EFFECTS OF GENETIC SELECTION AND EXPERIENCE
ON POLICE DOG BEHAVIOR
by
Sandy Bryson
ABSTRACT
Police dog service requires canines that are balanced in social, play, search and aggression behavior as well as physically healthy. Selecting for one or a limited number of genetic traits, such as extraordinarily high energy and aggression, can result in behavior that is counterproductive to police work. In addition to genes, life experience and training determine adult dog behavior. Dogs with inadequate human socialization, fear reaction, or conflicted training may perform patterned behavior in a controlled environment yet react inappropriately or dangerously to the novelties of street work. Continue reading Genetic selection & police dog behavior