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Your dog’s behaviour is divided between innate, which is what is inherited and what characterises a particular breed, and acquired, which is what is learned. Together they make up your dog’s personality and it is important to make a distinction between them to be able to understand your dog.
Innate behaviour is that which is inherited through the genes, which is why we can talk about a particular character among dogs of the same breed. Examples of this behaviour would be the protective instinct of a mother towards her pups, the way in which certain dogs defend their territory and the way in which they search for their food
Acquired behaviour, on the other hand, is that which your dog learns throughout their life. In this case, training and their individual experiences are instrumental, and each dog ends up developing their own behaviour. Some examples of this? That they do their business at given times and in specific places, or that they know how to sit, lie down or stay still when they hear an order.
Undoubtedly, balance is achieved by keeping your dog’s own characteristics (which is to say, their innate behaviour) together with proper training that will ensure healthy acquired behaviour.
It will be very useful for your dog if you provide them with an ideal setting: in this way you will help them to develop and encourage the most positive aspects of their genetically inherited character. The balance between innate and acquired behaviour is essential in all animals so that they are stable and healthy, both mentally and physically.