27/10/2026
There is still a great deal of confusion—and often conflicting information—about dogs and how we understand them.
Over the years, learning about dogs through the lens of the wolf has given me a valuable framework for recognising how dogs communicate, form relationships and organise family life. It has also helped me understand what relational connection can look and feel like, and how we can better support dogs by recognising their development, identity and individual needs.
As mammals, we share much with dogs. Our survival systems are remarkably similar, yet communication between our species can feel difficult—especially when we have been taught to view dogs primarily through the lens of obedience or behaviour correction.
I recently read a thoughtful article that explores how a dog’s environment contributes to the overall picture of behaviour. I was encouraged to see a modern training resource challenge both traditional advice and some current recommendations, while reflecting a deeper and more rational understanding of dogs.
From The problem with fixing dogs instead of changing environments ( Middleton,2026, para 2,4)
A dog who struggles in busy streets, chaotic households, or high-pressure training settings is not failing. Their nervous system is responding as it has evolved to do, prioritising safety in the face of perceived threat or overwhelm (Sapolsky, 2004).
A dog who appears calm may simply be inhibited, a state frequently mistaken for improvement (Beerda et al., 1999).
We are often encouraged to exercise dogs more, expose them to increasing levels of stimulation, or use repeated exposure to “fix” behaviour. Socialisation can become a one-size-fits-all prescription, without enough attention to:
• The dog’s individual needs and stage of development
• The quality of the relationship and sense of secure attachment
• The intensity and duration of stimulation
• Whether the environment supports safety, recovery and learning
A more supportive approach begins with development, understanding and relational connection. It asks us to adjust the environment so that the dog can feel safe enough to learn, rather than expecting the dog to cope with conditions that are overwhelming.
This might involve adjusting walking routes, limiting exposure to overwhelming situations, providing quiet recovery spaces at home, or modifying expectations around social interaction (Middelton, 2026, para5)
These changes are sometimes dismissed as avoidance or coddling. In reality, they can create the emotional safety that makes learning possible. This does not mean giving up on behaviour support; it means recognising that sustainable change comes from meeting needs rather than overriding them.(Middelton, 2026, para5)
Success is no longer measured by how well a dog fits into an inflexible world, but by how responsibly we shape that world around the dog in our care.(Middelton, 2026, para6)
Environment is only one part of the picture. When a dog’s behaviour causes concern, we also need to consider development, natural needs, physical and emotional wellbeing, past experiences, our relational connection and role as caregivers.
The value of this modern perspective is that it shifts the question from “How do we fix the dog?” to “How can we better understand and support this dog?” Thank goodness!
https://www.theiscp.com/post/the-problem-with-fixing-dog-instead-of-changing-environments?
