One of the best ways you can strengthen your relationship with your pet is to get them to look at you.
Before you give them a treat or feed them, wait until they look at you.
Before you put their leash on for a walk, wait until they look at you.
Before you play with them, wait until they look at you.
It makes a big difference. They will bond with your deeper. They will look at you more and more all the time. Cueing into you. You will start to see and understand more of them through their eyes.
Just wait. Eventually they will look at you, theyll be tired of waiting and theyll look. Reward them immediately. Find every single opportunity you can to wait for them to look at you.
Just like humans, it will bond you deeper together.
Now, some animals are very fearful or submissive and eye contact can be scary and intimidating for them. For these pets, wait until they look at you (but not in the eye). Don’t make eye contact with them. Just look down and wait until they look up at you. Youll see it in your Peripheral vision.
Over time, these pets will likely start to feel comfortable enough to make eye contact with you.
This is why so many pets are afraid of thunder, fireworks, gun shots, etc.
This is also why we, as guardians, need to be mindful of our voice. If you yell at your pet , or someone else in the house, it is REALLY REALLY loud and scary to them.
If you play your music loud in the car it bothers their ears. We all love a great song, windows down, sun shining, but if you have an animal in the car with you, please don’t turn the volume up. The same goes for the music in the house, the Tv, Etc.
Living in loud environments can cause unnecessary anxiety and stress for pets. Pets that are (what we think) hyper sensitive and hyper reactive to loud noises and sounds, really are not that way at all. They just have much more sensitive ears than we do. Something we all know, but forget to take into consideration on a daily basis.
Their ears are so sensitive.
Living with animals responsibly and lovingly means adjusting our lives, our houses for their comfort since they are the ones that are the dependents. It is our job to make our world easier and happier for them.
Just a quick tip because most dogs will need to learn about potty training or need a refresher.
If your pet is unsupervised they have the ability to use any part of the house as their bathroom. Why would you assume they know they shouldn’t? They don’t. Unless someone teaches them consistently they don’t know. They don’t know right from wrong, they know what they’ve been taught (or not taught). And even IF they know to use the bathroom outside, if they are new in your house they don’t know where the door is.
Spanking or yelling at your pet for using the house as a bathroom will not work. Even if you catch them in the act. Animals learn best when undesirable behavior is never an option. It’s avoided. It’s prevented.
Potty training can be time consuming and frustrating because it can take a REALLY long time. But there is a way to speed it up?
Keep your dog tethered to you at ALL times. Puppies, adults, seniors, any dog that is moving into your home. Sound inconvenient? It is. But guess what it works SO well!
You will see when your dog is starting to show signs of needing to go to the bathroom. You will see sniffing, restlessness, etc. And you can bring your dog outside when you see these signs.
If your dog does seem to pee without you noticing ahead of time, I guarantee youll catch your dog in the act mid stream and you can pick the dog up or walk the dog outside. No harsh or loud words needed. Because you catch your dog in the act it is an effective correction.
If your dog is unsupervised around your house, you are less likely to notice the signs or if the dog uses the bathroom. And then it’s too late.
No matter what, consistency is the key. Your dog needs to be tethered to you all day every day for this to work quickly. But know what the added bonus is? The best part?
The relationship you will develop with your dog during this time will be so deep and so connected. You will literally be spending all your time together. Your dog will learn to trust you and to follow you (this helps recall!).
It is also very easy to ask for random “sits” or “downs” at various times during the day. Working your dog like this helps with enrichment, education, bonding, and stress relief. There are so many benefits.
If you have a new dog coming to live with you or just recently brought a dog into you family give it a try! But really give it a fair chance. Its not just a few days, its more like a few weeks. All day, every day, consistently. And crate when you aren’t home. Or can’t tether.
But let’s remember cats also get lost very often too .
I have done many lost pet sessions. Here are some things I want to share with all of you. Important things to remember to keep your animals SAFE. A lost pet is heart breaking for the guardians and scary for the animal. Though some lost animals are just freak accidents, most are preventable. Even if you don’t think you’ll ever lose your pet I encourage you to read all of the information below. Maybe it will come in useful. Maybe you can share it with someone. Hopefully it’s never needed. But if it saves even one pet from getting lost, it’s worth it.
It’s the animals that people think will never “run away” that get lost most often. Most likely the guardians aren’t as aware or attentive because of a false sense of security.
Newly adopted pets go missing ALL the time. Within days of adoption. Keep an eye on them, because they will be adjusting and maybe fearful they may try to run out the door, slip a collar, or just have another “new pet” incident occur. These animals DO NOT know where home is.
Holidays! With people in and out and more going on, animals can get scared and flee. Or they may unknowingly slip out of the door or fenced area due to guests leaving things open, not paying attention, or just the animal not being properly supervised because of the busy environment.
Fireworks. Even pets you think aren’t afraid have the potential to get spooked one time. When there are fireworks secure your pet at all times. This is the biggest cause of missing pets.
Car accidents. So many dogs are lost from accident scenes. They are not near home, don’t know how to get back home, and sometimes they are even injured. Buckle your pets in like you would do with your kids. It keeps them safe. The last thing you want to worry about during a car accident is where your dog is. The flee the scene quick and far because they are so afraid.
Put a GPS on your pet. Please! Identification tags and microchips are great if they end up found but most animals are too scared to ever approach a human when they are lost. A GPS will help you find your animal right away! This is the single best thing you can do to make sure your pet is found. And make sure the GPS collar stays charged to at least 35% so you have a buffer of time if the animal is lost.
Sadly, the vast majority of lost pets will never return home. They either are too afraid to show themselves to humans, they will die, they will get hurt and be unable to get to help, or they will be picked up and never identified. When fear takes over they are irrational. They will not come to people or you, they get too scared.
IF YOUR PET IS LOST
Put scented items outside of your home. Things that smell like YOU. Your pet loves YOU. This will help. Dirty clothes is best. And change it every couple days, to freshly dirty clothes to make sure the smell is strong.
If you go out searching make sure no one is calling frantically or yelling. That is scary for a pet. As soon as your animal is lots all sense of reason is gone. Their natural instincts kick in and they try to stay safe. Survival kicks in. They will be afraid, thinking you are MAD if you are yelling frantically. Call their name like you are playing with them.If it sounds fun, it sounds safe, and that is the best chance you have of brining them out of hiding/running.
Get a drone ASAP. Time is of the essence. The longer your pet is gone, the less chance you are going to have a happy reunion. As soon as your pet is gone, react. Don’t wait.
If you have a dog, and your dog has really good dog friends, bring those dogs to search. Animals will be more likely to show themselves to other animals.
Animals know how to hide to the point that many times a human will walk by (even their guardian) and NOT see them. They get so scared it’s all they know how to do. If your pet is lost look in and under EVERYTHING, even if you think the area is too small, too dense, or too unappealing. Your pet will hide in spots that you will walk right by and never notice. Search every single inch of every single area. It’s next level hide and seek. Trust me. I have seen many animals be found deceased in areas that were searched before the animal died.
The best thing you can do is PREVENT a lost pet. A lost pet is something no one (pet or guardian) wants to go through. PLEASE GPS your pets. It is the most likely way you will ever find them immediately if they ever go missing. There are many GPS options available. Even if they are not exact, they will give you a small area to check. Please share this information far and wide. Let’s keep pets HOME and SAFE with preventative measures.
Please don’t try to make your pet into someone it’s not.
Some pets are INTROVERTS. They like to spend more time alone. These are great for people that work a lot, have busy social lives out of the home, or aren’t looking for a pet they can cuddle with all the time. When you have an introvert, you can’t take it personally if they want to be alone.
These introverts are also good for people that can accept their pet’s personality and allow their pet the alone time that is desired.
There are others that are ACTIVE ADVENTURES! These are great for active people. Runners, hikers, people always on the go and willing to take their pet with them &/or provide plenty of exercise and engagement at home. If these pets do not get what they need (exercise and engagement) they usually become destructive and develop nuisance behaviors because they are frustrated.
Then there are some that are EXTROVERTS. They want to be with people ALL THE TIME. These pets are great for people that are home a lot, people that have busy homes with lots of people in and out, people that like to bring their animals to many places.
And let’s not forget the BROKEN pets. These pets need extra kindness, extra patience, and extra time. These pets are good for people with an extra gentle heart. People that are healers. People that can ADAPT their life to help these animals feel safe and secure.
Try your best to pick a pet that fits your lifestyle. It makes things so much easier for you and the animal. But, when you get a pet that doesn’t fit your lifestyle… what do you do?
So what do you do if you get an animal that doesn’t fit your lifestyle?
Have realistic and reasonable expectations. You can’t change them so try to do your best to provide what they need and all of a sudden everything gets easier.
This means adapting your lifestyle in some way, just like you would for a child. There are ways you can do this without burdening your family or without changing your lifestyle drastically. It requires compromise on both sides. But we do it for human children, and we need to do it for animals too.
* You can hire pet care (short check ins, full days, walks, day cares, play time, etc.)
* You can create quiet, isolated spots in the home for your pet to access when in need of alone time.
* You can set boundaries. There is NOTHING wrong with telling people they can’t pat your animal, engage with your animal, or hold your animal. There is NOTHING wrong with telling people your pet needs space. Or saying your pet is learning, and you need someone to disengage. YOU are the voice for your pets. YOU must advocate for them so they can succeed.
Set up self driven enrichment. There are many options for in home pets to keep them busy and entertained. Bird feeders by the window, engagement toys that toss food, dog/cat TV is now an option, music, etc.
* Give your animal a job is was meant for and bred for and ENJOYS (horses especially!)
* Get your animal a friend if they are social. This does WONDERS for ALL types of personalities.
* Make small changes to your life. More time to play, walk, go for a ride, etc… It can be 10-15 min or 60 min and it WILL help!
* When you DO have time, stay off your phone or the TV and engage with your animal fully. This attention on them WILL make a huge difference for all types.
Remember, animals don’t get to coose where they live. We choose. And if we choose to have them live with us, we are agreeing to make sure we meet their needs (physical and emotional).
So if you are considering bringing a new animal into the home, ask the current human about the animals personality type, its needs, and do breed research. Consider age, breed, current living situation of the animal. Explain yours to its current caretaker. Talk and communicate. The goal is for everyone to be happy.
Remember if your animal is doing something “wrong” it is their way of communicating their needs are not being met. Punishing them won’t help. Meeting their needs and understanding them will.
When you are trying to teach your pets new things, make it fun!
When you are trying to get your animals to listen or respond to you, make it fun!
I see so many guardians try to distract “misbehavior” with frustration or anger. This NEVER works with animals. They don’t see the behavior as the problem. They see YOU as the problem. They don’t want to approach YOU because of your energy.
Animals are such highly energetic beings. Our best communication with them will come from our energy.
If your dog won’t come back when you call it, calling angrily or with frustration or authority won’t help. Would you want to go back to someone who is mad? But if you are happy and excited, your dog will want to come back to you!
If your horse is not yielding off the leg or not going forward and you keep hitting or kicking it, do you really think that will make the horse want to go? Nope! It makes the horse tense. But! If you make it fun, just go for a gallop, the horse will then want to have FUN!
If your cat is scratching something and you yell or make a loud noise to distract it, you’re just making your cat nervous, but if you distract your cat with an alternative FUN activity/game, your cat will crave the game, more than the inappropriate scratching spot.
Animals learn best through ignoring the negative and using positive distractions and techniques. It’s actually very simple. They will learn faster. They will trust you more. Communication between the two of you will improve. They will be happier. You will be happier. Because happy pets are easier to live with.
This applies to all species. Try it, I promise it will work better than frustration and anger. You aren’t rewarding undesirable (aka bad) behavior with positive and fun tactics, you are showing them how much better and more fun “good” behavior is. Its changing their thoughts and their focus. And ignoring undesirable behavior.
Lots of us travel. And traveling when you have to leave pets behind can be stressful for us and them! It is also a big responsibility. Some pets handle owner travel better than others. Here are some tips to help your pet when you are away.
Tell your pet when you are leaving, where you are going, when you are coming back, and who will be taking care of them. Tell them where they will be (home, another house, a boarding facility, etc..)
*If your pet is boarding, allow a couple short visits (day stays, one night, etc.) before the longer stays. This gives your animal a chance to familiarize itself with the place. Also, gives you a chance to see if you animal is happy and comfortable there. And it gives your pet a chance to see you ARE coming back for them.
Home or facility, leave your animals with something that smells like you. Dirty clothes are the best. Even in the home, leave something that smells like you.
Get them something special to be excited about! A new toy that you give when you say your good byes. When you say good bye this is a perfect time to remind them you WILL be back, and when.
Try not to be stressed or anxious. If you are, they will sense this and they will be too! That’s why the new toy helps… it is something for them to be excited about.
Make sure you have an emergency plan. Extra food, extended care, etc… if you get delayed coming home.
Pet cameras – I love pet cameras, it makes me feel better to be able to check on them when I am away. Make sure they are ok. Make sure my pet sitter is coming when necessary. A little over the top, maybe. But my animals can’t take care of themselves so it is my responsibility to make sure they are ok while I am away.
There are so many soothing and relaxing behaviors that animals need to engage in for emotional and mental well being. Today we will talk about dogs! But over the next few days we will talk about other species too (cats, horses, small pets).
These necessary behaviors are often perceived as annoying or nuisances by humans.
By allowing dogs to engage in these behaviors, you are providing them with natural ways to relieve stress, tension and promote well being. In fact, you can buy toys and carious items that promote this behaviors! Encouraging your pet to use these things to soothe and relax themselves.
Sometimes these soothing behaviors cause destruction or injury to the animal itself or to items in the house. The key is not to punish the animal but to find a way to redirect the behavior to an appropriate spot.
They are participating in the behavior because they need to, but they may need your help to direct the behavior appropriately without discouraging it fully. Is it gonna t’ke work and time? Yes! But that’s part of the responsibility that comes with guardianship.
Dogs:
Licking
Try lick mats or simply allow them to lick their friends or you (a show of affection). If you have an animal that overly licks itself to the point of causing sores, try to find alternate sources that attract interest while preventing access to the sores (either by supervision or topical prevention)
Chewing
Try bones, chews, bully stick, etc.. Put things away that are NOT items you want chewed. Dogs don’t know the difference. As humans we think they do, but they don’t.
Sniffing
Let them sniff! It activates so many feel good hormones in their bodies! It also gives them mental stimulation. Take walks and let them sniff, please! Let them stop and sniff over and over and over. Bring them to new places with new smells. Yes, they will get bored with the same smells over and over.
If you can’t bring your dog to new places with new smells try hiding some of their favorite snacks in the house or in boxes or toilet paper rolls and let them sniff it out! There are many ways to provide opportunities for sniffing even within the house.
Encouraging your dog to participate in these soothing and relaxing behaviors will help create enrichment, well being, and relaxation. The inability to participate in these necessary behaviors can cause stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety will later create behavioral issues and/or health issues. These simple, natural behaviors are beneficial in so many ways
There are so many soothing and relaxing behaviors that animals need to engage in for emotional and mental well being. Today we will talk about cats! But over the next few days we will talk about other species too (horses, small pets).
These necessary behaviors are often seen by humans as destructive or annoying. They can also been seen as a nuisance. By allowing cats to engage in these behaviors, you are providing them with natural ways to relieve stress, tension and promote well being and mental enrichment.
Hunting
Cats NEED to hunt. They may bring you their kills. Be happy and thankful. A cat bringing you a kill is giving you a gift quite literally from the heart. You will hurt your cat’s feelings if you are grossed out.
If your cat is indoors only, you can engage in interactive play that encourages your cat to stare, hide, stalk, and then ambush and catch its “prey”. This can be a laser, a feather toy, etc.. It is important to let you cat “catch” its prey to simulate hunting.
All of these must be used to mimic indoor hunting.
Scratching
This is how your cats take care of their nails! If you cat is using an undesirable area for scratching and causing damage, try not to punish your cat. If you punish your cat, your cat will feel the scratching is the problem. Instead, redirect. Catch your cat scratching in the wrong place? Bring your cat to where you DO want your cat to scratch. Or place your cats scratching area near the undesirable item. Praise your cat for using the appropriate spot.
You can also put cat nip on the post. You can also play with the cat near the scratching area to make it a “fun” spot! Whatever you do, encourage your cat to scratch in the right places.
Kneading with claws
Kneading is very soothing to cats. It relaxes them and releases oxytocin. Cats accidentally use claws, especially when kneading. Yes it can hurt! But try not to react. Your cat is NOT trying to hurt you. Cat’s use kneading as a sign of affection and happiness. If they use claws (many do) it is not to make it uncomfortable. It is over eagerness. Instead of reacting to asking your cat NOT to knead. Keep a blanket close, pick up your cat, put the blanket over your lap or whoever the cat is kneading that is causing pain or damage. Put the cat back on top of the blanket. Allow your cat to knead, with claws if that is it’s preference. A cat doesn’t know its ok to knead without claws but not with claws. They just each have their own unique way of kneading. Kneading helps their emotional well being.
Encouraging your cat to participate in these soothing and relaxing behaviors will help create enrichment, well being, and relaxation. The inability to participate in these necessary behaviors can cause stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety will later create behavioral issues and/or health issues. These simple, natural behaviors are beneficial in so many ways.
We have all heard the saying “the eyes are the mirror to the soul”. It’s true.
Just like I connect through their eyes, so can you.
We all look at our pets, but do you really look into their eyes?
That’s what I want you to think about. Look INTO their eyes, not AT their eyes. It’s totally different.
If you do, with intention, you will see happiness, hope, sadness, confusion, or whatever emotion they feel at the time. The eyes are a great way for you to “read” your own pet during various moments of the day.
Is there a communication issue between you and your pet? Look into their eyes, they are likely confused.
Come home to a mess? Look into their eyes. They are probably worried (because of your reaction), not because of the mess.
I do not recommend staring at your animal endlessly in the eyes. This can intimidate them. Just take a glance INTO their eyes. It won’t take long to know how they feel.
