5.0

This question largely depends on the pet and the environment… for instance, some of the shelter dogs would relax a considerable amount if I let them free roam with me while I did chores, whereas other dogs were too much of a flight risk or, were recovering from something and couldn’t free roam. In general I try to keep the stress level of whatever animal I’m working with as low as possible. If that means giving them their space and pretending they don’t exist, then that’s what I do if it means sitting on the floor and waiting an hour for them to curl up next to me so be it, if they need near constant petting and reassurance I am here. Speaking with people who interact with and know the animal the most is where I base most of how I interact with an animal beyond that I mostly read body language. Sometimes there are things I have to do, like give medication, that the animal does not appreciate but I try my best to make it as hassle free as possible, and apologize/make it up to them afterwards.