Emotional Wellbeing in the Domestic Dog

This book considers how to improve the emotional wellbeing of pet dogs, covering key topics such as optimising health, minimising pain, daily routines, handling, and the impact of environment on behaviour. It covers normal dog behaviour, how to promote high welfare care, and ethical treatment strategies that centre the dog's experience.

Our canine companions are well-loved members of the family but, concurrently, we can compromise their happiness for our convenience. We may hold them to certain expectations, require them to tolerate upsetting situations, and ignore their cries for help when dealing with pain and distress. An alternative is to consider their emotional wellbeing on a higher level, and work holistically together towards a more joyful experience for dogs throughout their lives.Various canine care professions, including both veterinary and behavioural services, are ideally placed to advise and support owners through this process, covering key topics such as optimizing health, minimizing pain, daily routines, handling, and the impact of environment on behaviour. This book considers: - Normal dog behaviour, and how this affects canine experience within the world. - What is "high welfare" and how can this be both communicated to owners and achieved? - Equipment and behaviour treatment strategies, focusing on alternatives that centre the dog''s experience. Through training and behaviour change on both the human and animal sides, we can boost the wellbeing of our canine companions. Written for a professional audience but with a focus on advising clients and owners, this book is an important read for anyone interested in promoting healthy, happy lives for pet dogs.