We often find videos of dogs on the internet glorifying hand-feeding, engaging in play where humans jump out of nowhere and scare the dog, or the videos where dogs are baring their teeth and growling misinterpreted as a ‘dog smile’. Then there are videos where people pretend to fight to see if their dogs will ‘save them’. There is no doubt that these videos are viral, and garner lots of engagement and eyeballs.
The popularity makes many people believe that it’s the right way to bond with their dog thus putting unnecessary stress on their companions with the hopes of getting a few laughs or performing under the disguise of wanting to know the dog better.
Beyond the Reel
While this may seem harmless, the truth of the matter is that the more you subject your dog to mimic skits and attribute human characteristics to dogs, the more you’re subjecting them to stress that may result in acting out of fight/flight mode. In simple words, to you, it may be fun, but for them, it’s an experience that will change their expectations of what can happen in their lives. There is no way that you can communicate that it was a ‘joke’. Dogs can’t comprehend that.
If you fail to fulfill your dog’s needs consistently, this may lead to a change in behavior and affect their physical and mental health in the long run. Now, let us identify what are these needs
"“Dogs may love you but to expect that every second of their life is unnatural”
— Chetna Malik
Dog Needs
- Physical Needs
To be able to fully exert their energy physically. Now every breed has different energy levels that need to be channelised differently. The know-how depends on the history and origin of the breed, the age, and lifestyle.
The importance of Knowing the right exercise for your dog based on their breed will not only channel their energy but also satisfy an innate desire. Imagine feeling the relief & joy of finally starting and finishing your favorite activity of your day.
For example: A retriever likes to retrieve, an indie would prefer long walks and scavenging more than playing fetch, and a pitbull is more likely to enjoy a good game of fetch over nose work. There is no denying that all dogs enjoy a good long walk but if you’re not safely allowing them the space to exhibit their instinctual behavior, you’re limiting them from feeling the relief of doing what they were made to do.
The answer lies in balancing what you can do consistently and safely for your dog. Allowing your pitbull to maul smaller dogs/animals (i.e. baiting) or not training your GSD to co-exist with other people is inhumane, cruel and a welfare issue. Dog keeping doesnt have to be in extremes. Its easy to have a happy dog if you are aware of what kind of avenues you can provide them to have a fulfilling life even before you get them home.
- Mental Needs
Safe home & secure emotions
Dogs look up to their owners for guidance and providing them with a safe housing, and regular food and keep their well-being in check. While most pet parents strive to provide this and more, several fail because their lives are chaotic or the environment at home is stressful. Dogs pick up on energy that is why many dogs develop frustration-based reactivity despite never being subjected to abuse directly. Being subjected to an environment where yelling, running frantically or items being thrown has a negative impact on your companions mental health. Dogs thrive in environments where there is a predictable routine and the environment is conducive for living a peaceful life.
Fair boundaries & personal space
Imagine 2 kids born in the same house. One kid is only fed healthy food from the start, while the other is fed both junk and healthy food. At some point the parents decide to stop feeding junk food altogether, whom do you think would have a harder time quitting junk food? The first child or the second? Ofcourse the latter. Something similar happens when we have unfair boundaries with our pets, some days we let them get away with anything and the other days expecting them to follow a boundary set by you is confusing, difficult and leaves a scope of negotiation. Boundaries should be fair and applied consistently. Having unfair expectations from your dog is the quickest way to create an unreliable dog behaviour.
While it may seem that our pets are loving, and affectionate and may constantly try to get into our personal space but the same isn’t true in all scenarios. Dogs thrive when they are taught to be independent and their personal space isn’t invaded all the time. Remember, let sleeping dogs lie and never disturb their food bowls when they are eating. Don’t constantly baby talk or keep on petting your dog fo hours. When you respect your dogs personal space, they tend to be more affectionate and are likely to work for the affection for their parents.
No dog is born with the ability to self-regulate. On the contrary, when subjected to an aroused state for consistent periods they can become overstimulated. Alot of time overstimulated behaviour is misdiagnosed as being ‘hyper’. Infact hyperactivity can also be a result of the dogs inability to self regulate. Not knowing when to exert their full energy and when to relax can create an overtimulated mind, on top of that if its met with hyper environment eg : kids always yelling and running, busy household, hyper pet parent, no designated sleeping space or sleeping time, staying in backyard/balcony all the time and watching cars/dogs/humans go by. All this could lead to overstimulation.
The ability to cope with stress quickly and be able to relax in different environments creates a stable dog. To a certain extent the genetic makeup or the nerves are also responsible to create this behaviour, However, even a dog with the most stable nerves can be made into a hyper active dog by the virtue of their environment and upbringing.
“Dogs may love unconditionally but NOT constantly”
— Chetna Malik
Understand the Limiting Beliefs that have affected good pet parenting practices
- The pressure to be seen as a responsible and good dog parent.
We want to be viewed as a good pet parent and sometimes the pressure leads to unrealistic expectation from our companions. Some of the common mistakes we do that affect our dogs behaviour is not allowing dogs to sniff visitors coming at home, not correcting wrong behaviours in front of guests.
- Viewing dog’s actions as an intent to be mischievous instead of finding the real reason.
For example : your dog barks as soon as people walk into the room or when they chew on your favorite items, the intent is often a humanized version of what could be happening. To understand the real reason, you’ve got to be good at reading their body language and understand the context in which the behaviour happens.
- Testing instead of Teaching
If you believe that of dogs being innately smarter than humans, you couldn’t be further away from the truth. Everything they know is either consciously/unconsciously taught to them through the environment. You dog isn’t “stubborn” more often just confused and frustrated trying to understand what is being expected out of them.
- Not Understanding How Dogs Learn
- Thinking that the dog is there to amuse humans and can not have their own likes/dislikes
Our dogs rely on us not just for food and shelter but for emotional and physical fulfillment.
Pet parenting requires understanding, patience, and the ability to read their signals accurately, by fostering an environment where they can safely express their natural instincts and feel secure, we’re not just raising pets—we’re nurturing loyal companions who thrive under our care.
Let’s rethink modern pet parenting, ensuring that we meet our dogs’ needs in meaningful, compassionate ways.
