Understanding Your Dog’s Behaviour: Why Training Starts With Knowing Their Breed — and Feeding Them Well.

Have you ever Googled “why does my dog do this?” and come away more confused than before?

Trust me — I know how you feel. As a long-time dog owner, fosterer, and someone who has worked with countless breeds through rescue charities, I’ve lived through every behaviour you can imagine: barking, pulling, zoomies, stubbornness, anxiety, selective hearing (you know the one!).

Tony with Morse

But here’s the thing, most people don’t realise:

Your dog’s behaviour is not random. It’s a combination of instinct, breed traits, training… and nutrition.

And once you understand all four, you unlock the ability to truly connect with your sidekick — not by force, but by understanding who they are and what they need.

Today, let’s break that down together.

1. Every Dog Has a Story Written in Their Breed Traits

Before training even begins, it helps to ask a simple question:

“What was my dog bred to do?”

Whether they’re a rescue mix or a pedigree pup, every dog carries instincts shaped by generations.

Here are a few examples:

Herders (Collies, Shepherds, Corgis)

These dogs are brilliant and busy. They often need jobs or mental stimulation, which, when not supplied, behaviour can look like: Nudging your ankles. Nipping during play. Herding children, other dogs, or even your Hoover. Getting frustrated without enough mental work

Hounds (Beagles, Dachshunds, etc.)

They’re nose-driven and determined. Expect: Selective hearing outdoors (because the scent is winning!) Loud, expressive vocal behaviour. Difficulty with recall unless you become more valuable than the scent

Working Breeds (Rottweilers, Boxers, Dobermans)

Loyal, strong, eager to bond — but can become anxious if routines aren’t consistent. They thrive when their human provides clarity.

Terriers

Small body, giant courage. Expect digging, chasing, and the occasional “I’ve got this!” attitude.

Toy Breeds

Companionship first. They can be sensitive, so gentle training and emotional security go a long way, but don't confuse them with rewarding bad behaviour. I will expand on that topic in another blog.

Rescue Mixes

A bit of everything — and that’s okay! Understanding their behaviour often means watching what they naturally choose to do: sniff, chase, guard, lie on your feet, do they look for work, or observe the world.

2. Why Behaviour Isn’t Just About Training — It Starts in the Bowl

Here’s something I’ve learned after fostering many dogs with “behavioural issues”: Sometimes the problem wasn’t the behaviour… it was the food.

Just like a child who’s had too much sugar struggles to focus or learn, a dog running on poor-quality food struggles with:

• Overexcitement

• Anxiety

• Low impulse control

• Digestive discomfort that leads to irritability

• Difficulty focusing during training

• Hyperactivity followed by crashes

  
  

When the gut is out of balance, the brain struggles too. That’s why I always say:

⭐ Training doesn’t start with commands. It starts with nutrition.⭐ Healthy gut = healthy behaviour.⭐ You can’t expect a dog to be their best if they don’t feel their best.

This is where feeding superfood, grain-free formulas makes such a difference. It supports digestion, energy levels, mood stability, and overall well-being — giving your pet the foundation they need to learn.

Because: Training becomes easier when their stomach isn’t working against them.

3. The Secret to Good Training: Work With Their Nature, Not Against It

Dogs thrive when we meet them where they are instead of expecting them to fit into our human world without guidance.

Here’s what I’ve learned through years of fostering:

✓ Reward the behaviours you want — especially in moments of calm.

A calm dog learns faster than a frantic one.

✓ Use high-value food that smells amazing.

This is where quality matters. If you want engagement, you need a reward worth working for.

✓ Set them up for success by giving them outlets.

A terrier needs digging games. A herder needs mental stimulation. A hound needs sniffing time. A working breed needs structure.

✓ Consistency beats intensity.

Short, simple sessions make training feel fun and achievable for both of you, and remember to finish on a high note or risk undoing the hard work!

4. Why Your Relationship Matters More Than Any Command

Your dog doesn’t wake up wanting to get it wrong. They want connection, clarity, comfort — and YOU.

This is why I believe so deeply in helping people become their pet’s hero.

Not through complicated methods. Not through harsh training. But by giving you the tools to understand your dog’s instincts, emotions, and nutritional needs.

When you understand your sidekick’s breed tendencies…When you feed them food that helps their body and brain thrive…When you train them with empathy and consistency…

You unlock the very best version of your dog — and the very best version of yourself as their Hero.

And that’s a bond nothing can break.

5. It All Comes Back to the Bowl

Behaviour → starts in the gut.

That’s why at Wolf & Whiskers we say:

✔ Make easy choices with full advice, always. ✔ Order online with us. ✔ Buy the best superfood for your sidekick.✔ We help you be your pet’s hero — it starts with what you put in their bowl.

I’ve seen dogs transform simply by feeding them right. I’ve fostered dogs who couldn’t settle, couldn’t learn, couldn’t focus…until they were finally fed food that supported their body and mind. Training became easier. Behaviour improved. Connection deepened.

Good food doesn’t replace training —👉 it makes training WORK.

You’re Not Alone — We’re Here to Help

If you’ve ever felt confused about training or feeding your dog, please know this: You don’t need to figure it all out on your own. You have experience, instinct, and love — and now you have guidance too.

At Wolf & Whiskers, we’re here to support you with:🐾 Honest feeding advice🐾 Grain-free superfood nutrition🐾 Behaviour and training guidance🐾 A community of real pet owners🐾 One-to-one support whenever you need it.

You can be your pet’s hero, so if you’re ready for calmer behaviour and training that actually works, it starts in the bowl.

Visit our online shop and place your order today.

Emma and the whole team at W&W

PS - There is more to come, I will dive into the many issues I have come across, and how I successfully tackled them, as well as discussing some general issues with dogs and cats, as well as focusing on what you can do when you welcome a new pet into your home, something I am VERY experienced at.

Visit us via the social media platforms and join us on the Facebook group Wolf and Whiskers Heroes

for more chatting about dogs, and where there will be some downloadable PFDs to accompany the training tips published on the blog.