Hierarchy Of Dog Needs
Learning about the Hierarchy Of Dog Needs will improve your dogs life!
This idea was introduced by Linda Michaels and has hit the dog community by storm. Canine brains have the same basic structure as human brains. Including parts of the brain that process emotions; such as the amygdala, the insula or insular cortex, and a structure in the midbrain called the periaqueductal gray. Our dogs have mental and physical needs just like us!
The first and biggest need is biological. This includes proper nutrition, sufficient exercise, temperature control, and all-around proper care. Meeting your dog’s biological needs is paramount to their success and well-being. The second tier is emotional needs. This includes security, trust, love, consistency, affection, and leadership. Dogs have been bred for nearly 15,000 years to create companionship with humans. The middle tier is social needs. This includes play and interaction. Whether it be playing with other like-minded dogs or playing with humans. Dogs are social creatures. Dogs have been bred for nearly 15,000 years to foster relationships with humans specifically and undomesticated dogs only survived from creating relationships with other dogs.
The fourth tier is that of ‘force-free training needs’ or esteem. Force-free training is based on the principle that force, intimidation, or fear should not be a factor in training. Reinforcement and encouragement should be the foundation of dog training – this is something all educated dog trainers should agree on. This tier includes training that brings a sense of achievement. Learning combined with confidence, understanding, and patience fulfills this tier. The last tier is cognitive needs. This includes problem-solving and making choices through creative activities. Cognitive needs can hold more weight for specific dog breeds compared to others. Dogs need the opportunity to think and act independently and problem-solve.
Through this tier, we can have happy, fulfilled dogs. Fulfilling each area will make a more eager pup and grow your bond.
Comment down below what your dog’s biggest need is! How do you meet that need?
Hierarchy of Dog Needs: The International School for Canine Psychology. The ISCP. (n.d.). https://www.theiscp.com/hierarchy-of-dog-needs#:~:text=The%20Hierarchy%20of%20Dog%20Needs%20was%20created%20by%20ISCP%20Affiliate,healthy%2C%20happy%20and%20fulfilled%20lives.
