Why meeting your dog's emotional needs is more important than ever.

For many years training dogs has focused solely on the behaviour we can see; a good dog walks to heel, obeys all your commands, sits quietly when you're busy and is ready for action when you are. What does the description of a "good dog" remind you of? To me, it's reminiscent of a robot; does exactly what you tell it to without question or feeling.

Dogs are so much more than that though, they are sentient beings with thoughts, feelings and motivations of their own and it's only by focusing on what these are that we can meet all their needs.

The Hierarchy of Dog needs was devised by Linda Michaels M.A. and is based on Maslow's Hierarchy of needs (https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html#gsc.tab=0) and before training and cognitive needs can be met social, emotional and biological needs must be fulfilled.

Anyone who is reading this is, I am sure, fulfilling all their dog's biological needs to the very best of their ability - to have even found my website tells me you have your dog's wellbeing at the forefront of your mind! The issue with anxiety and fear is that it often serves to prevent some of those needs being met, no matter how hard we try. Take sleep as an example - if you're anxious sleep can evade you. If you're afraid, the last thing on your mind is settling down for a snooze. This has a further effect on your anxiety and becomes a vicious circle. The same is true for our dogs; they need sleep to heal and restore themselves just as we do.

Meeting the emotional needs of fearful or anxious dogs - teaching them that they can trust, that they are safe and secure, is the foundation for everything that sits on top of it. Once they have that foundation they will continue to grow.