In order for us to fully enjoy our dog (and therefore save him from possible misunderstandings and disastrous ends), we must understand the role that his surroundings play in his behavior, and take steps to make him feel truly at home as the dog that he is. It is a constant balancing act to create a life that offers plenty of suitable thrills and fulfillment within a comforting framework of stability. He is counting on us to make the world—the environmental shoe—fit as perfectly as it can.

The “New” Age—OMG!

“Wow! It’s NEW!” We are helplessly hooked by novelty. On a biological and neurological level, “new” things arouse our senses, our bodies, and our minds. Anything out of the ordinary gets our attention and energy. To a point, this is helpful for all of us animals—people, dogs, and everything in between. The natural world is no static place; change is inevitable. We have to be able to keep up.

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.