Should you incorporate choice into your dogs day?
Should Dogs Be Given Choice?
The short answer? Absolutely!
Giving your dog opportunities to make choices can have a huge impact on their confidence, emotional well-being, and relationship with you.
Of course, not every situation is appropriate for unlimited choice. Safety always comes first. However, whenever it’s possible, allowing your dog to make simple decisions can be incredibly beneficial.
Why Choice Matters
Giving your dog appropriate choices isn’t just fun—it’s one of the best ways to strengthen your relationship.
When your dog feels like they have some control over their environment, they’re often more engaged and willing to participate. As a result, communication becomes clearer, trust grows, and training becomes a partnership rather than something that’s done to your dog.
Choice Builds Confidence
Choice is mentally, physically, and emotionally enriching.
When dogs are allowed to make decisions during training, they’re often more enthusiastic because they actively chose to participate.
That doesn’t mean dogs get to make every decision. Instead, we give them safe, appropriate options and reinforce the choices we’d like to see more often.
What Does Choice Look Like?
Choice can be incorporated into everyday life in many simple ways.
For example, you might let your dog choose:
- Which direction to walk (when it’s safe)
- Which toy they’d like to play with
- Which enrichment activity they’d prefer
- Which treat they enjoy most
- Which harness or collar they want to wear
- Whether they’re ready to greet someone or would rather keep their distance
Small choices like these help your dog feel more involved while still allowing you to guide the overall situation.
Why Adolescents Benefit So Much
Choice can benefit dogs of every age, but it’s especially valuable during adolescence.
Just like human teenagers, adolescent dogs experience major hormonal and developmental changes. They may seem distracted, forget behaviours they previously knew, or begin testing boundaries.
This doesn’t mean they’re being stubborn.
Their brains are still developing, which makes decision-making more difficult.
Giving adolescent dogs appropriate choices allows them to practise making good decisions while keeping training positive and engaging.
Choice Can Reduce Unwanted Behaviours
Providing appropriate outlets often reduces behaviours that people label as “bad.”
For example:
- Instead of digging in the garden, your dog can dig in a sandbox.
- Instead of chewing furniture, they can enjoy a frozen Kong or another safe chew.
- Instead of creating their own entertainment, they can engage in enrichment activities that meet their natural needs.
When dogs have appropriate ways to express normal behaviours, they’re often less frustrated and less likely to invent their own activities.
A Happier Dog Starts With More Agency
Dogs don’t need to control every aspect of their lives. However, giving them appropriate choices throughout the day can make a real difference.
By allowing your dog to make safe decisions, you’re building confidence, encouraging independence, strengthening your relationship, and creating a happier, more fulfilled companion.
Jen Burrows, CPDT-KA