How do you deal with animal tantrums? Being kind to our animals is simple, however, they do at times test us however, they do at times test us and can push us to the point where we choose not to be as kind as we could.
Yes we’re talking animal tantrums! For example when the puppy chews up your favourite shoes, or when your horse dumps you in a muddy puddle and leaves you rolling about winded and worse, on the floor. Or the cat pees on your pillow and you don’t find out until you put your head on it, any of this sound familiar? Here are my ‘Top 5 ways to always be kind and deal with Animal Tantrums.’
1. Be kind
I know that sounds silly but you are the adult here and what can be directed at an animal in a heated moment can leave lasting damage, so please always choose to be kind.
2. Take time to think
If this was your actual best human friend or favourite person in front of you, would you act in this way? Take a little time out, get some fresh air and take some deep calming breaths until you have gained perspective on the situation, no matter what they have done.
3. Don’t take it personally
Most of the time animals are not malicious and deliberately unkind to us, they are certainly not born that way and have most likely learned that behaviour or are responding to something else going on for them.
So if the cat is peeing on the bed, what could she possibly by peed off about? Ask yourself, truthfully what has changed at home, what doesn’t she like and what do you think it could be? It isn’t a personal vendetta against you, it is her way of trying to get you to listen to her complaint and let you know she isn’t happy.
4. Keep the noise down
Volume Animals hearing is considerably better than ours, and we get used to music really loud in the car, banging doors and buzzing the hoover around however these are not nice noises for animals, especially if they are trying to relax, are rescued or timid. If it is too loud for you, then it is most certainly too loud for them. Turn it down or give them an option to be able to escape to somewhere quieter.
5. Tone of voice
It may sound really obvious however the tone of voice you use is really important. If you are cross, you don’t need to shout to let them know you are cross – it is in how you say it. If you want them to come to you and you are scared, they will hear that and may react differently because of the fear in your voice.
When out walking your dog, if they are constantly pulling the lead rather than use their name (you’ll wear it out and they won’t respond to it) use a cue to ask that they walk close to you or on a loose leash.
Save the urgent voice for when there is real danger like a fire or road hazard.
Unless you have a cat in which case just use a nice tone of voice, everyone knows cats are super independent and will pretty much do what they want (with a few exceptions) and if you have larger animals, the tone is just as important.
Let them know when they’ve done something really good with the tone of your voice, rather than “good boy” which also gets worn out.
From the heart,
Ruthy D xx
