12/31/2024
“I COULDN’T QUITE PUT MY FINGER ON IT BACK THEN… and when I did I became even more insatiably curious..."
At 9 years old, I watched our family dogs squabble over toys, food, and even attention. I thought the solution was about discipline—just setting the rules and keeping them in line. But no matter what we tried, the tension never truly went away.
It wasn’t until years later, leading professional teams, that I saw the bigger picture: stress isn’t isolated. It moves through a group, whether it’s people or dogs. One member’s reaction sets off another, and before you know it, the entire system is caught in a cycle of conflict.
Now, as a canine psychologist, I see how these patterns play out in multi-dog families. Dogs, like people, are influenced by their environment, emotional states, and the responses of those around them—including us. Traditional methods that focus on “fixing” individual behaviours miss the mark because they don’t address the bigger picture.
🐾 That’s where Systems Thinking comes in. It’s not about control—it’s about understanding the “why” behind the behaviour and addressing the underlying causes.
Whether you’re a dog parent or a professional, this approach can transform how you navigate multi-dog dynamics.
👉 In my latest article, I share practical insights and strategies to reduce tension, improve harmony, and preserve the human-animal bond.
💡 For anyone who’s ever wondered, “Why can’t they just get along?”—this might give you the answers you’ve been looking for.
If you live with more than one dog, you already know how complex things can get. Dogs, like humans, are shaped by their personalities, past experiences, and even their health. But unlike us, they can’t explain their feelings. When tension builds, whether over food, space, or attention, it often sp...
