tryptophan – The Mood-Stabilising Amino Acid

🐾 Tryptophan plays a direct role in serotonin production, making it essential for emotional balance.

✔ A nutrient-rich diet ensures adequate tryptophan intake, promoting stable mood and reduced anxiety.

⚠ Gut health impacts tryptophan metabolism—poor digestion can hinder serotonin synthesis, affecting behaviour.

🌟 A diet with natural sources of tryptophan helps maintain optimal serotonin levels, supporting mental clarity and emotional stability.

🐶 Nutrition alone isn’t a magic fix for behavioural concerns—a multimodal approach is essential.

✔ Training, diet, environment, and health all play a role in behaviour

✔ If pain or medical conditions contribute to issues, veterinary intervention may be required

✔ Raw feeding can support balanced behaviour but should be paired with proper training and enrichment

🎯 Understanding every factor influencing behaviour ensures dogs live happy, healthy, and emotionally balanced lives!

How Medical Conditions, Weight & Environment Impact Behaviour

A dog’s behaviour is influenced by multiple factors, and medical conditions, weight management, and environment all play a crucial role in shaping their emotional well-being. Addressing these elements can help ensure a healthy, balanced, and happy canine companion.

Medical Conditions & Pain – The Hidden Factor Behind Behavioural Changes

Pain is often an overlooked cause of behavioural problems, yet studies suggest that over 80% of behavioural issues stem from underlying pain or discomfort. Conditions such as joint pain, neurological disorders, and thyroid imbalances can significantly alter a dog's mood, responsiveness, and overall demeanour.

What to Do If Pain Might Be Impacting Behaviour:

✔ Consider an online gait analysis, such as those offered by Yorkshire Pooches Therapies – This can identify subtle mobility issues that may not be visible to the untrained eye.

✔ Schedule a veterinary assessment once you receive your gait report to ensure a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

✔ Work alongside a fully trained behaviourist to develop a modification plan and preventative measures. If required, a pain medication trial via your vet may provide relief.

🌟 Addressing pain is a fundamental step in resolving behavioural concerns!

Weight & Health – The Growing Pet Obesity Epidemic

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for a dog’s long-term well-being, yet pet obesity is becoming an increasing concern.

Current Statistics from the PDSA Paw Report 2023:

📌 44% of pet guardians surveyed did not know their dog’s ideal weight

📌 80% believed their dog was an ideal weight, despite veterinary data showing 46% of dogs were overweight or obese

📌 40% of pet owners felt treats were an essential part of their dog’s daily diet

📌 46% gave treats simply because "it makes them happy"

While treats and extra feeding may feel like acts of love, carrying excess weight can lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, and reduced lifespan.

💡 The Western world often equates an overweight dog with a well-fed and healthy dog, but in reality, pet obesity has reached alarming levels.

Helping Your Dog Maintain an Ideal Weight

🐾 Monitor body condition score rather than relying solely on breed weight averages🐾 Adjust portion sizes based on activity level, breed, and metabolism🐾 Incorporate exercise into daily routines to promote mobility and fitness

🔗 At RFFDMSUK, we’ve created a detailed blog on improving body condition scores—check it out for simple steps to help your pet maintain a healthy weight!

Environment – How Surroundings Influence Behaviour

A dog’s daily environment directly affects their mental and emotional well-being. A stimulating, secure, and enriching space promotes confidence and stability, while a chaotic or stressful environment can lead to anxiety, fear-based aggression, and destructive behaviours.

Key Environmental Factors That Shape Behaviour:

✔ Physical Environment – Adequate space, a comfortable sleeping area, and safe outdoor access provide security and relaxation.

✔ Emotional Environment – Routine, stability, and positive interactions strengthen a dog’s trust and emotional balance.

✔ Enrichment Activities – Just like animals in zoos, dogs thrive on mental stimulation. Providing daily enrichment helps prevent boredom and frustration.

Enrichment Ideas to Support Behavioural Health:

🐾 Sniffing walks – Allow your dog to set the pace and explore scents freely

🐾 Puzzle feeders & scent games – Stimulate problem-solving and curiosity

🐾 Natural feeding methods – Whole-prey meals and raw meaty bones engage instinctual behaviours

🔗 Check out our blog for more ways to add enrichment to your dog’s daily routine!

🐶 A dog’s behaviour is shaped by their health, weight, and environment. Addressing pain, proper nutrition, weight management, and enrichment ensures they remain physically comfortable, emotionally balanced, and socially confident.

🌟 A healthy and engaging lifestyle sets the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted dog!

A dog's behaviour is shaped by various factors, including physical activity, social interactions, age, and the owner's lifestyle. By addressing each of these elements, you can help ensure your dog remains happy, confident, and well-balanced.

Exercise – Essential for Physical & Mental Well-Being

Regular physical activity is crucial for dogs, helping to expend energy, reduce stress, and prevent behavioural issues such as excessive barking or destructive chewing.

🐾 Different breeds have varying exercise needs—activities should be tailored to both physical and mental requirements.

⚠ Over-exercising can be harmful, particularly in puppies or dogs with health restrictions—balance is key!

Exercise Guidelines:

✔ For Puppies: Avoid excessive exercise—work with your vet to establish a proper balance between walks vs play.

✔ For Dogs with Exercise Restrictions: Adjust feeding slightly to prevent weight gain, but never reduce food intake too drastically.

✔ Remove sugar-heavy additions (e.g., natural yogurt or root vegetables) to prevent unnecessary weight gain.

✔ Use enrichment-based feeding techniques to keep your dog mentally stimulated while resting.

💡 Consider therapeutic options like:✔ Hydrotherapy✔ Physiotherapy✔ Chiropractic care✔ Massage therapy

⚠ Did you know? Pre-habilitation—rehabilitation before surgery—can improve recovery outcomes post-surgery when implemented beforehand!

Socialisation – How Interactions Shape Behaviour

Dogs learn important social skills through positive interactions with humans and other animals. Proper socialisation builds confidence, reduces anxiety, and prevents fear-based aggression.

Key Socialisation Strategies:

🐶 Structured Puppy Parties: Many vet practices offer small, controlled socialisation events, often led by vet nurses or behaviourists. These can help puppies interact safely without feeling overwhelmed.👀 Exposure to Various Stimuli: Socialisation isn’t just about meeting other dogs—introducing puppies to different sights, sounds, weather, and surfaces fosters adaptability.

🌟 A well-socialised dog is more likely to exhibit calm, confident behaviour in new situations!

Age – How Behaviour Changes Over Time

🐾 Puppies – High energy, playful, and eager to explore.

🐾 Adult Dogs – More settled but still active, requiring consistent training and engagement.

🐾 Senior Dogs – May slow down due to age-related health concerns, such as arthritis or cognitive decline.

✔ Monitor changes in behaviour—unexpected shifts may indicate underlying health issues.

✔ Seasonal changes can influence movement patterns—dogs with arthritis often move less in colder months.

✔ Veterinary check-ups are essential—if your dog’s behaviour suddenly differs, seek medical advice promptly.

Owner’s Influence – How Lifestyle & Behaviour Affect Dogs

A dog's emotional security is deeply influenced by their owner's interactions, routine, and consistency.

✔ Calm, positive reinforcement fosters trust and a stable emotional state.

⚠ Erratic or negative interactions may lead to anxiety, stress, or behavioural instability.

💡 Creating a Safe Space:

✔ Provide a quiet retreat where your dog can escape overstimulation.

✔ Ensure they have access to this space even in a busy household.

✔ Teach family members and visitors to respect your dog’s quiet area.

Tracking Behaviour Changes:

📖 Keep a diary of behavioural patterns—it can help identify triggers like fireworks, loud noises, or doorbells that may be causing distress.

🚨 Seeking professional guidance is crucial for addressing unwanted behaviours effectively.

Understanding Your Dog’s History

If your dog was rescued, their past experiences may not always be known.

✔ Patience and professional support can help uncover the best ways to assist their emotional and behavioural well-being.

✔ Tailoring interactions and training to suit their needs ensures a safe, supportive environment.

💡 Every dog has a unique journey—helping them feel secure is the greatest gift you can give!

Final Thoughts – A Holistic Approach to Canine Behaviour

🐶 Behaviour is influenced by exercise, socialisation, age, environment, and owner interactions. Taking a thoughtful, structured approach ensures a dog’s physical and mental well-being, leading to a happy, confident companion.

🌟 Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement lay the foundation for a well-adjusted, thriving dog!

References:

PDSA Paw Report 2023

Genetic mapping of canine fear and aggression - PMC (nih.gov)

Genetic testing of dogs predicts problem behaviors in clinical and nonclinical samples | BMC Genomics | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)

Prevalence of commonly diagnosed disorders in UK dogs under primary veterinary care: results and applications | BMC Veterinary Research | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)

What are the most common disorders in dogs? - Mills - 2021 - Veterinary Record - Wiley Online Library

New research reveals prevalence of health conditions in UK’s dog population (thekennelclub.org.uk)

Impact of nutrition on canine behaviour: current status and possible mechanisms - PubMed (nih.gov)

Clinical Findings in Healthy Dogs Fed With Diets Characterized by Different Carbohydrates Sources - PMC (nih.gov)

The influence of nutrition on canine behaviour - MUGFORD - 1987 - Journal of Small Animal Practice - Wiley Online Library

The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs—A review - ScienceDirect