It’s true that people who’ve had bad experiences with animals may be less inclined to become pet parents. These negative experiences may even turn someone off from having pets or interacting with other people’s pets altogether.
While these experiences are unfortunate, there are a few reasons why the animal may have acted this way. Animals may act out due to stress, fear, or anxiety, but in many cases, their behavior can be trained and improved.
On the bright side, pets who lash out due to fear or trauma can benefit from fear-free training techniques. Continue reading to find out how you and your furry friend can benefit from fear-free pet training!
What is fear-free pet parenting?
So, what exactly is fear-free pet parenting? Fear Free is an initiative to stop the spread of harmful misinformation about pet care online and to utilize true experts in the animal welfare industry to provide the highest education of animal and pet care to the public.
Fear Free offers digital courses for veterinary professionals, pet professionals, shelters, and pet owners. If you’re a pet parent or aspiring pet parent, Fear Free Happy Home offers informative articles and videos on pet care that can help you during your research phase.
If you’re particularly interested in adopting a shelter pet or pet with known behavioral problems, fear-free parenting is a great way to understand your pet and guide them towards behavioral change.
How is fear-free beneficial for the pet?
There are a multitude of ways that the fear-free concept is beneficial to pets.
1. Reduce Pet Anxiety
Pet parents can tell when their furry family members are uncomfortable in new or foreign environments like the vet or groomer. When pets are anxious, it may be harder for vets and groomers to provide proper care.
When vets and groomers handle anxious or fearful pets, it increases the chances of them accidentally hurting the animal. If an anxious animal is accidentally hurt, it can further increase their pre-existing fears and make them less likely to respond well to future pet care professionals.
The concept of fear-free pet care helps both pet parents and pet care professionals reduce anxiety for optimal pet care.
2. Improve Pet Behavior
Once you begin training your pet with fear-free methods, you may notice your pet’s behavior start to improve. When your pet’s mood improves they might be more energetic or playful and want more attention from family members.
Improved pet behavior can also boost your pet’s relationships with other family members, too. Plus, the more comfortable your pet is when receiving care, the easier it will be to actually get them necessary care.
Bonus points if you use your pet insurance to help your pet get the best care possible!
3. Relieve Pet Caregiver Stress
It’s true that animals can sense fear. This fear is magnified if both the pet and their caregiver are scared or nervous. By implementing fear-free tactics with your pet, you can relieve your own pet caregiver worries as well as alleviate the potential stress the vet or any other pet caregiver may have looking after your four-legged friend.
Where can I find more information?
The fear-free technique is still a relatively new development and an even newer practice for pet caregivers. If you’re curious to find out more information on fear-free pet parenting, check out the Fear Free initiative website.
Conversely, you can ask your pet’s vet their preferred ways to relieve fear, anxiety, and stress in animals and develop your own tricks and techniques for calming your furry family member. If you have pet insurance, you’ll be covered for eligible vet visits in the future.
More vet visits means more potential distress in your furry friend, so be mindful of how this new style of training can benefit your family. If you’re on the fence about buying pet insurance, click the link below to get a free quote.
