There is a list of things, which are thought to be of no matter for dogs. Meanwhile, in this list one can find a bunch of things, which are indeed important for dogs, hence for their well-being. Moreover, ignorance of what really matters for a dog sometimes leads to what is called “behavior problems”.

Lately, I’ve been noticing a recurring pattern in posts and conversations on Facebook that promote ideas such as “obedience in 28 days” or frame visible compliance as a sign that a dog is settled and well-behaved. Watching this pattern emerge has led me to reflect on what we may be observing on the surface, what might be happening internally for the dog, and how this shapes the relationship between human and dog. From that reflection, this short article emerged.