06/11/2025
The world we live in expects way too much of domestic animals. We ask them to be something other than what they are because our world is human centered. We do this by asking them NOT to engage in behaviors that ARE who they are (dogs, cats, horses, etc...). Why? Because those behaviors don't line up with human life.
Our pets are doing their best to understand our world, adapt to it, and to live in it. We humanize them. This is not terrible. In fact, it is often how we show love. And yes, they DO have all the emotions humans have, so it's easy to do.
But... we have to remember they are still animals. They still have instincts, even though they are domestic. And since they are a different species than us, their needs are different. Expecting them to let go of the traits and the behaviors that are part of who they are is unfair. Yet, so many of us do it. Most of us do it to some degree.
Despite this, the amount of patience and forgiveness they continue to extend to us is unwavering. It's mind blowing actually. No matter how many times YOU ask them to be something they aren't, they still try. And most of the time they follow our rules that take away most of their natural behaviors. It's quite sad actually.
The majority of pets in this world are misunderstood or held to unreasonable expectations. But, they are loved. Love isn't enough. You owe it to your pet to allow them to be what they are. A dog, a cat, a horse, a bird, etc..)
Today we will start with dogs. Tomorrow, cats. Saturday, Horses. Sunday, things that apply to all animals. Monday, I will post a blog on everything discussed this week
Let’s start with dogs because they are so popular.
Barking - We ask them not to bark, tell them to "shut up" at times. Their bark is their VOICE! Imagine if you could never talk. How frusteraed would you be? They bark for a reason. You may not know what that reason is but they have one. Maybe it is just to be heard! Maybe they are frusterated with always being told NOT to use your voice. Maybe, they are protecting or alerting you, the only way they know how. What may not seem like danger to you, can seem like danger to them. And when you shame them for doing so, that hurts their heart. When they bark, thank them. Please, I beg you, thank them. They are simply displaying DOG behaviors. They have a voice too.
��Sniffing - We've all seen the memes. Sniffing is like reading email for dogs. It's like a phone call or a text. It's like browsing the internet. It's how they gather information. They need to gather information to feel safe, secure, and enriched. If you always pull them away from tings they are sniffing they lose the ability to gather information. They will feel more confused, more afraid, and more unsure. They will feel like they are missing out on something. How many times do you search the internet, read a book, get a call or a text? You gather information for the vast majority of the day. Can you allow them the same? Don't rush them on walks. Let them sniff. If you come home with something new, show them and let them sniff. If you don't allow them to sniff, they feel isolated and frusterated. They need an expanded world, like we do. Too much of their lives are spent just in our house. They need MORE. And sniffing can expand their world. When you walk, and even just bringing new things into the house.
��Pulling - Quite simply, dogs walk faster than us. That is why they pull. Why do we have to force them to walk slower? If you can't let them off leash, YOU walk faster. Are they pulling because you never let them sniff? Let them sniff. They want to be in front to keep you safe. Pulling is not disobedienace, it's dogs being dogs. ��Now I understand they can be injured pulling (neck, windpipe, etc) so we do have to find modifications (harness, walk faster, or simply, let them walk in front of you).
��Digging/Chewing - This is a natural behavior for dogs. It provides comfort, relaxation, and enruchment. It's part of who they are, it's that simple. If we do not give them the opportunity to do these things we are taking away their core behaviors. The behaviors that keep them mentally healthy and stimulated. Behaviors they find FUN and fufilling because it is in their DNA to do these things. We have domesticated them but they still hold onto species specific behaviors and that is what these are.
��Emotions- How often do we ask dogs not to show emotions? Almost always. When dogs get excited, we ask them to calm down. That is how they show excitment! Jumping around, bouncing, running, etc.. It's their expression of joy, happiness, and love. ��When they growl or show teeth they are requesting space in THEIR language. They are asking kindly even though it seems they aren't. To them, it IS kind. It is a warning. They are telling you they are NOT comfortable, they don't feel safe, or they just need a break. When you are in those situations you can walk out and leave. Or, we've all done it, we snap... yell for a minute, slam a door, then feel better. That's all dogs are doing! But they are doing it in the only way they know how. The way that has been bred into their species. Yet we ask them NOT to show their emotions. Imagine having to keep your inside? As a human, you'd eventually explode. Guess what... they do too.
��These are just a few ways we ask dogs to be something other than who they are.
