Dose of Dog #131: Your Dog isn't a Blank Slate

On this episode of Dose of Dog, host Heather Mishefske—dog trainer, behavioral analyst, and owner of Embark—dives into a topic every dog owner should understand: your dog is not a blank slate. Genetics and epigenetics play a powerful role in shaping behavior long before a puppy ever comes home. Heather explains how a mother dog's stress, nutrition, health, and sense of safety during pregnancy can influence her puppies' ability to handle stress throughout their lives. Puppies can be exposed to stress hormones before they're even born, creating lasting effects on their development. Many dogs appear perfectly normal as young puppies but undergo significant behavioral changes around five to six months of age. This is when brain development accelerates and behaviors like fearfulness, flight responses, and increased reactivity can begin to emerge. Heather discusses why these behaviors aren't signs of a "bad dog" but often a signal that the dog needs additional support and understanding. She also shares why dogs raised in difficult early-life environments may carry the impact of those experiences into adulthood. Since dogs don't reach full maturity until around 18 to 24 months of age, recognizing these signs early can make a meaningful difference in their lives. Listen to this episode to learn more, find Heather at Embark, and share it with someone whose dog may be asking for help in ways they don't yet recognize.#dogs #dogbehavior #dogtraining #puppybehavior #puppyclass #eauclairewi #eauclaire #wisconson #podcast #dogpodcast #podcastrecommendations