What Your Dog Really Wants

We have a tendency to misunderstand our dogs to fit our human-centered view of the world. Our pets are constantly anthropomorphized. We dress our pooches up in human-like clothes and take them to see Santa at Christmastime. These little amusements do no harm, but they're representative of a common problem: many dog owners aren't letting their dogs be dogs. Your pet has many needs beyond the obvious. Here are some of the things your dog really wants from you.

1. Your dog wants companionship-more than just you. Dogs are naturally inclined to live in packs-- not just small family units of two or three individuals, but big, extended families where they can coexist with a dozen or more friends and relatives. If you have a small family, it's crucial to ensure that your dog gets plenty of interaction with other companions (both human and canine). Join a dog-lover's group in your area so your dog can be a regular part of a larger social unit, or consider putting him in a doggy-daycare program so he'll have friends and playmates while you're away. You alone can't meet your dog's social needs, so make sure he has other ways of meeting them.

2. Your dog wants discipline. Many people think of obedience training as an optional part of dog ownership-something that owners should do for problematic dogs, or to teach them tricks for the sake of fun. While your dog may not need formal obedience training, he does need structured discipline. Teaching your dog to obey you isn't just a fun thing you should do to show off to your friends; it's actually essential for his mental health. Dogs need and crave authority from the leaders of their "packs." Without it, they'll tend to claim that authority for themselves, leading to behavioral problems. Give your dog structure and authority, and he'll thank you for it.

3. Your dog wants tasks. If you've ever known a neurotic dog, you know just how hard life can be for an intelligent animal who doesn't feel a sense of purpose. We've spent thousands of years breeding dogs so that they want to work. Collies are born wanting to herd, retrievers are born ready to retrieve, and hounds are ready to assist the hunt. Give your dog everyday tasks that he can do to make himself feel like he's contributing. Teach your dog "tricks" like bringing you the remote, peacefully guarding the door, and keeping track of your cats or kids. These behaviors, while cute, also improve your pet's mental health by making him feel like he belongs and is helpful to your family.

4. Your dog wants to be part of your family (really). Your dog craves complete inclusion in your family-- not as the animal in the back yard who occasionally gets treats and cuddles, but as a contributing member of your pack. Your dog needs and deserves to be included in the activities that define you as a family: outings to the park, rainy evenings snuggled on the couch, and perhaps even the occasional vacation. Make sure that your dog isn't excluded unnecessarily from your family's identity and structure.

5. Your dog wants (and needs) excellent health care. This should be obvious, but it's amazing how many pet-parents overlook this simple fact. Your dog needs and deserves for his health to be a main priority. Frequent exercise for dogs is not optional; it's essential. Annual trips to the vet for vaccines and check-ups are also just as critical for pets as they are for children. Dogs coping with chronic disease like obesity, diabetes, or arthritis need treatment to the same degree as their human counterparts. Make sure that your dog gets the very best you can afford in nutrition and health care.

Dogs have many needs and desires beyond a bowl of dog food and a dry place to sleep. They are intelligent, social animals who can't thrive without proper, attentive, loving care from competent, responsible owners. If you want to give your pet the life he deserves, make every possible effort to meet his needs on every level.