Visualizing Changes
In Animal Communication Basics class we explore the lines of communication through which we are constantly sending and receiving messages to and from our animals, though we may not be aware of it and discuss how these communications relate to their behavior.
Emotion is primary. You may sense their dismay when you sit down to watch TV instead of getting the leash out to walk with them. You may also be sending emotional signals unconsciously that provoke behavioral challenges. Say you want to walk on the bike path but in the past your dog has chased bicycles. Over time, you’ve developed a considerable amount of fear tied up with this exercise. Now, when you walk on the path, you emanate fear tied to the mental image of a bike. Your dog receives this message and understands that you are afraid of bikes. They become the enemy. He sees a bike and chases it to protect you. You become even more fearful. Now, it’s a catch twenty-two.
Moving out of the fear cycle around walking on the bike path requires an energetic shift. Imagine what you do want when a bike goes by—watch the scenario you want to play out like a film in your mind. For example: You’re walking on the path with the leash loosely held and a bike is approaching. The two of you notice the bike. The leash is still loose. Your body is calm. The dog is calm. As the bike approaches, you continue calmly walking, stopping to sniff grass and bushes, take a pee, etc. The bike passes you as you continue on, unfazed by the cyclist zipping by, the leash loose between you. When the bike passes, you praise your dog and express how much you like walking on the path with him when he’s calm. He then connects your appreciation of him to his calm behavior in relation to the bicyclist and is more likely to repeat it next time.
As you might imagine, it’s often our unconscious emotional signals that trigger behavioral challenges in our companions. This is a frequent topic in both classes and sessions. The trick is to discern what the animal is reacting to when engaged in the challenging behavior, then imagine what you want instead, including your own emotional response. This allows you to start rewriting the movie.