Pets and Their People Blog

Pet guardianship can be trying at times. The good news is that if you’re reading this letter, you’re doing a great job!

As professional canine behavior consultant and frequent Pets and Their People content contributor Don Hanson simply states in his article on building trusting and joyful relationships with pets,

“No pet is preprogrammed to exist with humans harmoniously. Therefore, you will need to kindly and patiently teach your pet what they need to know.”

If you’re thinking to yourself, that sounds easier said than done, the pet professionals who contribute articles and blog posts to this site have you, your pets, and yes – even your struggles – in mind as they share their experiences and tips. You are not alone.

So whether you’re looking for more connection and fun in your partnership with your pet, or you’re simply wondering, “Why is my pet doing this?!?” perhaps you’ll find the inspiration and information you seek right here.

A Relationship Built on a Lifetime of Kindness, Mutual Trust, and Joy

When we bring a pet into our home, it marks a new beginning. It is an opportunity to create something beautiful – friendship with another sentient being…You may even need to compromise on your expectations, but that’s what friends do. – Don Hanson, Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC-A) accredited by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB), co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop and ForceFreePets.com in Bangor, Maine, where he has been helping people with their pets since 1995. 

Build a Joyful Relationship with Your Pet

Building Trusting Relationships with Pets

The most important thing you can do for your pet is to build a trusting relationship. Like children, dogs need to build a secure attachment with their caregivers. –  Judy Luther specializes in building trusting relationships with pets and has developed an entire Trust Centered Training program around it. 

Do’s and Don’ts of Building Trust

Providing Pets with Activities to Improve Welfare

You know we don’t really think about our pets as being in captivity but if you think about it, they are. Animals that are held by humans and prevented from escaping are deemed to be captive.

Our pets are captive animals. What does that mean to you? What does it mean for our pets in terms of their daily lives, their freedoms, their ability to perform their normal species behaviors and their welfare? – Niki Tudge MBA PCBC-A CABC CDBC, founder and president of  the Pet Professional Guild, DogNostics Education and The DogSmith.

Simple & Fun Enrichment Activities

Environmental Enrichment for Equines

The fundamental strategy of enrichment for animals is to consider a species’ natural behaviors and the individual animal’s unique personality to devise ways to encourage and increase their expression. – Pet Professional Guild Equid Committee. 

Easy Equine Enrichment Ideas

Agility for Cats

Also, by the very fact that agility is a team sport, it strengthens the bond between handler and cat. My cats teach me how to best train and interact with them. – Allison Hunter-Frederick, Cat Behavior Consultant, Trainer, and Educator. 

Get Started with Cat Agility at Home

Why Does My Pet Do That?

The reasons why pets do what they do and behave the way they do will always have a function, whether we understand it or not! …If you’re experiencing a problem with your pet, seek out the help of a behavior consultant … And if you’re wondering, ‘Why does my pet do that?’ perhaps instead ask the question, ‘What is my pet feeling?’ It often tells us a lot more. – Petrina Firth, Dog Trainer and Certified Animal Behaviorist of over 10 years who now mainly specializes in Separation Anxiety (CSAT) and also creates content, lessons and articles for the Zigzag puppy training app and website. 

Common Behaviors & Why Pets Do Them

So, as you explore these pages, consider another inspirational quote from Don Hanson,

“Friends don’t always agree, but we have learned to communicate and compromise because we trust one another. We treat each other kindly and with empathy and compassion. Eventually, that turns into a lifetime friendship. I encourage you to commit yourself to achieving that same relationship with your pets.”