HEIRARCHY OF A DOG'S NEEDS

- February 10, 2021

THE HEIRARCHY OF CANINE NEEDS

The Hierarchy of Dog Needs® is an adaptation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of (human) Needs™.

We must first meet our dogs’ biological needs, emotional needs and social needs.

Once we feel assured that these foundational needs have been met, we can easily and painlessly work with our dogs to change unwanted behaviours and teach them to live harmoniously with their human pack.

We start at the bottom of the pyramid and work our way up. The idea is that we make sure all of the lower level needs are met before we can address and work on the higher levels.

BIOLOGICAL NEEDS

A dog’s biological needs are the most basic things it needs in life to thrive and maintain good health. This includes proper nutrition and water and a place to sleep that is warm and comfortable. Dogs need a life free from pain and fear, this includes gentle grooming, adequate exercise and health care. It also includes a training programme that is based on rewarding the dog for the behaviours we want and is completely without fear, pain or intimidation.

EMOTIONAL NEEDS

When it comes to emotional needs dogs are very similar to our children. They need to feel loved, safe and know what the house rules are. These things make a dog feel secure and builds confidence and resilience. Most of my Behaviourist work involves building up a dog’s confidence and resilience as these are the biggest causes of fear aggression and guarding or protective behaviours.

SOCIAL NEEDS

Dogs are incredibly social creatures. They are inherently pack animals and will naturally bond with and make friends with other living creatures. A well socialised dog is generally interested and friendly with humans and animals alike. Most dogs will happily live alone, as a single dog within a human pack. Most owners will know that their dog loves to engage with them through play, training, grooming or cuddling. All dogs need firm and loving leadership – They need guidance but NOT dominance.

Dogs do well with clear and consistent rules. Living with a dog is much more harmonious if the family all agree on what the rules are before they get the dog and then start as they mean to go on – sticking consistently to the rules.

The rules need to include the following

1. Is the dog allowed on the sofa?

2. Where will the dog sleep?

3. Will it be expected to walk on a loose lead?

4. Will it have leftovers?

5. Who will buy toys/ play with/train/ walk/feed/ pick up poop for the dog?

All these decisions need to be agreed in advance of you bringing your dog home and your first few weeks and months will be about teaching your dog in a kind and loving way what the House Rules are.

TRAINING NEEDS

In order to develop socially and thrive in society our children need to go to school, need to learn and need to achieve. Our dogs are exactly the same. Modern dogs are descended from the dogs who lived with Paleo- Man. These dogs adapted genetically to be able to live with and alongside humans. However, your dog is still a dog! Puppies in particular are raw material that have learned great doggie social skills. As owners it is up to us to teach them to live with humans. This means taking over where mummy dog left off and teaching your puppy bite inhibition. Dogs also need to learn house training, not to jump up, loose lead walking, not to bark constantly, as well as basic commands.

COGNITIVE NEEDS

Dogs have a deep-seated need to use their brains. When they lived with our ancestors, dogs were expected to work for their food and accommodation. They did this by guarding, hunting and alerting their humans about intruders.

Modern dogs have an identical need to be busy; To use their brains, make choices and to work.

Many canine destructive behaviours are due to boredom and frustration due to unmet needs, as a Behaviourist I teach Owners how to help their dog make great (or better) choices in their behaviours. I get the owners to ask their dogs to think, learn and to solve problems. This wears the dog out physically as well as mentally. It also helps the dog to achieve success, this builds confidence and resilience, and calms down hyperactive dogs. It is important to understand that your dog needs a regular POSITIVE training programme as much as your children need school. Training your dog can be one of the most rewarding things, it will help you to bond with your dog and build mutual respect and love.