Let’s face it, even the most adorable furballs can push our buttons. Whether it’s a surprise puddle on the rug or a shredded shoe, pet-related frustration is part of every pet parent’s life. How you handle those hot moments can either deepen or weaken your bond with your pet. It can be tempting to yell or resort to punishment, but taking a deep breath before responding can help you manage those moments without damaging the loving bond you share.
Channel Your Inner Zen
Remind Yourself What Matters: Take slow, deep breaths and repeat a calming mantra like “I love my dog” or “I love my cat.”
Time Out…For You: Sometimes, the best thing you can do is remove yourself from the situation. Leave the room and give yourself a moment to cool down before addressing the issue.
Call a Friend: Vent to a supportive person who understands your love for your pet.
Put on Happy Music: Upbeat tunes can lighten the mood and help you dance through your frustration.
Join a Pet Parent Support Group: Connect with others who understand the challenges of pet ownership.
Remember, You’re Not Alone: Every pet parent experiences frustration. Stay positive and focus on building a happy, loving relationship with your furry companion.
Understand the Why
Some problematic behavior stems from natural instincts or unmet needs. For example, scratching is a deeply ingrained feline behavior for marking territory, sharpening claws, and maintaining claw health, but you probably don’t want that happening on your couch.
Puppies, on the other hand, explore their world with their mouths, so they tend to chew everything. They also chew to relieve teething discomfort, and many older pups find chewing to be a deeply satisfying activity, although you’re not going to be pleased if the object being chewed is a sneaker or chair leg.
In these cases, enrichment can help. Make sure you’re providing species-specific enrichment activities that help them meet those instinctive needs. Food puzzles, scratching posts for cats, and chew toys for dogs can help prevent unwanted behavior.
Also, a tired pup or kitty is often a well-behaved one! Ensure your pet has enough exercise and mental stimulation through walks, playtime, interactive toys, and training.
Potty Training Problems
Sometimes problematic behavior is due to incomplete training, such as potty training that is in progress. In this case, remember that training a dog where to eliminate takes time and repetition. Celebrate small victories and be patient with setbacks.
Make sure you thoroughly clean up right after an accident with an enzymatic cleaner to remove any lingering odors that might tempt your pet to repeat the offense.
In the meantime, it’s important to follow scheduled potty breaks and only allow your pup to be in one of three places:
- Somewhere they aren’t likely to eliminate (like a crate)
- Somewhere it’s okay to eliminate (like the yard)
- Under your direct 100%-focused supervision so you notice the leading indicators of the pup’s need to pee or poop.
If you’re having trouble with house training your pooch, it might be time to call in a certified positive reinforcement dog trainer to help.
If a house-trained dog is suddenly having accidents in the house, it’s time to check with the vet.
Litter Box Issues
It can be very frustrating and smelly when a cat is peeing everywhere but the litter box. What’s a cat parent to do? I’m glad you asked. You’ve got to figure out why the cat is not using the box, and here are some of the main reasons:
- Something about the box is unacceptable
- Fear
- Health
- Marking
In many of the litter box cases I’ve worked, the cat stopped using a litter box because of issues with the box or its placement:
- Not clean enough (scoop twice a day)
- Not big enough (often an issue with covered boxes and robotic litter boxes)
- Disliked litter
- Next to the washing machine monster
- Difficult to access
In multi-cat households, a “bully” cat may prevent access to a litter box, causing the “bullied” cat to eliminate elsewhere. Each cat home should have one litter box per cat plus an extra, and these litter boxes should be in different rooms. In multi-story homes, there should be a box on each level of the home.
Sometimes an underlying health issue causes the cat not to use the box. Older cats, for instance, may have arthritis and have trouble getting into and out of the litter box, or there may be a urinary infection. Seek vet care to rule out medical issues that might be causing your cat to pee or poop outside the litter box.
If the vet gives your cat the all-clear but the problem persists, engage a cat behavior specialist to help you troubleshoot litter box issues.
In the meantime, thoroughly clean the spots where the cat has peed or pooped outside the box.
Snip Problem Behaviors in the Bud
The best time to address unwanted behaviors is the first time it happens. While a single incident might seem insignificant, ignoring it can lead to a habit.
Think of that first incident as your pet’s cry for help, because that’s just what it is. Something is not right in their environment – or with their health – and they are asking for you to address it.
By intervening early with positive reinforcement training and enrichment, or seeking the care of a vet or help of a trainer, you can nip unwanted behaviors in the bud and prevent them from becoming a major source of frustration for both you and your pet.
By keeping your cool, understanding your pet’s needs, and implementing proactive strategies, you can transform those frustrating moments into opportunities to strengthen your bond with your beloved companion. Remember, a happy pet means a happy you!