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One-on-One: 7 Tips On How To Make Individual Time For Each Pet In A Multiple Pet Household

4/17/2014

14 Comments

 
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Huxley actually behaves better on walks without the other dogs; he pulls and marks less. He pays more attention to Jason or I, returning the individual attention we give him!
Typist: Bethany
Occasional one-on-one time with each pet is vital for your bond with your dog, cat, bird, etc, when you have multiple pets in your home. In a perfect world, you would be able to divide your time evenly between each pet as well as enjoy time with the whole animal family. But we humans are busy. It can be difficult to fit in the individual time that our dogs, cats, birds, etc, want and need. While Jason and I both wish we could spend more one-on-one time every day with each of our pets, here are some way we do fit in special, individual time when we can:
  1. Walks: Take each pet for separate walks. It's wonderful bonding time for your pets and more exercise for you!
  2. Car rides: Even a simple ride in the car with you and you alone can be special one-on-one bonding time for a pet and a human.
  3. Mealtimes: Plan time with each pet at different meals throughout the day, week and month. Your pet is likely very grateful for their meal and if you spend alone time with them while they eat, it will make the meal that much more special.
  4. Grooming: While not all pets enjoy getting brushed and having their nails trimmed, grooming time is still an opportunity for one-on-one time with each pet. Spend a little time before and after grooming playing with or massaging you pet and your bond is sure to grow.
  5. Tag along: Not many work places allow three or four pets to come to work with you, but some allow one. Take turns rotating which dog comes with you to work if and when it fits your schedule. Maybe you can bring one of your dogs along on an errand to the pet store or the hardware store? Giving each pet a chance to go out with just you, even just once a month or supplies, will be a treat for both of you.
  6. Play dates: Wilhelm, Brychwyn, Huxley, Leo and Amelia have a lot of special human and animal friends. They are almost always all invited over when we schedule play dates. However, I sometimes decline invitations for all the pets to visit and take the opportunity for on pet to have special time with a friend and me. Want to make new animal and human friends? There are plenty of dog breed, training and enthusiast clubs as well as groups for cat, bird and other exotic pets and their owners to connect.
  7. Train: there is no better way to get fantastic bonding time with each pet than to schedule training time. Sign up for a series of classes with each pet in basic obedience or a special sport your dog would enjoy like nose work, flyball, agility or heel work to music. Even just ten minutes per day, per pet, can make a wonderful impact on your relationship with your dog, cat, bird or any other pet. Making time to train multiple pets isn't always easy- just three pets means over thirty minutes of training. But if you cut back on screen time or social time just a little, time with each pet is guaranteed to be worth it. If you need tips and help to keep training from getting boring, be sure to check out our Positive Pet Training Blog Hop on the first Monday of each month.
Whatever you do, remember that one pet doesn't need all of your time. They'll likely want to get back to hanging out with the rest of their animal family. But your dog, cat, bird, other exotic or pet does need your full and undivided attention.* No matter what you find time to do for alone time with each pet, your pet will appreciate your focused attention. Just like for humans, a direct smile and specific kind words can mean the world to each of your pets in your busy house full of animals.
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Wilhelm gets a special scratch.
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One of the most frequent ways Jason and I spend individual time with the pets is to take one of them with us in the car or to run errands to pet-friendly businesses.
*The pictures included in the post are examples of what multiple pet families can do to spend individual time with their pets BUT special one-on-one time should usually not include a human with a camera or phone in one (or both) hands. Our pets each deserve even just a few minutes of undivided attention!
How do you make time for one-on-one bonding with each of your pets?
A to Z Challenge: Yesterday was N for Natasha Katarina II, tomorrow is P for Prescription: #HillsPet Prescription Diet Success Stories In Helping Pets Lose Weight.
14 Comments
Molly The Wally link
4/16/2014 10:00:19 pm

We use to get separate walks when Pip got too old for the park and it was peeps one to one time with each of us. Like the running errands idea. Have a tremendous Thursday.
Best wishes Molly

Reply
Bethany
4/17/2014 04:40:55 am

I think separate walks are probably the very best way to spend one-on-one time with each pet but it is something humans likely have the least amount of time for. Yet, why spend time at the gym when you can go on several long walks with each pet? :)

Reply
Reilly & Denny
4/16/2014 10:32:55 pm

We agree - one on one time is so important and each dog has there favorite things to do. Denny is a cuddle bug - 5.30 every day on the dot he demands his special cuddle time with his dad. Reilly is my go to the letter box and go for a car ride alone boy.

Reply
Bethany
4/17/2014 04:42:46 am

Isn't it great when we have dogs who remind us that it is time for their special one-on-one time? Leo is VERY good at demanding his focused attention time but the others do a very nice job of keeping Jason and I on track with individual time too.

Reply
Taryn link
4/17/2014 01:07:32 am

Mealtimes....All three seconds it takes to inhale their food! LOL!

These are all great ideas, mine especially love the training as it involves food and me ;-)

Reply
Bethany
4/17/2014 04:47:16 am

Well, sometimes three minutes is better than none. It's more the before and after the rapid food inhalation that you can enjoy individual time together. I mean, you're already on the floor, right? :)

And, yes, training is our personal favorite too. First, it is something they can;t do with anyone else (someone else can walk, feed, groom or play with them.) Second, I can really feel the bond we make when training. Having the loving, intelligent eyes of my pet, staring directly at me, just waiting for my next cue (and the subsequent treat) is the best feeling in the world!

Reply
Christine & Riley link
4/17/2014 07:27:06 pm

These are great tips!! Some times it's great to be reminded of a few things that give special moments to each, with a total of 9 pets in the house it can be a little difficult at times.

Reply
Bethany
4/21/2014 05:03:22 pm

I feel like each of my five pets gets shorted on one-on-one time, the guilt with nine would consume me! You are awesome for making the effort to spend time with each of them. I think most people with a large household of pets just give up.

Reply
Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner link
4/18/2014 04:36:39 am

Training definitely has to be done separately at my house...at least if I want it to work :) I spend time with the dogs separately when I travel. Daddy doesn't let me take both dogs at once. Unfortunately, the one left home most often is Chester. I really do need to make an effort to spend more alone time with him. He is such an easy dog compared to Gretel :)

Reply
Bethany
4/21/2014 05:05:09 pm

It does tend to be the easy, laid back pets that get less attention. Wilhelm is my angel but the upside is that I can take him absolutely anywhere without worry.

Reply
SlimDoggy link
4/18/2014 12:45:58 pm

Timely post - I used to take Jack for solo walks everyday when Becca was still alive since she couldn't go for long walks, just very short one. Since we got Maggie I rarely take him alone and I feel bad about it. I'm happy to report that today he actually had TWO solo walks - Maggie just didn't feel like going, so it was like old times.

Reply
Bethany
4/21/2014 05:08:14 pm

I bet SlimDoggy Jack just loved that bonding time with you! I hope Maggie gets into at least short walks again but maybe separate walks will still be enjoyable one-on-one time for you all.

Reply
Cathy Bennett link
4/19/2014 05:44:33 am

Harley and Leo actually understand "one on one" time, in fact it was the two of them that taught me the importance of it. Great reminder to all of us with multiple pets at home. Thanks

Reply
Bethany
4/21/2014 05:10:27 pm

Those super smart doodles! Our three understand when I say "take turns." It means I am petting or massaging just one at a time and they are very sweet and respectful about it.

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