Now for a very long time i was pro 'train the dog in front of you', and while i still believe this, the longer i am a dog trainer the more i'm understanding why we also need to train according to the dogs breed.
All dog breeds have a background and a history which has shaped them into the dogs we have today, yes even cross breeds. While not everyone believes in the Kennel Club and dog breed categories the main thing we can take from them is that the majority of pedigree dogs had a purpose when they originated. Breeds were very rarely created in order to be pets.
While yes some breeds genuinely were created in order to keep the laps of royal families warm, it is very far and few in between. Even those dogs today which are smaller breeds were bred for something.
Looking at things like terriers, they were bred to be ratting dogs. Bred to hunt and kill small vermin. Yet nowadays people call them yappy, or say they have small dog syndrome. Whereas the likelihood is that their breed needs just arent being met. That need to shred, and rag something about. Small breeds are often used as companion dogs in this day and age, and unfortunately those breed traits arent focused on.
It is so important that we include our dogs breed into our training, to ensure those needs are met. If not we are more likely to see behavioural issues reveal themselves.
Lets look at the Dalmatian, this is obviously a breed i am extremely familiar with, and one i am extremely passionate about. There is historical evidence to show that they even date back to Egyptian times. While their history is varied, the main one we know about is that they were bred to be carriage dogs, this means they have great stamina and endurance as they were made to run alongside the fire carriages. If we dont give them the outlet to run, then we are likely to see some undesirable behaviour.
Again i do believe that you should train the dog in front of you, they are all different. They are all individual, have likes and fears of their own. What works for one dog, doesn't work for another. We do still have to factor in their breed.
I have two male dalmatians. One who is reactive, and one who is not. So i have to change my routine to fit both dogs, every day is different. My reactive dog only gets let off in secure places where other dogs arent around, we do ALOT of play in order to replace what he is missing. Whereas the younger friendly dog does have a bit more freedom. I can do training or longer walks to fill up for the running that the reactive dog cannot do. The main thing i have to do is ensure that they are both mentally and physically stimulated. It doesn't have to be constant running.
So if you're having any behavioural or training issues with your dog, then take a look into their breed history and ensure you are meeting those needs. If you have a crossbreed then you need to be looking at both of the breeds and make sure you have a balance.
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