PET PEEVES!
One of the hardest things of the modern world
is to be a good neighbor. We are so diversified in our cultures, languages,
and outlooks that living as close as we do can be difficult for all.
How can we make it easier for all of us?
Children and pets love to wander and this
creates problems. Sorry, we can’t help you with your children,
but we do have a few suggestions for dealing with neighbors pet peeves.
The easy answer to a barking dog or a cat
yowling on the fence is to bring them in at night. Everyone who has owned
a pet realizes this is not the easiest thing to do, especially if the
pet has a long time routine of going outside during the evening hours.
Humans who aren’t pet owners have a tendency to look upon these
animal languages as simply noise. In truth, they are serious communications
to their owners and other animals.
Pets often howl or make other noises at night
due to loneliness – how would you like it if your spouse threw
you out in the dark and cold in the middle of the night? Your pet may
be signaling that all is well, that there’s a new animal in the
neighborhood, or there is a problem that needs discussing. Animal language
is quite diverse, so trying to identify what your pet is saying should
be a top priority. Books and animal caregivers can help you decipher
your pet’s midnight messages.
Once the message is determined, deciding the
solution may be easy. Instead of putting them out late in the night for
a potty break, limit the last water intake and/or take them out earlier
and stay with them. Once they know they get the reward of having your
company for a few moments by themselves, they will quickly get the idea
it’s a wonderful thing to do.
Block the exit that gives them free in-out
privileges. This may sound cruel, but it is only for as long as your
pet needs to create his new habit. If your pet has an accident, realize
he is learning a new routine and until he completely understands your
direction, may have a lapse in memory.
Please, never punish your pet because he doesn’t
understand what you are asking of him. Your pet wants to please you and
will start doing the preferred behavior once he/she understands what
you want from it. No pet is too old to learn, however, with the older
pet it may take a bit longer.
Give them a comfortable alternative to the
fence post. There is a product in most pet stores that is called “Doggie
Litter”. It is made of small cylinders of paper and changes color
when relieved on. This makes it easy to clean and is inexpensive since
there is no unnecessary product being thrown away. It is not tracked
onto the carpet or flooring, such as sand, nor will it stain. When you
are changing the toilet habits of your dog, this product will make it
easier on both you and your puppy. This is an excellent product for adult
dogs no matter the age. The product has directions for training inside
the package.
Create a warm, cuddly bed near you. Before going to bed, spend some quality
love time with your pet. While you may tire out before your pet, the exercise
your pet gets will go a long way toward a good sleep for you both.
A light snack before bedtime can sometimes
help your pet offset the nighttime munchies. Pets get hungry in between
meals just like humans. Unfortunately, their spoken language is limited,
so we often overlook their needs. Many animal caregivers don’t
recommend feeding your animal after a certain time if you expect your
pet to be a watch-pet. These tendencies will depend somewhat on your
pet’s breed.
If you have a watch pet, let your neighbors
know that if the pet gets excited during the night, they can count on
it’s protective warning that a situation exists that they should
be aware of. Your neighbors might be a bit more understanding if they
realize that the noise is for their benefit also.
What about the neighbor that doesn’t
like pets? Try in a tactful way to find out why. Were they traumatized
by a biting animal, an attack at a young age, a dislike of the mess pets
cause, etc.? These can be taken into effect when dealing with your pet.
It also could be folklore that your neighbor has heard, but has no truth
in it, such as some animals are naturally smelly or aggressive. Another
common dislike that neighbors have is when a pet owner walks their animal
and doesn’t pick up after them.
Do you enjoy it when children carelessly throw
candy wrappings in your yard without thinking? Why then would you ask
your neighbor to pick up your pet’s leavings? The retail market
has many products to help pet owners leave the neighbor’s yard
as they found it. There are deodorized bags, rake-like and scoop equipment,
and in an emergency you could take along a plastic refrigerator freezer
or storage bag. Even a plastic grocery bag can be recycled in this manner.
Don’t forget the plastic or wire twists to close your bag.
When walking your pet, please keep him/her
out of the neighbor’s flowerbed. When a neighbor puts much effort
into their yard to look nice, they don’t think kindly of animals
traipsing through it, knocking the blooms off stems.
The key to sharing your pet with your neighbors
is to look at the situation from their perspective. When we do that,
the world becomes a friendlier, more tolerant place to live. You never
know when a former pet-hater will turn into a pet-lover because someone
took the effort to make their lives a little better.
Julie Grant is owner of Pet Chauffeur Transport, a pet chauffeur company that operates in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and suburbs. She is available for special presentations and talks. Pet Chauffeur appreciates your comments and encourages you to send them, whether pro or con, to oegrant2@juno.com. All contents and articles on this website are copyrighted and require the express written permission of the author for copies, distribution, or use outside of this website.
