Animals are very sensitive to energy. That’s why the words we use and the names we call them affect them so much. They become that energy.
They don’t understand jokes, so if we say “youre a pain in the butt”, even if we are joking, they feel we are being serious. Humans joke all the time. We may call them stubborn or a brat as a joke. Or maybe we mean it! But either way, to them, the words we say are true. So they feel like they are stubborn or a brat and they will become that way.
If we say they are aggressive, reactive, or mean, they will be that way. They think they are being what we want them to be because we label them that way!
Sometimes, again joking, we may say our pet is “not smart”, dumb, or stupid. Guess what? That hurts their feelings and they will again starting acting in a way that matches their label. Why? To try to please us. They think that’s what we want them to be because we label them that way.
I wish humans knew how much the words they use affect their pets emotionally and affect their pets behaviors, even if you’re joking!
If you tell them they are a lot of work, annoying, or frustrating they will be. Then imagine THEIR frustration when you are frustrated with them being what they think you want them to be!
Try to use labels that create the type of pet behaviors you want to encourage. Try to use labels that make your pet feel confident, safe, and happy! Try to use labels that make your pet feel loved and appreciated.
Label them as * smart. *funny * brave * agreeable * easy * and other similar terms.
Say to your pet “youre so easy to live with. “
“You make my days so easy”
“You are fun to be around!!”
“You are SO smart!”
“You do everything right.”
“You fit in seamlessly!”
There are so many ways to label our pets with positive, uplifting, beautiful labels. So many labels we can use that help them be the best they can be. So many labels that make the dynamics in the house easier instead of harder.
If you want to know how your pet feels with the words and communication in the house you can give your pet a chance to talk during a reading.
I talk a lot about the importance of enrichment. It keeps pets happier, balanced, and prevents behavioral issues from boredom.
But the other very important benefit that enough enrichment provides is prevention of premature cognitive decline.
Enrichment also reduces stress. Stress in animals creates premature aging just like it does in humans. Stress in animals causes health issues, anxiety and increases all cause mortality.
We all want our pets to live as long as possible with a good quality of life.
In addition to the obvious (proper vet care, good nutrition, and exercise), providing proper enrichment and reducing your animals stress are controllable factors that can lead to longer, healthier lives for all our pets.
What are some of the things that cause stress in animals:
* Change
* Lack of Exercise or Enrichment
* Yelling/Fighting (at the animal or in the same house/area as the animal even if not directed at the animal)
* Overcrowing
* Needs not being met despite their efforts to communicate
* Isolation/ Separation / Confinement
* Fatigue, Injury, Illness
* Inconsistent expectations
* Unfairness
* Harsh/rough handing
* Jokes
We can’t prevent all stress for them, but we can reduce it. And we can provide enrichment & exercise as an outlet for stress.
Keeping our pets happy and healthy (mentally and physically and spiritually) is our responsibility. There are many variables we can control, there are some we can’t. But we owe it to them to control the ones we can because that gives them a higher odds of living a long, healthy, happy life.
The way to do it:
* Provide consistent enrichment
* The best nutrition you can afford (its ok if you can’t do top shelf! Do the best you can!)
* Reduced stress
* Consistent expectations
* Inclusion
* Socialization
* Exercise (which is different than enrichment)
* Vet care
* Love
* Understanding, patience, and forgiveness
* No jokes
I know I want my pets to live as long as possible and I know you all do too.
Your pets mental health must always come first when making decisions.
It’s easy to forget that animals can suffer from emotional abuse (often unintentional) not just physical abuse. We can all say “bad people” physically abuse animals, but often animals are emotionally stressed with loving guardians! Just out of a lack of understanding.
It’s easy to forget their our decisions affect their emotional health greatly.
It’s easy to forget how important their mental and emotional health is.
It’s easy to pay attention to physical health. Bring them to the vet when they need it. Feed them nutritious meals. Trim their nails. Bathe them.
But what about their mental and emotional health? Is your pet depressed? Sad? Does your pet feel unloved at times (unintentionally)? Does your pet feel abandoned? Left out? Again, almost always unintentionally but kind, loving guardians. Are they emotionally stressed or fragile because we have unintentionally put them into situations that are too much fo them mentally? This happens often! Again, unintentionally. Either with “training”, where we leave them when we aren’t with them, or not thinking about how our decisions for our lives, affect them.
They are part of our lives so our decisions should always consider them. And we should be willing to make decisions in ways that do not jeopardize their emotional health.
For the most balanced mentally and emotionally healthy animals we do have to teach them enough confidence and independence that they are calm and content when away from us.
Sometimes animals will be in stressful, anxious, or uncomfortable situations. When they are emotionally well and strong, they can adapt. If they face these kind of situations too often, and on their own, without support, or even just one situation that is too overwhelming, they will emotionally suffer.
Their mental health is as fragile and as important as ours, as humans. And like humans, some animals are mentally stronger, mentally less sensitive. Others are overly sensitive, and overly fragile.
All of you on this page are here because you want to be the best guardian for your animals. You want to love them, support them, and most importantly understand them.
If you become aware of their mental health, look into their eyes, watch them when they don’t know you are watching them, you’ll be able to get a glimpse into how theyre doing.
If you do feel your dog is depressed, sad, or otherwise struggling with mental health, I can help. Animal communication is also pet therapy! It is letting them talk, so we can make a plan to help them feel better.
Yes, it’s real. Chihuahuas get a bad rep. Small dogs tend to have less patience. But, there’s a reason.
Small dogs (in general) get less “training” than big dogs. Many people assume they don’t need it because they can just pick them up and move them. They don’t pull as hard on a leash. They often can barely keep up when we walk anyway.
But, many of these small dogs feel constantly overwhelmed and that’s what their behavior often reflects.
Instead of calling them over and waiting for them to respond, it is easier to pick them up and move them to where you want them. When you call a dog, they have time to process it and make a choice, and know where they are headed (to their human in the kitchen for example). A small dog, is just surprised! All of a sudden they’ve been picked up and have no idea where they are going.
They are often assumed to be easier because they are smaller. But in reality they need the same care and enrichment and exercise! Especially the terriers!
Small dogs are prone to a lot of barking. Why? Usually, they aren’t getting enough exercise. Or, they are trying to use their voice because they rarely feel heard or respected. They are trying to feel big in a world that makes them feel small (and therefore unsafe).
The best things for small dogs, is to treat them like big dogs. Teach them all the same things. Exercise them. If they have less patience, understand there is a reason. They feel vulnerable. Small dogs gets pushed around a lot, not intentionally, just because of their size.
Their size makes them feel more like toys than dogs. Because of their size they are treated differently than larger dogs. This does not help them, it hurts them. They develop excessive behaviors to try to make up for their lack of confidence and their insecurities. They try to act “big”.
So if you have a small dog that is very reactive or that barks a lot. Start by teaching the dog all the things you would teach a 100 lb, strong dog. It will give your small dog confidence. It will give your small dog choice. It will give your small dog enrichment.
Your small dog will be so much happier and so much more balanced.
Two is always better than 1 when it comes to animals!
With very few exceptions, two animals are better than one because all of our domestic pets are meant to live with others of the same breed. Cats live in a colony. Dogs live in packs. Horses live in herds. Birds live in flocks. You get the idea.
Now of course due to trauma or lack of socialization some animals simply can not cohabitate with others. But, most of them cant. Issues arise when humans do not allow proper slow introductions.
Common mistakes made by humans when adding new animals to the family – even when your current pet(s) are very social.
Introductions done inside the home (introductions should be on neutral ground) If you have indoor cats, find a safe space in a garage or basement (somewhere your cat doesn’t often go)
Forcing pets to “like” everyone. Some pets won’t like another animal and thats ok! They don’t have to like them to cohabitate. They just won’t be best friends. They can learn to respectfully cohabitate with ANY animal if you give them the tools, guidance, and patience to do so. I have experienced this in my home when I added my dads dog to our family. (Read the story in comments)
Give up too quick. You don’t make a best friend in 30 minutes. Don’t expect your pet to make a best friend right away either. It takes MONTHS.
Blaming one animal if the introduction goes poorly. Yes, there are times it is one animal who instigated, BUT it’s not that animals fault. That animal may have felt unsafe, threatened, or unsure because of a mistake a human made with the introduction.
Setting pets up to fail by throwing them together too soon. Adding a new animal to a family means separation from each other when not supervised, for longer than humans want.
Not putting in the time or effort and expecting instant gratification. Humans love instant gratification. Many get frustrated, annoyed, or impatient when things aren’t instantly easy. Animals feel this energy and it escalates tension. If you don’t put in the time or effort you are setting them up to fail. All of them.
Not taking into consideration an animals past. Humans go through trauma and it can stay with them for their entire lives. Animals are the same. If they have gone through trauma do not expect them to leave that at the door when they enter your home. It comes in with them. And if you put them into a situation that triggers that trauma you are setting them up to fail.
Every single animal CAN succeed if humans take the time, put in the effort, and have the patience. When you bring a new baby home from the hospital your current kids may be jealous, mad, or pull “tantrums” because they don’t want to share attention. Animals are the same. They are the equivalent of a 2 year old. You wouldn’t bring your newborn back to the hospital. You would work with your kids over time to cohabitate. Fully expecting challenge and behavioral issues along the way. Animals are the same.
THE STORY OF ADDING BUCK TO OUR FAMILY
Here is my story of animals living together that don’t “like” each other.
When my dad died in April of 2024 I inherited his black lab, Buck. My pitbul, Titan, HATED buck. Buck was about 4 years old, Titan about 5. They met as young dogs but Titan never accepted Buck. He would growl, lunge, full on attack. We worked on pack walks, etc. but honestly never dedicated enough time to it because they didn’t live together so we just said nevermind.
I would go visit my dad and if Buck was outside and Titan was in my car he would go nuts at the window, agressive barking, trying to get out when I’d open the door, etc. Like most, I ignored it because I knew animals do not have to like everyone they meet, just like humans dont.
Once Titan even jumped out of my open sun roof to go full on attack Buck. Another time, Titan ran across a 10 acre field to go attack Buck. Titan went out of his way on many occasions to seek out Buck and fight. Buck never once retaliated. It was a one sided hate.
Clearly, I never thought I was going to inherit my dad’s dog. My dad died unexpectedly and rehoming Buck wasn’t an option. Animals are family. So I committed to making this work. I was forced. It took months. Months of me having them on leashed when in the house. Correcting and redirecting Titan when he would go after Buck.
Titan was tethered to me anytime Buck was in the main area of the house. Sometimes Buck would get a break in the bedroom and TItan could be untethered but I had to keep reminding Titan to not go to the door and try to get Buck, through the door.
Then it went from attacking intentions to hackles up. Then it went from hackles up to Titan being tense. Then it went from Titan being tense to Titan being off the tether, but my eye very on him. Because if Buck made one move that TItan didn’t like, the light switched and Titan went after him.
Titan was tethered to me anytime Buck was in the main area of the house. Sometimes Buck would get a break in the bedroom and TItan could be untethered but I had to keep reminding Titan to not go to the door and try to get Buck, through the door.
Then it went from attacking intentions to hackles up. Then it went from hackles up to Titan being tense. Then it went from Titan being tense to Titan being off the tether, but my eye very on him. Because if Buck made one move that TItan didn’t like, the light switched and Titan went after him.
Titan doesn’t listen to anyone else so I always had to be around when Buck was in the main area.
Now, they are fine! They cohabitate and they are ALL happy but they don’t like each other. Buck growls at Titan out of fear, Titan has learned to ignore it. Not many dogs could stand near a dog growling at them and not retaliate, but Titan has learned not to. Titan is a very domninant, alpha dog, but he has learned that he has to cohabitate with Buck.
We don’t leave them unservised alone and never will be able to, but when we are home, even my kids now (if I am not home) they can all be together and trusted without an extra eye on them. Titan and Buck just don’t lay down together or play together or hang out together. They all go outside together. When there is food around TItan and Buck can sit side by side and ignore each other : )
So it CAN be done. But it takes time, patience, consistency and commitment.
I have never seen a day hate another dog as much as Titan hated Buck, but he learned to cohabitate with force free redirection and consistency.
I see a lot of posts about cats not coming home, or dogs not having recall once off leash. Though we try to control animals they have free will.
When they don’t come back it’s not always personal. Sometimes they feel too confined.
Dogs for example – if they rarely get off leash, when they do they’ll be excited happy and wild! Like a kid would be if of made them sit still all the time. Once off leash – This freedom for them feels glorious. If they are running and you react, tie them back up, scold them, etc they will run farther , faster, and longer next time because they are afraid of their freedom healing taken away. They want choices like we all have. They NEED time to run and if they aren’t given that time, especially certain breeds, they WILL bolt off leash. Yes we have to teach them not to, but all the “training” in the world won’t work if they aren’t allowed to run, ever. Or often enough.
When they are celebrating freedom and you are mad, upset, panicked, they’re not going to want to come back to you, if your dog bolts make coming back fun! Run the other way playfully, calling them in a fun want not panicked. Go back and forth, towards and away, toward and away, make it a game of them chasing you.
Cats, if they are strictly house cats without enough enrichment and exercise they may try to escape. Again, for exercise and freedom. I am a big advocate for house cats living inside for safety. But if they live inside you must provide enough exercise and enrichment for them to be happy and feel they have e choices and freedom. If not, they may try to run off.
If your cat runs off just leave your scented items outside and stay calm. Call them calmly at feed times when they are expecting you to call them. If you have a house cat that took off it’s probably already scared and hiding, if you are calling in panic they will panic more. So call at feed time the exact same way you would if they were in the house.
Mostly allow animals freedoms and choice when you can safely so they don’t feel the need to “bolt” and not return
Here’s a simple thing you can add to your daily routine to show your pets more love.
Tell them what you love about them. Or recognize something they do that you like. It’s basically giving you pet a compliment each day. We all like to get compliments, animals are no different.
We often correct them for behaviors we don’t like, but do their desired behaviors get as much attention or reward? The desired behaviors should get more!
Examples:
* I like when you greet me every time I come.
* You look so pretty today!
* I love how patiently you wait for me to prepare your meals.
* I love how you come sit with me on the couch.
* I love how generous you are with your kisses.
* I love how you make me feel better when I am sad.
* I love how excited you get when it’s time to play or go for a walk.
The holidays affect pets, hugely! The holidays can fill homes and humans with stress, anxiety, busyness, joy, happiness or excitement. Sometimes a mix of all of these! Like humans some pets will thrive on the energy and get excited too. These pets may be over active, over stimulated, and over tired by the end. These emotions can cause pets to react out of character. Have extra patience with them. Do not discipline them for their emotions, they are just excited like the humans are! And they will express it by being overly active, jumpy, loud, or wild! Allow them to celebrate and be happy! Animals express their joy without containment.
Containing joy is not something animals know how to do, and truthfully why would we want them to? They are here for such a short time, let them live it up fully an be happy and excited! For these pets, it may be easier (on you) to put them in a crate or a room so you don’t have to baby-sit their energy. But that is not easier for them. If they enjoy the holidays they WANT to be included. And though it is more work for you, they deserve to be included, and deserve to have you watch over them so they succeed. Isolating them will hurt their heart.
But also, keep an eye on these pets. As they become over stimulated they can react quickly and unintentionally from fatigue. When they need a break, put them in a spot where they can take a break.
Some will get anxious and afraid and stressed. To some, it will feel like chaos. Especially when homes get busy with a bunch of people. For pets that are more reserved, not so social, anxious, fearful or nervous, guests in the home can feel like an invasion of their safe space.
For pets that are overly sensitive (this does not mean they are fearful or anxious), this can be overwhelming. These pets absorb the energy and “issues” of every human in the home. We know animals absorb our energy. And even more so, after everyone leaves, their energy lingers. These pets that are extra sensitive will feel this for days, maybe even weeks (if someone was really heavy on emotion). This is all very hard on our pets.
Even the ones that enjoy the excitement of the holidays. It is your responsibility to put your pets first. To watch them to they are set up for success. To have them take a break if needed. Keep guests away from them if needed. Give them a safe and quiet space if needed. Have patience with them. Whether they get excited and happy, or stressed and overwhelmed, they need guidance and support so they can succeed. Our responsibility, not just during the holidays but always is to set our pets up to succeed. It is possible, for every animal in every situation.
The world we live in expects way too much of domestic animals. We ask them to be something other than what they are because our world is human centered. We do this by asking them NOT to engage in behaviors that ARE who they are (dogs, cats, horses, etc…). Why? Because those behaviors don’t line up with human life.
Our pets are doing their best to understand our world, adapt to it, and to live in it. We humanize them. This is not terrible. In fact, it is often how we show love. And yes, they DO have all the emotions humans have, so it’s easy to do.
But… we have to remember they are still animals. They still have instincts, even though they are domestic. And since they are a different species than us, their needs are different. Expecting them to let go of the traits and the behaviors that are part of who they are is unfair. Yet, so many of us do it. Most of us do it to some degree.
Despite this, the amount of patience and forgiveness they continue to extend to us is unwavering. It’s mind blowing actually. No matter how many times YOU ask them to be something they aren’t, they still try. And most of the time they follow our rules that take away most of their natural behaviors. It’s quite sad actually.
The majority of pets in this world are misunderstood or held to unreasonable expectations. But, they are loved. Love isn’t enough. You owe it to your pet to allow them to be what they are. A dog, a cat, a horse, a bird, etc..)
Please take the time to read through this if you love your pet. It may just give you a different perspective and make you realize you might be expecting too much.
You may skip to the section relevant to the type of pets you have, but please take note at the end there is a paragraph that applies to ALL species of pets. Please visit that too!
Let’s start wtih dogs because they are so popular. Barking – We ask them not to bark, tell them to “shut up” at times. Their bark is their VOICE! Imagine if you could never talk. How frusteraed would you be? They bark for a reason. You may not know what that reason is but they have one. Maybe it is just to be heard! Maybe they are frusterated with always being told NOT to use your voice. Maybe, they are protecting or alerting you, the only way they know how. What may not seem like danger to you, can seem like danger to them. And when you shame them for doing so, that hurts their heart. When they bark, thank them. Please, I beg you, thank them. They are simply displaying DOG behaviors. They have a voice too.
Sniffing – We’ve all seen the memes. Sniffing is like reading email for dogs. It’s like a phone call or a text. It’s like browsing the internet. It’s how they gather information. They need to gather information to feel safe, secure, and enriched. If you always pull them away from tings they are sniffing they lose the ability to gather information. They will feel more confused, more afraid, and more unsure. They will feel like they are missing out on something. How many times do you search the internet, read a book, get a call or a text? You gather information for the vast majority of the day. Can you allow them the same? Don’t rush them on walks. Let them sniff. If you come home with something new, show them and let them sniff. If you don’t allow them to sniff, they feel isolated and frusterated. They need an expanded world, like we do. Too much of their lives are spent just in our house. They need MORE. And sniffing can expand their world. When you walk, and even just bringing new things into the house.
Pulling – Quite simply, dogs walk faster than us. That is why they pull. Why do we have to force them to walk slower? If you can’t let them off leash, YOU walk faster. Are they pulling because you never let them sniff? Let them sniff. They want to be in front to keep you safe. Pulling is not disobedienace, it’s dogs being dogs.
Now I understand they can be injured pulling (neck, windpipe, etc) so we do have to find modifications (harness, walk faster, or simply, let them walk in front of you).
Digging/Chewing – This is a natural behavior for dogs. It provides comfort, relaxation, and enruchment. It’s part of who they are, it’s that simple. If we do not give them the opportunity to do these things we are taking away their core behaviors. The behaviors that keep them mentally healthy and stimulated. Behaviors they find FUN and fufilling because it is in their DNA to do these things. We have domesticated them but they still hold onto species specific behaviors and that is what these are.
Emotions- How often do we ask dogs not to show emotions? Almost always. When dogs get excited, we ask them to calm down. That is how they show excitment! Jumping around, bouncing, running, etc.. It’s their expression of joy, happiness, and love.
When they growl or show teeth they are requesting space in THEIR language. They are asking kindly even though it seems they aren’t. To them, it IS kind. It is a warning. They are telling you they are NOT comfortable, they don’t feel safe, or they just need a break. When you are in those situations you can walk out and leave. Or, we’ve all done it, we snap… yell for a minute, slam a door, then feel better. That’s all dogs are doing! But they are doing it in the only way they know how. The way that has been bred into their species. Yet we ask them NOT to show their emotions. Imagine having to keep your inside? As a human, you’d eventually explode. Guess what… they do too.
These are just a few ways we ask dogs to be something other than who they are.
Now Cats….
Hunting – We ask domestic cats to live inside and this prevents them from engaging in the natural behavior of hunting. Something that provides them with mental and physical enrichment and exercise. When they aren’t allowed to hunt, they will bite and scratch humans, fight with other cats, or do anyhing they can to mimick hunting behavior. They don’t know any other way! Yes keeping them inside is safer, so I agree with that. But if you are going to do that, you must provide hunting simulation. Either by playing WITH them in hunting fashion or providing visual stalking enrishment (bird feeder, TV, etc..)
Scratching – Not only do humans expect cats NOT to scratch walls or furniture, sometimes they even declaw them! Scratching is a natural behavior for cats. It provides comfort, relaxation, and enruchment. It’s part of who they are, it’s that simple. It’s how they keep their area clean when they use the bathroom (burying it). It is a core part of being a cat. So please give them places to scratch. Their wellness depedns on it.
Hissing/Biting – This is their communication. It is how they tell you when they are uncomfortable, feel unsafe, or need space. It is like they ASKING you to leave them alone. Not if you don’t listen to their polite ask, YES they will probably bite harder, attack, etc… But in their defense they already warned you. If they are showig you they are not OK with something, it is unfair to ignore their request and force something on them. Asking them to keep their emotions inside is NOT healthy or fair.
Ok, how about horses?
Stalls – Horses are meant to walk and graze. Their digestion is dependent on movement. When we ask them to live in stalls we are taking away their bodies ability to digest properly. We are taking away their enrichment and exercise. Having a horse in a stall for more than a few hours is no different than having a dog in a crate. Why do horse people feel it’s different? It isn’t. Some horses live in stalls 22 hours a day. If anyone had a dog in a crate for 22 hours people would be up in arms about it. But it’s ok for horses? Why? The ratio of the size of the area compared to the size of the animal is the same. Horses need to be outside, moving, for as many hours as possible. They need it mentally and for their physical health.
Kicking/biting – This is the way they communicate that something hurts or is making them scared or uncomfortable. Can it hurt us? Yes, it can! But, if we choose to work with these big animals we are choosing to take that risk. If you punish them for showing you something hurts, they will stop showing you until it becomes so unbearable they explode. And they it will be a lot more dangerous for you.
Bucking/rearing – When we put horses under saddle we again are accepting the risk that their behavior may hurt us because of their size. But it is again unfair to punish them for displaying these behaviors (bucking, rearing, etc). Those behaviors are them telling us something horse, something is confusing, or it’s just too much pressure. They are communicating with us the only way they know how. So instead of punishing them, take a step back and be softer, fix your riding, allow them grace. THANK THEM for showing you something is not right. It is a privledge to ride a horse, they do not owe that to us. So if it is not 100% comfortable for them, YES they should tell us in the way they can. And YES, we should change something so it IS 100% comfortable for them. But humans have a hard time accepting they (the human) is the one making the mistake. Trust me… it’s almost always the human.
Now what about ALL the animals as a collective …
All of the animals I have mentioned are herd, pack, colony, etc.. They are bred to ive in groups of some sort. Yet, we keep horses alone. We ask dogs to be the only, cats to the be only. Imagine being the ONLY human in a group of dogs?? Ok wait, that might actually be pretty awesome!
Seriously though, imagine being the only human, in a group that speaks an entirely different language and lives an entirely different lifestyle. Could you be as patient as your pets are? Companionship of the same species is important for ALL living beings. (Yes I do know there are rare exceptions of animals that don’t get along with others).
But also, remember on the flip side, our animals do not have to like every human they meet, every dog they meet, every cat they meet, or every horse they meet. The same goes for goats, birds, rabbits, etc.. All animals have personality and energy and some won’t get along with each other. And that is ok! Just like you will have best friends, acquaintences, and others you don’t really like too much. Animals should be allowed the same opinions on others. They are individuals like us.
Now I am NOT an advocate of rehoming pets. So when household pets don’t get along, I do truly beleive it is the humans responsibility to accommodate. Have differen parts of the house for each animal, work through the dislike as much as possible, allow decompression and personal space. The paragraph about is more about not expecting your pet to be a social butterfly. Some will be, some won’t. Honor who they are.
Now let’s talk about animals and humans. We love them… oh do we love them! we want to kiss them, hold them, pat them. But sometimes they need space! Just like we do. If they are not in the mood to be kissed, hugged, petted, give them space. Don’t take it personally. It doesn’t mean they don’t love you. They just need quiet time now and then like we do. They don’t have to accept being kissed and hugged every waking moment. Sometimes they want peace and quiet. You know your pet. Show them love, but when they walk away because they have had enough, let them walk away. Don’t chase them. Don’t hold them forcing them to stay. Let them leave.
Honor their personality. Don’t try to change it. Honor their species. They are bred to be a certain way. Honor their forgiveness and patience. When you think about how challenging their world is, even in a home full of love, it truly gives you a different appreciation for how much they tolerate
My passion and my reason for doing this job is for these animals to be heard and understood in a world that asks so much for them. If you read this, you are trying. Thank you. Thank you for trying to learn how to understand them and create a better world for them.
Bringing a baby into a home is a huge adjustment for pets. New smells, new sounds, less attention, changes in routine and energy in the home.
I firmly believe children that are raised (appropriately) around animals are blessed. They become empathetic, loving and kind.
When you first bring a new baby home expect your pet to be unsure. They will sense your fatigue, anxiety, worry and stress.
They will try to be involved because they are part of the family! They might not be happy at first, but they’ll learn with time and patience.
They deserve that. Your time, your patience and your understanding. If you have a toddler and you bring a new baby home you explain things in depth and you teach your toddler how to behave around the new baby. Your pet deserves the same.
Please don’t expect just to know they aren’t suppose to lick, jump, scratch, etc. they need to be taught patiently. They need to be loved and included.
It’s ok to keep your pet on a leash for safety Initially. But please don’t isolate or ignore your pet. You wouldn’t do that to a toddler child. That will cause the wrong behaviors to manifest. And your pet will feel unimportant and discarded. Undesirable Behaviors will reflect this.
There will be jealousy. There will be confusion and uncertainty. But if you treat your pet the way you would treat your toddler who is welcoming home their first sibling, you will end up with an animal that adores your baby.
So bring home items that smell like the baby before the baby comes home. Give these to your pet. Show the pet the new areas for the baby. Make it FUN for your pet. Include your pet, while keeping everyone (baby and pet) safe. Your family can grow WITH your pet. And everyone, including your pet, can be happy and feel loved. Your pet deserves the time, patience, and inclusion. They would never ignore or isolate you.
And please, teach your baby/child to be gentle with your pet when that time comes. I see too many pets tolerating things they are unfair.
And as a bonus pets are GREAT at making babies and kids laugh!! And they make great best friends for kids.
