Articulate Animals Blog, Kelly Krueger, Animal Communicator

Animal Communicator Kelly Krueger puts voice to your pet's thoughts, needs, and emotions.

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Animal Communication and Body Language

Apr 16

Posted by Kelly Krueger in About, Animal Behaviors, Frequently Asked Animal Questions | 2 Comments

An animal communication client of mine has been studying up on animal body language as they get to know their new puppy. They wonder about a dog’s body language and how it relates to their feelings from an animal communication point of view. I’m so glad they asked! I’ve never thought about this before, and I’ve taken some time ponder.

More than 90% of my animal communication consultations are done via phone. I generally have a photo of the animal(s) with which I am working, but photos don’t convey the ever-changing body language present in all beings. Since I am not in the physical presence of animals during most of my communication sessions, do I notice body language? Do I utilize it while communicating with animals?

I realize, Yes I do! This is one of those things I hadn’t noticed until I actually thought about it. An animal’s body language does come though in various ways as I work with them telepathically. I tried to dissect my process of receiving information from animals as it relates to body language – is it my perception, or does literal body language come though energetically?

Turns out, there is some of both. When I chat with a cat, for example, who conveys an unwillingness to consider a change of opinion or behavior, I might receive an image or a sense of the cat sitting back with his or her arms crossed with a very stubborn attitude. Obviously cats don’t have arms, nor do they cross them in the same posture that humans use. Yet very often the emotions expressed by animals, in this case a cat stubbornly expressing her disinterest in changing her behavior, comes through in such a way that I perceive a typical human expression of body language, and this is often the best way I can convey that strong emotion to the cat’s human. When I work with extremely fearful or aggressive animals, I feel and/or “sense” their fear or aggression; similar to viewing body language of a tail tucked between the legs or a certain posture with correlating snarl or exposed teeth.

On the other hand, animals can and do send me information that contains literal body language which is important in understanding how they are feeling, or what they are trying to convey. I have a number of experiences where the animal sends an image or a sensation of themselves to explain just how they are feeling. A dog once said to me “I’m a Princess” and showed me an image of her walking through the house in a very regal way. Her princess-like attitude was very clearly conveyed to me in body language to illustrate her royalty as opposed to her being diva-like.

My own girl-pug dog does NOT like to talk to me about serious issues; she says “I just want to have fun with you!” So when I broach a serious topic when communicating telepathically with her, I quite often see an image of her turning her head and becoming disengaged in our conversation. If you have teenagers, you probably know the same body language!!!

All of the subtle bits of information come together to form a picture of the animal with which I am working, and just exactly how that animal is feeling. Body language certainly plays a part, even telepathically. How does body language benefit animal communication? The solutions to a behavioral problem with a regal-princess vs. a diva-princess are slightly different; therefore how we proceed in the conversation would be slightly different as well. It is important to be in tune with energetic body language when solutions to the particular topic are delivered to the animal. An animal who hears an expectation or request and responds with the proverbial “arms crossed” will probably need some more convincing, but a dog that receives the expectation of a change in behavior by sending me an image of an enthusiastic tail-wag is good to go!

Thanks for asking this question about body language and animal communication. It has given me something to ponder, and I hope has helped explain an aspect of animal communication which will help you understand your new puppy better!

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New Class: Basic Animal Communication for Daily Living – Dec. 8, 2009

Nov 5

Posted by Kelly Krueger in About, Activities, Events, Classes | No Comments

You can communicate to your pets *without* being a professional animal communicator! 

Please join me for this tele-class:

Basic Animal Communication for Daily Living
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Mountain Time
(5:30-6:30 Pacific; 8:30-9:30 Eastern)
Cost $20 (plus possible long distance phone charges for the teleconference)

It’s true. We can all learn basic skills for communicating to our pets without spending months or years studying formal animal communication techniques. After attending this one-hour tele-class you will be able to successfully communicate simple information to your pet. For example, you may like to: 

  • Reinforce solutions after a training class or animal communication session
  • Convey your love to your animals while you are away on vacation
  • Address simple behaviors such as: Reminding your dog to stay with you at the car rather than running through the parking lot to the hiking trail; Encourage your cat to use only the appropriate scratching posts; Help your horse understand your expectations for getting in and out of the horse trailer; Request a less-aggressive style of play from your dominant guinea pig; and more

Each participant is encouraged to bring a topic to class and receive individualized guidance from Kelly on how to structure an appropriate communication to your animal. By listening to the variety of participant topics, you will learn to structure additional communications between you and your pets in your home environment.

Please RSVP by December 1st 
For questions, please email Kelly@ArticulateAnimals.com or call 303-670-0292.
Due to the interactive nature of this tele-class, registration will be limited
to eight (8) participants.

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Dog Training – Finding the Right Trainer for You

Oct 9

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Animal Behaviors, Frequently Asked Animal Questions | No Comments

Guest Blogger, Christi Campbell, shares her professional perspective on dog training. Part one “The Benefits of Dog Training” discusses reasons why training your dog are important. Today’s article discusses how to find the right trainer for you and your dog, and describes a few types of training that may suit your needs.

Christi Campbell with Wally and Rider

Christi Campbell with Rider and Wally

Okay, I’m Convinced I Need One.  How Do I Find A Trainer?  Finding a good dog trainer is a little like finding a good veterinarian, or a dentist, or a doctor.  Talk to friends, neighbors, people at the dog park.  Find out where they took their dogs for training, and what they thought about the trainers.  Get out the phone book and make some calls.  A trainer should be willing to give you two minutes of their time on the phone to describe their training philosophy and methods.  That does not mean that a busy trainer will agree to diagnose and train you and your dog over the phone.  Keep your initial conversation limited– ask about their training style.  Do not get into your dog’s life story unless the trainer asks for that information. 

Trainer or Behaviorist?  A dog trainer can help you establish lines of communication with your dog and help you teach your dog specific behaviors (Sit, Down, Stay, etc.).  A Behaviorist can help you live peacefully with your dog by helping you to understand how your dog thinks and how to shape their behavior in everyday settings.  If you aren’t sure which one your dog needs, it is always good to start out with a basic training foundation; every dog can benefit from learning the basics.  If you think your dog may have issues that a basic training class cannot address (extreme levels of fear or aggression, for instance), you may wish to pursue some basic training with a behaviorist.  Many trainers are also behaviorists, just ask when you call.

Interviewing a trainer:  Ask about their education and experience, bearing in mind that dog training is still very much a “learned on the job” kind of profession. Membership in a professional organization is a signal, but not a guarantee, that a trainer takes their profession seriously and tries to stay up-to-date with the latest training news and methods.  There are, however, many wonderful trainers who are not members of any organization, as they may have been training for many years and the organizations are all relatively new.

Make a list of questions to ask all of the trainers you interview, that way you can compare apples to apples when you make your decision.  Some questions you might want to include:  When did they start training dogs?  What do they do to keep current on training methods and techniques?  How do they teach the Sit command (literally, step by step)?  How do they make learning fun for the dog?

Making a decision:  Most people and dogs will have their needs met by a basic group class, and, because the cost of the trainer’s time is spread over a group, these classes tend to be less expensive. If your dog is uncomfortable around other dogs, or fearful of people, or simply too disruptive to participate in a group class, having one or more private sessions with a trainer or a behaviorist is well worth your time and money, and can prepare you both for a group class in the future.

What about logistics? You need to decide what your priorities are.   Are you willing to drive 20 or 30 minutes to your dog training appointments or classes?  Is the cost of the class your main concern?  These are just some of the questions you should answer in order to narrow your list of potential trainers.

The best way to find a trainer that you and your dog will be comfortable with is to talk to them, *several* of them.  Will they allow you to come observe a training session or class?  Are they patient with you on the phone?  Do they sound like you might like them?  Trust your gut.  And don’t be afraid to leave a class and not return if things are not working out.  This is a relationship, like any other, and it must work for both of you.  As a side note, I use the Internet to find almost any service I am looking for.  You may be tempted to email a trainer to get their answers to your questions, and that is fine, but it is very difficult to “read” someone from an email, and I suggest that you follow up with any promising candidates by phone.

No matter who you choose:  If a trainer ever asks you to do something with your dog that makes you uncomfortable, STOP.  Have them explain their reasoning and what they hope the training result will be.  If they cannot or will not explain, or if you are still uncomfortable, DO NOT KEEP TRAINING.  Your first duty is to your dog.  He trusts you to make sure nothing bad happens to him.  LISTEN TO YOUR INNER VOICE AND HONOR YOUR DOG ABOVE ALL.  A good trainer is flexible and has many tools in their toolbox, they will keep trying until they find something that works for both you and your dog.  If a trainer ever tells you that there is only one way to do something, walk away.

Types of training:  Every dog (and every human living with a dog) should start with a foundation of a basic obedience class.  The basic class provides a way to start developing a shared language with your dog.  Basic classes cover things like Sit, Down, Stay, Come and Walk on a leash.  These life skills are wonderful additions to any dog’s repertoire — they are also the foundation for any advanced training you may want to do.  Many trainers will require you to attend a basic class, or demonstrate some basic proficiency, before moving on to more challenging work like off-leash training, which opens the doors to fun activities such as hiking with your dog off-leash or participating in dog sports.

Christi and Red Rocket Rider competing in Houston, Texas

Christi and Red Rocket Rider competing in Houston, Texas

After you have completed the basic training, you may want to continue your learning partnership with fun dog sports, such as: 

Agility – an obstacle course where the dogs jump over bars or through hoops and run through tunnels, over A-frames, across dog walks, teeter-totters and much more.

Frisbee/Canine Disc – dogs catch flying discs in several formats: short distance; long distance; and freestyle, where they perform choreographed moves to music.

Flyball – a relay race where dogs work as a team to be the fastest to finish each dogs’ run over a series of hurdles, catch a ball from a specialized box and return to the start.

Rally/Obedience – dogs perform a variety of obedience commands in sequence.  Rally obedience is less formal than traditional Obedience competition.

There is a dog sport or activity suited to everyone and every dog!  Lure coursing, earthdog trials, dock diving, musical canine freestyle, carting, sheep herding…  and many, many more.  Playing with your dog is a great way to keep the lines of communication open and to keep the learning fun!

Christi Campbell, J.D., is a partner in Harmony Animal Wellness in Kittredge, Colorado and offers private training by appointment through Harmony Animal Wellness, 303-674-6288.  Christi has been training dogs for more than 30 years, professionally for more than 15. In her quest to understand the canine mind and body, she has taken animal communication classes, trained in TTouch and Dorn Therapy and become a Reiki Master.

Christi travels nationally and internationally teaching training seminars and judging canine disc competitions. She volunteers as a trainer for Freedom Service Dogs, Colorado Disc Dogs and several rescue groups. She lives in beautiful Evergreen, Colorado with her husband, four dogs and two cats.

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The Benefits of Dog Training

Oct 3

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Animal Behaviors, Frequently Asked Animal Questions | 1 Comment

Guest Blogger, Christi Campbell, shares her professional perspective and answers a question I receive frequently: “Should I find someone to help me train my dog?”

 

Why Train My Dog?

Many people live, if not happily, at least in equilibrium with their dogs without any formal training.  Indeed, the words “dog training” can bring to mind images of police dogs marching around and harsh methods of compulsion and punishment.  While there are some people who still train that way, the vast majority of dog trainers have evolved into much gentler “life coaches” for you and your dog.

Christi Campbell with ??? Ryder

Christi Campbell with Red Rocket Rider, 2006, Belgium, on a four country tour teaching frisbee seminars.

If you are reading this, it is a safe bet that you are interested in a more balanced and fair approach to training.  In fact, you may not be interested in “training” in the traditional sense at all.  So, what does the word “training” really mean?  Dog training is a systematic approach to developing a common language and way of communicating between you and your dog.  Dog training gives you a way to ask your dog for specific behavior that you like (or to ask your dog to desist from specific behavior that you don’t like) and it gives your dog a way to understand what you are asking and to do something (or stop doing something) in order to please you.  Without a common language, you are speaking Chinese to your dog and your dog is speaking Martian to you, and that can lead to a lot of frustration on both your parts.

Talking to your dog through an animal communicator, though wonderful, is not a substitute for dog training.  That would be like expecting a toddler to do everything you ask of them without showing them what you mean.  Toddlers understand our language and our meaning, but they still need some teaching and guidance around what behavior is appropriate and safe.  Dogs do not understand our language and our meaning until we help them, and they need the same kind of guidance as a toddler regarding appropriate vs. inappropriate behavior.

Your dog is brilliant and wants to please you.  Your dog is also living in the moment as a DOG, not a human, and will do what works for him in that moment.  If there is a steak on the counter and your dog is hungry, what works for him in the moment is to grab that steak off the counter and run out into the yard to devour it.  That is a totally normal response for a dog and, to a dog, there is nothing at all wrong with that behavior.  It is only in the context of a human life that the behavior becomes problematic.  Dog training is a way to help your dog understand the peculiar constraints that come with living as a dog in a human world. Dog training smoothes out the  rough edges and makes life a little easier for both of you.

Now, by “dog training” what I really mean is “intentional dog training.”  Whether you are aware of it or not, every moment you spend with your dog is training of a sort.  Your dog is highly educated in studying you.  He knows your every nuance, and he’s always interested in what good things may come to him as a result of his careful study.  If you are inconsistent, your dog has learned to play the odds.  For example, if you sometimes feed your dog from the table and other times (like when you have company) you fuss at your dog for begging at the table, your dog is going to beg at the table every time because he is sometimes rewarded for that.  That kind of intermittent reinforcement is a very powerful tool, and that is what gets humans to sit at the slot machine for hours and hours hoping for a payout.  Your dog is essentially playing the table scrap slot machine.  No matter how much you fuss most of the time, if you ever slip up and feed him, you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of begging.

Christi and ??? Ryder at ??? competion

Christi and Red Rocket Rider at UFO World Cup in Denver, 2002 (they won).

Which brings me to a critical point about consistency.  The most important part of intentional dog training is consistency, and usually it is the most difficult for humans to grasp and follow through with.  Just as with the begging at the table example, there are many hundreds of situations that you and your dog encounter in everyday life.  If the “rules” are not consistent, your dog will choose the option that rewards him the most and go with that, whether or not it is the behavior you intend to reinforce.   I’m not saying you have to be “on” every second of every day, training without a break, never getting to just hang out with your dog.  You just need to be aware that inconsistency is a clear message to  your dog that he can choose his behavior in that situation because you can’t make up your mind what your preference is.

Your dog is always studying you, and your every action and interaction with your dog is filed away under “more information about my human.”  More importantly, your dog believes everything you say to him, and most of what you say is non-verbal.  If, by your actions, you say you don’t mind him jumping up on the couch, your dog believes it, and is genuinely shocked when you get upset because his paws were muddy this time.  If, by your actions, you tell your dog “it’s okay not to come when I call you,” he is truly puzzled when you freak out because he didn’t come when you were worried he would be hit by a car.

We call it dog training, but it is really “people training.”  If you’ve noticed, dog trainers generally spend very little time training your dog and a lot of time training you.  We need you to understand your dog’s point of view and how he thinks, in order to help you communicate with him more effectively.  In many cases, we need to explain to you why your dog is behaving the way he is, because if we can’t get you to change YOUR behavior, there is little chance of getting your dog to change his.  Remember, your dog is doing what works for him in the environment he lives in.  If you teach him what to do to make you happy, even if it isn’t his first preference, usually he will do it because he loves to make you happy.  If you do not teach him what your preferences are, he will make himself happy and love you all the same.

Living with dogs is a partnership, a dance, a privilege.  We owe it to them to at least try to understand their world and their way of thinking.  We also owe it to them to be as coherent as we possibly can when asking something of them, and part of being coherent is sharing a language, a common understanding of certain words, phrases and actions.  I used to think dog training was important because it made the humans happy.  I know now that dog training is important because it informs the dogs and requires the people to do their best to communicate in a way the dogs can understand.

 

** Continue on with Part 2, which discusses types of training and how to choose a trainer that is right for your family and your needs. 

Christi Campbell, J.D., is a partner in Harmony Animal Wellness in Kittredge, Colorado and offers private training by appointment through Harmony Animal Wellness, 303-674-6288.  Christi has been training dogs for more than 30 years, professionally for more than 15. In her quest to understand the canine mind and body, she has taken animal communication classes, trained in TTouch and Dorn Therapy and become a Reiki Master.

Christi travels nationally and internationally teaching training seminars and judging canine disc competitions. She volunteers as a trainer for Freedom Service Dogs, Colorado Disc Dogs and several rescue groups. She lives in beautiful Evergreen, Colorado with her husband, four dogs and two cats.

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Flower Essences for Emotional Healing – Part Two

Sep 1

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Health & Well Being for Pets, Products & Animal Resources | 2 Comments

Part One of ”Flower Essences for Emotional Healing” discussed the properties and benefits of flower essence remedies, which can offer valuable support for our beloved animals in times of emotional stress. Whether one chooses individual essences, pre-mixed or a custom-blend, the results are often obvious and quick.

Mimulus

Mimulus

This post will discuss common indicators for the consideration of a flower essence, as well as a few essences which I recommend for animals in need. Flower essences don’t appeal to all animals, but those who are open to trying an essence for their particular emotional imbalance tend to know right away if a flower essence is right for them. As mentioned in Part One, Bach is a well-known brand of flower essence remedies and is easily found in most natural food and drug stores. Many other brands of individual essences and custom blends are available and equally beneficial.

Anxiety, worry, certain types of fear– There are many reasons an animal can exhibit anxiety or fear and there are a few different essences which may work well for an animal. Thunder and lightning fear, for example, may be lessened with Mimulus, and anxiety during veterinary clinic visits can also benefit from Mimulus. More extreme cases of terror may benefit from Rock Rose. Aspen can provide a deeper sense of security for anxious or worried animals, and I have used Cherry Plum successfully for calming hyper-sensitive animals.

Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem

Grieving, loss, sudden devastating changes – Most often I recommend Star of Bethlehem for animals who recently lost a companion (animal or human) or are showing signs of grief and mourning. Sometimes Wild Oat is helpful if the animal seems to lack a sense of purpose after a loss. Honeysuckle is a good choice for animals who may be grieving the loss of his/her previous environment (i.e. homesickness) and is also helpful in supporting animals to release their attachment to a past home or situation.

Lack of confidence, self-esteem, and shyness– Larch is great for a gentle boost in self-esteem and confidence. Water Violet encourages a more confident and social animal. Mimulus (also listed above for fears and anxiety) can help shy animals become more confident and courageous.

Aggression, dominance, territorial behaviors– Fear-based aggression might be lessened with Mimulus, while jealous aggression would be better served with the use of Holly. Vine is a good essence to use for some dominant and territorial behaviors. A disclaimer here: aggressive and dominant behaviors can escalate quickly and I highly recommend the assistance of a qualified trainer or animal behaviorist in addition to the possible use of flower essences.  

Cherry Plum

Cherry Plum

Rescue Remedy (a combination of several essences) – Rescue Remedy is a great “all purpose” remedy which I use for a variety of common stressful situations. Visits to the vet for routine or minor procedures; mild separation anxiety; mild fears brought about by sudden noises (i.e. firecrackers); and any change of situation or environment which could be stressful such as the family going on vacation, moving from one home to another; the first few days of a college freshman not living at home; the addition of a new baby in the home, etc.

Flower essence remedies may be a consideration for you and your pet as you move through life. I have listed just a handful of possible reasons to experiment with flower essences, and only a few of the possible remedies available. Remember, flower essences do not alter your pet’s temperament or personality; essences simply allow your animal to access their natural ability to cope with stress, bringing them back into emotional balance.

If you have a success story you would like to share about the use of a flower essence, please leave a comment!

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Flower Essences for Emotional Healing – Part One

Aug 24

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Health & Well Being for Pets, Products & Animal Resources | No Comments

As an animal communicator I work with animals for a broad variety of reasons. Some are straight-forward, others are quite complex. Some animals with which I work exhibit obvious emotional distress; others express some subtle, underlying emotional sensitivities. It is not uncommon for emotional sensitivities or distress to have a direct correlation to behavioral issues, and if left unchecked, could develop into certain types of physical issues.

Occasionally I work with an animal with low-grade anxiety which disappears once the animal feels heard and understood, or has the benefit of hearing from their human just exactly why a certain change in their environment has taken place. Some emotional distress, however, is deeply rooted, or there may be multiple causes for distress. No two cases are exactly alike, and for some animals the support of a natural remedy may assist in working through his/her emotions.

Not every animal responds to natural essences or homeopathic remedies. Many do, however, and often the guardian reports a very positive result. There are many varieties and categories of natural support available – too many to discuss here. Homeopathic remedies (typically dispensed in small pellets) number in the thousands, but the most common are available in natural food or drug stores. Flower Essence Remedies (available as tinctures in a droppertinctures bottle) are also readily available in holistic food or drug stores and can be quickly and easily administered to both humans and animals.

One of the most recognized and available brand names for Flower Essence Remedies is Bach’s Rescue Remedy. It has become so popular, in fact, the packaging is slightly different than other Bach Flower Essences, and I am beginning to see Rescue Remedy in a variety of retail stores. I sometimes describe Rescue Remedy to my clients as the “all purpose” remedy which, in my opinion, we should all have on hand in our medicine cabinets for all members of the family – human and animal. I use Rescue Remedy for my furry companions whenever there is an occasion which may cause a little stress or anxiety – dental cleanings or other veterinary procedures, thunder and lightning storms,  a visiting animal companion, etc. Any time there might be a little emotional disruption, I consider the use of Rescue Remedy.

There are 38 Bach Flower Essences, many of which are combined in Rescue Remedy, hence the “all purpose” status that I have given it. I’m a big believer in the individual essences as well as Rescue Remedy. Each of the 38 has specific properties which speak to individual emotional sensitivities. Flower essences are exactly that – the essence of a particular flowering shrub, tree or plant. Non-domesticated animals have access to these sources for emotional well-being as they wander through nature, absorbing from the plants and trees the exact essence which they are needing in that moment. Flower essences support our (human and animal) body’s natural ability to heal our emotional sensitivities, or help ourselves become more emotionally balanced. Our domesticated animals – cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, etc. – don’t have the same access to these essences from nature, so we can supply it for them as appropriate.

Of the 38 essences, there are 20 or so which I most routinely select specifically for animal clients (part two of this topic will discuss a few of the essences). Sometimes it is beneficial to select two or three individual essences for the more complex or deeply rooted emotional issues. Within each broad category of emotional sensitivities – aggression, anxiety or fears, confidence issues, etc. – several essences may be appropriate. In my practice I’ve found it extremely helpful to identify several possible essences based on written description, then to ask the animal about each in turn to identify the best possible match for the individual animal. I also know that for the most complex emotional issues, a few different essences may be appropriate, sometimes in combination or administered in phases as each emotional sensitivity is addressed.

Dr. Bach is really considered the “pioneer” of Flower Essences (I like this detailed post in the Animal Echoes newsletter about Dr. Bach, his process, dosages, etc.), however others have developed flower essence remedies which are also effective. In my studies I have worked with and used several varieties of flower essence remedies in addition to Bach. Sometimes animals will benefit from custom blended remedies for their specific, individual needs, and some animals are better served to use a mineral water-based flower essence. 

If you suspect some emotional upset in your pets, or if you are an Articulate Animals client and I suggest using a Flower Essence for your beloved companion, I hope this information is useful. We all appreciate emotionally balanced animals in our lives!

Part Two discusses some of the individual essences and their possible outcomes.

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Our Well-Being Affects our Pets

Aug 14

Posted by Kelly Krueger in Animal Behaviors, Health & Well Being for Pets | No Comments

For years now I’ve challenged myself to consider carefully how I think and act. I believe strongly that my internal state of mind and my external way of being directly affect how my life plays out in big ways and in small. My health and overall well-being, as well my animal companion’s well-being, are directly linked to my state of mind. Still, it can be a challenge to maintain a positive outlook, especially in today’s difficult times. 

 

Most of us are looking for a reprieve, a way to feel good about *something* at the end of the day. Enter stage left our beloved animal companions. If we let them, they can elevate a mood in no time flat! Animals are loyal, loving, intelligent creatures who generally aim to please. No matter our preferred species – cats, rats, guinea pigs, dogs, horses, or others – they are in our lives for companionship and mutual nurturing.

 

well-beingIn the midst of all the world’s chaos and the many stresses in our lives, we can help ourselves and our animals by promoting balance and peacefulness in our home environment. Our animals are little sponges, soaking up the energies we exude. If we enter our home or horse stable feeling anxious, frustrated, or confused, our pets pick up on these emotions and ways of being. They also pick up on our joy, peacefulness, and grounded way of being. If you can wash away the stresses of your day before you walk in the door that evening, you very likely will notice a calmer, more attentive pet greeting you.

 

Our overall well-being and outlook on life is powerful, for us as well as our animals. Too frequently I work with animals who have literally taken on some of the energies of their human as their own. When I communicate with an animal exhibiting anxiety, stress, or worry I often uncover some linkage to the human(s) in the family. Don’t get me wrong – some animals are worriers on their own accord, or are naturally anxious creatures. Others, however, are deeply connected with their human and are determined to help their human regain balance – even if that means trying to pull the stress or worry from their human and bear it themselves. As valiant as this theory is, it simply doesn’t work, and sometimes can lead to real physical distress.

 

Yes, the world and our lives are busy and stressful, these days especially. It’s easy to feel out of control and overwhelmed. As we flow through our lives we naturally have good days and challenging days. Don’t deny that fact for the sake of your animals; rather acknowledge when you are feeling stress, grief, worry, or sadness. Empower yourself to take control of the worry or stress and keep it in context. Explain to your pet that you’ve had a challenging day and you love that they are there to make you feel better, but it is important they let you deal with the human worries. Our animals can be a bright spot in our day, and we should let them be exactly that!

 

Next time you notice your animals acting out or exhibiting anxious behaviors, stop a moment and check-in with yourself. Are YOU acting out and exhibiting anxious behaviors? For the sake of our animals, and for our own health and well-being, set aside your worries at the door. It may not seem like much, but one stress-free, calm, joyous evening with your animals may change your whole outlook on life!

 

For tips on other ways to promote a balanced and joyful environment with your pets, see previous Articulate Animals blog post “Positive Thinking = Positive Behaviors”

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