“CH. BADGERTON WIT O’MEADOW RIDGE- BB at the Greater St. Louis Shetland Sheepdog Club Special. Sept. 26 at Villa Ridge Mo.- Mrs. Lloyd Johnson j. with his 6 month old get Tiree Hall Solo’s High Hope, Novice Class winner, he went on to win the Stud Dog Class. “Wit” is owned by Mr. & Mrs. Sherman R. Hendrickson, Tiree Hall Farm.”
Talk all about what drains, and fills a dog’s emotional cup in this interview with Sarah Owings
Lili Chin- A Dog’s Emotional Cup
Text and image descriptions under readmore.
Description begins.
A Dog’s Emotional Cup
Every dog has a cup that needs to be filled- with social connection, security, access to reinforcers, and enrichment.
Some dogs seem to have a full cup most of the time, either because of a genetic pre-disposition, or because they have learned good ways to get a refill.
Most things that dogs do are completely normal-including the annoying stuff, like DIGGING up the garden, CHASING cats, or BARKING at the mailman. But all dogs show signs of stress when their cups get near empty.
[Image: A happy yellow dog with floppy ears sits in a white mug, paws propped on the rim.]
Signs your dog may be coping with an empty cup
hoarding resources, over-protective
over-reacting, or shutting down when exposed to new things
restlessness
slow to recover from exciting events
changes in appetite
escalating behaviors to get something or to get away from something
increased grumpiness, or flare-ups
intense social appeasement
What refills a dog’s cup:
[Image: A white dog with orange spots happily digs a hole in soil, sending flowers flying. There is an upright mug with a hearth on it.]
Doing Dog Things: SNIFFING, CHEWING, FORAGING, BARKING, DIGGING, PLAYING
Being included in the family (dogs/humans)
Freedom to move
Freedom to make choices
Ability to control outcomes and get reinforcers
Unconditional love and attention
Good health: nourishing food, no parasites, etc.
Having a safe, quiet place to rest
Predictable routines and interactions
Getting to do things a dog loves to do
What empties a dog’s cup:
[Image: An orange dog opens its mouth towards an upside down mug, from which a single drop gas spilled.]
Social isolation
Long periods of confinement with no enrichment
Poor nutrition, untreated illness, or pain
Denied access to reinforcers
Scary or unpredictable reactions from important humans
Over-stimulation (over-exercised) or not enough
Set up to fail, and then punished for it
No preparation for challenging situations
Unclear training: not knowing how to get reinforcement
No one responding when expressing a need
Too much "impulse control" (i.e. no sniffing, no eating, no exploring, no barking, no doing Dog Things) for too much of the day
Words by Sarah Owings, Art by Lili Chin, Inspired by THE EMOTIONAL CUP by Upbility
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