Detour on the Humane Hierarchy with L.E.G.S.

What if the Humane Hierarchy is not the end of the welfare conversation, but one important stop along the way? This course revisits Susan Friedman’s Humane Hierarchy through the broader lens of L.E.G.S. and Total Welfare. Kelsey Weber affirms the value of the hierarchy as an ethical guide while also inviting professionals to slow down, take the scenic route, and look more deeply before moving toward behavior change.

This presentation explores why a welfare-first approach requires more than choosing the least intrusive training strategy. Participants will examine how environment, genetics, individual needs, and human expectations all shape the ethical decisions in front of us. By integrating L.E.G.S., professionals can better identify what is driving behavior, what the dog needs, and whether an intervention truly serves the dog’s larger welfare picture.