Pups pushed around in strollers, canine couture and dog perfumes are really not our scene.
But with dogs taking a more central role in the lives of New Zealanders, it’s easy to see how pampering has reached this point. So how can we give our dogs their best life, while still allowing them to be dogs?
Changing attitudes
In her 2022 feature for North & South, ‘Dog/Gone’ Gabi Lardies explores in depth how New Zealand dogs are increasingly “living luxe” – and whether it’s for their benefit or ours. By looking at the stories of seven dogs and their humans, she illustrates how New Zealanders’ attitudes have changed toward our favourite companion animal
Dr Erin Jones, anthrozoologist and researcher at the University of Canterbury is one of those interviewed. She says the expectations we have of dogs are often unfair and one-sided. “A lot of the time, we’re thinking about how the relationship benefits us, and how we can train dogs to fit our lifestyles, to suit us.”
As experienced dog-people, our team is inclined to agree. By understanding how dogs communicate and what constitutes natural behaviour for them, we can make their lives happier – and ours easier. When we try to project human qualities onto them, behavioural issues can arise.
Boundaries and behaviours
Humans tend to anthropomorphise our companion animals. That’s a fancy term for our expectation that animals behave the same way as us, and enjoy the same things we do.
Barking, digging, running, chewing and chasing are natural behaviours for dogs – by controlling them too tightly, we can make them reactive or fearful.
Humans are guilty of projecting our own assumptions about what is comfortable or pleasant onto dogs. For example, some people perceive crate training to be cruel, when it can in fact be a beneficial way of making a dog feel secure. It also aids in necessary toilet training, making for a happier relationship between human and pup.
It’s important to “think dog”. Get on their level and pay attention to their behaviours to learn how to read the signals they’re giving you through body language.
Dogs are pack animals
Unless you have a menagerie of pups, your family is their pack. This is why your dog might sometimes feel like velcro, staying close and watching you while you work or rest.
A well trained dog will see you as the leader of their pack, which means your dog will feel more secure if you set boundaries for them. Letting them sleep on your bed, for example, is a no-no according to most dog behaviorists. It may lead to them feeling that they’re at a higher level in the pack, leading to protective or defensive behaviour.
Using positive reinforcement to teach the behaviours you need, whether this be staying off the furniture or waiting patiently for their food, will keep both of you happier in the long run. It takes time and consistency to get it right but it’s worth it!
Give a dog a job
Farm dogs do the work expected of them with gusto, thriving on the reinforcement provided by a gruff nod from the farmer. These dogs usually spend nights in kennels and may have no more than a hessian sack to sleep on. But they’re happy with their lot as it meets both their expectations and the needs of their breed.
Service dogs and law enforcement dogs also go through rigorous obedience training, and thrive best when they’re doing what they’ve been trained to do. Many of the training techniques used with working dogs can be used with civilian dogs too. Don’t forget: mental stimulation is as important as physical stimulation.