Don’t pass the buck!

October 28, 2024

Meeting Your Dog’s Drive Needs: Lessons from Koda’s Story

Dogs, like Koda, often end up in rescue not because they are untrainable but because their previous owners didn’t fully understand what he needed. Koda was well-fed, healthy, and cared for in many ways. However, his quality of life—and that of his owners—suffered due to one critical oversight: failing to meet his drive needs. Rather than adapting to Koda’s needs, his owners attempted to manage him through tethering, limiting his mouth use, and occasional walks. They had every right to make those choices, but here’s my message to dog owners reading this—do right by your dog by meeting their needs so that, ultimately, they can meet your wants.

Koda’s story is a powerful example of how unfulfilled instincts lead to behavioural issues and how drive expression, in tandem with obedience training, can create an improvement in quality of life for Koda. This blog will cover the key signs of unmet drive needs and offer practical solutions to address these issues before they escalate.

 

Koda’s Journey and Transformation

Koda eventually ended up in rescue, where I had the opportunity to meet and work with him. Seeing firsthand how unfulfilled drive needs had impacted Koda made it clear that meeting these needs could change everything. With focused effort, we implemented a drive fulfilment program and, remarkably, Koda’s behavioural problems improved by 80% in 3weeks. His transformation is proof of the power of understanding and meeting a dog’s natural instincts.

 

Understanding Drive Needs

Every dog has instinctual predatory drives, some more than others. A dog’s drives reflect their natural urges to chase, play, herd, or guard. Only a minority of dogs are bred to have low drive and fit a ‘couch potato’ lifestyle. (It’s essential to remember that dogs are sentient beings, not objects to pick up, play with, and set aside without concern for their needs.). If your dog loves to:

You must provide an activity that closely matches these instincts (or see the dog sports in brackets above). At the very least, incorporate meaningful play into their routine. When these natural instincts are left unfulfilled, many dogs adopt maladaptive coping behaviours, often perceived as behavioural problems, which can make them seem unmanageable.

 

Signs That Your Dog’s Drives Are Unfulfilled

Do you find yourself exercising your dog daily, offering mental stimulation, and even engaging in relaxation exercises, only to have a restless dog? Then your dog could be like Koda, who showed several clear signs of unmet drive needs:

  1. Excessive Energy and Hyperactivity Despite Daily Exercise
    Koda was constantly restless, seemingly unaffected by the level of exercise he received. He would quickly recover and be ready for more, struggling to settle unless completely exhausted. Many owners believe that exercise alone will create a calm, well-behaved dog, but for dogs with high drive needs, exercise without drive fulfilment leaves a missing piece in the puzzle.
  2. Reactivity (On/Off-Leash Towards Dogs or Humans)
    Koda’s frustration surfaced as reactivity on walks, especially around other dogs. Reactivity rooted in frustration often indicates unfulfilled drive needs, causing dogs to lash out as they seek expression. Dogs experiencing frustration-based reactivity may calm down quickly after an outburst or, in severe cases, be unable to contain themselves without intervention.
  3. Escape Attempts or “Escape Artist” Behaviour
    Koda often tried to escape his home, searching for something that could fulfil his drive needs. Imagine being in an environment you found unfulfilling—would you want to stay? Many dogs escape to seek stimulation, often content to return home after satisfying this need. Some may even try to break out of cars or parks to access whatever triggers their drive.
  4. Unwanted Whining That Mimics Separation Anxiety
    Koda’s whining began as self-soothing but evolved into attention-seeking vocalisation, turning into what appeared as separation anxiety. Dogs with unmet drives often vocalise to express frustration, which can unintentionally train humans to respond and reinforce the behaviour. When left unchecked, this can develop into anxiety (anticipation of the attention rather than apprehension of being left alone) that seems to persist whenever their needs are not met.

What did you do to help Koda?

Koda’s transformation came from understanding his needs and working to fulfil his drives. Here’s a breakdown of the steps we took, and how you can apply these strategies to your own dog:

  • Drive Expression Through Play: One of the first steps was giving Koda permission to express his drive through extended play sessions. This was not just any play but structured activities that allowed him to engage his mind and body. We used tug games, fetching, and mental stimulation exercises to channel his energy in a productive way.
  • Introducing the Slat-Mill: Koda loved the slat-mill, a non-motorised treadmill that allowed him to run freely, giving him the chance to control his movement. Unlike a traditional treadmill, the slat-mill gave Koda the freedom to sprint full out, something city dogs rarely get to experience. This not only helped burn off energy but also boosted his confidence and gave him a sense of accomplishment. It became a tool for both drive fulfilment and obedience training, as described below in more detail:
    • Confidence and Control: By having full control over the mill, Koda gains real confidence through learning he can manage his own movement. This discovery—that he is in control—boosts his self-esteem. It’s a powerful experience that helps him feel capable of owning his behaviours.
    • Emotional Control & Obedience: The slat-mill is a great tool for teaching Koda to manage his drive. Through different training stages, he learns not just to run but also to slow down on command, building impulse control. This balance of fulfilling his drive while regulating his emotions is key for his ongoing behavioural growth.
    • Behaviour Modification: The mill is also helpful for behaviour modification, offering Koda controlled movement without feeling restrained—ideal for desensitisation and counterconditioning programs.
  • Progress in Training: Koda has made significant strides in his training, particularly with his dog reactivity. His loose-leash walking has improved through the use of a prong collar or halti, which he prefers. He is learning to understand when it is appropriate to explore his surroundings and when it is time to focus on walking.
  • His recall and “leave it” commands are being trained via a remote collar, which will need to be consistently continued with a new owner. This is crucial to ensure that Koda can safely be allowed off-leash in the future. He also shows potential in learning new tricks through shaping exercises, demonstrating a strong capacity for confident cooperation.

 

For Koda’s future

For Koda’s long-term success, along with his drive needs which must be met through consistent play he requires specific exercise, and training activities as follows, without these outlets, the behavioural problems are likely to resurface:

  • Escape-Proofing the Home: We suggest investing in a secure fence or kennel to provide him with a safe space.
  • Managing Anxiety: Koda must learn that it’s okay to be bored sometimes and that not every stimulating situation is for him. Ensuring he has structured alone time where his drives are met beforehand will help reduce his anxiety when left alone.
  • Avoiding Social Play During Walks: Koda needs to focus on neutrality during walks, not interacting with other dogs. The focus must be on mastering obedience under high-drive situations, not social play with other dogs.
  • Building a bond with his humans, not other dogs: Koda tends to wrestle intensely, and without supervision, this can lead to problems with other dogs. We suggest that his future owners should focus on playing with Koda themselves, not other dogs.
  • Addressing Whining: Koda’s whining for attention needs to be addressed. While some whining is self-soothing, attention-seeking whining must be discouraged to prevent it from becoming a stronger habit.

 

Koda’s story highlights the importance of recognising and meeting a dog’s drive needs. Many dogs end up in rescue because their owners fail to provide the right outlets for their natural instincts, leading to behavioural problems that can seem insurmountable. Esentially passing on the buck (or rather dog) down the line to the next potential home.

However, with the right approach—through structured play, tools like the slat-mill (you don’t need your own but can use Fit4Paws), and consistent training—these behaviours can be managed, and Koda will thrive.

If you’re noticing signs of unfulfilled drives in your dog, it’s crucial to take action before these issues escalate. Meeting your dog’s needs through proper outlets for their energy, drive expression, and mental stimulation will not only prevent behavioural problems but also strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

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