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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

How do you relate to your pet?

My husband and I are very different in how we relate to our dogs.  I try to understand and communicate with our dogs with an animal instinct while my husband humanizes them.



When I was young I was very quiet and shy and learned how to communicate non verbally with our dogs.  I seem to be able to dig into their primal instincts and understand what they were trying to say.  I began to understand body language, long before I knew what it meant but learned how it was relevant to our relationship.  I do the same today.  I have taken it deeper by studying the eyes where I am able to connect at the deepest level.  We seem to know what the other is thinking.  When I talk to them, I talk to them as adults.  By studying their behaviors I have learned to communicate and think like them on a very personal level.     

Now my husband on the other hand never grew up with animals.  This is his first actual experience at having pets and sees things more from a child's point of view.  They are his friends, he carries on conversations with them, sings songs and always makes sure all of the dogs are given equal attention, treats and the like.  He sings lullabies to each one individually every night at bedtime .  If he were home during the day he would probably dress them up and have a tea party.  They are like his children and his best friends.  He is overly protective about their welfare and makes sure they stay within the fence.  He is heartbroken if any of them get hurt for any reason.  To him they are all still puppies.     

The dogs respond to both of us.  They relate to both of our types of connection and the levels they are at.  They need me to connect with their animal instincts and be their leader and they need my husband's silly child-like qualities to bring out the puppy in them.  It brings a balance and harmony you might not expect, but it works for us.

So how do you relate to your pets?   

8 comments:

V.L. Locey said...

Good question!

I seem to be the mom no matter what happens with our dogs. My husband on the other hand is alpha male and although he plays with them they know who the leader is. Me.....not so much. =)

Unknown said...

I guess I play both roles being a single dog mom now. Before my ex was the more structured discpline type and I was more the cuddly lovely type. The person that im dating now is the more fun loving softer goofier side so I took the more dominant alpha role.
So I guess it depends on the structure of the heiarchy as well, if there is only one person I assume most people flip flop between the roles and if there are 2 adults I think each person settles into a role.

Great post!

Pat Wahler said...

I am definitely pack leader. My husband is more like another pack member.

Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Mom is definitely both you and your husband. Our Dad loves us but leaves most of the stuff to Mom. She is probably stricter than he is when it comes to food, and she is always telling him not to give us table food. We love both of them.

Mom says she could try bandaging Phantom's paw but he freaks out with any change so it might be better to just go with the cone for now.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

The Daily Pip said...

My mom is definitely my favorite and I get quite nervous when she is away. I love dad, too, but mom is my best friend.

Your pal, Pip

Bocci said...

Very interesting post! I guess that Parental Unit is the "pack leader", and she claims to still be working on that:-).

Your buddy,
Bocci

Peggy Frezon said...

I'm more likely to be the softie and give in. I suppose Kelly thinks she's the boss!

Life With Dogs said...

Just about equal parts of both. :)