If I Were a Dog… What Would I Need?... Understanding Dogs by Actually Becoming One
- Maria Cecilia Martinez
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Have you ever noticed how many people talk about dogs…but very few ever stop and ask the simplest, most powerful question?
“What if I were the dog?”
After decades of raising, training, evaluating, breeding, and studying dogs, I’ve realized that the deepest understanding doesn’t come from commands, textbooks, or podcasts.It comes
from something far more human—and far more spiritual:
*Imagination. *Empathy. *Stepping inside a dog’s paws.
So today, let’s do something different. Let’s make this fun, a little philosophical, and maybe even a little life-changing.
Let’s imagine YOU were the dog.
Different “Dog Personalities” — and What Each One Would Need
Every human has a personality, and so does every dog.
If you were a dog, who would you be?
Below are different “dog selves".
See which one sounds like you.
1. The Loyal Guardian
"My family is my purpose."
If you were this dog, you’d crave:
Strong, calm leadership
A structured home
Clear rules that make you feel safe
A job, even a small one
A human who never lets you feel you must take charge
Your happiness would be:
Being your human’s partner… not their protector by accident.
2. The Happy-Go-Lucky Puppy Spirit
"Life is fun! Play with me!"
You’d want:
Play every single day
Patience for your chaos
Positive guidance
A human who laughs more than they correct
Your happiness would be:
Joy, softness, and being allowed to be a little silly.
3. The Sensitive Soul
"I feel everything."
You’d need:
A gentle home
A calm voice
Slow introductions
A safe place to retreat
Humans who understand fear is NOT disobedience
Your happiness would be:
Being understood instead of being pushed.
4. The Thinker
"Let me use my brain!"
You’d want:
Puzzles
Games
Jobs
Clarity in training
Humans who respect your intelligence
Your happiness would be:
Mental stimulation and purpose.
5. The Working Athlete
"Let’s move!"
You’d need:
Real exercise
Healthy routines
A human who understands your fire
Space to run and explore
Your happiness would be:
Movement, challenge, and owners who keep up with your drive.
6. The Affection Seeker
"Touch is my language."
You’d crave:
Cuddles
Closeness
A soft voice
Gentle human hands
A cozy bed near your family
Your happiness would be:
Feeling loved through physical contact.
And If I Personally Were a Dog?
..If I were a Dog?
You asked me this… and I answered honestly.
I would be the companion who:
Loves to guide
Loves to learn
Loves to bring clarity
Loves to protect knowledge and purpose
My happiness would be:
Walking beside you—helping you understand your dog’s world.
Why This Matters for Dog Owners
When owners finally ask:
"If I were a dog… what would I need?"
Everything changes.
They stop humanizing their dog.
They stop expecting human logic from an animal built on instincts.
They start listening, truly seeing, and interpreting the world through four paws, not two feet.
This is the foundation of every balanced, confident, emotionally healthy dog.
This is the heart of Southernwind.
Your Turn: Who Would You Be as a Dog?
This question is fun… but it’s also revealing.
Ask yourself:
Would you be a guardian?
A thinker?
A sensitive soul?
A playful puppy spirit?
And more importantly…
Are you giving your dog the same things YOU would want if you were in their place?
Share your answer in the comments.
You’ll be surprised how much empathy—and wisdom—comes out of this simple exercise.