Many people mistake Arousal for Drive, especially in bird dogs. So what is the difference?
Arousal=energy
Drive=desire
A high-drive dog is one that intensely desires certain things (like toys, food, or birds) and will persistently go after what it is motivated by.
A high-arousal dog is always active and energetic, but once its energy is depleted, its desire diminishes, and the drive disappears.
Some highly aroused dogs are unable to relax when arousal is not useful; they get stuck in arousal and are a misery to live with.
Some working dogs in a state of continuous high arousal are described as being in "arousal looking for a trigger," meaning their arousal isn't sparked by external triggers.
When arousal is linked to a trigger we manage, it's referred to as drive. However, when arousal is broadly related to the environment, it resembles frantic behavior.
Dogs with high arousal are frequently mistaken for being "High Drive" when they just possess a great deal of unfocused energy!
It's normal for a high-drive dog to become excited when it encounters things it desires, such as hunting, food, toys, or work. What is important is whether the dog can calm down when the object that triggers its drive is not present.
Will the dog continue to perform when circumstances are no longer ideal, such as under pressure, in different weather conditions, or when facing obstacles? If so, this indicates drive. High drive refers to how easily a dog can be motivated to do something. They desire food, toys, birds, etc., and if you can manage what they want, they are easy to train.
Achieving a balance is important; a puppy should be excited about things it is genetically predisposed to have drive for, but it shouldn't be excited without reason when the situation doesn't warrant it. A high-drive dog should have CONTROL.
When dog trainers refer to arousal in dogs, they mean the emotional state of heightened awareness. Excessive arousal can lead to aggression, anxiety, and similar issues.
If a dog is energetic and easily excited, needing constant activity, but lacks motivation once its energy is depleted and doesn't persistently pursue something. it is not an ideal candidate for breeding. A dog should not exhibit arousal if the focal point of their drive isn’t around.
Arousal gets complicated because arousal can look like drive. However, a dog can be in arousal and have no drive whatsoever.
Puppies with high arousal appear more appealing than their less mature siblings and are frequently chosen over puppies with higher drive but lower arousal.
A dog can have high drive but low arousal, meaning if it lacks the energy to act, it won't be motivated to pursue its drive. This is problematic because the dog might want to do something but never actually pursue it. This isn't due to a lack of drive or desire, but rather an inability to make it happen.
Dogs with strong "drive" are highly prized in dog sports as it typically indicates that the dog is focused and dedicated to a particular objective. Arousal, a byproduct of drive, can manifest as a dog being easily sidetracked, shifting from one distraction to another without truly concentrating on a task.
The ideal level of arousal enhances behaviors, boosting confidence, precision, and speed—essential traits for a successful canine athlete! Managing arousal and maintaining the ability to think while aroused is crucial for success. However, excessive arousal can harm performance, resulting in a dog that struggles to think or follow their handler's instructions.
We aim for dogs with sufficient physical energy to follow their drive and desire, but we do not want a dog that simply gets excited and loses interest once its energy is depleted.
A dog may exhibit both high arousal and high drive, but this isn't always true; some dogs are highly aroused and easily stimulated by their surroundings without being particularly driven toward anything specific. Conversely, there are stable dogs that aren't easily aroused but possess a strong drive and determination to engage in certain activities. Most dogs exhibit a combination of these traits in varying degrees and intensities. Breeding dogs with high arousal and low drive can result in anxiety and high energy levels without a proper outlet.
This is where the off switch comes in. Numerous dog owners overlook this key trait when selecting a puppy. They think, "Oh, it's a hunting or working dog, so it should always be active and on the go."
Many owners facing these problems feel perplexed, stating, “He gets plenty of exercise. We walk him for 5 miles daily, play fetch with him for an hour, and let him run in the backyard all day. Why isn’t he tired?”
The "off switch" refers to the tendency of a dog to instinctively relax or withdraw from an exciting activity. Although training and environmental factors largely influence this, breeding two parent dogs that lack these traits significantly increases the likelihood of producing puppies that also lack them.
The puppy that stands at the gate screaming all day because he wants to run free in the yard "doesn't mean he is going to be an amazing bird dog".
High arousal doesn't mean superior performance.
This is why I'm very selective about what I keep. I want a high-drive dog that can also relax. I won't keep dogs in my kennel if they can't calm down. I've let go of dogs that were excellent in the field but had no control and couldn't settle down enough to take any direction. I don't care what it wins if I can't live with it.
A good hunting dog should have the drive, appropriate arousal, and the ability to go from 0 to 100. Most of our hunting breeders were bred to go from the field to the family home and this is a trait we should still strive for.
An excellent example of this is a friend whose dog became excessively excited at dog events, to the point of screaming in the crate or attacking nearby dogs due to his eagerness to participate. However, when it was his turn to perform, he lacked the drive to engage in the sport. This occurred in dock diving, fast cat, and even during basic training sessions. While waiting for his turn in the field during training, he was overly enthusiastic about going to "hunt," but once he was out there, his energy was so depleted that he lost interest in hunting altogether. Ultimately, she decided not to breed him, and he was placed into another home which was the right choice for the betterment of the breed. Although it was possible to work him first while he was still excited, and he might have achieved a minimal title, he wouldn't have been an ideal candidate to contribute to the breed's genetics.
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