Pets can be wonderful companions, reliable helping hands when farming and hunting, or therapeutic presences when people feel gloomy or alone. Nothing has proved all of this more than life at hoe during the pandemic.
Just Imagine Being Stuck Home All Day Every Day...Oh Wait
<p>"About their pet, the best one I know is one I heard a while ago: You have your life, your job, your friends, your family to provide your social interaction per day. Your dog only has YOU."</p><p>"Interact with your dog for more than five minutes per day and maybe your dog will not go out barking every five seconds."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glcl6x7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">schrodingerscatty</a></p>Consistency is Key
<p>"Don't complain about your dog not having boundaries when you're literally feeding them scraps off your plate at dinner time! That's 100% on you." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glc88j8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">SquiliamFancySon95</a><span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"It's so tiring trying to get my parents to stop feeding their dog who is highly allergic to all sorts of meat food scraps off the table."</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"In their minds, they're being kind and can't help pampering the dog when in reality it just causes her to chew her paw pads off when she has her allergic reactions. It blows my mind." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glcwo42?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">takenwithapotato</a></p>You Get What You Pay For
<p>"Vaccines you get at the drug store on the corner or the feed and tack shop ARE NOT as good or the same as the ones you get at the vet."</p><p>"Just because your dog is scratching its ears does not mean it has ear mites."</p><p>"Your cat is not urinating outside the box because its a jerk ( it might be) it probably has an infection."</p><p>"Not eating for 3 days while vomiting and having diarrhea is a huge deal! That 5lb chihuahua or even 80lb lab cant lose that many fluids without having any intake and be ok and neither would you."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glc1bwc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">missnorlax</a></p>Do Your Research
<p>"RVT here. Exotic animals (reptiles, birds, small mammals such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and rodents) may be easy to acquire and assumingly easier to take care of but most of these animals have very specific housing and dietary needs that need to be met and require enrichment."</p><p>"Also, not every veterinarian has experience with exotic animals, and exotic animal medicine is sometimes at a premium but is still necessary."</p><p>"I've met a lot of people who get a small mammal or a small bird for like $20 from the pet store and then won't pay for medical care because it costs way more than the pet was purchased for."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glce71p?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">spookybunno</a></p>Bring the Enthusiasm
<p>"Not a vet but my mom is."</p><p>"One thing that really frustrates her is the myth that neutering a cat will make them fat and lazy."</p><p>"It reduces the amount of calories they need which means they need less food and/or more exercise to maintain the same weight. Cats generally get less energetic as they get older regardless, but most will still perk up if you make the effort to wave a toy in their face every so often."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glc0n67?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">mylifeisathrowaway10</a></p>The Only Language Pets Have
<p>"I am a vet. I wish people just even had a BASIC understanding of dog or cat body language. Ffs."</p><p>"The number of videos posted on reddit of animals in distress and its tagged as 'oh my little fluffster is so cute when he plays!' or whatever makes my blood boil."</p><p>"That kind of moronic ignorance is what gets children bit by the pet dog or the cat who is now dying because the owner had no idea of the signs 4 months ago."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glc8ktv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">little_miss_bumshine</a></p>To Keep in Mind
<p>"If you see a stray cat with a cleanly clipped ear tip <span style="background-color: initial;">do not take it to a shelter.</span> Either take it home to live with you or leave it on the street."</p><p>"Clipped ears mean they were caught, neutered/spayed by the city/county, and released. This is a way to control cat populations and, over time, protect wildlife. They compete for resources with fertile cats without adding to the population."</p><p>"In many cities, stray cats are more likely to be adopted from the street than in the shelter. If the cat is taken to a shelter they cannot legally release it because it is now abandoning the animal. That cat will be euthanized, or at best absorbs resources until it finds a home."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glc4oue?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Strict_Ad_2094</a></p>Tough, But Significant
<p>"From my former vet tech girlfriend, don't leave your pets to be euthanized without you. It's hard to be there and it's hard to watch, but if you leave them they will die scared and looking for you."</p><p>"She had to try and comfort pets whose owner's couldn't bring themselves to stay and it's one of the few things that makes her cry."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glc2cln?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">The-one-true-hobbit</a></p>One Vet's Take on Love and Stewardship
<p>"If you own a pet and it's not a bird/mammal, it doesn't love you, not the way you're thinking of love. Reptiles, amphibians, and fish don't produce serotonin the way mammals and some birds do."</p><p>"They really do not care about you, they don't want to be snuggled, they don't want to be your friend, and it doesn't make a difference to them if you feed them/do their maintenance or someone else does."</p><p>"YES, they can learn to recognize you as their primary caregiver (my axolotls all know who I am and swim up to the glass if I'm there, which they don't do with anyone else), and they may come to TRUST you (which is arguably more valuable than love) but we do not know enough about them to say that they can love you."</p><p>"We just know that they can't love you the way you love them. They're biologically incapable of it, and that's not a bad thing, just different."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glchyqi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">chibimonkey</a></p>Trust and Patience
<p>"I'm a vet."</p><p>"99% of patients are ok with drop off appointments due to COVID. The number of clients claiming 'my pet has severe anxiety, I can't believe you're making him go in alone!' is quite high. Almost all pets are fine. And the ones who aren't fine, I've allowed owners in the building to help."</p><p>"There's been 2 since March who actually were in distress despite people complaining daily about it being an issue."</p><p>"Also I think people need to learn more about the medical process in general. Tests are usually required to make a diagnosis. Sometimes even with tests the diagnosis is grey. Sometimes spending all the money will not guarantee success. Many times there's not a magic shot I can give to fix it."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l8cn6w/veterinarians_of_reddit_what_is_one_thing_you/glcc3ls?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Dr-does-little</a></p>Working with dogs is a field like few others. Though a job at a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or training class may have its moments of tragedy and frustration, the unique hilarity that dogs bring is a real treat.
Quite the Bone
<p>"A client of mine has a Doberman girl that once got stuck in a doorway because she was carrying a long bone and couldn't figure out on her own how to proceed."</p><p>"Ever since that incident, this dog won't walk through any door no matter how wide as long as she's got anything in her muzzle, be it a bone or a tiny little cracker."</p><p>"She is sweet, but really dull."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9pntj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Kleene_Dilljurke</a></p>Unobservant and Phobic
<p>"I work with dogs professionally but the dumbest one I ever met was one of mine. He was a very large Great Dane who somehow developed a fear of hardwood floors."</p><p>"The worst part is he would walk through a hallway or room without realizing it was hardwood, and then as soon as he realized it he would sit himself down and refuse to move anywhere."</p><p>"I miss the idiot"</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj962la?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Galacticheartofgold</a></p>Give Them an Inch...
<p>"I volunteered for an organisation training guide dogs for blind people. One of the dogs graduated training and was assigned to a blind young lady. It costs €40,000 to get the dog trained to this point. Dog successfully guides her to work every day safely with no problems."</p><p>"Then it's pissing rain one day so her dad asks her to collect her and the dog and drop them to the office. The next day the dog just refuses to work and literally never worked a day again for her."</p><p>"I think it just didn't see the point when she could get in the car if she wanted!! "</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9qnn3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">whatever_the_f***_</a></p>Bruce the Golden Sniffer
<p>"Bruce. A big old bloodhound who, on multiple occasions, would stick his nose right under other dogs while they peed." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9p4wr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">DavidWestSideStory<br></a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"My dog is so submissive that he let a bigger, meaner dog pee all over him while he grinned. If he could talk he would've said, 'Look mom! I made a friend!'" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gjan5zi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">NeedsMoreTuba</a></p>Trouble With the Back Half
<p>"My boyfriend walks a large Dalmatian who is the most uncoordinated dog I've ever seen. He just can't jump. Has no sense of what his back legs are doing."</p><p>"When my boyfriend comes to pick him up he tries to get into the van by jumping normally with his front legs but fails to follow through with the back, so just stands excitedly leaning on the floor of the van, doing frantic tippy-taps with his back feet on the ground outside."</p><p>"And he's a big dog, he could step right in without even jumping."</p><p>"No amount of showing him by actually moving his limbs has made it click for him, so he does his partial jump then one of us hoists his butt end in too."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9zw9h?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Semele5183</a></p>Howling at Herself
<p>"Used to volunteer at a Human Society and I remember this one dog who was terrified of shadows."</p><p>"The kicker? This was an akita/husky mix so every time she saw a shadow she would howl loudly till the shadow went away."</p><p>"Last I knew she got adopted by a farmer and was happily chasing cows."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9pf8c?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">WaYaADisi1</a></p>A Paradoxical Reaction
<p>"I used to work at a shelter, so I guess this counts. One of our dogs had excitement-induced narcolepsy (called cataplexy). So, he'd fall asleep whenever he was too happy. Playing with other dog? Fall asleep. It snowed? Fall asleep. Get people food? Fall asleep."</p><p>"We adopted him."</p><p>"In a home, we figured out he was afraid of doorways. This doof would turn around and walk backwards through doorways instead because that was less scary."</p><p>"He was also no fan of hardwood floors or ceiling fans. Solid 50lb of staffy, biggest coward ever."</p><p>"He was the best dog."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9vdtw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">foolhardywaffle</a></p>Crossing Wires
<p>"Was walking a golden lab and this poor dog smelled something interesting. Decided to pee on it and lifted his leg."</p><p>"Mid pee decided to smell it again and ended up peeing on his own face. Dog was something else."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9qcew?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">ARKITIZE_ME_CAPTAIN</a></p>A Quick and Relentless Wagging
<p>"My mom's pit/lab mix is dumb. He has a crazy long tail and it wags at like 35 mph."</p><p>"The other day he was wagging his tail and it was smacking the edge of the fridge. It hurt, he whined. Instead of moving or holding his tail still he just stood there whacking it against the fridge and whining."</p><p>"I finally moved him away from the fridge and he sat and licked it for a while. He's a good boi, but he ain't bright."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9jf81?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">J_DayDay</a></p>Baby Steps
<p>"My sister's dog was dumb. One day I decided to teach it to sit on command, the way I had taught a couple of other dogs. So, every time I brought him in from the backyard I'd get a treat from on top of the refrigerator and go through training."</p><p>"It took much longer than I thought it would, but eventually the dog would sit on command."</p><p>"Then I discovered it only knew what 'sit' meant when he was facing the refrigerator. So, more training, Every time I brought him in, I'd have him face a new direction until he made the connection and would sit on command."</p><p>"Then I discovered he only knew how to do it in the kitchen."</p><p>"A dumb, dumb dog."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gjamg6g?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">suddenly_satire</a></p>Round 2!
<p>"I work in a vet clinic and a dog ate a soft cloth foreign object. We were able to induce vomiting and keep the dog from getting an obstruction."</p><p>"Immediately after hurling up the object without a moment's hesitation tried to eat it again so I had to pry it out of his teeth. Dumb."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gjackn0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">wiskybizniss</a></p>Worst Guard Dog of All Time
<p>"I used to pet sit a German Sheppard who I lovingly called Space Cadet. She was really good at following directions, but if I stopped giving her things to do, or stopped moving myself around, she would just disappear somewhere in her little doggy mind."</p><p>"Once her owner forgot to give me the key before she left for a long weekend so I had to break into the house. She didn't react until I called out for her. She had no sense that something was off about my entering. All she noticed was that her friend was in the apartment and it was time to play."</p><p>"I miss that dog."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9umyt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">moonshineboom</a></p>Hope You Enjoyed Em, Harvey
<p>"I work with dogs professionally however the dumbest dog I ever met was my friend's roommates dog in college. Harvey."</p><p>"He was the absolute sweetest pup, but he was so dumb he only had room for one emotion at a time and only had 2 emotions total: happy and sad. The cat hissed at him; sad. People came inside; happy. Someone yelled; sad. Someone said his name; happy. People not giving attention; sad. Remembered he had a toy; happy."</p><p>"But the dumbest thing this dog ever did was knock a glass pan of brownies off the counter when no one was home. Harvey ate the whole thing, <em>including the glass</em>. The dogs whole mouth was cut up, he spent hours at the vet, and came back on sedatives. Poor dog lauded in his bed for 3 days."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9usp0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">airroe</a></p>A Stride Length of 0, or Infinity
<p>"I briefly volunteered at our local shelter and fell in love with a little mutt called Alfie."</p><p>"He had distemper when he was a pup so wasn't quite all there."</p><p>"When he was running his back legs seemed to be in a race with his front legs, so he mostly ran sideways, and when we were having cuddle time, he would suddenly decide he didn't know me and launch clumsily into a pretty adorable 'attack'. This mainly consisted of chewing my jumper and peeing on me."</p><p>"I loved that boy so much. Thankfully he was adopted quite quickly!"</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9wp3u?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">SquirrelsandCrayons</a></p>Yee Haw
<p>"A wildly overweight chocolate lab we referred to as 'Bella Bighead.'"</p><p>"When I say she was overweight, I mean this dog was a furry sphere on legs with a dog head attached. She was also very affectionate, and being in a kennel w/o her owner made her anxious to say the least."</p><p>"One night, after the playroom floors had been cleaned and were thus a little slippery, we let her out with the other dogs for some exercise. Bella gets nervous. Bella decides she needs my undivided attention. Bella gets behind me, wedges her dumb, giant head between my knees and begins tunneling for China."</p><p>"The floor is too slick to get any shoe traction, so I end up stumbling backwards, landing square on Bella's oversized back."</p><p>"And that's the story of why I was caught on security camera riding a labrador like a pony."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gjanisc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">BabySuperfreak</a></p>Shoot the Gap
<p>"My dog likes to whine for hours if the basement door isn't open. Cause his bowl of food is there. The door usually stays open but sometimes I accidentally close it."</p><p>"One time he was whining, I went to open the door and it was already open. About a six inch gap. He sat looking at me waiting for the door to open because clearly...it wasn't open far enough."</p><p>"Adorable but a giant idiot too."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9nwxi?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Heavy_onthe_NightOwl</a></p>Like Clockwork
<p>"We had a welsh terrier named Lily who came to our kennel and was always booked for group playtime. She was a show dog, apparently, which might explain why she was violently stupid."</p><p>"One of the playrooms had a big window instead of a wall to let people watch the dogs play. Lily was so fu**ing dumb she didn't realize this was a window and she full-on sprinted headfirst into it. Every. Single. Day."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gjal6ur?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">SagiTsukiko</a></p>Primary Suspect: A Very Dumb Dog
<p>"Have a friend with a black lab. Dumb as rocks but a total sweetie. He wags his tail so hard that they have to keep it wrapped. He will whack it into tables, corners, whatever to the point it will start to bleed."</p><p>"I went over once and they forgot to wrap the tail and after about 3 minutes the living room suddenly looked like a crime scene from the blood splatter"</p><p>"And the dog remained clueless. He was also adopted to be a hunting dog and he's terrified of loud noises. No hunting for him."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kx9rll/people_who_work_with_dogs_professionally_who_was/gj9v2fd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">ann102</a></p>Our pets are our children. And remember what they always say.... children are always listening. In fact they are more attentive mentally when we are not paying attention. So every moment is a teaching moment. Our fur babies are no different, in fact they can be more in tune than humans. As I type this my dog Juliet is staring at me, and now I wonder what nefarious deed she has gleamed from my typing. I'll let you know.
Redditor u/shoonpo wanted all the fur baby parents to discuss a few things by asking.... What have you accidentally conditioned your pet to do?Dirty Meow....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU1MDI2MS9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMDkzMTQ4NX0.As1srrMnprvlQFaQG7B401NdJTieGwxbBsOzGCynepw/img.gif?width=980" id="b8c85" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0403ea949926dc7a6fa0c2bbf7a246dd" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="126" data-height="136" />day laundry GIFGiphy<p>Bring me dirty laundry.</p><p>One day my cat brought me a sock and it was so cute so I petted him and praised him. That started a cycle of it and now he's constantly bringing dirty laundry to me. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yorzr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">ijflwe42</a></p>The Sonata....
<p>Upon hearing the Windows 7 sonata log-off sound, she jumps up and starts running around the room since I always locked my computer before leaving. And when I'm leaving, that usually means she's going to daycare (i.e. my Mom's house).</p><p>It's been 3 or so years since I switched to Windows 10, but just playing the sound on YouTube still gets a reaction out of her. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yixgf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">TheMidnightScorpion</a></p>Take my Hand
<p>The budgie had a broken leg in a little splint. He would climb to the roof of his cage with just his beak and good leg, then let go of his beak and hang by one leg then just stare at me. He knew I would stick my hand in and he could just fall off into my hand. He only did this when I was around because I was the only one who would stick my hand in. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yhwno?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank"> spaceship4parakeet</a><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/spaceship4parakeet/" target="_blank"></a></p>The Sheets
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU1MDI2Mi9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NjExNzM1N30.kpTnbDVR3ou9YA7NgpHI7_mfp30a4liU5y6Mh2vm04o/img.gif?width=980" id="25982" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="78d862766ff58d4ae6b19b983d8fcc8d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="270" data-height="480" />International Cat Day Fighting GIFGiphy<p>Changing the sheets on the bed means play time. My cat likes to sit on the bed as I throw on the sheets likes that rainbow parachute elementary game. She tries to attack my hand if I straighten the edges while she's there too. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yi2v6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">unoriginal_or_sumin</a></p>In the Eyes
<p>My wife and I have pretty set sleep schedules during the week. If we stay up later on the weekend or w/e, our dog gets VERY huffy/offended and will sigh passive-aggressively at us until we go upstairs to bed.</p><p>Oh, and if one of his bowls is empty he licks it (also passive-aggressively) and then makes direct eye contact. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0ytr12?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">FretfulMemo7</a></p>Damn Frank
<p>My tortoise stands on my foot when he is hungry.</p><p><strong><em>Edit:</em></strong> <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RYgiDIc" target="_blank">Here</a> is Frank standing on my foot. This was shortly after he got here, so excuse his weepy eyes. He had a respiratory infection when he arrived from being a stray/previous improper care. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yitrt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">LizardPossum</a></p>Scratch It All
<p>My dogs know the sound of the drawer the cheese is kept in the fridge. They could be asleep in a completely different area, but if you open the cheese drawer they come running and sit like good boys for their cheese. They are herding dogs and will also herd the cat away if she won't stop meowing at me when I'm busy or if she tries to scratch anything. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yho4p?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">Meggs8bacon</a></p>Iced....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU1MDI2My9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzkyNzkzOH0.I-eTXzSeMLzhr3iecZpJhefbG1_8KOY8Q0z7ZqrLIOA/img.gif?width=980" id="97c81" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2a080d6ec19fe20080db9eef7a0e1428" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="480" />Friends Dogs GIF by MOODMANGiphy<p>My dog knew he would always get some ice to chew when I went to the fridge so any time he heard the ice machine on the fridge start he would come running in. Once he became deaf he would feel the vibrations in the floor from it and knew it was ice time! </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yjs42?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">tstock415</a></p>"I want treats"
<p>One time, my cat spotted a spider on my wall, since he was staring so obviously I was able to notice too. Grateful, I gave him treats and cuddles. He did it again a week later, same thing. Then one time he looks around frantically and I jump up to go check but I don't see a spider. He looks at me expectantly. After a few times like this I realized he learned that <em>looking around intensely at stuff</em> means treats, love and attention.</p>Hey Kitty....
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU1MDI3MC9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MTEwMzM1MX0.6YNyos8_TyMXwMRk9uIjoI5F4n7dpS-lfGy79xCQehc/img.gif?width=980" id="933b5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3cb3e5b384ee228f2832be5e499ad938" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="506" data-height="504" />anne hathaway catwoman GIFGiphy<p>After my roommate got a cat, my dog answers to "Kitty Kitty Kitty" cause he wants love and/or treats. </p><p><span></span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yeua0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">theothersoul</a></p>Latex Issues
<p>Fear rubber gloves. We live in a place with lots of fleas and ticks so we goo them every month. I figure the stuff goes through cat skin readily so it'll probably go through mine, so I use surgical gloves.</p><p>Whenever I pull out the box, the smarter of our two immediately bolts for the deepest recesses of the the house. The dumber one just looks at me even though he finds the process distasteful too. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yo0lv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">Kevin_Uxbridge</a></p>Filthy Beasts
<ol><li>I accidentally made it so when you whistle "this is the song that never ends" (frequently stuck in my and my SOs head) the cows come running for grain... if i don't have grain I get mooed at until I go get some.</li><li>the chickens know that i get excited about eggs and when they lay they get the good scratch and will sometimes wait until I/m in the barn, squawk and lay an egg I'm front of me.</li></ol><p>And 3) if the cat is thirsty he will knock over every drink container/cup he finds while meowing and then pitifully throw himself in front of me pretending to die. He started doing that after i faked my death for a Dr Pepper that my SO was holding.</p><p>Terrible animals. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0z0tqj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank" rel="dofollow"> witchyage</a><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/witchyage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer dofollow"></a></p>Hiding Poop
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU2MjM5OC9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTA0NTU0OH0.gYJIrbu-vvb036MMU-BndSoRDcfYn24JwrRu7r1MDwc/img.gif?width=980" id="23ba5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="921fdd461e4221c699fa1c024b1d23e7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="480" data-height="480" />Turtle GIF by María VictoriaGiphy<p>My Tortoise likes to cover her poops after she's done. She places a blanket over them and pushes them out into a corner. She will then look at you, look at the corner with the blankets and then look back at you again until you remove it, otherwise she will tap/scratch at the walls of her enclosure to let you know she's got poops that need to be taken out of her sight. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0z4o7j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer dofollow">Mslucyfher</a><span></span></p>face 2 face....
<p>My niece loves to FaceTime my mom to talk to her dog. When the dog was a puppy, my mom used to pull her onto her lap when she would get FaceTimed.</p><p>Now the dog is 80 lbs and will jump in your lap if your phone or tablet starts making the default FaceTime ring. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yiw59?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">bb_or_not_bb</a></p>"Stop eating your face."
<p>He has floppy jowls that sometimes get stuck in his teeth. I used to just casually say "dude stop eating your face" when it happened. On the occasions that he just happened to lick his teeth and spring it loose, I would give him a pat on the head and call him a good boy. Never any intentional training but now that he's an old man he's 100% responsive when I tell him. He'll clear his teeth out and present himself for his congratulatory head pats.<br></p><p><em><strong>Edit:</strong></em> I don't have a good pic of him mid face munch, but <a href="https://imgur.com/3RdCp5w.jpg" target="_blank">here</a> he is being floppy and <a href="https://imgur.com/9BMSX1t.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer dofollow" target="_blank">here</a> he is wishing you a happy and smiling day. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yd9zw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer dofollow">HoopOnPoop</a></p>UFC Cat
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU2MjQyMi9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDAxNDYzOH0.h1EZWBR4pXwVT15z_52XtrY9H7QKTi0_SaoKwI93-vc/img.gif?width=980" id="015eb" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="dafd10ace89e24b0544a19cd2c187977" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="400" data-height="332" />funny cat GIFGiphy<p>My kitten will aggressively headbutt my face every night before bed, for top of head kisses before she goes to sleep. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yl2fe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank" rel="dofollow"> kellieowns</a><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/kellieowns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer dofollow"></a></p>He Cray...
<p>Get wet food at 4:00 am every day. I wake up early during the week and feed him wet food right away. Of course he doesn't care that it's the weekend. His internal alarm clock is down to minute with precision. And because he's a cat, and an A-hole, if we don't get up and get his food, he howls loudly through the house, opens shutters, walks on our faces, nudges our noses with his nose.... he's so relentless it's not even funny. But we love him. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yiwhn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer dofollow">gymmama</a></p>Turtle Days
<p>My tortoise will come lay on the patio when my husband plays guitar out there. He likes the music. He hides in his Dogloo from fireworks. On hot days he follows my kids around the backyard until they spray him with the hose to cool off. He's a very social guy. I can get him to follow me anywhere if I'm holding a hibiscus flower, his favorite treat. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0zmgss?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank" rel="dofollow"> 900yrsoftimeandspace</a><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/900yrsoftimeandspace/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer dofollow"></a></p>"but I'm a good boy!!"
<p>I conditioned my cats to use the scratching post with treats and pets and lots of "good boy, good boy."</p><p>For the last 7 years, whenever I have to tell my one cat to stop chewing on something or anything like that, he goes to that post and scratches furiously looking at me like "but I'm a good boy!!" </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yldgs?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank">Nocoolnamesleft10</a><span></span></p>Bubble Time
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU2MjQyNi9vcmlnaW4uZ2lmIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNzg2NDUyOX0.K19hECYe3i7iZ3Ce1rgdWUCkAtyoSp6LN3ojCI3AcoE/img.gif?width=980" id="ed036" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4b2a7f3902fcf6292099589d2eff69c2" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-width="300" data-height="289" />cat bath GIFGiphy<p>I take baths with my cat by letting her float in a plastic box. I keep the box in my closet. I only started doing this about a month ago, but now when I turn the bathwater on she runs to the closet and jumps in her box. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/i6vy0o/what_have_you_accidentally_conditioned_your_pet/g0yjbbo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer dofollow">aquickcupofcoffee</a></p>Pets are a part of our family. They are just as quirky as humans. Sometimes, even quirkier.
We know our pets like we know our brothers and sisters. They are pieces of us. And we adore each and every bit of that.
And though they may have no idea of whether or not we notice their little quirks, we love pointing them out.
Meowt Of Line
<p>My cat is angry today because we got a new oven. She hates when we get new furniture or move things around and will loudly meow at the offending item.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Pabs23/" target="_blank">Pabs23</a></p><p>I moved some stuff around on my porch, and my cat refused to go on it after that. The changes were not to her liking apparently</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/coffin_nails_/" target="_blank">coffin_nails_</a></p>And He Was Mine Forever
<p>He just showed up one day meowing at the door.</p><p>He wouldn't go away. Just meowing over and over like Meatloaf in Fight Club.</p><p>After a week or so I put a collar on him, assuming if he had a home to go to the owner would remove it.</p><p>Knocked on doors up and down the street to see if anyone had lost him.</p><p>Nobody had lost him so I gave up, opened the door and let him in.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Remote-Obligation-44/" target="_blank">Remote-Obligation-44</a></p>Only For The Kids
<p>Dyna (St. Bernard) will let my kids use her as (a pillow, a fort, a tractor, a sled pull, garbage disposal) if my 4 yr old calls the dog is up for whatever. If i try to get her to do anything it is too much effort and she just can't be bothered. "</p><p>Dyna please move, i cannot open this door" dog sigh, stretch in front of the door "Giant horse monster dog please move" sad dog eyes no movement on and on it goes she is 180lbs i cannot make her do anything she is not willing to do. But she adores my kids and i think thats all we really need in a family dog.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Kantotheotter/" target="_blank">Kantotheotter</a></p>Love To Stand
<p>We gave the gerbils a plate of sand to have a sand bath in, and instead all they do with it is stand in it. Not that they don't appreciate it - they often come to the top level of their cage to just go and stand in the sand, and then they go back down again. We don't really understand what the appeal is, but it's very sweet nonetheless.</p><p><span></span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/stargate24601/" target="_blank">stargate24601</a></p>Wrapped Around Your Finger
<p>My Maine Coon can do various actions on command (if suitably rewarded - no treats = no tricks) including sit, lie down, high five, kisses. He knows the command "show me", and will walk you to the thing that he's upset about (empty food bowl, light on when it shouldn't be). He knows about 50 phrases and will react to them in a manner that lets me know he understands.</p><p>Nevertheless he has me far more well-trained than I have him, and he knows it.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/littleloucc/" target="_blank">littleloucc</a></p>We Love Affectionate Noodles
<p>Our cat was "feral." He was rescued from an apartment complex with the intent to just neuter, so he has the tip of his ear cut, but someone decided to foster him and put him up for adoption. He's now a one year old fluffy black cat that has never hissed or tried to claw at us (even when we had to give him a bath) and falls over/goes limp noodle when you try to pick him up.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/parrsnip/" target="_blank">parrsnip</a></p>I Skype Too
<p>I've read that cats like to "mirror" what we're doing, if they're really attached to us. Like it makes them feel included or something. My girl, Cleo, likes to try to climb all over and rub her face on mine and my friend's laptops. And stick her face in the camera when he's doing Skype meetings for work or interviews. It can be <em>mildly</em> annoying, but at the same time, it's so damn charming because she just wants to be involved, too. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/navikredstar/" target="_blank">navikredstar</a></p>I Am Friend To The Meeses
<p>My doggo likes rodents cause I used to have pet mice and guinea pigs so when field mice infested my house she wasn't any help cause all she would do is try to be their friend.</p><p>She also rests her head on pillows like a human.</p><p>She's a very good girl.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/murderouseyes/" target="_blank">murderouseyes</a></p>Team Fly-Swatting
<p>Cat 1: he hates being home alone and cries when he thinks I'm gone, yet won't come in the room and snuggle when I say it's ok I'm over here. Just looks at me like "oh ok" and walks away.</p><p>Cat 2: he's a little hunter boi and loves flies, ants, lizards, you name it. He's got this little chatter "battle cry" that signals he spotted something. He also like me to pick him up and hold him in the air to swat at the flies since he can't reach.</p><p>Dog 1: he's the fastest dog at the dog park</p><p>Dog 2: she poops on my porch because she thinks it's "outside"</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/gluteactivation/" target="_blank">gluteactivation</a></p>Raised In Captivity
<p>He's a a 6-month-old puppy named Murray. Here's some little facts:</p><p>His favourite food is toast but he doesn't get it often.</p><p>His current favourite activity is stealing plastic bottles from the recycling.</p><p>He also enjoys stealing socks, pens, bobbles and the hair brush.</p><p>He absolutely loves attention and shows off his toys to anyone who passes the garden.</p><p>He also loves the wind and likes chasing leaves when out for a walk.</p><p>He hates water. He won't go out in the rain and is not a fan of baths.</p><p>He's been growing up during lockdown, so the first time we had a visitor round he peed himself in excitement.</p><p>Speaking off lockdown, he also enjoys stealing face masks. If he sees you wearing one he will be determined to get it off you.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/ihexedthemoon/" target="_blank">ihexedthemoon</a></p>Ever see those viral videos of when a newborn meets their parent's identical twin?