Red Light dogs are suitable for experienced pet owner homes or for the dog professional. These are dogs that are extremely hyper, have strong genetic drives and instincts or have a strong genetic need to do their historic job. Some of the breeds are in this category due to either extensive health problems or well-known temperament issues that make them challenging for the average dog owner.

These are dogs that may be aggressive to strangers or unknown dogs; and these are dogs that may have an active predisposition to hunt game. Other types of  personalities that would be included in this grouping are dogs that are very fearful, nervous or anxious either from past experience or genetics. A great many adult shelter and rescue dogs fall into the Red Light category due to their personalities. In most cases, these dogs will require early and extensive obedience training combined with psychological domination exercises and environmental management in order to thrive into modern life.

This group of dogs will contain dog breeds that may be dominant, aggressive and extremely independent in nature. This group will also contain dogs that are exotic, rare, or are of unusual breed mixtures or crossed with wolves or coyotes. In general these dog breeds are suited for work that dovetails with their historical purpose. These dogs tend to be one person dogs or at best one family dogs. Breeds that can fit into this category are: fighting breeds, guard breeds, protection breeds, flock guardian breeds, herding breeds and the versatile hunting breeds.

Dogs that fit into the ‘Yellow Light‘  the category that means “use caution”  tend to be just a  more demanding of their owners time either because of a higher energy level or because they are more independent, more dominant or more excitable than green light dogs. Many of these breeds are known to be unreliable off-leash.  A dog that falls into the Yellow Light category is a dog that needs a family that will commit to rehabilitation of some sort. Most dogs in shelters or rescues will fall into the Yellow Light Category.

These are dogs that may dislike children, may be intolerant of strangers, may have difficulty adopting to a chaotic environment and may have a tendency to be intolerant of strange dogs or other animals.  These are dogs that can’t be crated, suffer from barrier frustration,  are destructive when left alone, are unwilling to honor human boundaries, tend to raid garbage cans, steal food and boss children around. These dogs are best for adults or families with older, considerate children or families that have experience with these more challenging breeds. The Northern sled dogs are in this category, as are Terriers, the Sight Hounds and the Scent Hounds. Many of the Flockguard breeds would fall into the Yellow Light area due to their independence.