The Consequences of Unmet Needs in Dogs: Understanding the Impact on Behaviour and Training

As a dog owner, it’s easy to focus on the basics—feeding, walking, and general care. But your dog’s well-being extends far beyond these physical necessities. Their emotional, cognitive, and social needs must also be met to ensure they thrive as balanced and well-adjusted companions. When these needs are neglected, the consequences can affect their behaviour, hinder training progress, and even create long-term challenges for you as an owner.

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 requires dog owners to provide for these essential needs, and failure to do so doesn’t just impact your dog’s happiness— it can lead to serious behaviour problems that make training more difficult. Let’s dive into the critical areas of unmet needs and explore how they can impact your dog’s behaviour and training.

1. The Emotional Toll of Unmet Needs

Dogs are social animals, and they rely heavily on the emotional connection they share with their caregivers. If this need for social connection is not fulfilled, dogs can experience feelings of loneliness, stress, and isolation. In the absence of proper emotional fulfilment, dogs may exhibit a range of problematic behaviours.

Signs of Emotional Distress in Dogs

• Excessive barking: Dogs may bark excessively when they feel lonely, anxious, or stressed.

• Destructive chewing: A dog left alone without sufficient mental or emotional engagement might start chewing on furniture or shoes.

• Licking or scratching: Dogs might lick or scratch excessively due to stress or a lack of emotional satisfaction.

• Soiling in the house: Dogs that are stressed or anxious might not be able to control their bladder or bowels.

Long-term Consequences;

• Separation anxiety: Dogs may become excessively anxious when left alone, displaying signs of panic and distress.

• Fear of strangers: Unmet emotional needs can make dogs more fearful of new people or situations.

• Compulsive behaviours: Some dogs might start engaging in compulsive behaviours like chasing reflections or licking the air as a coping mechanism.

  
  

Training a dog with such emotional baggage can be challenging. A dog that lacks emotional fulfilment may be more reactive or fearful, making it harder for them to focus on training and learn new behaviours.

2. The Role of Safety and Rest in Behaviour

Feelings of safety are fundamental to a dog’s well-being. Without a safe, secure environment, dogs can become fearful or even aggressive. This is especially true if they don’t have a designated space to relax and rest. Dogs need their own place to retreat to, where they can feel secure and safe.

Rest Is Essential for Behaviour Regulation

If dogs are constantly exposed to heightened stress, they will struggle to relax, which can affect their behaviour and make them more reactive. For instance, dogs that do not have quiet moments to rest throughout the day might display signs of overstimulation such as jumping, barking, and excessive energy.

Rest and calm time are essential to a dog’s behaviour management. During training, it’s important to incorporate moments where the dog can settle down and regulate their nervous system. A dog that has not learned how to calm down or settle will find it much more difficult to focus during training sessions.

3. How Poor Nutrition Affects Training and Behaviour

The food a dog receives is directly linked to their health and behaviour. Dogs that do not receive the proper nutrition during their developmental years can suffer from stunted growth, mental deficiencies, and other health issues. This can significantly affect their ability to learn and focus during training. Additionally, if a dog is overfed, it can lead to obesity, joint problems, and diabetes, all of which can affect a dog’s energy levels and overall behaviour.

Common Behaviour Problems Related to Poor Nutrition

• Scavenging: Dogs who are not getting the right nutrients may seek food elsewhere, even engaging in behaviours like eating grass, dirt, or faeces.

• Possessiveness over food: Dogs who experience food insecurity may develop food aggression or become possessive over their meals.

• Obesity-related issues: Overweight dogs are likely to become lethargic, which can result in boredom and, ultimately, destructive behaviours.

A dog’s environment should also be managed to ensure that they do not feel the need to compete for resources. Providing enough food, water, beds, and toys will reduce competition between dogs and prevent resource guarding behaviours.

4. The Importance of Exercise for Proper Behaviour

Physical exercise is one of the most important ways to meet a dog’s needs. Without adequate exercise, dogs can become bored, hyperactive, and stressed. The lack of mental and physical stimulation can lead to destructive behaviours such as chewing, digging, or excessive barking.

Moreover, a lack of exercise can create anxiety in dogs. When a dog’s world is restricted, they may become more anxious and reactive to changes in their environment (K9 First Responders, 2015). For example, a dog that is not used to regular walks or outdoor exploration may become fearful or anxious when faced with new experiences or unfamiliar situations.

Training Challenges

If a dog hasn’t had the chance to expend energy, they’ll find it harder to focus during training. Training becomes much more effective when your dog is well-exercised and able to concentrate.

Exercise doesn’t just benefit their body—it’s essential for mental stimulation too. Walks, hikes, or games like fetch are perfect ways to engage your dog both physically and mentally.

5. The Dangers of Physical Punishment

Physical punishment is not only ineffective but also harmful to dogs. It can leave both physical and emotional scars that hinder a dog’s ability to trust and learn. Dogs subjected to physical punishment are more likely to become anxious, fearful, or aggressive (Bekoff, 2022).

Why Physical Punishment Is Harmful

• Increased Anxiety and Fear: Dogs subjected to punishment may become fearful, anxious, or even aggressive.

• Damage to the Bond: Physical punishment undermines trust, making it harder to build a healthy, positive relationship based on mutual respect.

• Long-Term Behaviour Issues: Dogs trained with aversive techniques are more likely to develop defensive behaviours, including aggression or avoidance.

Instead, focus on positive reinforcement training methods. Reward-based techniques are far more effective and help your dog build confidence, trust, and better behaviour.

6. Understanding Genetic Desires and Appropriate Outlets

Dogs have natural instincts and desires that are rooted in their genetics. For example, dogs with a strong prey drive may enjoy chasing or digging. While these behaviours may be undesirable in some situations, they are natural instincts that should be respected and appropriately channelled.

Punishing a dog for engaging in behaviours like digging or chasing can lead to frustration and confusion. Instead, provide appropriate outlets for these behaviours. For example, if your dog loves to dig, you could teach them to dig in a designated area or use a scratch board for a more controlled outlet. If your dog loves to chase, consider using a flirt pole to engage them in a controlled and rewarding activity.

Training that takes a dog’s natural instincts into account will help prevent frustration and reduce the likelihood of behavioural issues. Instead of trying to suppress your dog’s genetic desires, work with them to find acceptable outlets.

7. Conclusion: The Importance of Meeting Your Dog’s Needs for Effective Training

Meeting your dog’s physical, emotional, and cognitive needs is essential for preventing behavioural issues and ensuring successful training. Dogs that are neglected or not properly cared for are more likely to develop problems like anxiety, aggression, and compulsive behaviours, which can make training difficult or even impossible.

By providing your dog with the right nutrition, exercise, emotional support, and positive training methods, you can ensure they lead a happy, healthy life and are more receptive to training. Understanding and addressing your dog’s needs will not only prevent behavioural problems but also strengthen the bond between you and your furry companion, creating a foundation of trust and mutual respect.

Ready to address your dog’s needs and see real progress in their training?

Get in touch today for personalized advice and training sessions tailored to your dog’s unique needs. Together, we can unlock the full potential of your furry companion!

References

Bekoff, M. 2022. Do Training Requires Respecting the Deep Emotional Lives of Dogs: Exploring the affective dog behaviour approach. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/animal-emotions/202202/dog-training-requires-respecting-the-deep-emotional-lives-dogs Accessed 31/01/2024

DEFRA (2017) Code of practice for the welfare of Dogs. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ac78152ed915d76a04b2da6/pb13333-cop-dogs-091204.pdf Accessed: 31/01/2024

K9 First Responders, 2015. How K9FR do it? Available at: https://k9fr.org/2015/08/30/how-k9fr-dogs-do-it/#:~:text=2%20%3E%20Taking%20the%20dog%20out,changes%20occur%20in%20his%20environment. Accessed: 31/01/2024