Guardians shut down their animals efforts to communicate frequently. They unintentionally discourage their animals from communicating and then wonder why their animals do “bad” things.
Animals will use a growl, a hiss, ears back, showing teeth, etc.. as a warning that theyre uncomfortable and their limits are being pushed. As humans we can use words to communicate to others when we feel those things. Animals can’t. Those growls, hisses, ears pinned, teeth showing, those are their forms of communication.
It is the ONLY way they can tell us they aren’t comfortable, they are scared, they feel threatened, or they are reaching their limit, running out of patience. They are not threatening you they are ASKING you to stop doing whatever it is that is bothering them.
When you discipline them for these behaviors that are normal communication for them, you shut them down. They won’t keep trying to communicate with you. They will try to hold it together for as long as they can, silently, and then snap when they just can’t take it anymore.
That is unfair to them.
Animals have limits like we do and they should be respected. When they are uncomfortable, we should respect that too and allow them space.
They can only tolerate so much. They are animals with thoughts and emotions and personalities like us.
When you shut down their efforts to communicate, not only do you make their lives more stressful, you are also making them lose trust in you. It’s not about discipline, it is about respect for them as living beings that are doing their best to find their way in a human focused world.
