Give Dogs Choice
October 30, 2025
Why Lack of Choice Causes Stress in Dogs
At first glance, our dogs may appear content with their well-rested and well-fed lives. They don't have to deal with the pressures of adulting like we do. It's easy for us to overlook the possibility of stress in their lives. In reality, we control nearly every part of their day: what they eat, when they exercise, where they go, and who they meet. This total control can significantly increase their stress levels, often without us noticing.
The Importance of Choice: Boost Happiness and Health
By incorporating more choice into your dog's routine, you can enhance their overall well-being in numerous ways:
Reduces Stress: Giving control lowers stress, leading to a noticeable improvement in mood.
Builds Resilience: Enhanced coping skills lead to quicker recovery from stress; trigger-related outbursts are shorter and less intense.
Strengthens the Bond: Offering control builds trust and creates a closer, more satisfying relationship.
Improves Behavior: A dog with more satisfaction and less stress is generally easier to live with and manage.
The Ethical Imperative of Choice
The concept of giving dogs choices is not just about making them happy; it is a fundamental ethical necessity rooted in behavioral science. As renowned behaviorist Dr. Susan G. Friedman states:
"The power to control one's own outcomes is essential to behavioral health, and the degree to which a behavior reduction procedure preserves learner control is essential to developing a standard of humane, effective practice."
Giving your dog control over their life is crucial for their long-term behavioral health and is key to a humane, trust-based relationship.
Three Effective Methods to Empower Your Dog with More Choices
1. Choice in Playtime
How to test: Offer two different toys (e.g., a ball and a frisbee) and observe which one your dog chooses.
Why this works: It reveals their current preference and gives them control over the activity.
Tip: Repeat the test to see if their choice is consistent or situational.
2. Choice in Food Rewards
How to test: Offer two different treats (one in each hand) and see which one your dog chooses first. Switch hands and repeat.
Why this works: This simple test offers valuable insight into their food priorities and preferences.
3. Choice in Meal Delivery
How to test: Present two options — i.e. snuffle mat, Toppl, lick mat, food puzzle
Why this works: Their choice provides insight into their preferred method of retrieval—using their nose versus using their paws/mouth.
Learn how to add choice into your dog’s day. Chip, the dog will provide 3 demos. We hope you have fun replicating these or creating your own.
Empowering Training: Introducing Cooperative Care
Cooperative care is a training method that teaches animals to consent to procedures like nail trims or vet examinations. It gives the dog the power to signal when they are ready to begin, and when they need a break. This approach has been successful with marine animals for years and is now gaining momentum in dog training. Imagine the convenience of having a calm and cooperative dog during vet and/or grooming appointments. Game changer, right?
If you and your pup get stressed about vet or grooming visits, it's crucial to learn more about Cooperative Training. I highly recommend resources like the Fear Free and Happy Homes website, as well as Chirag Patel's Bucket Game on YouTube. If you prefer in-person support, I am Fear Free certified and welcome the chance to help you and your pup.
Conclusion: Build Trust and Strengthen Your Bond
Choice is the foundation of trust. By consciously offering your dog more choices, you strengthen your bond and enrich your relationship. Start experimenting today and watch the joy and gratitude on your dog's face.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Canine Choice
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No. The concept of dominance in dog-human relationships is an outdated theory. Giving a dog choice means offering options between desirable outcomes (like which toy or route to take), which reduces stress and builds trust, not authority. For a detailed explanation on why the dominance theory is obsolete, please read my post: Truth About Dogs: 10 Myths You Need to Forget
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You do not need to offer a choice for every single action. Focus on giving your dog choices for high-value items, like toys and treats, and choices in non-critical routines, like which direction to walk or whether to take a break during training. This prevents stress and confusion without undermining necessary structure.
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Cooperative Care is a training method that teaches your dog to willingly participate in husbandry procedures (like nail trims or brushing) by giving them a consent signal (like touching a target) to say "ready" or moving away to say "I need a break." To start, look for resources on Chirag Patel's Bucket Game or the Fear Free website.
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Giving a choice is one of the most important things you can do for your reactive dog. The ability to control an outcome increases their feeling of safety and reduces anxiety. Start with very small, low-stakes choices (like "left hand or right hand" for a treat) in a calm environment, and gradually increase complexity.
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