THE GOLDEN RULE FOR DOGS
ENABLE THE BEST IN
YOUR DOG
I firmly believe that the human-dog relationship should
be as beneficial to the dog as it is for the human.
In order to fulfill this
mandate we must take responsibility as leaders and guardians to our dogs. I
also believe that the human-dog relationship should be a partnership.
I see the leadership role as a state of being in which
the human empowers themselves and their dog to live a happy, healthy life.
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| Abby, Jordie, Tasha and Sarah |
A dog is willing to give so much to their human - but
what is the human willing to give to the dog?
It is my belief that in order to fulfill the needs of our dogs we need to understand and follow what I call the ‘Golden Rule’. The Golden Rule addresses Body, Mind and Soul.
To enable the best in your dog
you must think beyond yourself, your momentary needs your emotions. I believe
you must broaden your understanding of affection, leadership and partnership.
If you learn to look at every element of your
relationship in a more dynamic and holistic fashion you can learn to combine
what you want with what your dog requires.
To have a happy, well balanced canine companion the human
needs to make sure that they fulfill the needs of their dog.
Just because our dog fulfills our needs it does not mean that we have automatically fulfilled our dog's needs.
Just because our dog fulfills our needs it does not mean that we have automatically fulfilled our dog's needs.
Many of us, with the best of
intentions, do not realize (that just because we love our dog and ensure we
provide it with lots of affection the best of food, treats, a comfy place to
sleep, etc.) that we have not met our dog's needs in a way that will best
benefit them.
If you have acquired a dog
simply as a fashion accessory or as a warm fuzzy thing to cuddle and have not
understood that living with a dog involves much, much more - you are dooming
your dog to a life of misery - although you may not see it that way! When we do
not allow a dog to live as a dog we inflict great psychological harm and
physical harm.
To achieve and maintain psychological
and physical health dogs like people need to have the following on a daily
basis:
#1 For the Body
Work = Exercise for the body - to keep muscles, ligaments and bones strong, to expend energy, to maintain proper physiological function…this also keeps the mind sharp too!
Work = Exercise for the body - to keep muscles, ligaments and bones strong, to expend energy, to maintain proper physiological function…this also keeps the mind sharp too!
#2 For the Mind
Leadership = to stimulate maintain and evolve the mind structure - rules, boundaries, coaching and mentoring;
Leadership = to stimulate maintain and evolve the mind structure - rules, boundaries, coaching and mentoring;
#3 For the Soul
Affection - affection has many dimensions and facets...
Affection - affection has many dimensions and facets...
- The most foundational, fundamental and selfless form of affection you can provide to someone you love (human or non-human animal) is to provide...
- A safe roof over their head;
- Good food, and;
- Structure...
- For without these three things a being will not be well adjusted or healthy.
- The other form of affection - physical touch is - in order of priority last on the list.
- This is not because it is not important, but instead because the other three are even more important :>)
#4 - Nutrition
A well balanced diet - that provides rich nutrition and quality caloric intake in balance with energy expended. Poor diet has impacts on physical and mental health!
A well balanced diet - that provides rich nutrition and quality caloric intake in balance with energy expended. Poor diet has impacts on physical and mental health!
#1 to #4 when combined together = an overall safe and
supportive environment.
It is my belief that in order to fulfill the needs of our dogs we need to understand and follow what I call the ‘Golden Rule’. The Golden Rule addresses Body, Mind and Soul.
 | ||
| Jacob and Carmen |
SO WHAT IS THE GOLDEN RULE?
On a daily basis the human must make sure that they
satisfy the needs of their dog's physical, psychological and spiritual
requirements.
It is very important to ensure that these three requirements are fulfilled in the correct order of priority, at appropriate times and in the right amount.
The order of priority is the basis for the Golden Rule...
#1 Work - fulfill the physical requirements of the body: exercise
#2 Leadership - fulfill the psychological requirements of the mind: structure, coaching, mentoring
#3 Affection - which as described further above is multidimensional with the last element being the spiritual requirements of the soul
It is very important to ensure that these three requirements are fulfilled in the correct order of priority, at appropriate times and in the right amount.
The order of priority is the basis for the Golden Rule...
#1 Work - fulfill the physical requirements of the body: exercise
#2 Leadership - fulfill the psychological requirements of the mind: structure, coaching, mentoring
#3 Affection - which as described further above is multidimensional with the last element being the spiritual requirements of the soul
If you think about
it - this Golden Rule makes so much sense.
I know that I feel really lousy if I don't
get enough exercise. Exercise helps
our body rid itself of the tension (physical and mental) of daily stresses; it
helps us stay fit, keeps our muscles, tendons and bones strong; helps to
moderate our emotional highs and lows and makes us feel less tired.
I feel aimless, at loose ends if I have no structure in my life. For some this
can lead to an overwhelming sense of insecurity, anxiety, depression.
And let's face it; a lack of affection in one's life is very tough on an individual's overall
well being.
I love and cherish
my dogs - to be true to these feelings I have for my dogs, I make sure that my
love and respect for them translates into meeting all of their needs at the
right time, in the right way. By doing so I also respect myself. In order to
successfully follow the Golden Rule, I must be aware of what I am doing; I must
be aware of my state-of-being; I must find balance and I must be the pack
leader. By following this methodology, the dog and the human both benefit.
If you are
currently meeting some or all of the three requirements, but in the wrong order
or wrong amount you are likely to or already have a dog with behaviour traits
that either annoy and frustrate you or may pose a danger to the dog, yourself
or to others.
Let’s take a look
at the big three in a little more detail…
EXERCISE
I always
say that dogs have two types of energy; their daily quota of
energy, and;
if they have not had enough exercise on a regular daily basis they can have stored energy in addition to daily energy;
They can also have a third type of energy - anxious energy! If your dog has anxiety issues it may also have nervous energy which results in chewing objects or itself, scratching itself, etc.
Dogs need to expend their energy to feel relaxed and calm. You cannot expect a dog with unspent energy to be focused and ‘reasonable’, happy or balanced. Dogs need to expend their energy on a regular (daily) basis.
Just as we find it difficult to settle down if we are revved up, so do dogs - even more so.
if they have not had enough exercise on a regular daily basis they can have stored energy in addition to daily energy;
They can also have a third type of energy - anxious energy! If your dog has anxiety issues it may also have nervous energy which results in chewing objects or itself, scratching itself, etc.
Dogs need to expend their energy to feel relaxed and calm. You cannot expect a dog with unspent energy to be focused and ‘reasonable’, happy or balanced. Dogs need to expend their energy on a regular (daily) basis.
Just as we find it difficult to settle down if we are revved up, so do dogs - even more so.
LEADERSHIP
Dogs require
leadership - coaching and mentoring - leading
by example from a calm, confident, firm, patient, fair and aware state-of-being.
This is how well balanced dogs instruct each other - this is also how well
balanced humans instruct each other! To understand more about leadership read
about being your dog's Pack Leader
AFFECTION
If you always share enthusiastic, excited
affection with your dog you may be creating a stressed and overly
excited dog.
Affection can be expressed in many ways -
some of the best opportunities to share affection are subtle, quite moments of
appreciation, of caring.
It is important to
realize that providing affection in the wrong way or at the wrong time can
cause behavioural issues
such as anxiety, dominating behaviour and even aggression.
To understand more about all of the positive
ways you can share affection with your dogs, read about affection and your dog Affection and Your Dog
Sometimes it is
easier to understand an idea or theory if we can see it in a visual
format...below is a graphic representation of the Golden Rule...
Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat
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For information about my holistic behavioral services, visit my holistic behavioral services page.
For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.
My behavioral services are available worldwide via video consultation.
🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE
📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp
To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page.
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food, supplements, or other products.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.
Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld.
