How do genes affect animal behavior?

Now, consider a gene that causes short limbs in dogs. This gene starts to occur in some dogs for whatever reason; those affected by this gene cannot hunt anymore because they cannot chase their "food," so they will die. Now, this "short limb" gene affected the process through which the dog would hunt, so the dog cannot hunt anymore. This is an influence of a gene on behavior. Thanks to evolution, those animals that carried genes that caused them to survive passed on their genes and those behaviors that were triggered by their genes just started to be passed on to the next generations.

Genes influence animal behavior by encoding proteins that play key roles in the development and function of the nervous system. These proteins can affect neurotransmitter levels, neuronal connectivity, and the sensitivity of neurons to stimuli, all of which contribute to behavioral traits. Additionally, genetic variations can lead to differences in behavior between individuals or species, as certain genes may be more or less active, resulting in distinct behavioral patterns.