Behaviour, Trauma and Empathy: Lessons from Ed Gein’s Story

Understanding Dog Behaviour Through Empathy: Lessons from Ed Gein

The Impact of Trauma on Behaviour

This post discusses real-life trauma, mental illness, and criminal behaviour that some readers may find distressing. Reader discretion is advised.

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Like many of us, I sometimes unwind by binge-watching a Netflix series. This weekend, I chose Ed Gein: The Real Monster. Instead of feeling entertained, I was left unsettled.

What began as morbid curiosity turned into something deeper. I was horrified by the crimes, but I gradually felt empathy. Not for Ed Gein's actions — those were indefensible — but for why he did them. I began to understand how his mind became a landscape of horror.

Charlie Hunnam’s portrayal of Gein was hauntingly fantastic. Through his performance, we glimpse a man whose reality had fractured beyond recognition. His confusion at others’ reactions, his lack of understanding that his actions were “wrong,” and his conversations with imaginary figures painted a picture of a man lost in his own mind. When he was finally diagnosed with schizophrenia, it felt less like a revelation and more like tragic confirmation.

The Roots of Trauma

My empathy began to creep in — uncomfortably so. Beneath the monstrous acts was a damaged brain and a lifetime of trauma. His mother’s relentless condemnation of women, her use of fear and punishment to control him, and the isolation she enforced laid the groundwork for a warped relationship with morality, identity, and attachment. In other words, aversive conditioning on a human scale.

When we repeatedly use fear, punishment, and control to shape behaviour — whether in humans or animals — we risk creating trauma bonds instead of understanding. Gein’s relationship with his mother became one of deep devotion intertwined with fear and shame. It’s a disturbing but poignant reminder of how the things we fear most can become the very things we’re drawn to when our emotional compass is broken by trauma.

As Gein was diagnosed with schizophrenia, I’ll admit, I cried for him. Not for his deplorable actions, but for the confusion he felt upon hearing things about himself he didn't recognise. I felt for him as he faced the harsh realisation that his reality wasn't, in fact, real.

Personal Reflections on Diagnosis

Watching his story unfold made me reflect on my own relief upon receiving a diagnosis that finally explained how my brain works (ADHD). It didn’t excuse my struggles, but it helped me understand them. That moment of validation — that I wasn’t broken, just wired differently — gave me the compassion to extend that same understanding to others, even those society calls monsters.

As a behaviour professional, I see echoes of this in dogs more often than people realise. Trauma, neglect, or harsh training methods can leave deep psychological scars. A dog that reacts aggressively may not be “bad” or “defiant” — it may simply be responding to an emotional wound. The same brain mechanisms that drive human fear, attachment, and defence also exist in our dogs.

Shifting Our Perspective on Dog Behaviour

When we label a dog as “naughty” or “untrainable,” we stop asking the right questions. Instead, we should ask:

• What is this dog feeling right now?

• What past experience might this reaction be rooted in?

• How can I change the environment, not just the behaviour?

• And how do my own reactions influence theirs?

  
  

Each of these questions shifts us from judgment to empathy. It’s not about excusing behaviour — it’s about understanding it. From that understanding, we can help it heal.

The Power of Compassion in Training

Ed Gein’s story is horrifying, but it serves as a stark reminder of the power of early environment, the impact of trauma, and the human need for connection and validation. His life is a cautionary tale of what happens when empathy and understanding are absent. It’s a call to action for all of us who work with behaviour, human or animal, to ensure that compassion always leads the way.

Because sometimes, the monsters we see are simply mirrors reflecting what happens when pain goes unheard for too long.

Building Stronger Bonds with Our Dogs

In our journey with our dogs, we can create an environment that fosters trust and understanding. By using science-based methods, we can help our dogs overcome their challenges. This approach not only strengthens our bond with them but also creates calm, confident canine companions.

In conclusion, let’s remember that every dog has a story. By understanding their past and showing empathy, we can help them heal and thrive.

Until next time,

Michelle x

Written by Michelle Walker, Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Founder of EpiphanyK9 Behaviour & Training. Michelle helps dogs and their humans rebuild trust and confidence through empathy, education, and evidence-based training. Her work focuses on understanding the “why” behind behaviour — because every reaction tells a story, and every story deserves compassion.