Giving our dogs choices
When we have no choice in a situation, we become stressed. We may lash out or suffer silently, depending on the circumstances and our character, but our mental health takes a toll either way. Especially if this happens repeatedly.
It is exactly the same with our dogs. Freedom of choice is essential for their mental health.
What happens when choice is too limited?
Today's pet dogs don't have much freedom of choice to begin with. Humans decide where and how they live, who they spend their time with, when and what they eat, what activities they engage in and even when they get to pee! 😬
The modern world presents us and our dogs with many challenges: traffic, busy schedules, rules and regulations ... We must often limit our dogs' choices just to live in it: they are walked on leash because of local rules or safety from traffic, they spend a long time alone waiting for us to get home from work, they are asked for certain behaviours in order not to disurb others in an urban setting. All of this is certainly needed, but it may create a vacuum where a dog's choices are limited enough to create mental health problems.
Dogs, just like humans, may "lash out" through what we see as problem behaviours: barking, lunging, pulling on leash, chewing up furniture ... These behaviours are not really the problem - they are the signs of a problem and a cry for help. It is our task as caretakers to discover what is behind them. Sometimes it is a lack of choice.
On the other hand, dogs may also respond to a lack of choice by retreating inward and becoming learned helpless. This state is very unhealthy, and sadly often misunderstood. A dog that is learned helpless may be perceived as easygoing, well trained and low maintenance. To spot the difference we must observe closely and see whether she is making choices, being curious about her surroundings, expressing emotions...
How can we offer our dog more choices today?
take her to a place where she can be off leash or use a long leash;
wait for her to sniff, look, listen, feel and taste for as long as she chooses before moving on;
let her choose the direction of the walk (when safe);
at home, offer multiple resting places, a choice of chews and toys and even different kinds of food;
think carefully before we use any cue or command - is it really necessary at this point?
Freedom of choice is freedom to grow
Having some choices not only preserves dogs' mental health, it is also key in overcoming fears and behavioural issues. A dog that has choices feels safer. She knows that she can retreat at any time, so she might find the courage to be a little curious and investigate the thing she is afraid of. She learns that nothing bad happened and becomes less timid through such experiences.
Choices are key in other areas as well, not only for fear-based issues. Having the opportunity to make small choices every day will help a dog learn to consider, discern and make better choices over time.
Giving choices may be scary …
Giving our dog more choices may feel scary at times. Of course they have to be safe choices and we have to take other people, dogs and various factors of modern society into consideration.
It may be even harder if we are working on behavioural change. We are worried that our dog won't be able to cope, we don't want to lose the progress we've made by putting her in a tricky situation and we are not ready to trust our dog sometimes. Those are all things to consider, not ignore. Often, however, we can still provide a dog with more choices, while keeping her safe, her progress intact and our mind at ease. After all, limiting choices too harshly would likely be as harmful as asking our dog to cope with too much.
Enjoy getting to know your dog better through the choices she makes!
