Lamarckism

Another factor that plays into this is a theory known as Lamarckism. Basically Lamarckism puts forth this idea that characteristics and experiences gained during our lifetimes can be passed on to the next generation. The idea is also sometimes known as soft inheritance. 

This theory was originally abandoned because it did not seem to fit with modern genetics theory. But again, just like with telegony, the theory has proven to have its merrits. In recent years a new science know as epigenics has emerged. Basically epigenics deals with a study of DNA replication and why certain genetic sequences are copied and not others. 

The human body is incredibly complex, it has mechanisms to facilitate adaptations of all sorts. It can adapt to diseases, temperature changes, toxins, environmental stresses, dietary changes, etc.  As we go through our lives, the body possesses this seemingly impossible ability to partially rewrite itself. 

Among the things that are passed from one generation to the next is behavioral information. We have no idea how complex this behavioral data might be. In animals, a lot of behaviors deemed instinctual are inherited in this way. A prime example is dogs. In nature wolves have lots of behaviors that help them survive, and yet dogs, which are ultimately decended from wolves, lack these behaviors. Why?  Because man has selected dogs with behavioral traits that are more desirable for a domesticated animal. 

If a dog breeder desires offspring that are friendly, then a breeder will select the animals that have the right traits. What's interesting is that these traits may have not originally existed, but rather can be learned and then passed on. So when man tames an animal, the offspring of those animals become more tame. Each generation that passes reinforces this trait. The behavior is first learned, then passed on, and gets reinforced in the future generations. This is why some dogs point, others retrieve, others guard, others herd, and others attack.