But Ma, I Need It!©
Does your dog bark at every little thing, pester you endlessly whenever you’re around, or dig holes throughout your landscaped paradise? Has he chewed off the corners of your antique furniture and shredded Grandma’s hand-made quilt? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your dog may be suffering from unfulfilled needs.
A dog doesn’t require much, but if a dog has a need that is not being met, he may act out on those needs in order to cope with the frustration. Often these behaviors are unacceptable and inappropriate to humans, although they are normal for dogs. It is our responsibility, as dog owners, to provide the things our dogs require, so that they are less likely to engage in unwanted and destructive behaviors.
Dogs don’t suppress their emotions the way we do; they express their feelings through their actions. Keep in mind, that DOGS DO NOT PURPOSELY MISBEHAVE.
When you want to solve an ongoing behavior problem, first make sure the cause is NOT due to a physical ailment or injury. Next, determine what need the dog has that is not being met. Then alter the dog’s environment so the need is satisfied, and the unwanted behavior should disappear.
Four important needs that dogs have are:
1. To feel at ease in their home environment.
The dog may bark in the yard all day (or night) because he’s nervous or anxious. He may feel unsafe or vulnerable to predators because he does not have adequate shelter (from the dog’s perspective). If that’s the case, provide areas for him that make him feel more protected, or bring him inside the house.
2. Companionship.
Dogs are social animals. They want to be with their family (that means YOU) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But most of us lead very busy lives. So the dog spends lots of time without you. And when you come home, he is beside himself with excitement and won’t leave you alone. “Oh my gosh, you’re home!! I’ve been waiting and waiting! I’m not letting you out of my sight!” If this scenario seems familiar, arrange for someone to spend more time with him. Come home for lunch, or ask a neighbor to look in on him at midday. Hire a dog walker. Give him plenty of fun things to do while you are away so he won’t miss you so much.
3. Physical exercise.
If he’s digging holes or chewing on the walls and rugs because it relieves pent-up energy, your dog may need physical exercise. Taking him for a long walk is better than nothing. But for him, that’s like going for a nice stroll. Playing fetch or frisbee with the pup until he want to stop is more effective because he can exert himself as much as needed.
4. Mental exercise.
If he’s tearing up things because he’s bored, provide him with mentally stimulating activities and toys. Puzzle toys and hollow items with food inside are marvelous projects for the dog. They provide acceptable outlets for the dog’s intellectual needs, and are also time-consuming.
Be wary of products for sale that claim a quick fix for behavior. Many of them treat only the symptom, not the cause of the problem. For instance, an electronic shock collar might stop a lonely dog from barking, but it won’t cure its loneliness. The need is still there and may manifest itself in other ways. Chewing on the house or biting people are possibilities. Please remember, providing for his or her basic needs is essential for the development of a well-adjusted pet.
by Martha Winters, CPDT-KA
