If your pet could talk

Dr. Suzanne Hetts, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist

September 24, 2009 -

Dr. Suzanne Hetts, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist

It’s been a little over a month since the launch of the If Your Pet Could Talk educational project that I partnered with PetSmart® to create. Dogs and cats exhibit many behaviors that give us a window to their emotions. But most pet parents aren't trained to recognize these behaviors or interpret their meaning.
 
Many times I’ve seen well-meaning, loving and even experienced pet parents completely misread and misinterpret their pets’ behaviors. PetSmart’s survey results from the “If Your Pet Could Talk” quizzes bear this out – more than 96% of people thought a tail wag always means their dog is being friendly. When you watch the tail wag video on the site, you’ll see a clear example that a tail wag can be associated with a bite.
 
Luckily, carefully observing animals and interpreting their behaviors are skills that can be learned. In fact, I’ve had requests from graduate students and faculty members at universities for permission to use the videos and quizzes for training, research and educational purposes.   
 
But the real reason I partnered with PetSmart to create the If Your Pet Could Talk educational project was to help people and pets. Too many people are bitten by dogs, as well as cats. One way to avoid bites and scratches is to know when a pet is anxious, fearful or tense. Other than the obvious – tail tucked and ears back – do you know other ways dogs show they are afraid or tense?
 
Cats are more subtle with their communication, but even felines will often telegraph their intentions if we know what to look for. Cats have an undeserved reputation of being untrustworthy and aloof. Part of the reason for these unfair labels is because of their natural history. Cats have more communication signals designed to keep other individuals away than ones to indicate friendship, playfulness and approachability.
 
The other part of the reason for the “If Your Pet Could Talk” educational project is to help pets. PetSmart is committed to helping pets lead happy, healthy lives. When we misread our pets, we don’t recognize when they are stressed, fearful or angry, and we often unfairly attribute their behaviors to guilt, spite or revenge.
 
It breaks my heart when I see pets being intimidated or threatened for “misbehavior,” when they’ve never been taught, or shown, what the “right” behavior is. This also holds true for discipline, or punishment, after the fact. It has to be so frightening and confusing for pets to be dragged over to a “mess” they made minutes or hours previously as frustrated owners try to show them they’ve done wrong.  
 
When you watch the videos you’ll see behaviors that, in the past, you might not have attached much significance to. But after taking the quizzes, you’ll learn they are in fact very important when it comes to knowing what your pets are thinking and what their intentions are. What was the most surprising thing you learned from the quizzes? The time you spend with the videos, quizzes and interactive exercises at If Your Pet Could Talk will undoubtedly improve your relationship with your pet. Your pet will thank you for visiting!

Dr. Suzanne Hetts, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
Dr. Suzanne Hetts had more than 25 years' experience working with people and behavior problems in dogs and cats. Since 1982, Suzanne has consulted with pet owners, veterinarians, animal care and control professionals, and lawyers regarding animal behavior problems. With her husband Dr. Dan Estep, she co-owns Animal Behavior Associates, Inc., an animal behavior consulting practice in Littleton, Colo.

She has written and collaborated on more than 50 books and articles on animal behavior and owner-pet relationships, including feature articles and columns in Rocky Mountain News, Cat Fancy, Dog World and Animal Wellness Magazine. She's had guest appearances on the "Pets Unleashed" Marty Becker Radio Show, and her book, "Pet Behavior Protocols: What to Say, What to Do, When to Refer," is one of American Animal Hospital Association's best-selling titles. Dr. Hetts earned a bachelor's degree in Microbiology and Medical Technology, a master's degree in Wildlife Biology and a Ph.D. in Zoology/Animal Behavior, all from Colorado State University. She is certified by the Animal Behavior Society.

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