I read an interesting article on how we give choices to our pets…Do you give your horse a choice not to work one day if he’s emotionally not there? Do you let your cat walk away from you when she doesn’t want to petted? How about when your dog doesn’t want to go in his crate that night?

Choices are very important to companion animals…without ANY choice they are no more than slaves really…If we think about it no one likes to HAVE TO do everything all the time according to someone else. Pets are no different. Giving pets some choices (within reason of course we don’t want them running into traffic for example) is an important way to give our pets a voice and a better quality of life.

I have noticed the importance of choices with my dogs. My dog Monty quickly learned how to say yes or no…in the morning I ask him if he’s hungry – if he is he licks his lips to say ‘yes’ he wants his morning meal…if he’s not he turns his head in a very obvious manner to say ‘no’. This is because some days he’s hungry enough for Breakfast others he only wants his Dinner…I give him choices through out the day. Even when he’s outside running around and I think it may be a bit chilly I ask if he wants to come in – when he’s cold he comes right away…if he’s not and still wants to stay out he turns his head away from me…we have extended this for many things. Giving him the ability to show me yes or no – has given him more freedom. In turn he is happier for it. And he is still VERY obedient. When I say come when there is danger or it is important he comes right away.

Our horses are no different. they really do have good days and bad days. Some they really don’t want to work – I can always tell when my horse is not interested in playing with me or will not focus on a lesson. His mind is not in it…so I let him be. It is better to work with a calm animal that is a willing partner than to force through something and get them agitated. With horses that could mean a day of spooking, bucking and rearing perhaps…not worth it for any involved.

No animal should be forced to be petted and cuddled. When I approach a new animal I wait for them to make the first move towards me…I watch for cues that the animal wants to be handled or petted. I never do it without their consent. This is how bites and kicks happen and it again teaches animals that they can’t fully trust us or we don’t really understand them communicating with us.

I believe giving a companion animal choices throughout the day is an important way to give them a better quality of life. They will in turn be willing partners and friends in our lives more than something we micro-manage and rule over. I prefer a happy animal…and I get so much more in return. 

http://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2015/03/the-right-to-walk-away.html