But change is also inherently stressful. To the body (human or animal) this excitement is the same thing as stress. Whether we are thrilled or frightened by the novelty we meet, our bodies are basically having the same chemical experience.

Since we process the “good” and “bad” stress very similarly in our bodies, we can be totally captivated by these things and overwhelmed by them at the same time. Like blocks stacking up, one upon another, building higher and higher, these excitements can raise our cumulative stress to dangerous levels. When the environment changes too quickly, we may reach our limit and go over the edge for no apparent reason, with our loved ones looking on in utter bewilderment as we burst into tears over the burned casserole on Christmas Day.

When we consider the lives we share with our pet dogs in this magical world of the twenty-first century, we need to pause to appreciate how much of it is “new” for them. Sometimes, like us, they are simply overwhelmed by all of the excitement. You’ll find that ordinary routines and rituals can be powerful stress relievers for your dog. You’ll appreciate how important some predictability and consistency can be in your relationship. You might even find that for your dog, and maybe even for you, “new” can at times be a little overrated.

CHAPTER FOUR

Genetics

Now that you've had the chance to consider just how consequential your dog’s learning and environment can be to her behavior, it’s time to take a closer look at the nuts and bolts of her basic design—her genetics.

In this chapter, you will learn about these powerful genetic traits and how they might affect your dog and her compatibility with you. You’ll get insight into the personal profile of your dog’s DNA—her qualities and characteristics, her family history, her interests and hobbies, her ideal education and lifestyle. Knowing what kind of material information your dog’s genetics bring to the table will give you a powerful advantage in your endeavor to live happily ever after together.

The Right Dog for the Job

The truth is, we’ve all had it a little backward so far. We’ve somehow overcomplicated dog breeds and genetics and simultaneously oversimplified them.

We get lost trying to differentiate between hundreds of dog breeds. The emphasis on the ever-growing array of “pure” and “designer” breeds creates an overwhelming number of choices for the dog lover shopping for their next best friend. We try to educate ourselves about the dog we are getting; then we commit, often with absolutely no idea what we are signing up for, or what steps we might take to keep everything copacetic with our puppy love. We buy the dog—and the idea that the importance of genetics comes down to “good” genes and “bad” ones. We miss the points we really need about our dog’s DNA.