As a dog obedience trainer I have had the privilege and pleasure of observing how dogs best respond to learning commands and new behaviors, beautiful ways in which pet parents and their animal companions learn from each other, and ultimately whether or not they are effectively communicating.
Our most basic and primal way to communicate with each other, and especially with our animal companions, is energetically. But somewhere along the way it seems to have been forgotten or discounted as being a basic building block of dog obedience training.
Our most basic and primal way to communicate with each other, and especially with our animal companions, is energetically. But somewhere along the way it seems to have been forgotten or discounted as being a basic building block of dog obedience training.
Whether we are practicing commands with our dogs, going for a walk, or even simply watching TV together, we are communicating with our dogs on an energetic level. We are just not always in charge or conscious of what is being conveyed. Our dogs capture our thoughts and emotions like antennas, so it is important that we be tuned into what we are broadcasting.
Are you confident? Are you reassuring? Or are you stressed out over work, a looming deadline, or a disagreement with a loved one? Did you just watch a commercial that tugged at your heart strings (yes, we all tear up at that commercial about the dog's bucket list!), with your pup immediately jumping up at face level to comfort you and lick those tears away?
Energy matters, and we want to be sure we are transmitting messages that are in line with what we are asking of our furry friend in the moment. If we are asking for a SIT, we must ensure we are communicating so with our voice, with a precise and consistent gesture, and that our energy is also calm, directing him or her to rest their tush upon the ground. Not through aggressive or bossy energy, frustrated if we do not feel heard, but through cohesion and presence, ensuring that your mind, body, and energy are all leading your dog to the same end point.
Take a couple days or an upcoming weekend to chart out how your energy has potentially influenced your dog's behaviors and attitudes. Treat your time with your pup as a living laboratory experiment, observing how your furry friend best responds to you. Journal you day alongside your dog's behavior. Be mindful of any shifts in your energies that may have been broadcasting messages to your dog, such as "I'm frustrated", "I need some love," or even "I can't wait to go on a walk with you in this beautiful weather"!
Are you confident? Are you reassuring? Or are you stressed out over work, a looming deadline, or a disagreement with a loved one? Did you just watch a commercial that tugged at your heart strings (yes, we all tear up at that commercial about the dog's bucket list!), with your pup immediately jumping up at face level to comfort you and lick those tears away?
Energy matters, and we want to be sure we are transmitting messages that are in line with what we are asking of our furry friend in the moment. If we are asking for a SIT, we must ensure we are communicating so with our voice, with a precise and consistent gesture, and that our energy is also calm, directing him or her to rest their tush upon the ground. Not through aggressive or bossy energy, frustrated if we do not feel heard, but through cohesion and presence, ensuring that your mind, body, and energy are all leading your dog to the same end point.
Take a couple days or an upcoming weekend to chart out how your energy has potentially influenced your dog's behaviors and attitudes. Treat your time with your pup as a living laboratory experiment, observing how your furry friend best responds to you. Journal you day alongside your dog's behavior. Be mindful of any shifts in your energies that may have been broadcasting messages to your dog, such as "I'm frustrated", "I need some love," or even "I can't wait to go on a walk with you in this beautiful weather"!