Online Dating Reviews and Advice
Dating Site ReviewsWhat if your date's pet doesn't like you?
At least sixty three percent of households in the United States have pets, everything from cats and dogs to ferrets. What's more, pets have become so important to a lot of people that Americans spend $41 billion on pets every year1. With such love for pets, it's not surprising that it can hinder or end a budding relationship if his/her cat/dog/ferret/goldfish doesn't like you. Browse through some online dating site profiles if you don't believe me! And if his/her pet doesn't like you, what began on an online dating site may end at Fido's doghouse!
If your date's pet barks, hisses, or bites when you're around, don't worry. Your dating experience is not yet over. There are a few tricks a pet-rejected date can do before needing to go back to the drawing board and their favorite online dating site. Read on and you'll soon have your date's pet eating out of the palm of your hand (literally).
The first thing to do in order to avoid incurring the wrath of your date's pet is to make sure you haven't been around any other pets or animals that day. Any pet may feel uncomfortable if they think another animal is invading their territory. Even though you want to be at your best for the date, it might be smart to avoid perfumes, colognes, or strong smelling deoderants or hair products, as these could upset the sensitive pet.
Besides scent, to please the pet and improve your dating experience, make sure your body language isn't subconsciously telling the pet that you're the leader of the pack. Don't speak too loudly or make big gestures in front of your date's pet. And please, don't make the pet feel left out, or worse defensive, by hugging your date in front of him!
If for the sake of dating you've tried to tone yourself down to please the angsty pet and he/she still doesn't like you, it's time to cheat. Bring pet treats with you the next time you go to pick up your date. Your pet-loving date will be impressed and his/her pet will be so happy and distracted by the treat that he will either learn to love you or be too distracted to continue interfering.
*1 Brady, Diane et al. The Pet Economy. Business Week. Aug. 6, 2007.
