5 Ways to Thrive and Be Positive with Your Pet

Happy Pet Appreciation Week (June 2-June 8, 2024)! From companionship to emotional support and reducing stress levels – pets are an important part of many people’s lives. Statistics show that pet ownership in our modern world is more popular than ever. In 2024, 66% of households in the United States will own a pet. [1] Dog ownership is more popular than owning cats, with 44.5% of US households owning dogs, and 29% owning cats. [2] Dog ownership is usually associated with all the benefits of having a pet, such as increased happiness, improved physical, longevity, and unconditional love. However, sooner or later, pet owners will be confronted with the challenging aspects of owning a dog. For instance, after weeks of intensive training, your puppy still isn’t toilet trained and keeps you busy cleaning the house. Or when the dog you owned for several years suddenly stops following your commands. And then, there comes the end of life, and with that the pain of health problems and grief of saying goodbye. The good news is that all these challenges are growth opportunities, to thrive with our dogs, and to become more positive as a result of the obstacles.

Let’s have a look at the five most common pitfalls of dog ownership throughout the stages of a pet’s life, and how to reframe them in a more positive way.

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Pitfall 1: Being overly excited about getting a puppy, and underestimating the care and training required.

Yes, your new puppy is very cute. And they are so playful, and a lot of joy to be around. You get to laugh and enjoy all the affection and love of your new companion. But after a few days, you realize that your puppy pees all around the house. They are not following your instructions and then, you start getting annoyed as they want to play all the time, 24/7. And if you don’t give in and entertain them, they start destroying the house! This is where for many pet owners a limiting belief becomes obvious: They think it is easy to train a puppy and to care for them. Then, after a few days, they feel overwhelmed and discouraged. The truth is that supporting a puppy during the first few weeks or even months of life requires a lot of patience, dedication, and often professional support. Therefore, it can be helpful from day one to reframe any difficulties with your puppy into the opportunity to practice patience and compassion and to selflessly care for another being. You still enjoy all the cute moments, and when things aren’t going as planned, you can enjoy them too, as you know you become more patient as a result. You can thank your puppy for teaching you unconditional patience. And then, watch how this patience shows in all areas of your life!

Pitfall 2: Feeling like you are failing when training your puppy.

After the first week with your puppy, you realize it’s not just the toilet training and disobedient behavior that challenges you – there is also separation anxiety. Your puppy doesn’t want to be left alone, not even for ten minutes. They start to bark, and the neighbors complain. You are on high alert and can’t relax, and of course, you can’t leave your puppy alone. There are times when your puppy seems sad or anxious, and the thought starts appearing: “Did I do something wrong?” At the same time, your puppy still hasn’t learned to use the toilet. You start to feel like you failed, and you might encounter the fear that you can’t give your puppy the care they need. It is important to recognize that this is just another limiting belief! Know that feeling scared and uncertain is part of the puppy stage and a state that every new pet owner encounters. You are not failing – you are just out of your comfort zone, in a new experience. Give yourself time for education, and self-care, and ask for help if needed. And always remember – all the time, energy, and money you invest are building the foundation for a beautiful life and relationship with your dog.

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Pitfall 3: Not being aware that there are ongoing problems with your dog

Congratulations, you made it through the puppy stage! Your dog is following your commands (most of the time), knows not to toilet in the house, and has overcome separation anxiety. You feel more relaxed and at ease, and you start getting into a routine of caring for your dog. But then, one day, your dog is tempted by the sweets on your table and eats chocolate. What follows is a very expensive emergency vet visit. Soon after that, your dog starts chasing a rabbit on your walk, and you must search for them for hours. Then, at some point, your dog shows separation anxiety again and starts barking at other people on the street. You realize that the problems are not over as the puppy stage is concluded, and you feel overwhelmed. This challenge of overwhelm can reflect our general attitude in life: We don’t want to be uncomfortable and escape from problems as much as we can. Owning a dog however means you have to face problems, be solution-oriented, and stay with the uncomfortableness. This is exactly how to reframe the challenge of ongoing problems with your dog: You develop resilience, a solution-oriented mindset, and the ability to support yourself through uncomfortable phases in life. You realize that your ability to deal with challenges and uncomfortable situations increases, and this has benefits for all areas of your life.  Don’t be surprised to notice that you feel much less stressed by problems that appear at your workplace!

Pitfall 4: Underestimating the responsibility of having a pet.

Finally, summer is coming, and you are ready for your well-deserved holiday. You get excited as you start making plans, but then you realize; it is too complicated to take your dog on a plane, the dog boarding is too expensive, and your friends can’t look after your dog as they have planned a holiday themselves. You realize, the only option you have is to go on a holiday by car, somewhere closer, together with your dog. This example shows that pet owners often underestimate the responsibility and restrictions that come with having a dog. There can be feelings of regret, remembering a life with fewer restrictions, and the realization that owning a pet means committing yourself for 10+ years to care for them. The way to reframe this is to evoke gratitude for all the beautiful moments you share with your dog and to realize that you are growing into a more responsible person because of the challenges. And, who knows, perhaps you will experience the most beautiful holiday of your life because you get to spend so much quality time with your dog. After all, is there a better friend, and teacher, than your dog?

End of Life Stage 

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Pitfall 5: Not being prepared for the grief of saying goodbye to your pet.

Your dog gets older, his walks are slower and health problems deteriorate. You realize that your dog is getting closer to the end of their life, and deep pain and anxiety overcome you. You don’t feel ready yet to say goodbye to your dog. Beyond all the challenges, they are your most beloved companion, your friend, and your emotional support. The structure of your day is based on your dog being with you. One way to overcome this challenge is to remind yourself that your dog needs your care and support, especially during these difficult days, and to focus on how to best accompany your pet in this stage. Stay close to them, make sure you arrange for any medication with the vet if needed, and maintain their normal routine as much as possible. Contemplate the beautiful memories with your dog, and know that the spirit of your dog will be always with you also after their passing. Saying goodbye to your dog can also be reframed into a very significant life lesson: The nature of life is impermanence. The pain of your dog passing can be another step towards being more at peace with this fundamental truth. And of course, saying goodbye to your dog is never easy. Ensure that you have all the help and emotional support that you need, to be able to grieve in this challenging time. Allow yourself to be with the grief and know that the grieving process looks different for every individual.

Beyond all the challenges and opportunities that arise with pet ownership, dedicating a few minutes every day to learn how to thrive and be more positive with your pet can be very beneficial. By practicing a short, ten-minute meditation, you can reframe the relationship with your dog into a more positive one, to enjoy your days together even more. Join the waitlist for Upliftly to be able to access this meditation along with many others that will empower your life, uplift your mind, and allow you to grow mindfully for a happier and healthier you.  https://upliftlyapp.com/ 

[1] https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/#:~:text=Pet%20ownership%20in%20the%20U.S.,part%20of%20their%20owners’%20lives.

[2] https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/#:~:text=Popularity%20certainly%20has%20nothing%20to,29%25%20of%20households%20own%20cats.