You can’t fix a dog’s behavior problems if their basic needs aren’t met. We need to make sure our dogs have everything they need to feel safe, healthy, and happy. Many behavior issues happen because a dog is in pain, improperly fed, underexercised, bored, scared, or stressed. When you take care of these needs first, it’s much easier to train them and solve behavior problems. Some of the behavior issues can’t be solved before we fix the welfare issues.
It sounds simple enough. But how do you know what their needs are and how to meet them? That’s where the Five Freedoms come in. They were created in 1965 in Britain for farm animals and later adjusted for pets in shelters. These are well-known rules to make sure animals are treated kindly and have what they need.
The Five Freedoms of pets welfare
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
Animals should have access to clean water and the right food for their needs
Examples:
- Food and water should be given every day without limits.
- Never withhold food for training.
- Dogs should always have fresh water available, day and night.
- Clean the food and water bowls every day.
- The number of meals per day should match the dog’s age and size.
- Puppies need to eat more often.
- Senior dogs may need softer food.
- Pregnant dogs need higher-quality nutrition.
2. Freedom from discomfort
Animals should have a good place to live.
Examples:
- The dog has their own bed with soft bedding that is washed often and replaced when needed.
- The area is clean and not filthy
- They have a space where they can go to rest without being bothered.
- A warm spot for winter and a cool area for summer.
- Shade when outside.
- Shelter from rain and wind.
- Sturdy water and food bowls that don’t tip over.
- Enough space to move around freely, not kept in a small area for long hours.
- Not overcrowding kennels or rooms: if there are several dogs in the home, the space is big enough for each dog to have their own private area.
3. Freedom from pain, injury, or disease
Animals should get regular health care and quick treatment if sick or hurt.
Examples:
- Active lifestyle and good nutrition to maintain health weight and muscle tone
- Regular vet checkups. Vaccines kept up to date. Flea and tick prevention.
- Any signs of illness or poor health are taken care of quickly, not ignored for weeks or months.
- Behavior problems are checked for possible health causes (for example, peeing in the house might mean a urinary tract infection).
- Healthy posture, healthy digestive system, healthy fur & skin
- Pain relief and extra care for older dogs with arthritis.
4. Freedom to express normal behavior
Animals need space and the right setup to move naturally, play, and interact with other dogs if they want.
Examples:
- Daily walks for exercise and opportunity to explore.
- Opportunities to sniff and explore on walks
- Space to run off leash (dog park, field, fenced area, large backyard)
- Playtime or hanging out with their human guardian (without human guarding playing with their phone 😉
- Good amount of toys for chewing and playing, toys are changed at least once a year
- Social time with other dogs if they enjoy it (dog park, play date with friends dogs, hiking in ab area where other dogs are offleash etc)
- Training games, food puzzles and mental enrichment to use their brain.
5. Freedom from fear and distress
Animals should feel safe and not be chronically stressed. Mental health is as important as physical health.
Examples:
- Dogs receive mental enrichment besides physical enrichment
- Safe interaction with human guardian (avoid punishment, yelling, intimidation)
- Calm (not forceful) introductions to new people or pets
- A safe space to hide if they want (e.g. during fireworks seasons)
- Reducing loud noises at home for sensitive dogs
- Training to stay home alone for dogs with separation anxiety
- Fear-avoidant dogs are not forced to communicate with others
- Giving dogs time to adjust to changes.
- Helping dogs with nervousness or anxiety to overcome those feelings in a positive way
From Five Freedoms to Five Domains
The Five Freedoms were the first big step in animal welfare. They made sure animals had their basic needs met, like food, comfort, health care, space to move, and freedom from fear. They focused on stopping bad things (like hunger, pain, or stress).
But animal welfare experts wanted to do more than just prevent suffering. They wanted to help animals have positive experiences and live good lives, not just avoid bad ones.
That’s why the Five Domains model was developed in 1994 by Professor David Mellor and Dr. Cam Reid. It builds on the Five Freedoms but goes further. It looks at both negative and positive experiences in an animal’s life.
The Five Domains are:
- Nutrition – Not just avoiding hunger, but making eating enjoyable and giving the right diet.
- Environment – Not just shelter, but an interesting and comfortable space.
- Health – Not only treating illness, but keeping animals fit and feeling good.
- Behavior – Encouraging natural behaviors and giving choices.
- Mental State – How all the other domains affect the animal’s feelings and emotions.
The first four domains (nutrition, environment, health, behavior) affect the fifth one: the animal’s mental state. The goal is not just to reduce suffering but to create positive experiences so animals can thrive.
In simple words:
- Five Freedoms = Avoid the bad.
- Five Domains = Avoid the bad + Create the good.
This new model helps people look at the whole picture of an animal’s life and do more to make sure they are truly well and happy.
If you’re experiencing behavior issues with your dog or planning to bring a dog home and want help, you can hire me for in-person training sessions in San Francisco or book a remote dog behavior consultation from anywhere in the world