Abusive households are not the sole preserve of abusive behaviour towards pets; studies show that it happens too in ordinary non-abusive households.We learn from this that children imitate the behaviour they witness, do not outgrow it, but pass it down to the next generation. The way you treat pets and people will act as a lesson to your children.
No detail escapes the attentive eyes of children.
Kids are extremely observant. The way you love and look after your pet will be carefully observed by them. Your reaction when a pet suffers an accident, makes a lot of noise, or damages cherished objects will be closely observed. These behaviours can easily become annoying to adults. As adults, your children will learn how to deal with any problems relating to their pets by seeing how you reacted to similar problems when they were children. If you are exhibiting negative behaviour towards a naughty puppy, then you are sending a bad message to your children. This could impact on your child’s personality and their relationship with animals as they grow older.
Good Approaches and Bad Approaches.
If your pet is exhibiting undesirable behaviour, then you need to handle it in a constructive manner. Neither your child nor your pet will benefit by your becoming furious; both will feel terror and confusion. Your pets are sensitive beings who have feelings and emotions. We share many characteristics with animals. Pets do not misbehave for no reason. Simply shouting at a dog because it has messed on the carpet is useless; you must find out why it has done it. Below are questions you are going to have to think about and take into account in order to figure out why your pet is acting up.
Do they get enough exercise?
Do they receive enough attention?
Do you provide them with enough shared time at home?
Are they getting enough food?
Are they ill?
There may be a very simple reason for their actions. Only by looking at all the options will you be able to find out what the cause is. An analysis of the pet’s behaviour could lead to a sound diagnosis. Help can sometimes be obtained by taking your pet to training classes or seeking the advice of an animal training facility.
If your pet’s health appears to have deteriorated as well, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian. Check the terms of your pet insurance policy too - if your pet has developed a condition for which they will need ongoing treatment, you want to make sure that your pet plan has full lifetime cover.
It’s no use taking the easy way out simply by giving up.
If your pet is misbehaving, do not give up and do not even think about getting rid of your pet. Giving up is not the answer and it isn’t fair on the animal or your children to take the “easy” way out. Looking after a pet is regarded as so difficult by some people that thousands of pets are abandoned every year and end up in rescue shelters. The attachment we feel towards our pets is reciprocated, especially by cats and dogs. You cannot turn your back on them when they need your help. Once you have discovered the cause of the misbehaviour you will be in a position to put things right.
If you get rid of your pet because they misbehave, it is also going to send the wrong message out to your child about commitment, trust, and responsibility. No child should be given the idea that running away from a problem is the way to handle it. A child’s confidence, social skills, and general maturity have been proven to be increased by caring for a pet.
The Answer.
If problems occur with your pets, then it is your responsibility as a pet owner to get to the core of the problem. The expertise of a veterinarian or other professional animal handler will usually be helpful in providing a sensible solution to your pet’s problems.
Always remember that your child will learn by your example. Your child’s natural respect for you will result in his following your example. It is your responsibility to teach your child the right way to care for a pet. Thus you should teach your child to discipline the pet without recourse to physical or emotional abuse. There should be no difference between the way you behave towards your pet and your best friend. They love you and you should show them love in return. Any disciplinary measures following misbehaviour must be constructive. Children must learn that unacceptable behaviour to other children is equally unacceptable to pets. You should treat a pet in the same way that you would a person. The parent’s response to a child who is abusive to a pet should be to explain why the behaviour was wrong and to point out the correct way of behaving.
Providing the basics of food, shelter, pet health care and love need not be difficult or expensive. Having a family pet is good for everyone in your family both emotionally and physically and is an experience that children will cherish for many years to come.