Just Talk

I frequently get asked what my biggest tip for improving pet relationships is, and it is always the same.

Talk to them.

Nothing else can have as dramatic of an impact on your relationship with your pet than simply talking to them.

So what’s the big deal?

Your pet lives in your world, and whatever they have is all they have with you. It’s their entire world. But that doesn’t mean they understand what is happening in that world.

The thing is they are exposed to all of your life - the ups and downs. They live with you through job changes, relationship challenges, financial struggles, additions to the family. All the nitty gritty day to day grind, and all of your challenges they are right there with you.

They feel your energy changes, the stress you are carrying, and the worry about whatever is going to happen. But they are helpless to make any changes, especially when all of those challenges aren’t communicated with them.

The best relationship advice I can give for your pets is something that is free. It will only cost you time, and you’ve already got that with them anyway. To chat to them while you are making dinner, while you’re feeding them, in the bathroom (because let’s face it, they follow you in there anyway), or when you are spending quality time with them.

Just communicate heart to heart. Speak out loud whatever is on your mind as if you were talking to another person, let them know that your boss was really mean to you today, or that your spouse has been doing things that are challenging your relationship, or that you are worried about paying the bills, or you have a vacation coming up that you’re excited about (but stressing about getting everything done before you go, not to call myself out our anything…). Whatever it is, just speak out loud to them and fill them in on the details. I promise you they are the best listeners.

But the byproduct of that is that they feel included. They feel like they are a part of the happenings in your life instead of just living them by proxy. They feel appreciated for being a part of your family, instead of like an object that just happens to be in your house.

And when they know what’s going on in your life that is having a big impact on you, they can support you in the best way that they can.

That might be not being as rambunctious.

Or being calmer.

Or loving on you more.

Or reminding you that you should probably get up and take them for a walk so that you move around.

There’s a million different ways they can support you - but they can’t do that if they aren’t aware of, and a part of, the things that are happening in your life.

So next time you’re a little stressed out, fill your pet in and let them know what’s going on, too, so that both of you can work through it together.