20/11/2025
🐾 The Hierarchy of Dogs’ Needs - What Really Matters? 🐾
Just like us, dogs have a hierarchy of needs and understanding these can make all the difference to their behaviour, wellbeing, and your relationship together 🌟
Here’s a breakdown of what your dog truly needs:
1️⃣ Biological
Food, water, sleep, toilet breaks, physical health. These are the foundation. Without them, everything else falls apart. If your dog’s hungry, tired, or in pain, behaviour issues often follow.
2️⃣ Social
Dogs weren’t meant to live life alone 🐶💬 They need companionship - with humans, other dogs, or both. Positive social interactions build confidence, lower stress and bring JOY!
3️⃣ Emotional
A dog who feels safe and secure is a dog who can learn and thrive. Want to reduce reactivity or anxiety? Focus on creating calm, positive emotional experiences ❤️🧘♂️
4️⃣ Training
Training isn’t about control - it’s communication. Kind, positive training builds trust and allows your dog to understand what’s expected from them. Think recall, loose lead walking, and fun tricks!
5️⃣ Cognitive
Mental enrichment keeps your dog’s brain happy and healthy 🧠🧩 Scentwork, puzzle toys, problem solving games - these satisfy that clever mind and reduce frustration.
✨ When all 5 layers of need are met, we get a happier, calmer, more confident dog
So next time your dog’s struggling, check in on the basics first. Build from the bottom up. Don’t skip steps. ❤️
