What is the 5f strategy for dogs?

The Tellington TTouch Method has long identified 5 main coping strategies commonly used by horses, and to some extent dogs, in times of stress or anxiety. The 5 F's Fight, flight, freeze, faint and fool around or fidget. Within each of these broad categories there is also a scale – for instance an animal can be triggered for ‘flight’ and it might be that the response is as small as the head going up, back tightening and then he recovers before it escalates into anything greater. All the coping strategies an animal displayed can be considered on a scale – from a small indicator to a large behaviour. Flight is one that we are all familiar with, when faced with a stressful or fearful scenario, the animal simply tries to exit the situation as quickly as possible. Fight is another well documented instinct where the animal will respond to the situation in a confrontational manner. Freeze happens in dogs and horses and can be recognized too late. Faint is the least common of the 5 coping skills, thankfully. Each of these responses are simply a reaction to external stressors or pressure. Start noticing how your animal reacts in stressful situations and see how you can break down your request or exercise into smaller, easier pieces to reduce anxiety and listen to your animal’s smallest indications of concern.

The 5 Welfare Needs every pet owner must provide for their pets include Health, Behaviour, Companionship, Diet, and Environment. Health – Protection from pain, injury, suffering and disease and treated if they become ill or injured. Behaviour – the ability to behave naturally for their species eg. Play, run, dig, jump, fly etc. Diet – a suitable diet, including feeding appropriately for the pet’s life stage and feeding a suitable amount to prevent obesity or malnourishment, as well as access to fresh clean water. Environment – a suitable environment, including the right type of home with a comfortable place to rest and hide as well as space to exercise and explore. The needs of each type of pet are very different and it is important owners know what these needs are, and how to meet them. Companionship – to be housed with, or apart from, other animals as appropriate for the species.

Czym są strategie 5F. Pojęcie to opisuje sposoby radzenia sobie w różnych sytuacjach, które mogą spotkać każdy żyjący gatunek na Ziemi. Nazwa pojęcia jest zaczerpnięta z języka angielskiego i zawiera takie zachowania jak: omdlenie - faint, zamieranie w bezruchu - freeze, flirt. Jednak my jako opiekunowie możemy zaobserwować najczęściej u naszych pupili: walkę - fight, ucieczkę - flight. To, jaką strategię zwierzę wybierze, zależy nie tylko od wcześniejszych doświadczeń, ale też od: stanu emocjonalnego oraz zdrowotnego, przestrzeni i ogólnej sytuacji, w jakiej się pies znajduje, genetyki. Zamrożenie to strategia polegająca na zamarciu i oczekiwaniu w bezruchu na zakończenie niebezpiecznej sytuacji. W świecie zwierząt omdlenie jest charakterystyczne dla oposów, które zapadają w stan podobny do śpiączki, gdy czują się zagrożone. Zdarza się, że nasze czworonogi też używają tej strategii. Możemy je zaobserwować u małych psiaków jako reakcję na nagły głośny dźwięk. Jak sama nazwa wskazuje, strategia ta ma na celu zwiększenie dystansu od zagrożenia czy stresującego bodźca. Taka strategia również ma na celu zwiększenie dystansu, ale jest ostatecznością. Psy, które zostały zmuszone do skorzystania z niej, robią to z wielką zawziętością, co jest związane z ich naturalnym instynktem.

The welfare of an animal includes their physical and mental state. The OHS considers that good animal welfare implies both fitness and a sense of well-being for the animal. Any animal kept by people must at least be protected from unnecessary suffering and all animals must be given five essential freedoms: 1) Freedom from Hunger and Thirst By ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour. 2) Freedom from Discomfort By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area. 3) Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease By prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment. 4) Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour By providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind. 5) Freedom from Fear and Distress By ensuring conditions and treatment that avoid mental suffering.