Dogs are not ‘pets’. They are sentient beings with feelings. They possess the same basic emotions and feelings as humans. Simply feeding and walking our dogs daily is nowhere near enough to ensure they have a quality of life and are mentally healthy.

There are certain criteria we must provide for our dogs if we expect them to be physically and mentally healthy. Many undesired behaviours in our dogs are due to a lack of an emotional need, such as social interaction, exercise, play, mental stimulation, or a feeling of safety. To ensure their behaviour is not caused by a lack of something they need in life, we can refer to the list below to check that we are providing them with everything that’s necessary for their overall welfare.

FOOD 

Budget supermarket brands often aren’t adequate nutrition – look for hypoallergenic, animal protein, not veg/soya, and ideally around 18% protein, which is usually high enough for adult dogs. If a dog is scratching regularly, it’s often due to a food allergy. Normally dogs only scratch a ‘normal’ itch as often as we would. Ideally provide 2 meals a day as it gives them something to look forward to in a day rather than leaving food down at all times. 

WATER 

Fresh water should ALWAYS be available.

WARMTH 

Dogs should live inside the house, away from the cold, as part of the family, and not confined to a specific room. They are a social species and don’t cope mentally when they are separated from the family. They must always have access to warmth, and a comfy, padded bed of their own. They should never be allowed to get cold for any length of time. Short haired breeds require a coat when outside unless it’s warm. 

REST 

Dogs should have a comfortable, dedicated place during the day as well as night where they can retreat to and have uninterrupted sleep. Sleep during the day is VERY important. Dogs should always be left to sleep in peace.

SAFETY & ROUTINE

This includes freedom from pain, discomfort, AND fear. Reactive dogs often become reactive because they live in a punitive environment and fear their guardians’ unpredictable angry outbursts. These dogs live in a state of chronic stress. Punishment or using pain is completely unnecessary and unethical, what more, they do not understand punishment, they merely react out of fear because they become afraid of US. Always avoid physically moving a dog unless we must for their safety. Physically moving/forcing our dogs, especially when they are already afraid only decreases their trust in us and increases the likelihood of undesired behaviours. Just like us, they do not like their personal space being invaded without invitation, nor do they enjoy being ‘manhandled’, it instils fear, and they will eventually resort to undesired behaviours such as aggression to protect themselves and stop it happening to them. 

Dogs need a reliable daily routine; this helps them feel safe. Knowing what comes next in a day provides our dogs with a sense of safety and helps them relax at times when there is nothing to do.

EXERCISE/WALKING

The larger the dog the more exercise they often require. The larger breeds and collies often require up to 2 hours of exercise a day. Reactive dogs that find walking stressful will benefit from walking every other day along the same familiar, short route, providing they have a good garden in which they can run off excess energy in between. The best part of going for a walk to our dogs is having the opportunity to sniff, its what they love the most, they must be allowed to sniff.

GENTLE GROOMING 

If dogs enjoy being groomed then it’s a great way to bond with them, however not all dogs enjoy it. It is important to at least check the dog over VERY gently every few days to check for parasites or skin conditions. Brushing them abruptly is not enjoyable for them, they are not ‘thick skinned’, theirs is as sensitive as ours, so we must be mindful of the pressure we use and take our time.

GENTLE VETERINARY CARE 

If dogs appear unwell, contact your local veterinary surgery asap. Sudden changes in behaviour are almost always the result of pain or underlying illness. 

MENTAL STIMULATION & UNDIVIDED ATTENTION

Dogs require lots of quality one to one focused time with their guardians and mental enrichment on a daily basis. This means novelty and regular mental stimulation in the form of treat dispensers, lick mats, snuffle mats, filled kongs, fun activities, search games, etc. They need dedicated times in the day for undivided attention. They should not feel the need to be constantly harassing us for attention or bringing us toys, if this is the case, they are likely not getting enough attention, mental stimulation or reinforcement in a day.

PLAY & SOCIAL NEEDS

Dogs do not mature like their ancestors, they don’t need to because we look after their every need. This means they are one of the few species, like us, who enjoy and actively engage in play even into adulthood. Dogs should always have access to toys, plastic bones, bones or long lasting chews to chew so that they can always entertain themselves when we aren’t available. Playing and socialising with other dogs is very important to them. The ability to socialise, interact and play with other dogs is necessary to ensure they are having the best quality of life. When play and interaction with other dogs is not possible, play time with us is the next best thing. Play time with our dogs should be a regular daily occurrence whether they get to play with other dogs or not. 

LOVE, BELONGINGNESS, CONSOLATION & CHOICE

Just like us and our children, dogs need our love and compassion to feel they belong somewhere and that they are cared for. This is achieved through kindness, understanding, patience, consoling them when they are afraid or in pain and providing them with lots of attention (hours in a day). Just as our interactions with our human best friend leaves us feeling ‘felt and gotten’ dogs need this too. We achieve this by bonding with them through empathy, positive reinforcement training and consistency in our actions and emotions.  Dogs should be allowed to make some choices, such as toys and direction out on a walk from time to time. Our life is not our own when we have absolutely no choice in it. 

ACCOMPLISHMENT AND SELF ESTEEM 

Dogs should be rewarded/reinforced regularly for good behaviours. Fun, positive reinforcement training sessions, trick training and providing them with tasks to fulfil such as search games dramatically improves their problem-solving abilities, their resilience, self-esteem and confidence in the world leading to a more well-balanced, happy and well behaved dog.