PetHealth

IT’S NOT ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL While researchers suggest authoritative parenting is the gold standard for raising well-adjusted kids, every style has pros and cons. The best method for raising your pet will largely come down to their unique personality and needs. Naturally independent animals like cats and selected dog breeds (Greyhounds and Huskies, for example) are better suited to a free-range approach. Other pets will flourish with extra attention. Pay attention to what your cat or dog responds to, and adjust your parenting style accordingly. Overall, pets learn best when we reward good behaviour, so keep reprimands to a minimum and praise regularly. “Overwhelmingly, the positive reinforcement techniques have been shown to have a far better success rate than the dominant reinforcement behaviour techniques,” Dr Hayes explains.

Owner profile: You set clear rules – no naps on the sofa or snacks outside mealtime – but you’re also responsive to your pet’s needs and generous with rewards. Your dog is just as comfortable hiking by your side as they are snoozing on their favourite mat. Pros: This is the ‘goldilocks’ approach to parenting and widely considered the most beneficial by researchers. It can also provide pets with the structure and affection they need to mature into intelligent, confident and obedient companions. Cons: This style of parenting can be hard yakka, especially in the early stages of a pet’s life. To make the process easier, Dr Hayes recommends addressing problems early and staying consistent with training. “You can’t have one person in the house training the dog for certain behaviours and another doing the opposite,” he says. THE AUTHORITATIVE

Owner profile: Ever feel like your pet is THE FREE-RANGE

parenting you? If the answer is yes, you’re probably a free ranger. Your cat rules the roost – treating you as their personal door-opening-and-closing service. Free-range parenting can veer into the territory where you and your pet develop a best friend dynamic. Pros: This hands-off style cultivates extremely independent animals and leaves pets to strengthen their problem-solving skills, according to Dr Hayes. High levels of outdoor play also help raise active, healthy pets. Cons: “Giving in and rewarding bad behaviour such as begging, just to make them leave you alone, only encourages them to do it again,” Dr Hayes warns. Positive reinforcement of good behaviour helps pets better understand and adjust to their environments. Dr Hayes recommends prioritising the rewards your pet responds to – some pets are motivated by food while others prefer words of affirmation or a good pat.

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online