Apologize Even When You Don’t Know Why?

There doesn’t seem to be a reason!  You don’t know what happened.   You haven’t a clue, and that is clue  spelled with a capital “C.”  Your beloved animal friend, companion and family member is creating a problem  and therefore you have an issue that you didn’t have before.

You may know when it began.  In fact, you may even remember the actual date, the day of the week, time of the day.  Perhaps you remember who was with you, where you were and even what the temperature was on that day or evening.  Above all else, you noticed a change and that is what is most important.

Animals Change

Animals Go Through Phases and Stages

Although  you may not be able to wrap your brain around the situation that you now find yourself in with your pet, don’t forget.  Animals , like people , change and sometimes go through phases in their lives when food choices, sleeping patterns or places where they choose to sleep, allegiances are different.  Different that is from the past and previous behaviors.  It would be nice if our pets would to send you a note or warn you.   Yes, you probably wanted to be informed so that you could somehow be prepared if that is possible.

The Vet’s Office

This is an all too familiar story.  This is what happened to a client who recently called me.  She didn’t know where else to turn.   Her dog Lucy no longer wanted to walk with her in the evenings.  Lucy still walked everyday with her dog walker, as long as he didn’t try  to walk and talk on his cell phone.  The client tried to find the solution in the usual place, the vet’s office where she had blood work  and a physical examination done to solve the puzzle to no avail.

Humans are often oblivious to the many ways that we impact our animals.  A change in schedules , routines and rituals,  moods, behaviors, a crisis, illness, fears, anxieties, etc.can upset pets and can lead to “my dog is different.”

Pets Understand Their Humans

Perhaps it is helpful to remember that we are the center of  our animals’ lives, They depend upon us for their very existence.  They have to know who is responsible for them.  They have learned to read us and often understand us better than we understand them.  Many times the changes or acting out such as urinating outside a litter box or in the house, chewing on furniture or bedding, etc., result after they have tried to let us know that all is not well.  We fail to hear or understand them.  Perhaps we humans are too preoccupied with our own lives.  That leaves only one or two choices and one is to act out in such a way that we take notice.

Talk To Your Animal Friend

So all this make sense to you.  Now what?   What does one do?  Here are some suggestions.  This is a short list.  Feel free to add to it.   First, apologize to your animal friend both telepathically and verbally even if you don’t what happened.  Second, talk more to your friend.  ” I am making breakfast.”  “We are going to visit—.”  ”  Your friend/brother/aunt is coming over to visit.”  Third, when you leave home, tell your pet friend where you are going and when you will be returning.  If your pet is accustom to accompanying you, verbally tell it why you are not taking it with you.

You may have your own solutions and techniques.   Don’t underestimate your bag of “tricks” that you use to work with your pet.  You know more than you realize.

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