TRAINING VS. HUSBANDRY
I started using the term "Husbandry" to refer to keeping dogs a couple years ago. When we keep other animals it's something we CONSTANTLY think about. From farming animals for profit to keeping exotics! How is their environment set up? Do they have access to their basic needs when they need them? Do they receive good nutrition? Do they have access to species appropriate enrichment? Mental and physical stimulation?
But often I feel like it gets kind of thrown to the side with dogs. I usually get brought into cases where we are actually having a husbandry issue, not a training issue. It's really amazing how many things change behaviourally when our dogs are able to feel relaxed and fulfilled.
I spend most of my time with my dogs making sure their needs are being met... not training them. Obviously I'm providing access to quality food, clean water and shelter. But my requirements that I set for my dogs every day are that they move their bodies and use their brains. We don't do the same things every day, and I always leave room for flexibility. I also make sure we FREQUENTLY have time for decompression. Sometimes that means relaxing at home, sometimes it means a quiet walk in nature.
Different dogs also have different needs. My beagles always need ample sniffing opportunities. If they don't get frequent sniffing time (in a variety of places), they have a harder time focusing when I need them to. I find they have social needs and really benefit from having access to regular dog friends. Not meeting every dog they see, but being able to interact with regular dogs outside of the household. When I'm not meeting that social need they tend to get REALLY FRUSTRATED about seeing dogs. My border collie really feels satisfied after being able to RUN! She needs room to open up and move on a regular basis. She also really craves working cooperatively with me in training and getting her mental stimulation that way. You have to get to know YOUR dog and fi
