Bringing up a pet is like bringing up children, their emotions, body language and even the way they communicate is exactly like them. So, if one wants to be a good pet parent, one should understand their pets well. But also keep in mind to tell them who the parent is, 'cos they can take you for granted.
Pets, also want unconditional love like kids, so you should love them equally as you would love your own kids and also teach them the dos and donts in life. Pets are fast to learn, and if stubborn (like some children) then need to be spanked as well. Give them a treat ( a chew stick, doggie biscuit, or even an oat stick) when well behaved and have listened to your command. I talk to my pets like I would talk to my child, and though the general idea is that the pet understands only certain commands, my pet understands every word of the sentence I say and how I say it.
If the pet is not suppossed to pee at a certain place, I tell him/her that uncle is watching and he would scold him/her, and the next reaction of the pet is turn around and look for uncle and look at him with a guilt and little wag of his/her tail. So, you see, it is not crazy to talk to your pets, it brings down the stress level in the human and the pet gives his/hers 100% hearing.
To be a good sis, the child should be first told how to handle a pet. Most kids, think that they are stuffed toys who can be manhandled. Teach your child to love him/her as if it were her sibbling. My daughter, calls Cindy her little sis and shares everything with her, even when she is upset. And, Cindy, consoles her by licking her face and mouth and putting her paw on her arm. When I scold my daughter, Cindy, is always there to give me a mouth full and then to show her support, sits on my daughter's lap. So you see, the bonding of two children happen.
My Golden Rule :
1. Never tie the pet up and introduce him/her to a guest, stranger, kid like you would introduce your child.
2.
Try to read and understand your pet as well, it should never be one sided.
3.
Never feel embarrassed to correct your pet, if wrong, in front of friends and family. 4> Contact with the pet, physical and mental is most important for the two of you to understand each other.
Sorry, Anupama, I can go on when it comes to pets and animals of any kind. Infact, my family (i.e. my husband, daughter and me & my parents, my sister and nephew) are all animal lovers, and though never were allowed to have one when we were in my parents place, we had trained a cat, to do the exact things the dog would do and hide from my parents when they came into our room. ( Its a long story) Anyway, now my sister and I are fulfilling our dream of having pets.
My sister, has adopted a dog from the Mumbai Dog Adoption Centre, I think in Chowpaty, and has also a stray cat, which thinks its a dog and goes for walks like the dog. And the recent addition in her family is a stray pup, picked from the road. They live in Pune and would love to be of any help to you.
Regards.
Anjali |
