Relationship Bank Account

What is a ‘Relationship Bank Account’?

We all have a ‘Relationship Bank Account’ with every relationship in our lives – and this includes our beloved animal companions. Just like with humans, these accounts exist between siblings, parents, friends, children, acquaintances, colleagues, bosses, and even strangers.

Some relationships naturally deposit more positive experiences into our lives than others, making those particular bank accounts fuller and richer. The fundamental principle is simple yet profound:

The fuller the bank account, the stronger the relationship. The bigger the bank account, the deeper the bond.

Importantly, these relationship accounts have no upper limit – they can always grow larger with consistent positive interactions.

Building Strong Bonds with Our Animal Friends

I strive to maintain robust, healthy relationship accounts with all my animals. This means dedicating time to create numerous positive and rewarding experiences together.

Of course, life isn’t always perfect. Sometimes I must take them to the veterinarian, give them a bath, or administer medication. Occasionally, I might accidentally step on a tail or paw. All these experiences withdraw value from our relationship bank account.

However, because I continually invest in keeping our account full, these necessary negative experiences barely make a dent in our relationship savings.

How It Works in Practice

When I rescue a dog, our relationship hasn’t yet formed – our bank account starts empty.

Relationship Bank Account Enrichment Activities with your dog

By creating positive associations, experiences, and moments, each interaction deposits value into our new relationship bank account, making it fuller than before. Later, when unavoidable challenging situations arise (like vet visits or taking medication), these will withdraw value from the existing account.

If I’ve spent time filling the account with rewards, positive experiences and kindness, these withdrawals won’t significantly impact our relationship compared to if I hadn’t made those deposits.