ENVIRONMENT 

Your dog’s environment encompasses their external physical surroundings (at home and when out and about) as well as their internal physiological environment (inside their body). These are influenced by a huge range of factors, from your home set-up and the people and other pets within it, to external factors like the weather, as well as your dog’s physical health and their internal physiological state such as whether they’re hungry, sick, hot or cold.  

Aspects of your dog’s environment may be continuous, or they may be transient in nature. They may range from predictable and controllable to the opposite. The perfect environment for your dog is one that consistently caters to their physical, mental and emotional needs. These factors are all interconnected and need careful consideration.  

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In this section…

You will learn more about: 

  1. Why your dog's environment is important for their emotional wellbeing
  2. Dog-proofing your home
  3. The role of environmental enrichment
  4. Top tips and ideas for environmental enrichment
  5. Bringing a dog home for the first time
  6. Supporting your dog's internal environment
  7. Key Points

Why is your dog’s environment important for their emotional wellbeing? 

A dog’s external environment can be a source of stress or comfort, or sometimes it can be both. Having a safe and comforting home and enjoyable travel and outdoor experiences can help your dog relax, feel contented and cope with any stressors that might arise. Changes to household dynamics (such as moving to a new house or arrival of a new baby) and any disturbances, large or small (such as a stranger at the door or loud fireworks), can be a source of stress and a gateway to unwanted behaviour. In this way, a dog’s environment can directly affect their emotional wellbeing and quality of life.  

A dog’s interactions with their external environment can also indirectly affect their physical, mental state and emotional wellbeing.  

Understanding how your dog’s external and internal environments impact them, and which factors influence their environment, can help you make modifications that will enhance your dog’s emotional wellbeing and overall quality of life.   

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Key terminology

The surrounding conditions and elements in which an animal lives and interacts, as well as the internal chemical and biological factors that affect their survival, development, and evolution.1  

A condition of biological system function defined by different combinations of observable characteristics that persist over time2, such as sleep, hunger or thirst.    

Modifications to a dog’s environment to enhance the level of physical and mental stimulation. This helps them express species-typical behaviour3 and provides opportunities to exercise control or choice.4  See Introduction, Health, Nutrition and Environment for more information about the other types of enrichment.  

The capacity of your dog to make their own choices and act beyond the degree dictated by their momentary needs, including the propensity to engage actively with the environment to gather knowledge and enhance their skills for future use.5,6,7 With dogs, we often need to add richness and complexity to their environments and provide opportunities to solve novel challenges. 

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Creating a happy indoor home environment for your dog

Just like for us humans, the home environment plays an important role in how our dogs feel and behave and can be a vital factor in their happiness. The perfect home environment is one that allows our dogs to express natural, normal canine behaviours and meets their unique needs (see Individuality).  

We’ve put together a quick guide with some great tips on how to start creating the perfect happy indoor home environment for your dog.

Guide: Creating a happy indoor home environment for your dog
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Creating a happy outdoor home environment

Most dogs spend a mix of time both indoors and outdoors but may prefer one to the other. For example, dogs that are highly social may not enjoy spending large amounts of time alone outdoors away from their family. Some owners successfully teach their dog to ring a bell to be let outside or train their dog to use a ‘dog door’, which can provide agency for their dog and let them decide for themselves.   

Here’s another quick guide with some smart tips on how to start creating a better outdoor home environment for your dog.

Guide: Creating a happy outdoor home environment for your dog
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Providing a safe indoor and outdoor home environment

Ensuring that your dog’s home environment is free from hazards is critically important for your dog’s physical health. And making sure your dog feels safe is vital for their mental health. Both of these are vital for their emotional wellbeing. For example, providing non-slip flooring can help reduce stress and anxiety for a dog that is fearful of walking on shiny surfaces. It can also reduce pain for dogs suffering from arthritis and help them feel more secure and comfortable in their home environment. For more information on how your dog’s physical health affects their overall emotional wellbeing, see Health. 

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Potential hazards in your dog’s home environment

Dogs are naturally inquisitive. So, they may expose themselves to danger if left alone in an unsafe environment. These hazards can include10:

  • Toxic chemicals (e.g., used for cleaning, in the garden, or antifreeze for your car) 
  • Human foods (these may be toxic to dogs such as chocolate, grapes, onions and garlic) or may cause other health problems e.g., fatty foods which can cause pancreatitis 
  • Chewing gum, mints, toothpaste and products that contain Xylitol (an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs) 
  • Medications and supplements   
  • Slippery or uneven flooring  
  • Rubbish bins (these may contain cooked bones, toxic foods or inedible items that may cause an intestinal obstruction if swallowed)&...

Dogs are naturally inquisitive. So, they may expose themselves to danger if left alone in an unsafe environment. These hazards can include10:

  • Toxic chemicals (e.g., used for cleaning, in the garden, or antifreeze for your car) 
  • Human foods (these may be toxic to dogs such as chocolate, grapes, onions and garlic) or may cause other health problems e.g., fatty foods which can cause pancreatitis 
  • Chewing gum, mints, toothpaste and products that contain Xylitol (an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs) 
  • Medications and supplements   
  • Slippery or uneven flooring  
  • Rubbish bins (these may contain cooked bones, toxic foods or inedible items that may cause an intestinal obstruction if swallowed) 
  • Garden tools or sharp objects 
  • Uncovered pools and garden ponds   
  • Electrical cables  
  • Toxic plants 
  • High balconies and open windows 
  • Fireplaces and heaters 
  • Electrical devices and cords they may chew 
  • Curtain cords/tassels that they can get caught in 
  • Children’s toys that can be chewed/ingested 
  • Batteries  

A more complete list of household hazards can be found here.   

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Dog-proofing your home 

‘Dog-proofing’ your home will help keep your dog safe and also reduce the opportunity for them to destroy your property or possessions – which can put a strain on your relationship with your dog. Dogs that engage in destructive behaviours may end up spending a lot of time alone outdoors, unable to socialise freely with their family and therefore not receive adequate mental and emotional stimulation needed to thrive. They’re also at risk of being rehomed or surrendered which is even more hazardous to their emotional wellbeing and quality of life long-term.    

Use baby gates or doors to close off areas you don’t want your dog to access. Make sure medicine and food items are securely stored away and the rubbish bin is pet-proof or hidden away in a cupboard. Any items you don’t want your dog to pick up or chew should be placed out of reach. This should include hiding away electrical cords and using protective covers over outlets.  

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More safety-first tips to think about

Slippery or uneven flooring and stairs can also cause serious problems for your dog’s wellbeing. Not only can they cause accidental injury if your dog was to slip or trip over, but they can also exacerbate orthopaedic (joint) problems like arthritis or intervertebral disc disease.  

Dogs suffering from joint issues may find these surfaces difficult to navigate and be anxious about walking on them, so it’s important to find alternatives to make sure your dog feels confident getting around the home. Non-slip rugs or mats and ramps are just some of the ways you can help make your home environment more suitable. For more information, Canine Arthritis Management has some excellent resources. 

Owners with dogs that are blind, deaf or have a medic...

Slippery or uneven flooring and stairs can also cause serious problems for your dog’s wellbeing. Not only can they cause accidental injury if your dog was to slip or trip over, but they can also exacerbate orthopaedic (joint) problems like arthritis or intervertebral disc disease.  

Dogs suffering from joint issues may find these surfaces difficult to navigate and be anxious about walking on them, so it’s important to find alternatives to make sure your dog feels confident getting around the home. Non-slip rugs or mats and ramps are just some of the ways you can help make your home environment more suitable. For more information, Canine Arthritis Management has some excellent resources. 

Owners with dogs that are blind, deaf or have a medical condition that affects their relationship with the environment such as canine cognitive dysfunction should also consider how they can best tailor the environment to meet their dog’s individual needs. Your veterinarian should be the first port of call in helping create a home environment that improves their physical safety, emotional wellbeing, and overall quality of life.   

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Is your dog ‘spooked’ by noise?

Dogs may also experience fear or anxiety associated with noisy household items (e.g., the washing machine or vacuum cleaner). Possible causes for this behaviour include a lack of positive socialisation experiences as a young puppy (See Socialisation) or a negative past experience. Noise sensitivity has also been linked to pain in both humans and dogs,11 so it’s important that your dog visits a veterinarian to look for an underlying cause, especially if noise sensitivity seems severe. In some cases, it will be possible to modify your home environment, for example, by closing the door to minimise the sound of a noisy appliance, but this isn’t always possible or practical. So, if your dog is experiencing fear and anxiety in their daily life, it’s important to seek the advice of a veterinarian or veterinary behaviourist to help manage the problem and improve their emotional wellbeing. Suitably qualified behaviourists or trainers can be found at: 

The role of environmental enrichment  

Any modification to your dog’s environment that encourages physical or mental activity, and the expression of natural behaviours is considered enrichment. Whether indoors or outdoors, all dogs need environmental enrichment.12 See Introduction and Health for more information about the various types of enrichment. 

Enrichment helps dogs cope with mild stress, limit boredom, promote mental stimulation and contribute to emotional wellbeing. It also helps your dog express natural behaviours such as chewing, digging, foraging and chasing/hunting in a way that is acceptable to us humans (such as chewing on a dental treat, rather than on one of our shoes!).  

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How environmental enrichment can help

Most dogs generally require a lot more physical and mental stimulation to ensure their emotional wellbeing than most of us can give directly, which is where environmental enrichment can help.   
Developing the perfect enrichment environment for your dog will depend on their age, temperament, physical capabilities, prior experiences, as well as your preferences. For example, puppies and young dogs are usually more energetic than senior dogs. Understanding your dog’s individual preferences (see Individuality), and providing choice and agency are also key when choosing enrichment activities for your dog.  

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Different living situations may also require different types and levels of environmental enrichment

For example, optimal environmental enrichment for dogs kept in a breeding facility, a kennel or a family home may all be different.  

Environmental enrichment aims to make our dog’s environment more complex and dynamic in order to provide mental and physical stimulation, as well as the ability to make choices, solve problems and carry out these natural behaviours. Providing choice and adapting the environment by providing opportunities for these behaviours is crucial for emotional wellbeing. 

Top tips and ideas for environmental enrichment 

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TOP TIPS

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Encouraging agency and providing choice in your dog’s environment

Agency refers to your dog’s capacity to act beyond what’s dictated by their current needs and expand their range of skills (such as problem-solving, exploration, and play)12,14. Previously, we discussed giving dogs the choice to go outside to explore. By allowing dogs to make decisions and engage in environmental challenges, we allow them to express themselves, learn new skills, and nurture their emotional wellbeing (See Individuality). 

Providing your dog with opportunities for choice in their environment is important towards helping them manage their own physical and emotional needs. For example, if a dog can decide whether to lie in the shade or curl up in their kennel, they will be able to best regulate their own body temperature. An indoor dog might decide it needs a break from interactions with people and so stops cuddling on the sofa and retreats to its safe space for some alone time.

Infographic: Promoting agency in dogs

Bringing a new dog home for the first time 

Whether you’re about to bring a new puppy or bringing a rescue dog home for the first time, it’s important to be prepared. Your dog is about to be introduced into an entirely new environment and will understandably need time to adjust and become comfortable in their new home. It’s not surprising that moving into a new household with new people, pets, smells, objects, sights and sounds has the potential to be a stressful experience. 

For young puppies, in particular, the first few weeks are crucial. After twelve to fourteen weeks puppies mature beyond their sensitive period; the critical time in which they learn what is considered safe and acceptable. During the sensitive period it is ideal that your dog has a variety of positive experiences in their home environment including interactions with the other animals and people that live there. For more information see Socialisation.  

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Top tips for bringing a new dog home 

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TOP TIPS

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Getting out and about with your dog

Your dog’s environment isn’t confined by the borders of your home – it’s everywhere they go!  

This might include the environment when you take your dog with you to work, go on a family holiday, visit a dog-friendly café or pub or attend training classes. A well-adjusted dog is more likely to feel calm and confident in these situations, rather than fearful or anxious.  

Here’s some more useful information in a guide you can download below about everything from safe car travel to stress-free trips to the vet! 

Exploring with your dog
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Environmental changes and predictability

Dogs, like most animals, are creatures of habit and predictability and consistency in routine and responses can help dogs feel safe, secure, and happy. They can also provide your dog the perception of control over its physical environment and social interactions, which helps reduce stress and enables them to cope better with new challenges.16  

However, change is inevitable and isn’t always a bad thing. Some changes to the environment can be helpful and reduce stressors, for example, confining your dog to a separate room when eating to avoid another pet stealing their food.  

Other changes may cause stress, like the arrival of a new baby, a change in family structure or moving to a house. Understanding how to help your pet cope with environmental change will help reduce the negative impact on their emotional wellbeing an...

Dogs, like most animals, are creatures of habit and predictability and consistency in routine and responses can help dogs feel safe, secure, and happy. They can also provide your dog the perception of control over its physical environment and social interactions, which helps reduce stress and enables them to cope better with new challenges.16  

However, change is inevitable and isn’t always a bad thing. Some changes to the environment can be helpful and reduce stressors, for example, confining your dog to a separate room when eating to avoid another pet stealing their food.  

Other changes may cause stress, like the arrival of a new baby, a change in family structure or moving to a house. Understanding how to help your pet cope with environmental change will help reduce the negative impact on their emotional wellbeing and lessen the strain on the relationship with your dog.  

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to support your dog’s physical and mental health and improve their emotional wellbeing during periods of change.  

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Top tips to minimise environmental change and support your dog’s emotional wellbeing

Starting with a short meeting on neutral territory and building up to ensure positive interactions occur1

Stick to your dog’s normal mealtime routine  

in the timing of your dog’s routine

like food puzzles or scent trails to encourage independence and provide a source of mental stimulation 

Provide plenty of quality play, affection and exercise 

of sounds to desensitise your dog in advance of a change, such as baby noises. Gradually increase the volume and reward them each time the sound intensifies, ensuring they remain calm throughout. This will help create a positive association to sounds a baby may make 

to new objects which may become a significant part of their lives. e.g., allow them time to sniff and explore a pushchair/stroller prior to taking them for a walk with the baby 

(odours that are designed to calm dogs) to help your dog cope with change. Consult your veterinarian on the safety and efficacy of the products 

and rewards to help build a positive relationship with your dog 

Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation of a diet that is considered to have a calming effect 

When out and about, advocate for your dog if they are displaying body language which is indicative of them feeling afraid or stressed. Attempt to modify the environment to help make them feel safer (e.g., ask people to give them space) or remove your pet from the situation 

Provide consistent and predictable responses to unwanted behaviour, for example, if your dog is barking at you for attention when working from home, ignore them until they are sitting quietly. Encourage household members to do the same to prevent confusion 

Top tips to minimise environmental change and support your dog’s emotional wellbeing 

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TOP TIPS

Supporting your dog’s internal environment 

Your dog’s environment isn’t just their external physical surroundings, it’s also what’s happening inside their bodies. For example, hunger, thirst, temperature, pain, health and reproductive status are all examples of physiological states that can affect your dog’s internal environment, which in turn, can affect how they feel and their overall quality of life.  

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Most physical health conditions will affect a dog’s internal environment and, if not managed appropriately, will have a serious impact on their emotional wellbeing and quality of life. Often this is through the direct impact of feeling unwell or being in physical pain. 

However, physical health conditions can have indirect knock-on effects which impact a dog’s emotional wellbeing too. By providing good preventative healthcare including regular veterinary checks, parasite prevention, vaccinations, and maintaining a healthy body weight you can help support your dog’s internal environment and ensure any problems are detected and treated early (See Health, and Nutrition).   

Changes to your dog’s internal physiological state such as hunger, thirst and fluctuations in body temperature, significantly influence their emotional wellbeing and their behaviour. These changes can engage survival behaviours designed to restore balance within the body. For example, dehydration resulting in as little as a 1% disturbance to blood osmolality, is enough for a dog to abandon all other activities and soley concentrate on finding drinking water.17 Your dog should never feel anxious about access to essential resources such as water, food and shelter.  

Problems that affect mental health also disrupt the internal environment and lead to a deterioration in emotional wellbeing. Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, for example, experience distress every time their owner leaves the house. Failure to successfully address and manage behavioural problems, like separation anxiety, can cause serious strain on the dog-owner relationship and even lead to neglect or rehoming. In many cases, owners can help reduce such problems by exposing their dog to a wide variety of life experiences in a positive manner (for more information see Socialisation). 

Key Points

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01

For your dog’s emotional wellbeing, their external (physical surroundings) and internal (inside their body) environments must meet their individual and changing needs 

02

Safe, secure, happy indoor and outdoor home environments are as crucial for your dog’s mental state as their physical health and safety 

03

Environmental enrichment allows dogs to express their natural behaviours and provides essential mental and physical stimulation.   

04

Predictability and consistency in routine and responses helps dogs feel safe and secure. Introduction to new or changing environments should be gradual. 

05

Providing opportunities for agency in your dog’s external environment encourages them to overcome challenges and develop problem-solving skills  

06

Allowing your dog to express their individuality and control their own internal environment positively influences their emotional wellbeing

 

 References

  1. Biology Online, 2021, Environment Definition, Available at: https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/environment, Accessed 02 January 2022
  2. Mendenhall, A, Driscoll, M & Brent R, 2015, Using measures of single-cell physiology and physiological state to understand organismic aging, Aging Cell, doi.org/10.1111/acel.12424, Accessed 02 January 2022
  3. Ohio State University, What is environmental enrichment?, Available at: https://indoorpet.osu.edu/dogs/environmental_enrichment_dogs, Accessed 31 December 2021
  4.  UFAW, Environmental enrichment, Available at: https://www.ufaw.org.uk/why-ufaws-work-is-important/environmental-enrichment-3, Accessed 31 December 2021
  5. Appleby, MC, Mench, JA, Olsson, IAS & Hughes, BO, 2011, Animal Welfare, 2nd Edition, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 27-37
  6. Mellor, DJ, 2016, Updating Animal Welfare Thinking: Moving beyond the “Five Freedoms” towards “A Life Worth Living”, Animals, Vol 6(3), 21
  7. McFarland, SE, Defining Animal Agency with Sarah E. McFarland, Available at: https://www.animalsandsociety.org/resources/resources-for-scholars/defining-human-animal-studies-an-asi-video-project/defining-animal-agency-with-sarah-mcfarland/, Accessed: 03 February 2022
  8. Starinsky, NS, Lord, LK & Herron, ME, 2017 escape rates and biting histories of dogs confined to their owner’s property through the use of various containment methods, J Am Vet Med Assoc, Vol 250(3), pp: 297-302
  9. Ziv, G, 2017, The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs – a review, Journal of Veterinary Behavior, Vol 19, pp: 50-60
  10. AVMA, 2022, Household Hazards, Available at: https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/household-hazards, Accessed 02 January 2022
  11. Fagundes, ALL, Hewison, L, McPeake, KJ, et al., 2018, Noise sensitivities in Dogs: An Exploration of Signs in Dogs with and without Musculoskeletal Pain Using Qualitative Content Analysis, Front. Vet. Sci. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00017, Accessed 04 February 2022
  12. Hunt, RL, Whiteside, H & Prankel, S, 2022, Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Dog Behaviour: Pilot Study, Animals, Vol 12(2), p: 141, Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020141, Accessed 04 February 2022
  13. Mellor, DJ, 2016, Updating Animal Welfare Thinking: Moving beyond the “Five Freedoms” towards “A Life Worth Living”, Animals, Vol 6(3), 21, Available at:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ani6030021, Accessed 04 February 2022
  14. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Environmental enrichment, Available at: https://www.ufaw.org.uk/why-ufaws-work-is-important/environmental-enrichment-3, Accessed 29 December 2021
  15. King, T, Flint, HE, Hunt, ABG, et al., 2022, Effect of Music on Stress Parameters in Dogs during a Mock Veterinary Visit, Animals, Vol 12(2), 187, Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020187, Accessed 04 February 2022
  16. Patterson et al., 1983, Behavioral Neuroscience, 17, 1005-1016.
  17. Leib DE, Zimmerman CA, and Zachary AK, 2016, Thirst, Curr Biol. Vol 26(24), pp. 1260-1265