THE BENEFITS OF SHARING YOUR LIFE WITH ANIMALS

We share our home with two eighteen-year-old, cats and a thirteen old dog, our space would not be home without them. They provide an abundance of positive energy, that we cannot find anywhere else, which I am so grateful for!

Pets are a lifelong commitment of care, time, as well as finances, however, our pets are worth all the love and effort!

I have heard numerous stories, of a pet saving someone’s life, not only physically, but mentally as well. They can give hope when sometimes it appears there is not any, giving a purpose to live… Ways our pets support us.

MENTAL WELL-BEING.

Whatever life throws at you, a pet will be by your side. They can create stability when everything else seems unstable.

They help reduce stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression, giving you support in moments when everything just seems a bit ordinary, providing unconditional love, entertainment, laughter as well as affection.

Having someone to care for gives you a sense of responsibility, making you feel needed, valuable, and have a life purpose.

A friend to come home to can put a smile on anyone’s face, smiling makes you feel better! Pets are carefree, petting, walking, or playing with them can lift your spirits.

Physical Health

If are walking a dog or have a different kind of pet, they keep you active, getting up to feed them, letting them out or even stroking them creates movement. Research suggests that kids who grow up around animals develop better immunity.

They can reduce stress, blood pressure and cardiovascular risks.

Studies found that those who own pets, seek less medical care.

People who experience chronic pain, have reported that owning a pet helps them deal with that pain.

Social Support

Pets are our best friends. Many people can relate to their pets.

Pets help us make new friends, they are great icebreakers and keep communication flowing. They can get you meeting other people, you may decide to join a club or group specific to your pet or volunteer at a pet shelter if you haven’t got a pet.

Unconditional Love

You know what love is if you have a pet. They do not judge you, or care about your looks, personality, or financial status, they will always love you for being you. They are a safe, secure place.

Pets teach us to love. If we showed the same love, empathy, and compassion to everyone that our pets show us the world would be a much happier place. We should have so much gratitude for furry friends, they are priceless! Need more gratitude and love in your life? Reach out on 0405 361 882 or FB: MariaChristina.Love

Always with love, Maria x

TO PUNISH OR NOT TO PUNISH - BARKING PART 2

It is important to remember that barking is as normal to a dog as it is for us to be talking. It is hardly fair then to reprimand a dog for behaving normally. It would be like punishing your partner or child for speaking. Rather than trying to train the dog to stop barking it is better to redirect it to another activity. First always check to see what the dog is barking at. They never bark because they like the sound of their voice or bark at nothing. We may investigate and see nothing but dogs are much more alert to their environment then we are. Many dogs have saved their owners life by barking for eg alerting to a suspected prowler, snake or fire.

We may have unintentionally rewarded their barking. When a dog barks many owners yell at their dogs to be quiet but when they are quiet the dog is ignored so some dogs learn to get their owners attention is to bark. Some dogs are territorial and will bark when someone with or without a dog

Teddywalks past their property they bark and the reason it works effectively is that the person has walked away. Dog learns that this is appropriate behaviour. Your property to a dog is not the fence line but all their senses come into play, so someone across the road is in their territory. Owners punish their dog and finally the dog is quiet. Why is he quiet? Not because the owner yelled at the dog but because the person has walked away. Then the behaviour keeps repeating. First never allow the dog to have free access in the front yard. Try and contain him either inside or in the backyard. Always investigate. Then if you wish the dog to stop, call him to you reward him with a treat or scatter the treats on the ground or play ball etc. If it’s the same time everyday for eg children going to or from school than it is easier to set up a diversion. I had one client that we worked out successfully, was to take the dog out every afternoon. No more problems. Happy training Yvonne

Yvonne's Dog & Puppy School

Yvonne

Puppy Classes: 7 wks to 16 wks of age

6 Week Dog Training Classes. Private Consultations available 0416 102 071