Written by Nicola van Ass – Qualified Dog Trainer, Groomer and Feline Behaviourist
Ever wonder how your dog magically knows to shake off after a bath (even on your freshly made bed), or how your cat knew from day one that the litterbox was their throne? That’s a mix of innate and learned behaviour in action.
Let’s unpack the difference and how both shape the animals we share our homes (and couches) with.
Innate behaviour: born ready
Innate behaviour is hardwired. It’s instinct. No lessons, no practice – just bam!, they know what to do.
Examples:
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A kitten kneading its mother’s belly for milk (and later your lap for comfort).
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A puppy whining to get attention, food, or comfort.
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A foal standing up within minutes of birth and instinctively seeking out mom.
These are survival behaviours passed down genetically. Even wild animals rely heavily on instinct, like:
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Wolves howling to communicate with their pack.
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Lions stalking prey with low bodies and calculated steps, even as cubs.
They’re born with the blueprints. No teacher required.
Learned behaviour: watch, try, repeat
Learned behaviour, on the other hand, is shaped by experience and environment. It’s about observation, trial and error, and, yes, sometimes bribery with treats.
Your dog didn’t come into this world knowing how to:
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Sit on command.
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Walk nicely on a lead.
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Ring a bell to go outside (smart little con artist).
They learned that through repetition and positive reinforcement.
Cats, while famously independent, also learn:
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How to open cupboard doors.
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Where the treat jar lives.
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That meowing at 5am gets results (they’ve trained you).
And yes, this applies to wild animals too:
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Wolves teach their young to hunt by demonstrating and involving them in the chase.
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Lionesses show cubs how to stalk and pounce, even using play as early training.
Learned behaviour is powerful because it adapts. It’s how animals adjust to new situations, environments, and even humans.
The combo package: how nature and nurture work together
Most behaviour is a cocktail of both:
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Your dog’s instinct might say “bark at danger”, but what they perceive as danger (a knock on the door? A passerby? the vacuum cleaner?) is often learned.
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Cats are instinctively territorial – but how they claim their turf (scratching, spraying, or passive-aggressively sitting in your chair) depends on what they’ve picked up over time.
Understanding this helps you work with your pet, not against them.
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Want a calmer dog? Know that barking is innate, but you can teach them when not to.
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Want a cleaner cat? Litter training taps into instinct (burying waste) but can be reinforced with routine and reward.
Why it matters
Knowing the difference between learned and innate behaviour is the key to better training, happier pets, and fewer destroyed shoes.
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Innate behaviours need managing, not punishing.
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Learned behaviours need guiding and reinforcing.
And whether it’s a pampered pug or a pride-leading lion, the combination of instinct and experience is what makes animals – just like us – complex, fascinating, and endlessly entertaining.
Sometimes you’ll encounter issues with animals you come into contact with that don’t make sense at the time. For example, at a shelter I used to work at, we had a pregnant dog come in ready to give birth. From the moment they opened their eyes, they were aggressive and fearful. Their mother had been badly abused before coming to the shelter and this instinct was passed onto her puppies. Luckily, with time and showing them, mom included, over and over again that humans could be trusted and providing them with positive learning opportunities, they were able to become some of the most loveable pups we homed.
Fun fact to end on:
A dog spinning in a circle before lying down? That’s innate – descended from wolves patting down grass for a comfy, safe nap spot.
Your dog spinning because it means “we’re going for a walk”? That’s learned and adorable!
