Pay attention to your pet

Studies say over nine of 10 millennials own pets and are happy pet parents. Most of us can agree to the fact that pets are the best stress busters; however, it is a big responsibility to ensure you are doing everything right. We speak to experts and pet parents to reveal the perfect mantra to be the best pet parent.

Pets are definitely a blessing to mankind. The only way they can express their feelings is through their gestures. Pet parenting has its unique set of challenges. Especially, for those who work on tight schedules and live alone. Having a fur kin is an awesome feeling. You can have someone waiting for you to get home, someone to cuddle with. However, spending a fortune on grooming salons and pet services doesn’t mean you are doing the right kind of ‘pet-parenting’.

Being a doggy mommy is the best part of her life believes Bhuvaneshwari Rajaram, a deputy quality manager. She says, “It is an awesome feeling to come home to my son Dollar, he is indeed a purpose of our life. My husband Raj and I ensure our lives revolve around him, be it us travelling for vacation or even somewhere close by we ensure to take him around. Having a pet makes it part of the family and they are no different from human. They must be loved and taken care of with all your heart and dedication.”

Andy Williams a dog trainer for over 25 years says, “Before you get a dog it is important for you to be sure you are ready to satisfy basic needs like time, love, freedom, discipline and exercise. If you are ready to commit yourself to this added member of your family only then you must get a dog. I personally advice my clients to have a ‘Dog day’ once in a week – where they spend time with their pet and connect with them. A happy dog is a happy home”  

He adds, “The way you groom your dog is your choice, but it is essential to give dogs a bath once in a month. But, adding too much chemicals on the fur coat can lead to early dry skin as the natural oil dries up.” Throwing light of vaccinations Andy says, “It is imperative that you have the pup vaccinated when it is six weeks old, Parvo and Parainfluenza are most important. Post this once in every six months as need be, the dog has to be given the rabies shot.”

Nivedita Jithin, a canine behaviourist and trainer, founder of Confident Dogs says, “Dogs communicate with each other and with us using vocalisations that’s barks and howls etc, body postures like keeping their body tall and taut, small and cowered, play bow, belly up position and subtle signals like licking of lips, turning away of the head, etc. In order to understand our dogs better we need to understand what their language consists of and how to read then based on the context.”

Giving us an insight into one of the common misconceptions Nivedita adds, “A classic mistake dog lovers make is when they assume all tail wags are friendly. A scared dog will also wag its tail but the tail will be tucked under the belly and the body will be cowered. This means the dog wants to be left alone. This sometimes is why most children or stray animal volunteers get bitten as signals are misread. A dog that is about to bite will also sometimes wags its tail in excitement. This dog’s body will be taut, stands tall and eyes will be focused on the trigger. The dog’s tail will be held high and wagging very slowly.  Children especially must be taught to read these signals and must be supervised to enjoy their play time even with a good tempered dog.”