A dog’s behaviour often reflects its natural instincts rather than being “bad.” Knowing what your dog was bred to do allows you to offer suitable activities that channel their energy positively. This understanding transforms potential problem behaviours into opportunities for learning and growth.
If your dog is digging your garden, chasing things you would rather them not chase, de-stuffing and ripping up toys in your home, chewing your TV controls, it might be that their needs as their breed are not being met. Here’s how you can fix that.
Understanding your dog’s breed-specific traits is essential for providing appropriate care and enrichment. Different breeds have unique instincts that drive their behaviour, and recognising these can help in offering the right outlets for their energy and emotions. Here’s a guide to understanding and supporting your dog’s natural tendencies through tailored activities and natural outlet training.
BARKS & SPLENDOUR
Each breed group has distinct natural drives, which can be supported through specific activities:
Pmp and understanding this will really help you and your dog. Understanding Predatory Motor Patterns
Dogs exhibit various stages of the hunting sequence based on their breed. Recognizing these patterns can guide you in selecting appropriate outlets:
“Orient → Eye → Stalk → Chase → Grab → Kill → Dissect → Consume”
Lifestyle Enhancing Methods for wellness for your dog and a great life together
Focus on the following to create canine wellness and the best lifestyle for your treasured dog or puppy.
- Physical Outlet: Ensure exercise tailored to the breed’s activity level.
- Mental Engagement: Introduce puzzles and problem-solving games.
- Emotional Safety: Provide a secure and stress-free environment.
- Agency & Choice: Allow dogs to make choices during play and training.
- Social Needs: Facilitate positive interactions with other dogs and humans.
Dog’s Needs for optimum Canine Wellness
Looking for some ideas for Physical Outlet Needs for your dog? See some of our expert suggestions below
- Tip: always seek professional advice on suitability for you and your own dog first
- Walking
- Dog Sports: such as flyball, dog swimming, agility, canicross and more
- Scentwork provides physical and mental stimulation
- Dog Training & Tricks Allow dogs to make choices during play and training.
- Dog activities such as dog parkour, dog dancing, tracking, hoopers
- Play – simple play and fun together can not be under-estimated
Mental Engagement:
Sensory Exploration – engage the 5 senses
Enrichment – Toys and Games
Training – Engages the brain
Learning New things
Problem Solving Solutions
Scentwork
Tracking
Giving dogs choice and agency and not forcing them into things, allowing your dog or puppy to choose to investigate something.
Instead help build their confidence, not even by luring with a treat.
Instead, show them how fun and non scary something is. Allow them to process things and decide in their own time.
Social Needs:
We do not like everyone we meet right?
Well, nor do our dogs.
Social needs of comfortable relationships are important to dogs too.
You can be their advocate
You can help by allowing choice
Barks & Splendour Shop
Visit our breed-specific shop to fond the perfect kits that deliver canine wellness and improve lifestyle for your dog and you too.
