Dog’s are bought and sold. In law, they are property. We are, in fact, their ‘owner’ so why do some pet professionals refer to us as their ‘guardian’?
Our whole bond between our dogs and ourselves is built on a power imbalance. We are in control of food, shelter, and all other resources that the dog needs. We are also have language and humans are in a unique position to interpret their dogs behaviours e.g. they look guilty (which is rarely true). We define the relationship we have with our dogs according to our values and ideals, often thinking about them like a small human. We tell stories about dogs and interpret dog’s behaviour through the human behavioural lens. Think of Lassie!
This power imbalance is part of the frame of reference for how we process information relating to the capacities and motivations of the dog. If, for example, we see our dog is a ‘dumb animal’ we may feel comfortable using aversives and training our dogs to follow our commands. They exist to serve after all. However, if we see our dog as a family member, we may overfeed them to show our love. How we relate to our dogs is largely defined by our frame of reference and not our dogs.
Meeting our own needs?
Many dog owners buy or adopt a dog because (they envisage) that it meets their own needs to do so, otherwise they would not do so. We’d get a cat or have a holiday instead. Often though we aren’t particularly aware of the needs we have that we expect our dog to meet, be it for companionable walks, sofa cuddles or as our family. This means that our frame of reference is often more implicit than explicit.
One of the pivotal aspects of that frame of reference is that the ‘owner’ has acquired what is legally a possession with an insurable replacement value. In becoming the dog’s ‘owner’ we take a small step towards defining a dog as lacking in sentience or their own agency.
Some vets and trainers may refer to you as the dog’s guardian as a way of acknowledging the dog’s rights to choose and fulfilment. Dogs have their own version of Adrian Maslow’s (perhaps outdated) Hierarchy of Needs, and these needs extend far beyond the purely physiological. Linda Michael’s has published a Dog’s Hierarchy of Needs. I’d also thoroughly recommend Marc Bekoff’s “When Elephants Weep” for a change of frame of reference!
By having a clearer and more accurate frame of reference we are able to develop a more reciprocal relationship with our dogs in which they can actively and fully participate.
What can we do?
- Think about why you originally got your dog, what were you looking for? what need were you trying to meet? This will help you to find out what expectations you are putting on your dog, expectations they may not be able to meet!
- Learn about dog language and behaviour. Find out how they communicate pleasure, pain, anxiety and affection.
- Find out about dog care and dog behaviour. Note NOT training, but their natural instinctual behaviours. Find out about a dog’s daily needs for cognitive stimulation and training (in fact very small) vs need to feel safe and opportunities to smell (both huge biological needs).
- Study your dog! Yes, watch their body language and see if you can get to understand what they are trying to tell you. Taking videos of them at play or ‘misbehaving’ and watch them back in slow motion and see if you can spot more of what they are trying to tell you.
- Become their advocate! Consider and stand up for their need.