To understand dog psychology, you need to know the origins and history of the canine species. Dogs are descendants of wolves, and all dogs display some wolf-like characteristics. However, not all wolves are alike. Some wolves survive by being alpha males, while others get along just fine as followers.

Dog Psychology Varies by Breed
Different species of canines branched off from these various wolves, and then through evolution, hundreds of breeds of dogs emerged. Of all the species on the planet, human beings have probably influenced dogs the most. Many breeds have survived the test of time solely because human beings have found them useful, which is a very unique form of natural selection.

Because people have used dogs for so many different purposes, dog psychology varies greatly from one breed to the next. Great Danes, for example, were originally bred to hunt wild boar in Europe. Hairless dogs were bred to keep people warm during cold winter nights. Labrador Retrievers are bred to be hunting retrievers and guides for the blind. As you can see, the fact that we breed dogs for different reasons ensures great variation among canines. Obviously, it requires a different psychological makeup to hunt wild boar than to cuddle and keep people warm at night. However, all dogs are pack animals, and in order to coexist peacefully, you must establish yourself as the dominant one.

Dogs and Individuality
One of the reasons people love dogs is their individuality. Even within the same breed, dogs differ from one another. Someone who owns 20 Labrador Retrievers during his lifetime will be able to explain the differences in their personalities. Even among the most social breeds you will find a few loners. There will be submissive dogs within breeds known for dominance. As you raise a puppy into adulthood, you may notice that not every training technique described in books works perfectly for him. That is because not all dogs fit into an exact mold. At the same time, the need to be consistent cuts across all breeds. Be consistent and establish yourself firmly as the master, and in this way, you can use dog psychology to your advantage.