To gain more insight on this topic, we reached out to Maggie Marton, the woman behind Oh My Dog, and she was kind enough to have a chat with us. First, we asked Maggie why she thinks pet owners are so eager to capture all of our beloved animals’ first times. “New experiences create new memories! It's so fun to witness the joy, excitement, even trepidation--as long as it doesn't turn to fear--of a new experience. Capturing it allows you to relive it over and over again,” she told Bored Panda.
“Plus, new experiences give pet owners really fun stories to share of their beloved pets. For me, I love telling (and retelling!) the story of the first time we took our cat, Newt, outside on a long leash,” Maggie shared. “It's such an adorable, fun memory for us, and I always break out the pics to show as I tell!”
#2 We Adopted This Cute Boy, And For The Past Couple Of Weeks, He Has Been Super Shy. Today For The First Time, He Plopped In My Lap And Did This
We also asked Maggie if our pets understand what’s going on when they do something for the first time. “Yes! And it's so important, especially as our pets age, to continue to expose them to new experiences,” she told Bored Panda. “They know and react to novelty just like we do.”
“They might feel excited or nervous or confused, depending on their lived experiences so far; for instance, a dog who loves to swim in a pool might be confused about going to the beach, but that same dog also might be more confident to test those waters than a dog who has never been swimming before,” Maggie went on to explain. “Dogs have a reputation for being more open to new experiences than cats, but if you love a cat who has an adventurous spirit, get her involved, too!”
We were also curious if there’s any way to predict whether our animals will enjoy having new experiences, or if we just have to take them out and see for ourselves. “Exposure is key,” Maggie noted. “A pet who is used to experiencing new and different things will likely be more adaptable than one who spends his or her whole life at home and is suddenly taken to the ski slopes,” she explained. “If your pet hasn't had many new experiences, start small. Try a different park or visit a swimming spot. Then, expand from there. Just like people, all pets have different thresholds for what's comfy and what isn't. Honor your pet's. Try lots of different things, and don't force your pet to do something uncomfortable.”
#7 Timber Got To Ride In The Front Seat Of My Truck For The First Time. When Asked If He Liked The Air Conditioner, This Was His Reply
And as for how we can ensure that our pets are comfortable and not overwhelmed when provided new experiences, Maggie recommends that pet owners keep a close eye on their little ones. “If she seems timid, give her time and encouragement. If she seems scared, stop. I've seen too many people force their pet to do something that was frightening only to have it backfire,” she told Bored Panda. “Start small and build. Go slowly. Give your pet tons of praise (and treats help, too!).”
“New experiences are so good for people and pets,” Maggie added. “In humans, experiencing new things can improve our memories, our mood, and even the neural pathways in our brains. It makes sense that new experiences would do the same for our pets! Get out there and try something new; you'll both benefit!”
If you’d like to learn more about Maggie or gain tips on how to give your pets the best life, be sure to visit her blog Oh My Dog right here.
We also reached out to Dog Behaviorist and Dog Expert Witness Nick Jones, MA, to hear his thoughts on why we’re so excited to capture out pets’ firsts. “The bond an owner has with their dog is usually deep and long lasting, and to experience the world through the life and senses of a dog is a wonderful thing,” Nick told Bored Panda. “Who can resist laughing as a dog bobs up and down as it runs in long grass or charges through fresh snow fall or roots around in crisp leaves on the ground? Dogs are normally easy to read and especially when they are curious and excited by a new experience and witnessing this brings great joy to the owner.”
#13 Our Kittens Were Outside For The First Time. Never Seen Them This Happy Before
Nick also assures dog owners that their furry friends can handle taking on new tasks and activities. “Provided that a dog has plenty of positive life experiences and a good degree of exposure to the world from a young age, it can cope with most new experiences without a hitch. And a well-balanced dog is able to have a new experience without concern for its welfare and reaction,” he explained. “Provided we are not overwhelming a dog and that the owner feels the dog can cope, then most life experiences can be provided to a dog without concern.”
#15 This Was The First Time My Kitten Watched Our Christmas Tree Light Up
“Most owners will already know the nature of their dog and how adventurous or otherwise the dog is,” Nick went on to note. “This basic understanding of the dog's character and ability to accept new experiences should be the measure to apply before carrying out a new experience where you might think twice in the sense that it may overwhelm the dog. Most dogs embrace life and all the variety it brings, so with a little preparation and planning, by all means take your dog to the beach or out in the snow and enjoy the experience.”
And when it comes to how to introduce a new experience to your pet, Nick says it’s important to have a feel for what your dog can cope with and to consider that before making any big leaps. “Think of the experience you'd like to expose your dog to as a number of chain links that start with the first link and end with the last one,” Nick told Bored Panda. “Be sure to move forward one link at a time and to build on the last positive experience that you had with the dog. You're building until you are at the last link and the process is complete, and [ensure] that your dog is enjoying the process as you go.”
“Dogs are able to cope with a wide range of experiences in life. Most pet dogs will enjoy a relatively relaxed lifestyle, but we know that dogs can be trained to sniff out cancer cells, to jump out of planes attached to a parachuter in the military, to guide blind people or to hunt for game,” Nick noted. “This adaptability makes dogs the perfect companions for people in the modern age, but for any dog to achieve anything like this level of achievement, it will need a progressive socialization and training program, combined with a balanced leadership style to bring the best out of the dog.”
If you’d like to learn more about Nick and his approach as a Dog Behaviorist and Dog Expert Witness, be sure to visit his website right here.