As pet parents, it is your job to ensure your dog is happy, healthy, and fulfilled. That can seem like a tall order, especially when we don’t even speak the same language. However, making sure they have these 5 freedoms goes a long way to cover things!
1)Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
Make sure your dog has access for clean drinking water at all times, and provide them nutritionally balanced meals.
2) Freedom From Discomfort
Not only does this mean providing a safe, dry, home for them to live in (hopefully in your house!), but I believe this ALSO means training them without force or pain – no shock, choke, pinch, prong collars 🙂
3)Freedom from Pain, Injury, & Disease
Regular wellness visits to your vet are a must, as are certain vaccines to keep them healthy and happy! You should also be choosing walking equipment that doesn’t hurt or impede their gait, and give them monthly heartworm and flea/tick preventatives.
4) Freedom to Express Normal Behavior.
This is the one where I see most of my new/potential clients falling short. We have to allow our dogs to be dogs! Let them sniff on walks, take them to fenced in area to run, play tug or chase with them. For friendly dogs, this might also include
Research your dog’s breed – what were they bred to do? Are they being allowed to express those innate drives? If not, you need to change things up!
5) Freedom from Fear and Distress
Make sure you are creating a safe and welcoming environment for your dog and that you aren’t exposing them to undo stressors. I feel this also strongly correlates to the way we train our dogs!
Need help figuring out how to meet one or all of these freedoms? Shoot me an email!