Aggressive Related Instincts

• Protection

  Drive to defend the pack (family or handler).

• Rank

  Drive to achieve higher rank in the pack (growling or biting handler when under stress).

• Fight

  Drive to measure physical prowess with rivals (same as rowdy human).

• Guard

  Drive to warn intruders by barking, growling, or biting to stay out of territory
  (yard or patrol car).

• Self Defense Drive

  Drive to attack real or imagined danger.

All Other Drives / Instincts

• HUNTING

  Drive to pursue prey (objects).

• PREY

  Drive to bite/kill prey (refusal to release when playing tug-of-war).

• TRACKING

  Drive to follow ground disturbance odors (animal tracks or foot prints).

• AIRSCENT

  Drive to follow wind borne scents.

• RETRIEVE

  Drive to bring prey (objects) to the pack (handler) or yard.

• SURVIVAL

  Drive to flee from real or imagined danger/FLIGHT.

• HOMING

  Drive to return to territory or pack (handler).

• ROAMING

  Drive to explore, jumping fences, running off.

• PLAY

  Drive for physical contact with pack members.

• ACTIVITY

  Drive to move and act (running fence, chewing, digging).

• ENDURANCE

  Drive to move and run for long periods at a time.

• SOCIAL DRIVE

  Drive to socialize with dogs and people.

• TRAINABILITY

  Drive to follow desires of the pack leader (handler).

• Every dog possesses Drive/Instincts. Some dogs have more of one instinct than another.
• (Example 1) Just because you have a German Shepherd doesn’t mean it will guard or protect you or your family.
• (Example 2) All pitbulls are not dangerous, or even aggressive.
• (Example 3) All golden doodles are smart and make great family dogs. Not True.
• Genetics and environmental conditioning play a role in your dogs behavior.
• Before selecting a family dog, talk to a Certified Behaviorist and explore what breeds would work for your family dynamic.