by Heidi Peaster

Created on: April 15, 2010

We all want our pets to be happy.  Often we obtain a pet from a rescue center or the Humane Society and want nothing so much as to button that puppy or kitten inside our coat and keep it safe and happy forever.  We do not think that our best intentions and attentions will not only make a pet disobedient, but will actually lead to their unhappiness.

Here are some things to remember when adopting or purchasing a pet and beginning on your journey with it.

* Remember that your pet is an animal.  This may seem a silly statement, but often we obtain a pet because we need them as much as they need us.  In our need for companionship, we try to project a human persona onto them.  Our pets can be intelligent, loving, protective and willing, but if we try to make them human, it will lead to confusion for both of you.

* Establish in your mind what you do not want your pet to do.  Some of us don’t mind if our pet jumps onto the couch with us, some of us do.  If you have clear boundaries already in your head, you can avoid mixed messages.

* Dogs are pack animals.  When you take a dog into your home, you have taken him into your pack.  To their mind, someone has to be the pack leader.  To have an obedient dog, that leader will have to be you and also any other human in the home.    Dogs get anxious and defensive if there is no leader at all.  It is just not done in their society.  If your dog feels that there is no leader, he will try to step up and be the leader, himself.

* As leader, take a firm stand.  Puppies come from a pack where their mother  has no qualms about laying out the puppy on his back and snarling.  Puppies expect this.  Older dogs will still need that firm stand.  When correcting your dog, use a voice that is lower in pitch, firm and forceful without yelling.  You really can’t yell loud enough to make a dog behave.

* Cats are somewhat different as they don’t care so much about the approval of their owners since they are not pack animals.  However, they still respond to a combination of human affection and firm guidelines as to what you don’t want them to do.  The voice still needs to be low in pitch, firm with no yelling.  Keep a spray bottle of water at hand for correction from across the room until your cat gets the idea of what you’re saying “no” about.

* Do not use the animal’s name when

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