Drive post
Dave and I chatted about this over IM. I think we both came to the conclusion that "high drive", in dogs, is not easy to quantify as, in some cases, the dog's expression of drives may conflict.
Dave suggested we use the phrase "expression of drive" when writing or speaking about the behavior a drive may create in a dog. He likes this phrase because it doesn't preclude behavior or instinct as being the expression of a drive. I really like his suggestion to use this phrase.
The definition we have come up with for "high drive" in dogs is...
A high drive dog is a dog that is highly prone to the build up and release of anxiety. Anxiety is the result of conflicting expressions of drives.
This video shows an interesting example of all the points described above. Please look at 1:25 of this video:
Note in the video where Blue starts barking, you can see there is a conflict happening. This is due to the very quick build up of anxiety caused by an external stimuli (in this case a dog running by the house). Note how Blue reacts to the situation by first becoming aroused (salivating and striping), then guarding, then looking to us for approval, and then barking some more.
These are all examples of "expression of drive", in this case there are several expressions of drive (behaviors and physiological changes) but only 2 drives at work here...
1) Blue gives a warning bark: This is Blue expressing self-preservation drive and/or fight drive, he wants to defend his home (he is acting defensive).
2) Blue turns to us and looks a bit confused, seeking approval: This is blue expressing self-preservation drive, or his need to please us (we provide his food).
3) Blue salivates: This is blue expressing self-preservation drive and/or fight drive (an expression can satisfy multiple drives), he wants to chase the dog.
4) Blue shows signs of arousal: This is blue expressing fight drive, he wants to fight the dog outside the door.
What makes this video interesting is it shows the dramatic, and quick, build up anxiety in Blue, and then it shows a very small amount of reinfoment from Jen which helps Blue to focus the release of his anxiety (via guarding).
The video, and the above text, helps to demonstrate some things we have all discussed on the forum from time to time (like barrier frustration, kenneling dogs, and anxiety in general), and how early reinforcement of specific expressions of drive can "set" a "default" expression for your dog.
For example, had Jen and I taken more time to reinforce Blue for gaurding property (which we have purposely not done), he would have looked less confused and focused more of his anxiety build up toward guarding the house. Instead, he looks at us and seeks relief from the anxiety. Once Jen gives just a little reinforcement he then expels the anxiety faster by guarding. Had we opened the door, and allowed him to run after the dog, he would have expelled the anxiety by expression of his fight drive (he would have attacked the dog). You can see how allowing your dog to act inappropriately toward other dogs, and not providing your dogs with a better outlet for (social) anxiety can cause your dog to default toward dog aggression.
This helps to illustrate why so many higher-drive dogs end up with behavioral issues if they are not frequently allowed to relieve their anxiety via exercise, problem solving, play, etc.
It may also help to show why wolves form packs, the interaction between each other builds anxiety and helps the pack to focus their anxiety relief on a common goal (expression of drive: defending territory or hunting).
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Dave suggested we use the phrase "expression of drive" when writing or speaking about the behavior a drive may create in a dog. He likes this phrase because it doesn't preclude behavior or instinct as being the expression of a drive. I really like his suggestion to use this phrase.
The definition we have come up with for "high drive" in dogs is...
A high drive dog is a dog that is highly prone to the build up and release of anxiety. Anxiety is the result of conflicting expressions of drives.
This video shows an interesting example of all the points described above. Please look at 1:25 of this video:
Note in the video where Blue starts barking, you can see there is a conflict happening. This is due to the very quick build up of anxiety caused by an external stimuli (in this case a dog running by the house). Note how Blue reacts to the situation by first becoming aroused (salivating and striping), then guarding, then looking to us for approval, and then barking some more.
These are all examples of "expression of drive", in this case there are several expressions of drive (behaviors and physiological changes) but only 2 drives at work here...
1) Blue gives a warning bark: This is Blue expressing self-preservation drive and/or fight drive, he wants to defend his home (he is acting defensive).
2) Blue turns to us and looks a bit confused, seeking approval: This is blue expressing self-preservation drive, or his need to please us (we provide his food).
3) Blue salivates: This is blue expressing self-preservation drive and/or fight drive (an expression can satisfy multiple drives), he wants to chase the dog.
4) Blue shows signs of arousal: This is blue expressing fight drive, he wants to fight the dog outside the door.
What makes this video interesting is it shows the dramatic, and quick, build up anxiety in Blue, and then it shows a very small amount of reinfoment from Jen which helps Blue to focus the release of his anxiety (via guarding).
The video, and the above text, helps to demonstrate some things we have all discussed on the forum from time to time (like barrier frustration, kenneling dogs, and anxiety in general), and how early reinforcement of specific expressions of drive can "set" a "default" expression for your dog.
For example, had Jen and I taken more time to reinforce Blue for gaurding property (which we have purposely not done), he would have looked less confused and focused more of his anxiety build up toward guarding the house. Instead, he looks at us and seeks relief from the anxiety. Once Jen gives just a little reinforcement he then expels the anxiety faster by guarding. Had we opened the door, and allowed him to run after the dog, he would have expelled the anxiety by expression of his fight drive (he would have attacked the dog). You can see how allowing your dog to act inappropriately toward other dogs, and not providing your dogs with a better outlet for (social) anxiety can cause your dog to default toward dog aggression.
This helps to illustrate why so many higher-drive dogs end up with behavioral issues if they are not frequently allowed to relieve their anxiety via exercise, problem solving, play, etc.
It may also help to show why wolves form packs, the interaction between each other builds anxiety and helps the pack to focus their anxiety relief on a common goal (expression of drive: defending territory or hunting).
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