If you live with more than one dog, you already know how complex things can get. Dogs, like humans, are shaped by their personalities, past experiences, and even their health. But unlike us, they can’t explain their feelings. When tension builds, whether over food, space, or attention, it often spirals into bigger problems.
Unfortunately, traditional dog training methods often focus on fixing one behaviour or one dog at a time. But what about the bigger picture? That’s where Systems Thinking comes in. It’s an approach that helps us understand how all the moving parts—your dogs, their past experiences, and even your own responses—work together.
Understanding What’s Really Going On
In multi-dog households, behaviour is rarely about “dominance” or a single bad habit. It’s about stress—stress that flows between dogs and even between dogs and humans. For example:
• One dog’s anxiety can set off a chain reaction of tension in the whole household.
• Guarding behaviours often come from a fear of losing access to food, space, or even your attention.
Instead of asking, “Why is my dog doing this?” try asking, “What’s behind this behaviour?” That small shift in thinking can open the door to meaningful change.
What Stress Looks Like in Dogs
Stress in dogs doesn’t just disappear. It can stick around for hours or even days, showing up as:
• Aggression toward other dogs.
• Over-guarding toys or food.
• Nervous pacing or hiding.
This isn’t random—it’s your dog’s brain trying to protect them. Understanding this is the first step to helping them feel safe.
Your Role as the Caregiver
Here’s the tricky part: your emotional state matters just as much as your dog’s. When you’re stressed, anxious, or frustrated, your dogs pick up on it. That’s why learning how to stay calm in tense moments can make a huge difference. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about modeling the behaviour you want to see.
Lucy and Jazzy: A Real-Life Example
Lucy, a senior dog, struggled with fear and anxiety when her family adopted a playful puppy, Jazzy. The household became chaotic as Lucy guarded resources and reacted to Jazzy’s high energy.
Here’s what helped:
1. Safe Spaces: Lucy got her own area to retreat and decompress.
2. Predictable Routines: Mealtime and playtime became structured, reducing competition.
3. Calm Responses: Lucy’s family practiced staying calm during tense moments, which helped reduce her reactivity.
Over time, Lucy felt more secure, and her bond with Jazzy grew.
How Systems Thinking Can Help
The old way of thinking asks, “How do I fix my dog’s behaviour?” Systems Thinking asks, “What’s causing this behaviour in the bigger picture?” By looking at everything—your dogs’ past experiences, their environment, and your responses—you can create lasting change.
What You Can Do Today
Here are a few practical steps to start making changes:
1. Create Safe Zones: Give each dog their own space to relax.
2. Adjust Routines: Keep things predictable to lower stress.
3. Practice Calm Co-Regulation: Your calmness helps your dog feel safe.
Want to learn more?
You can watch the latest episode of our podcast where I share the inside steps and practical solutions with you going over details of a case and how we used systems thinking to uncover and discover real results.
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