“When a Good Dog Struggles: The Story Behind the Behaviour”

I spoke to a new client today about her 18-month-old Sprocker, and her opening sentence was one I hear often:

“He’s really good… except on walks.”

In training, this dog shines. He settles into class, focuses well, works off lead for retrieves and ignores other dogs appropriately. At home he’s calm, relaxed in the car, engaged with his people.

And yet, outside the home, the picture changes.He lunges, barks and strains at other dogs — even across the street.

This is where owners feel lost. How can both things be true?

The answer is nearly always in the dog’s early story.

This dog came home at 15 weeks old. Late enough to miss some important early human exposure, even though the breeder suggested training had already taken place. On further discussion, it became clear the breeding environment involved many dogs, multiple breeds and stud animals — a setting where individual human input is often limited.

What I see now fits that picture. A dog who is shy with people, cautious in new environments, but confident and highly motivated around other dogs. Toys short-circuit his nerves. Dogs don’t.

Add to that three months of doggy day care.

Without skilled human intervention, dogs in group care learn survival strategies. They learn to escalate play, to tolerate pressure, or to dish it out. They don’t learn disengagement, calmness or choice.

So when this dog now encounters other dogs on lead — unable to interact — frustration erupts. Barking, lunging and straining aren’t signs of aggression here. They’re signs of a dog who has practised high arousal around other dogs and doesn’t yet have the tools to regulate it.

Even the resource guarding noted fits the pattern. In gundogs especially, possession, greed and carrying are traits that are highly functional — but easily tipped into guarding when human handling lacks clarity.

This isn’t a “bad dog”.It’s not an owner failure either.

It’s a dog whose early experiences shaped what feels safe, exciting and important.

And the good news?

Dogs like this generally do exceptionally well once calm, consistent, human-led guidance is put back at the centre of their world. Here @thedogcalmer we specialise in enabling dogs to self regulate, gently and kindly with space and appropriate support,

Let me know if you would like more stories like this please?

best wishes Avril thedogcalmer +447505277374