Imagine this: you come home after a long day, only to find that your dog has gotten into the trash or your cat has shattered a dish.

Frustrated, you scold them with a firm “no,” hoping they’ll understand they’ve done something wrong.

But do they really know what they’re being reprimanded for?

The truth is, pets live very much in the present. They don’t have the same understanding of time as we do, so they can’t connect your scolding or the firm “no” to something they did earlier—whether it was yesterday, an hour ago, or even a minute ago.

It’s easy for us to project our natural, human emotions onto our pets. What might look like guilt, sadness, or remorse in your pet is actually their reaction to your tone, body language, and overall demeanor—not an understanding that they did something wrong. Instead of reflecting on their past actions, they’re simply responding to the present situation—our displeasure.

So, what should you do instead in these situations?

1. Start by ensuring your pet is safely out of the way, then clean up the mess.
2. Check them for any potential harm (i.e. cuts from broken glass, throw-up from eating garbage, etc.)
3. Reflect on what might have caused the behavior—were they bored, anxious, or curious? By understanding the cause, you can set them up for success and help prevent future mishaps.

We always want to focus more on the positive (behaviors we want) and less on the negative (behaviors we could do without).

Remember, setting clear boundaries and using positive reinforcement is far more effective in guiding your pet’s behavior than relying on scolding alone.

Stay Comfy,

Tanya