Sensory Seeker, Sensory Sensitive…or Neither?
Today’s blog is written by Lucy, one of our brilliant Honest Hounds mentee trainers. She recently went down a rabbit hole researching how our dogs process the world, and her reflections are so valuable that we knew I had to share them with you. Here is Lucy’s take on sensory seekers, sensitive dogs, and the magic of the middle ground.
If you have spent some time here at Honest Hounds, you have probably come across the terms sensory seeker and sensory sensitive.
I recently found myself going down a bit of a rabbit hole reading through posts and case studies on both of these traits. As I was reading, I started reflecting on my own dogs and realised they did not seem to sit clearly in either category.
After chatting with a few other Honest Hounds members, it raised an interesting question. Do all dogs fall into either "sensory seeker" or "sensory sensitive"? Or is there a middle ground?
As part of my mentee trainer learning, I asked exactly that. The answer is no, not all dogs fall into either category. Some dogs are sensory typical, and many sit somewhere in between on a sliding scale.
To understand the middle ground, we first have to look at the extremes, because at either end of the spectrum we see very different ways of experiencing the world.
The Sensory Sensitive Dog
A sensory sensitive dog often approaches situations with a cautious mindset of: "This could be dangerous."
If they encounter a strange, wobbly wooden bridge on a walk, their nervous system flags it as a threat. They might refuse to cross it, going to great lengths to avoid the obstacle entirely.
The Sensory Seeker
A sensory seeker, on the other hand, approaches the world believing: "Nothing is a threat."
Faced with that exact same bridge, a seeker might charge straight across without a single hesitation or any real awareness of what is actually ahead of them.
When dogs sit at these far ends of the spectrum, it is usually where our biggest behavioural challenges arise. The sensitive dog shuts down in fear, and the seeker gets themselves into trouble through a lack of impulse control.
The Middle Ground: The Sensory Typical Dog
So, what about the dogs who do not fit either description?
There is a large group of dogs who are generally thoughtful, considered, and aware. They show normal exploratory behaviours alongside a healthy, appropriate sensitivity to their environment.
In contrast to the seeker or the highly sensitive dog, a more sensory typical dog is likely to just pause and assess. They might notice the bridge, take in the environment, and make a considered decision about how to proceed. Their response will often be influenced by three things:
Familiarity with the environment
Previous life experiences
The guidance and presence of their handler
The Role of Genetics
Of course, we always have to consider genetics and breed tendencies here.
For example, Collies are often much more environmentally sensitive due to generations of selective breeding. As a result, we naturally see sensitive traits in them. It does not mean every single Collie is sensory sensitive, but it helps explain why certain tendencies appear more frequently in some breeds than others.
Looking Beyond The Label
While labels like sensory seeker and sensory sensitive can be incredibly helpful in understanding behaviour, they are not always necessary.
Within Honest Hounds, we often talk about the importance of looking beyond the label. Not every dog needs to fit neatly into a category.
Sometimes, the absolute most important thing we can do is look at the unique dog standing right in front of us and simply ask, "What do you need?"
If reading Lucy's reflections has sparked a bit of curiosity about how your own dog views the world, we would love to help you explore that.
Inside the Honest Hounds community, we dive deep into topics exactly like this. From understanding sensory processing and breed genetics to reading the subtle whispers of canine body language, our Education Membership is designed to help you truly see the dog in front of you.
You do not have to figure it all out alone, and you do not have to force your dog into a rigid training box.
If you are ready to gain a deeper understanding of your dog and find a supportive space filled with people who genuinely get it, we have left the door open for you.
You can use the code TRYME to come and explore the community for just £1 for your first month right here: https://community.honesthounds.co.uk/checkout/education
