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Do you ever look at your dog and wonder what they really want in life? What makes them happy, what makes them fulfilled? I think a lot of us have these thoughts, they are family, we want to do the best we can for them!
I think the best way can we can address these questions is to look at our dogs as individuals, each with their own unique personality and temperament. Some dogs, depending on their history, may need to be close to you to feel safe and content, others are more independent and need to have time on their own. Some dogs are dog social, others are selective or prefer humans to dogsThere are some common themes when it does come to ensuring a certain species is fulfilled.
The Number One Non-Negotiable
I can't stress this enough, but dogs NEED to feel safe and supported in their environment. When any organism doesn't feel safe, its quality of life will be impacted negatively. Now, safety doesn't just mean shelter; safety will be individual based on your dog and their experiences. Often times it means that your dogs body language is being respected and they are not being forced into situations that result in a lot of stress and anxiety. If you have adopted a dog and despite your best efforts to provide a loving home they are displaying behaviour that indicates they don't feel safe, please reach out.
If your dog has anxious or reactive behaviours, inside or outside of the home, this is also a sign they aren't feeling safe. The more they are in these situations, without a plan to reduce these unhealthy behaviours, the more unsafe they will feel in their world.
Species & Breed Specific Needs
Meet Their Needs
Domesticated dogs have a variety of species specific needs. What this means is that each species has its own set of needs that differ from other species, including things like diet, habitat, social interactions, and activity patterns, which are necessary for their health and well-being; essentially, it's what makes a species distinct in terms of its biological needs and how it functions in its environment.
When certain needs aren't met, animals tend to find outlets to express those needs in ways we typically don't love. You may notice your dog is extra "barky", restless or is seeking out household items to shred and destroy.
Examples:
human social interaction vs isolation
physical exercise and movement
problem solving activities (active and passive enrichment)
ability to make choices vs being micromanaged
freedom to communicate, vocally as well as through body language
adequate sleep and rest
a diet that meets nutritional requirements
the freedom to sniff and gather information via the olfactory system
chewing, digging, dissection of toys
Breed Specific Needs
Letting Dogs Be Dogs
Almost every breed was selectively bred and created to serve a purpose or a function. Not everyone has a purebred dog, so how can we be sure what our dogs "breed specific needs" are? If you know your dog as well as I think you know your dog, they likely have some behavioural tendencies that you have noticed that they instinctually tend to gravitate towards. If you take a look at the breeds humans have created, there are many dogs that need to retrieve, chase, sniff out critters, herd, guard/keep watch, jump, dig ... the list goes on! Instead of trying to STOP our dogs from engaging in these natural behaviours, we can take a look at how to give them healthy and safe outlets. Flirt poles to chase "prey", digging areas, bones or chews, sniff walks... get creative. As mentioned above, if we don't find outlets for our dogs, they will be left to their own devices... and you may not like what they choose!
I think the best way we can navigate the question as to whether our dogs are happy and fulfilled is to do the best job we can to listen to what they are trying to communicate, meet their individual needs and give them plenty of opportunities to just be dogs.