Something that surprises many of my new clients is that one of the first conversations we have often isn't about training—it's about everything around it.
Their dog's diet. How much sleep they're getting. Whether they ever get to truly switch off. How much time they spend outdoors exposed to sunlight. What level of stress they experience each day.
Many owners arrive expecting to dive straight into leads, rewards and training techniques, but I never look at behaviour in isolation. Behaviour is far more complex than that.
In my first few years as a trainer I began to notice a pattern. Many of the Shepherds and other working breeds I trained were struggling with some combination of poor focus, restlessness, skin problems, repeated ear infections, anxiety, 'reactivity,' or unstable aggression.
More often than not, they were also eating heavily processed kibble or tinned food.
Now, that doesn't mean kibble causes behavioural problems—there are plenty of dogs eating kibble that are happy, stable companions—but after repeatedly seeing the same pattern, I couldn't help but wonder whether nutrition was influencing behaviour more than many people realised.
That curiosity led me down various avenues of research, but one resource that had a particularly profound effect on my understanding was The Forever Dog by Rodney Habib and Dr Karen Becker (highly recommend). It was there I first came across fascinating research into our dogs' gut-brain axis.
Inside every dog lives trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that make up what's called the gut microbiome. For years we thought they were simply there to help digest food. We now know they're doing much more than that. Certain bacteria manufacture chemicals that influence the nervous system and communicate with areas of the brain involved in mood, stress and emotional regulation.
In animal studies, researchers found that feeding specific probiotic bacteria altered signalling to regions of the brain associated with anxiety and depression, leading to calmer behaviour in mice. Other studies found certain groups of bacteria tended to be present in higher levels of the gut microbiomes of aggressive dogs, suggesting certain bacteria may be associated with aggression and other anxious behaviours, and that the relationship between gut health and behaviour is worthy of far more attention than it currently receives.
While the research doesn't prove the microbiome or the bacteria within it cause aggression, it does suggest that what's happening inside the gut may influence what's happening inside the brain, and in turn what is expressed through behaviour.
I began suggesting that my clients try more biologically appropriate, fresh food diets for their dogs, often referring them to nutritionists who suggested the same. Lo and behold, many reported improvements in focus, emotional stability, irritability, and their dog's ability to settle.
From a trainer's perspective, this all makes complete sense.
Imagine trying to teach a dog that's uncomfortable, inflamed, constantly itchy, struggling with digestive issues, running on poor-quality nutrition, or simply not getting enough proper rest. Even the best trainer in the world would be at a disadvantage. That's why I've always tried to take a holistic approach to my training.
Before worrying about techniques, I want to understand the whole picture.
What is the dog eating?
How much quality rest do they get?
How much opportunity do they have to unwind and decompress?
How much time do they spend outdoors and socialising with appropriate dogs?
Are they constantly exposed to stress?
Could they be in pain or discomfort?
Are there any underlying health issues that need addressing?
All of this and more should be considered because behaviour is multifactorial.
Genetics matter. Experience matters. Training matters. Exercise matters. Sleep matters. Stress matters. Health matters.
And nutrition matters too.
None of those things exist in isolation. When we improve several of these factors together, we often create a dog that's not only healthier but also easier to train, more resilient and simply happier in day-to-day life.
At Native Breed, that's how we've always approached our own dogs.
Where possible, we feed fresh, nutritious food. We support a diverse gut microbiome through diet, time outdoors and exposure to the natural world. We prioritise proper rest and recovery. We minimise unnecessary exposure to environmental toxins wherever practical. And when appropriate, we use supplements to support those foundations—not as a quick fix.
You can't out-supplement a poor diet or lifestyle, but you can use supplements to support the strong foundations you've already built.
Our goal has never been to sell a shortcut; it's to help owners build healthier dogs from the ground up.
Training teaches dogs how to behave. Good health gives them the capacity to do it.
Thanks for reading.
Jamie & Sophie
