A Dog’s Set of Needs
Allowing your dog to reach their full potential
It’s an old cliché in dog training, but sometimes we try to run before we can walk. A lot of my recent work has been with puppies and adopted dogs. In both cases it struck me how similar our priorities for these can be. We need to address some basic needs for our dog before we worry about useful-to-have things.
To help myself as much as much as you, I have mapped out a list of priorities. With a nod to Maslow’s Hierarchy, I am calling it a Set of Needs. The first category does sit above all others, but frankly Levels Two and Three that follow are equal in value, to form a set. By addressing each one, it might help you allow your dog to reach their full potential.
Level 1
Level One is about survival. If any one of these are not fulfilled we are in trouble. The Safety aspect can be an overlooked one though. If our dog can escape the confines of their household, even just the once, is not secured in a car, or can lunge on the lead into a road, we need to revisit this urgently!
Level 2A
Level Two A again addresses physical needs once we have Level One covered. And already we have the possibility of training appearing here. Sometimes regular exercise, appropriate to our dog’s breed, health and age is not always possible if there are behaviour constraints or control issues. And sometimes it’s not obvious what amount of exercise is appropriate: it can sometimes be too much in the case of puppies or senior dogs. Long walks are not a given here. But we should strive to do the best we can to get this one right. And keeping their (and our) environment comfortable is not only good for well-being, but obviously important for health.
Level 2B
Level Two B is where a lot of training and behaviour work can apply. But with nurture, this can sometimes get by-passed, especially if we have a busy life. And for well-being, to feel safe is a different beast from being safe. If your dog can truly settle, and even dream, it’s a good sign.
Level 3
Level Three contains just as important elements, although we could say that breed-related fulfilment is sometimes a luxury or even not desirable. Dogs bred to chase prey, for example, is a tricky one, but training aside, those zoomies in the garden can have an important role. And in terms of feeling part of a pack, if you are on your own, this can absolutely be just the two of you.
Finally, the Dignity aspect of this level is really important. As sentient beings, dogs feel pride and satisfaction as well as more primal feelings. Perhaps even empathy. I truly believe that if we use aversion with a dog, even ‘mild’ on the scale such as pulling them down from something, their loss of dignity in those moments hurts them emotionally. It damages their confidence, as well as eroding their trust in us. But we can also passively dent their pride. If they have difficulty negotiating a step or getting down from a car, let’s help them out. Let’s treat them with the respect we expect ourselves!
And there we have it. Our Set of Needs! I would be grateful to hear from anyone who feels I have missed out something obvious!