When working with a dog, we sometimes focus on behavior, such as responding to a cue like "come when called" or "go to your place." Other times, we address an underlying emotion, like fear or anxiety, that directly influences the behaviors. Emotions and behaviors are distinct, and because of that, they require different approaches.
Take fear, for example. I am afraid of snakes. I don’t want to be afraid of them, and in most cases, my fear isn’t rational—especially when it comes to a harmless garter snake that poses no threat. I didn’t choose to be afraid; I just am. Emotions are automatic responses to significant internal or external events. They are intense feelings directed at someone or something. Behavior, on the other hand, consists of an organism's outward reactions to its environment or an emotion.
When trying to change a behavior, it’s essential to consider the emotion driving it. Attempting to modify a behavior without addressing the underlying emotion often doesn’t work. In dog training, we frequently ask, "How can we change the emotion so we can change the behavior?" When we address the root cause, we transform what stems from it. As Canine Behavior Consultants we are always looking at both of these components in addition to everything else to help our Canine Companions.
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