The causes of behavior are incredibly complex and are typically the interplay of multiple things happening all at once. We are not always able to tease out the exact causes of each behavior, but there is always a lot we can do to improve and/or eliminate undesirable behaviors. With that said, this list includes different things that will influence your dog current and future behavior.
Genetics
Breeding (poor breeding)
Parental disposition
Prenatal/postnatal stress
Lack of maternal care
Breed history – what is your dog’s traditional job? And what does that look like in your home?
Personality
Poor impulse control / low frustration tolerance
It’s a normal behavior for your dog’s age/breed/gender/etc
Generalized or global anxiety
Learning History and Environment
Behaviors have been reinforced
Insufficient social skills
Fear based behavior following traumatic incident
Lack of secure attachment to care taker
Conditioned emotional response (negative, or positive)
It’s fun and/or self-reinforcing
Lack of skills and training