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Sunday, October 19, 2025

What’s the “three pet rule”?


The “three-pet rule” is designed to assist construct belief and confidence by giving animals the company and option to resolve whether or not to work together. After they start to grasp that they’ve selection and the consequence of that selection is optimistic, they typically start to work together extra on their very own, understanding that they’ve the selection to maneuver away or take away themselves from the interplay.This implies after providing an interplay we cease and take away ourselves to see if the animals solicits or consents. This typically reduces battle, strengthens bonds and helps animals to grasp they don’t must show discomfort by escalating to aggression.   

Three-pet rule: 

Each time interacting with an animal, we should always at all times implement the three-pet rule: 

  • We pet for 3 pets or three seconds and cease 
  • If an animal solicits consideration additional, we will return to petting and periodically implement the three-pet rule all through 
  • If an animal’s worry, nervousness and stress start to rise when consent testing, at all times cease and re-evaluate 
What does it appear like?

 1) Three pets or three seconds

  • For felines it’s typically finest to supply a hand and see in the event that they push into it or solicit affection. In the event that they do, pet for 3 seconds or three pets then cease. If the cat continues to solicit, use the three pets or three seconds rule sometimes to make sure they’re having fun with, not simply tolerating, the contact.
  • For canines it’s finest to not supply a hand to them however as an alternative after they strategy supply pets in an acceptable space, underneath the chin or prime of the again, wait pet for 3 seconds or three pets then cease. If the canine continues to solicit, use the three-pet or three-second rule sometimes to make sure they’re having fun with, not simply tolerating, the contact.

2) If the animal strikes away once you cease petting, it is a clear sign that they don’t need you to proceed petting. Don’t observe or try and solicit additional; wait till they arrive again into your house, then proceed by implementing the three-pet-rule once more. 

3) If the animal continues to solicit consideration chances are you’ll proceed to pet. Be aware of physique language, maintain petting periods brief and proceed to judge all through. 

In case you want help, please contact an expert coach or a behaviour marketing consultant.

If this info was useful, please assist us proceed to teach about pet well being and well-being by making a donation. As a registered charity that doesn’t obtain annual authorities funding, the Ontario SPCA depends upon the generosity of donors to vary the lives of animals in want. 

 

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