24/07/2026
BEHAVIOUR, EMOTIONS AND NEEDS – THE LINK
Behind every behaviour is an emotion, and behind that emotion is a need.
When we identify and fulfill that need, we often improve the emotional state. As emotions improve, behaviour often improves too.
Behaviour is communication. Instead of asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" ask, "What is my dog or cat trying to tell me?"
Here are some examples for DOGS:
1. If your dog is reactive to people or other animals – he may be feeling worried, fearful or overwhelmed and may need more distance from whatever is causing him stress and concern.
2. If your dog is chewing your furniture – he may be bored, under-stimulated or teething. He may need more mental enrichment, appropriate physical activity and suitable chewing opportunities.
3. If your dog is marking in the home – he could be feeling anxious, stressed or insecure. He may need a veterinary assessment, environmental changes and a behaviour modification plan.
4. If your dog is nipping your child – he may be feeling uncomfortable, overwhelmed or irritated. He may need space, while children should be taught how to interact with dogs respectfully and safely.
5. If your dog growls when you approach his food bowl – he may be feeling insecure about losing his food. He needs to be allowed to eat in peace while the underlying emotion is addressed through environmental changes and behaviour modification.
6. If your dog growls at you – he is not trying to dominate you or be "naughty". He is communicating that he feels uncomfortable, threatened or needs more space. Respecting the growl and addressing the underlying cause helps prevent the need for more intense defensive behaviours.
7. If your dog refuses to get off the couch – he may simply be comfortable there. Offering an equally comfortable resting place and rewarding him for choosing it is often more successful than forcing him off.
8. If your dog steals food or objects from the counter – he may be entertaining himself or taking advantage of an opportunity. He may need more enrichment and training, while the environment should be managed to remove temptation.
9. If your dog seems obsessed with playing ball – he may benefit from a greater variety of enrichment activities to satisfy his behavioural needs and reduce frustration.
10. If your dog pulls on the lead – he may be excited to explore the environment or reach interesting scents. A longer lead, more sniffing opportunities and reinforcement for loose lead walking can make walks more enjoyable for both of you.
11. If your dog jumps up on people – he may be excited and seeking social interaction. Teach him an alternative greeting that earns attention.
12. If your dog follows you everywhere – he may feel safest when close to you. He may benefit from confidence-building and learning that being alone for short periods is safe.
13. If your dog is afraid of storms – she may simply want the comfort and reassurance of someone she trusts. She can benefit from desensitization and counter-conditioning training.
14. If your dog cries when left alone – she may be experiencing distress because she has never learned that being alone is safe. Gradual independence training, enrichment and, in some cases, behavioural medication can help.
15. If your dog hides – he may be frightened or overwhelmed and needs a safe place where he won't be disturbed.
16. If your dog freezes during an interaction – he may be feeling threatened or unsure. Freezing is often an early warning sign that he needs more space or his behaviour can escalate if ignored.
17. If your dog yawns, licks his lips or turns his head away – he may be feeling uncomfortable and trying to avoid conflict. These subtle signals deserve our attention before behaviour escalates.
18. If your dog digs holes – digging may be a natural behaviour influenced by genetics, breed tendencies or environmental conditions. Providing a designated digging area gives an appropriate outlet.
19. If your dog barks excessively – he may be lonely, frustrated, stressed, excited, fearful or under-stimulated. Understanding why he is barking is the first step towards helping him.
20. If your dog chases cyclists, runners or wildlife – he may be responding to instinct, excitement or frustration. Appropriate management and training can provide safer outlets for these natural behaviours.
21. If your dog constantly seeks attention – he may be under-stimulated, anxious or have learned that persistent behaviour works. Meeting his emotional needs while reinforcing calm behaviour can help.
22. If your dog won't come when called – returning to you may simply not be rewarding enough. Build a strong recall by making coming back consistently worthwhile.
Here are some examples for CATS:
1. If your cat is scratching your furniture – she may be expressing a natural behaviour, marking territory, stretching her muscles or maintaining her claws. She needs appropriate scratching surfaces placed where she naturally wants to scratch.
2. If your cat is urinating outside the litter tray – she may be experiencing pain, stress, anxiety or dissatisfaction with the litter tray. She needs a veterinary examination and an assessment of her litter tray setup and environment.
3. If your cat hides – she may be frightened, overwhelmed, in pain or simply seeking safety. She needs a quiet place where she won't be disturbed.
4. If your cat hisses or growls – she is communicating discomfort, fear or the need for more space. Respecting these signals helps prevent escalation.
5. If your cat swats or bites during petting – she may have become overstimulated or uncomfortable. She needs her body language respected and interactions to stop before she reaches her limit.
6. If your cat avoids people – she may feel unsafe around unfamiliar individuals or may not have had positive social experiences. She needs choice, predictability and gentle introductions.
7. If your cat wakes you very early every morning – she may be anticipating food, stimulation or interaction. Providing enrichment and adjusting feeding routines may help.
8. If your cat vocalises excessively – she may be seeking attention, feeling lonely, anxious, frustrated, in pain or experiencing age-related cognitive changes. Understanding the reason is the first step.
9. If your cat knocks objects off shelves – she may be exploring, playing, seeking attention or entertaining herself. She needs more environmental enrichment and opportunities to engage in natural behaviours.
10. If your cat chases ankles or hands – she may be expressing predatory play behaviour. She needs regular interactive play with appropriate toys rather than human hands or feet.
11. If your cat refuses to use a new litter tray – she may dislike its size, location, litter type or cleanliness. Cats often have strong preferences that should be respected.
12. If your cat guards resources from other cats – she may feel insecure about access to food, water, resting places or litter trays. She needs sufficient resources distributed throughout the home.
13. If your cat sprays indoors – she may be responding to stress, territorial concerns or nearby cats. She needs the underlying cause identified rather than punishment.
14. If your cat suddenly becomes aggressive – pain, illness or fear may be contributing. Any sudden change in behaviour should prompt a veterinary assessment.
15. If your cat refuses to come out when visitors arrive – she may simply feel safer remaining hidden. Allowing her to choose whether to interact helps build confidence.
16. If your cat overgrooms – she may be experiencing pain, allergies, anxiety or chronic stress. Veterinary investigation and behavioural assessment may both be needed.
17. If your cat sleeps most of the day – this is often normal feline behaviour, but reduced activity combined with changes in appetite, grooming or interaction may indicate illness or emotional distress.
18. If your cat climbs onto high places – she may be seeking safety, observation points or personal space. Elevated resting areas are an important welfare need for many cats.
19. If your cat chases another cat around the home – the behaviour may reflect fear, frustration, competition or social conflict. Management and careful behaviour modification are often needed to improve the relationship.
20. If your cat refuses to be picked up – she may simply not enjoy being handled. Respecting her preferences helps build trust and confidence.
21. If your cat constantly seeks attention – she may be under-stimulated, anxious or have learned that persistent behaviour is rewarding. Meeting her emotional and behavioural needs while reinforcing calm behaviour can help.
22. If your cat suddenly stops playing – she may be experiencing pain, illness, stress or age-related changes. A loss of interest in play should never be ignored.
Can you think of other examples pertaining to dogs and cats?
Every behaviour has a reason. Rather than focusing only on stopping the behaviour, try to understand the emotion and need driving it.
When we stop asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" and start asking, "What need is my dog or cat trying to meet?", we move from controlling behaviour to improving wellbeing.
Your dog or cat is communicating via behaviour all the time. Are you listening? Are you responding appropriately?
This post is based on current understanding in animal welfare and wellbeing science, affective neuroscience and clinical behaviour, including the work of Prof David Mellor, Jaak Panksepp, Dr Karen Overall, Karin Pienaar, Horwitz & Mills, and COAPE International.
