Dog’s Needs. What Does a Dog Need Besides Food and Walks? – A Panel Discussion with Lea Tummeleht

This time, we'll discuss dogs' needs with Lea Tummeleht, a trainer and an animal ecologist. Everyone knows dogs need food and walks to eliminate and sniff a little. But how often do we neglect the higher needs, like emotional, social, and cognitive? And what are these needs in the first place? That's what we'll discuss with Lea this time.

The discussion series “Dogs in the Cultural Capital” is a part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 side programme.

The discussion series “Dogs in the Cultural Capital” is a part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 side programme.

Lea Tummeleht is a dog trainer with 20 years of experience, and for her, the well-being of dogs is paramount in training. To ensure the well-being of a specific animal, it is necessary to know the species, breed, and the individual. Just like humans, dogs also have various needs that must be fulfilled hierarchically. Taking the dog for a walk and providing food and water seems reasonable to everyone. If the dog lives outdoors, building a kennel for it seems sensible. Opinions differ on how often dogs should visit the veterinarian. The perception of dogs’ needs often clings to outdated ideas from previous centuries. However, times change, and the understanding of dogs’ needs must also be updated.
In the discussion, we will talk about the needs of domestic dogs. Do all dogs have the same needs? How to assess whether your dog’s needs are met? Analysing dogs’ needs is also the first step in preventing and solving behavioural problems. We will introduce a model for analysing needs.

We welcome dog owners, volunteers working with animals, professionals and everybody else interested in the topic!

Location: Hea Koer Training Hall at Ujula 1a, 4th floor.
The number of seats is limited, and pre-registration is required!
The event is in Estonian.

During the year of European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, Hea Koer and Kristina Mägi will host 7 discussions with exciting guests, exploring various aspects of dog-keeping culture, ranging from the development of dog-keeping culture in recent decades to the mental and physical well-being of people encountering dog pain. Each discussion features a new guest and topic, linking to the preceding Training Skills Workshop. Expect intriguing insights and developments from each conversation.
These events aim to raise awareness of the needs of people and dogs in urban environments and more broadly. The Arts of Survival strives towards a more compassionate and friendly (dog-keeping) culture. We can achieve this goal through knowledge, skills, and a change in mindset.

If you want to grab a bite or need a place to stay, see what the Tartu 2024 hospitality network offers in the area: https://tartu2024.ee/recommendations-tartucity