(1/2) Thanks for all the tips! Especially about introducing the Vikavolt to anything it has type advantage over slowly- it doesn't like my Squirtle very much so I ended up keeping them in separate rooms. It would have been a disaster if you hadn't reminded me that they might not get on!
(2/2) Thankfully dad is coming back from his trip tomorrow so Squirtle can stop hiding under the sofa. I think Squirtle had a bad experience with a Vikavolt in the past which is why he's so terrified of them... Any ideas on how to help him overcome his fear? -Nick
Hello again Nick!I’m sorry to hear about your Squirtle’s shyness, but it’s not uncommon for Water Types to be a bit skittish around Electric Types. Most Pokémon realize when another has Type Advantage, and you can see during some battles certain Pokémon will look back to their Trainer for extra comfort or instructions, should they be against a Pokémon that they’d usually lose to. So by no means is it an unusual experience for your Squirtle to be frightened!However, trying to overcome a fear is a long process that takes time, dedication, patience, care, understanding - the whole ball of wax. Some small things to do -staggered over a period of time- would be say, watching official League matches focusing on Water or Electric Specialists; introducing your Squirtle to other Electric Types; having another Pokémon you own practice Electric Attacks around your Squirtle; or even trying to battle against weaker Electric Types.For the first one, this is a safe way to get your Squirtle more comfortable with the concept of Electric Types in general, as League matches are sanctioned and standardized - aka ultimately ‘safe’. Electric Type Specialists like my mentor, Elesa, are clever enough to be able to circumvent her Ground weakness, and it can teach your Squirtle that even something strong against it isn’t infallible. The same goes for Water Type Specialists, who can manage to outsmart even the quickest Electric Types. This shows that even something without Type Advantage can still pull off a win!As for introducing your Squirtle to weaker Electric Types, this can come in any form from walking around your neighborhood to accidentally finding a Joltik nest around your home! Squirtle can sniff around, say hi, or ultimately go back in its Pokéball. Exposure therapy, y’know? But small doses are key to getting your Pokémon comfortable - you don’t want to unnecessarily force confrontation or scare your buddy even more. Another option would be to introduce your Squirtle to say, the baby in the Evolutionary Family - Grubbin. This shows Squirtle that even big scary Vikavolt can come from something tiny and sweet! Plus, it might help Squirtle get a better feel for Vikavolt’s general personality. This can also be done with other members of your father’s team, should they either A) exist or B) be willing, since they’re the most acquainted with his Vikvaolt.Another good way to get your Squirtle more comfortable is through moves. Professor Kukui is more experienced at this than I am, but moves are a great way for Pokémon to express themselves. As an Electric Specialist, I know certain Pokémon use harsher Thunderbolts or glow brighter to express anything from joy to rage. What your Squirtle may not realize is that Electric Types can control the intensity, duration, and size of their moves, just like Squirtle can do with a simple Water Gun. Showing your Squirtle that Electric Types can control what they do can go a long way in understanding what’s an accident, what’s meant to hurt during battle, and what’s meant to be cruel, which is an important distinction to make, as each one has a different emotional impact!Finally, a good way to gain confidence is by battling. Most Pokémon enjoy battling for a variety of reasons - it’s fun, they want to grow stronger, they enjoy the thrill of the fight. Squirtle learning its limits and to stand up for itself is an important part of any being’s growth, human or Pokémon. Wether it fails or succeeds in battling against Electric Types will teach it what it’s like under the pressure of a fight, and will learn more about how it handles stress and opponents that’re stronger. Plus, as its Trainer, you’ll bond more with your partner and will be able to better spot when they’re stressed, and how to deal with defeat. All in all, it’ll be a great way to prepare for any battle, and more importantly, might just give your buddy the confidence it needs to simply just be in the same space as a Vikavolt, which is a remarkable achievement in and of itself.In conclusion, I truly hope you and your Squirtle find a way to grow past fear and into even better partners, be it by these methods or not. Each Pokémon is different, and each relationship they have is unique. Simply showing Squirtle that you’re there and willing to help them with something that scares them shows great promise in your Trainer skills. And don’t forget to praise your Squirtle and give a treats to show how proud you are for how far they’ve come! Positive reinforcement goes a long way toward building confidence and trust in both oneself and others. I wish you both well in this endeavor!- With Regards, Professor Lucas Forsythia.
