Many dog owners are sure they can read their dog's thoughts, and assume that the dog can, for example, feel shame or a guilty conscience if it has broken something or made a mess at home.
One of today's most recognized dog experts, Swedish dog guru and author Anders Hallgren, states in a new book that this is not the case. We often attribute human characteristics to a dog's natural behavior, which we interpret based on our own worldview rather than the dog's.
Anders Hallgren is a trained psychologist and the first dog psychologist in Europe and probably also in the rest of the world. He has more than 50 years of experience as a dog psychologist and trainer and has written over 30 books on dog behavior. Already in his first books from 1971 and 1974 he did away with the punitive and militant training methods of the time.
The dog owner is the key to the dog's happiness
For many years, the author has worked on investigating problem behavior, and states that one must always work with the cause rather than the symptoms in order to create results.
Since stress is one of the main causes of problem behavior, this was one of the many parameters that Hallgren measured in his new study, where he wanted to find the key to what could indicate the level of happiness. Along the way, he tested several methods.
Only when he was able to test the dog owner rather than the dog physiologically did he find a way to explain the dog's level of well-being and happiness.
The study showed, among other things, that part of what determines whether a dog is happy is the bond between dog and owner, and how many mistakes the dog owner makes along the way that make the dog feel insecure and unsure of what is right and wrong.
“The dog's first priority is always to try to prevent conflicts in the pack,” explains Anders Hallgren. They perceive their humans as their pack, and will always try to cooperate with us, like wolves cooperate in a pack.
This is precisely why the relationship between dog and human is of inestimable importance to the dog's well-being. If the dog is often scolded, we are inconsistent and exhibit behavior that means the dog cannot count on us, it will become insecure and insecure, and this will affect its well-being.
Physical contact strengthens the relationship
Naturally, he also emphasizes that the more you pet and have contact with your dog, the stronger the bond between dog and owner. Body contact is also an important factor, but on the dog's terms and initiative. Often, younger dogs will seek this out themselves, while older dogs will withdraw.
Basically, all dogs are programmed to be friendly as puppies, but it is the dog owner and the human influence that determines whether the dog will be happy and well-functioning throughout its life.
Therefore, it is often the dog owner who should be looked for, rather than the dog, if you need to find a cause for a dog's challenges, for example in relation to stress or behavioral problems.
Factors that promote a happy dog
-
Friendliness of the dog owner
(Always avoid shouting, scolding the dog and punishing)
-
Routine
(Dogs feel safe knowing what will happen when)
-
Reduce your dog's stress level
(Possibly alleviate stress and behavior that gets the dog into the "red zone" with products containing tryptophan (for example Equi-Calm and B-50)
-
Good mental activation
(Let the dog use its head in a good way every day so that it is mentally stimulated by, for example, nose work, low-intensity training, problem solving)
Dogs are genetically programmed for normal social relationships – especially through their heritage from the wolf. All forms of kindness in relationships with others are not only positive, but also natural and a prerequisite for unity and cooperation in the wild.
-“That's why I keep repeating that you should be kind to your dog – and I'll keep repeating it as long as I can,” says the popular author
*Source Anders Halgren's lecture on Social Stress in dogs.
The dog owner decides whether the dog is happy.
Many dog owners are sure they can read their dog's thoughts, and assume that the dog can, for example, feel shame or a guilty conscience if it has broken something or made a mess at home.
One of today's most recognized dog experts, Swedish dog guru and author Anders Hallgren, states in a new book that this is not the case. We often attribute human characteristics to a dog's natural behavior, which we interpret based on our own worldview rather than the dog's.
Anders Hallgren is a trained psychologist and the first dog psychologist in Europe and probably also in the rest of the world. He has more than 50 years of experience as a dog psychologist and trainer and has written over 30 books on dog behavior. Already in his first books from 1971 and 1974 he did away with the punitive and militant training methods of the time.
The dog owner is the key to the dog's happiness
For many years, the author has worked on investigating problem behavior, and states that one must always work with the cause rather than the symptoms in order to create results.
Since stress is one of the main causes of problem behavior, this was one of the many parameters that Hallgren measured in his new study, where he wanted to find the key to what could indicate the level of happiness. Along the way, he tested several methods.
Only when he was able to test the dog owner rather than the dog physiologically did he find a way to explain the dog's level of well-being and happiness.
“The dog's first priority is always to try to prevent conflicts in the pack,” explains Anders Hallgren. They perceive their humans as their pack, and will always try to cooperate with us, like wolves cooperate in a pack.
This is precisely why the relationship between dog and human is of inestimable importance to the dog's well-being. If the dog is often scolded, we are inconsistent and exhibit behavior that means the dog cannot count on us, it will become insecure and insecure, and this will affect its well-being.
Physical contact strengthens the relationship
Basically, all dogs are programmed to be friendly as puppies, but it is the dog owner and the human influence that determines whether the dog will be happy and well-functioning throughout its life.
Therefore, it is often the dog owner who should be looked for, rather than the dog, if you need to find a cause for a dog's challenges, for example in relation to stress or behavioral problems.
Factors that promote a happy dog
(Always avoid shouting, scolding the dog and punishing)
(Dogs feel safe knowing what will happen when)
(Possibly alleviate stress and behavior that gets the dog into the "red zone" with products containing tryptophan (for example Equi-Calm and B-50)
(Let the dog use its head in a good way every day so that it is mentally stimulated by, for example, nose work, low-intensity training, problem solving)
Dogs are genetically programmed for normal social relationships – especially through their heritage from the wolf. All forms of kindness in relationships with others are not only positive, but also natural and a prerequisite for unity and cooperation in the wild.
*Source Anders Halgren's lecture on Social Stress in dogs.