The power of choice
We all know how to meet the most basic needs of our dogs. Access to fresh, clean water? Check. Fed regularly? Check. Given appropriate shelter? Check. Plenty of cuddles and fuss? Check. This is all well and good, but meeting the basic needs of our pooches is only the beginning of making sure they live happy and fulfilled lives.
Dogs are sentient beings with individual personalities, likes and dislikes, little quirks and often breed-specific needs. When thinking about the opportunities they get to express those individual needs, let’s consider how many parts of their lives WE get to control:
Where the dog sleeps
When, what and how much they get to eat
What toys they get to play with
When and if they get to play with other dogs
Who they get to say hello to and when
When and how far they get to walk
Which routes they get to walk along
The different environments they get exposed to
If they get off-lead time at all
When they get to go outside to toilet appropriately
These are just some examples and there are probably many more. When you think about how little control dogs actually have over their own lives, it’s any wonder that they are happy living with us humans at all! By giving them choice, we allow them to participate in the decision making, which leads to increased confidence, less frustration and a deeper bond.
This isn’t to say that you should just open the front door and let your dog roam the streets as they please – that wouldn’t be practical or safe – but you can increase your dog’s autonomy in the following ways:
Play the ‘choosies’ game
Let’s say your dog really likes cheese as a training treat. It would be very easy to just feed them cheese forever more and never offer them anything else. Dogs, just like us, enjoy novelty and variety, and have preferences which change over time. Choosies is a fun little game to help your dog choose which treat they want.
Step 1: Start off with four different types of treats (for example, chicken, ham, cheese and sausage)
Step 2: Take two of the treats and hold one in each hand with your fist closed around it
Step 3: Hold your closed fists together, palms up and present them to the dog for a good sniff
Step 4: Slowly move your hands apart and see which one your dog follows
Step 5: Feed them one of those treats, put the ‘losing’ treats away and swap them for one of the other choices.
Step 6: Repeat the process until you’ve eliminated all the ‘losing’ treats – winner always stays on and is your dog’s preferred choice!
Let your dog pick the route
Follow your dog’s nose wherever it wants to go! Often, we’re the ones dictating which direction or which route we walk when out with our dogs. ‘Sniffy walks’ are a great way of giving your dog an extra bit of freedom. It can also be fun for you as the owner, letting the dog decide which direction to go in – where will you end up?! I encourage people to use a different type of lead, like a long line, for sniffy walks. This helps the dog understand that they’re in leisure mode and can sniff and wander to their heart’s content.
Respect their personal space
We have all been guilty of picking up a cute little puppy for a cuddle, whether they like it or not! Constantly invading the space of any dog can be frustrating for them and dangerous to us. It’s particularly prevalent in puppies and small dogs, who can easily be picked up and carried around. Allowing a dog to come close to us or maintain their distance is a sure way to make a happier and more confident dog. Likewise, allowing them the opportunity to say ‘no’ to meeting other dogs or people demonstrates that they are safe with you and don’t have to do anything they’re uncomfortable with.
Create choice at home
A constantly changing selection of toys (no need to keep buying them, just take a handful out of sight and rotate them in and out every few weeks – dogs love novelty!) keeps things interesting and provides plenty of playtime choice. Likewise, having an extra space or two where your dog can rest lets them pick a comfortable spot, rather than the only place available. Maybe add a bed, blanket or basket (or all three) in different spots around the home, so they can go where they please.
