You ever wonder about how everyone, everywhere, quickly figured out the basics needed for keeping a pet? Seems even the most inexperienced would- be animal enthusiast, knows that the animal will need some kind of food and water every day, as well as a place to toilet. The food will probably be whatever is easy on the wallet. They purchase a few supplies, and look forward to a lifetime of smiling at that cute face! And from there, a person sets off on the average 10 year journey of pet guardianship. Hoping for the best, and dealing with pitfalls as they come, from illness and injury, to jumping and house-soiling. Sometimes seeking help along the way from the things that impact daily life in a little more seriously negative way, or just dealing with it.
For the person starting out, this is usually all there is to what goes into the preparation of having an animal for pet. If you are very lucky, and found a healthy little soul mate with a heart of gold, then you are going to be really happy you chose to have a pet! You get a great sense of fulfillment and happiness from all the years of selfless love and devotion you enjoy. But what if you happen to fall in love with one that brings a little more gray hair, and frustration, on occasion? What if I told it never had to be that way, ever again? With one magical little tip, you can help teach your beloved how to transform into that “gosh darn best dog we ever had”, starting today! That’s right, it’s true!
So, here it it. My one magical tip that I am bursting to share with each and every pet parent, no matter their experience level, or even type of animal, this is what I wish each of you would do: spend 2 minutes a day, every single day, showing that animal something you would like them to do. Then reward them for it. Don’t ‘tell’ them to do something, ask them for a favor. Do it as faithfully as brushing your teeth, follow a couple of quick guidelines I have below, and you will be amazed at the profound transformation that will occur in only a few days! Your animal will love you for it! That’s it!
Let’s get this in perspective. All that worrying about the food, and the vaccines, and the type of toys to buy, should only be HALF of the time you spend in a day thinking about, and caring for your animals. The other half should be thinking about, what is my animal thinking about? And use that time to teaching the animal something neat to do, that makes your life even easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. Just 2 minutes a day, ask yourself, what is __________thinking right now, hm?” And ask for that favor, accordingly.
So don’t think of training as a big drudgery, or something someone is telling you that you should force on the animal. Think of it as recces! Recess from your daily routine like dishes and laundry (a great excuse to do something super fun, and get to hang out with your best pal!), it only takes a few minutes (literally), and your animal gets to enjoy your undivided attention!
Ok, so what are the guidelines? Easy:
- Ask nice.
- Reward even more nicely for lessons well done.
- Ask 3 times for what you would like. If after that, they do not do it, or even try to do whatever it is. STOP! TAKE A DEEP BREATH. And then ask the easiest, most fun thing you both already know well, reward for it, and call it a day. Spend the rest of the 2 minutes cuddling.
Follow these easy steps, in that order, and I personally guarantee you cannot fail to make great strides in the health, behavior, and the bond you share , than you ever even dared to dream possible. Yes, it is that easy! I dare you to do it for one week!
There you have it, all out in the open, my biggest and most powerful health improving tip (for you and your animal) I can give you, is to spend just two minutes, each day, playing with and teaching your animal something special to do. This instills in them a sense of accomplishment and pride and boosts their self confidence, as well as yours!
It does not have to be a fancy trick or a tough command. It can be as easy as don’t paw the treat out of my hand when I hand it to you. Let’s just work on being polite to each other. Treating each other with human decency and respect. It is not alright for our dogs to jump all over us, and our cats to claw us when they feel like it. It is not fair to us, or them. So let’s open people’s eyes to a whole new world of possibilities, where in every restaurant dogs are allowed, because the generally population of dogs are so well mannered. That less cats get re-homed because they get stressed out sometimes and pee on the floor. That no kids get hurt from fearful animals.
Let’s change the status quo about what is acceptable behavior for animals in society. Instead of the well mannered dog being the exception, they should be the rule, and then dogs could be allowed so much more freedom to bring them with us, they would enjoy it, and in turn be an even greater boost to the health of society at large! Image how just 2 minutes a day could revolutionize the entire world of animals in our society, in the pet industry, would help keep more animals out of shelters, and help more people to see the value of animals in our lives, as friends and partners in life. Won’t you join me, and let’s start a revolution, in just 2 minutes a day. Good luck!
I am DrQ, the rest, is up to you! Best wishes!
P.S. If would like more useful information like this on how to best care for animals, please like my Facebook page, and enjoy a personal invitation to join us at my new on-line university http://www.stealmoreyears.com Hope to ‘see’ you soon!