Creating an Environment for Positive Change in Your Dog

If you’ve ever read about flower essence therapy, you may have run across the idea of “affirmations”. These are words or phrases repeated during the day, that help to focus one’s intentions on positive change. Kind of a “verbal supplement” to the subtle energy work of the flower essences. I’ve always been a bit ambivalent about affirmations personally, at least when starting a new flower essence formula. (Yes, I use flower essences regularly in my own life!) My feeling is that I want to know if the essences are working, in what way (it’s not uncommon to get unexpected results), how long they take to work on particular issues, etc. If I influence the results with affirmations, it’s harder to know what is working and what’s not.

With dogs, I am generally careful to do the same thing. As much as I love the “I Want To Believe” poster in Mulder’s X-Files office, that’s not an attitude I take with flower essences. What I want is to see which combinations bring results for what behaviors, and continue to learn as much as I can about this tremendous therapy. However, I realize not everyone is in that position! With that in mind, here are some thoughts on creating a “relationship environment” conducive to positive change in your dog (with or without the help of flower essences :-)).

In your day-to-day life with your dog, frequently envision how you would like to see things go - not how you have learned to expect them to go, or how you are afraid they will go. If you can think of anything to do or change that could help make that happen - by all means, do it!

Actively, sincerely, enthusiastically appreciate every good thing that your dog is and does, at the time it happens, when possible. It doesn’t matter how small that good thing may seem to you. Actively, sincerely, enthusiastically thank your dog for every move in a positive direction. Have a day when you can’t think of a darned thing positive to say? Tell him what lovely eyes he has, what soft ears, what fuzzy fur he has! Make opportunities to let your dog know that you love him, that you are on his side, and that you appreciate him.

Fill your sight with the good, and avoid letting the not-so-good grab and hold your attention. It’s human nature (for many of us, anyway) to latch onto the anomalies. We notice the mistakes, the flaws, the errors and slights. This is a habit, maybe a strong one - but it’s also a choice. Practice noticing the nice things, the good things. When the negative stuff does grab you, avoid allowing the things that you don’t like to stir you up emotionally. This too shall pass - if you let it, that is!

Every day, spend a minute or two telling your dog how proud and pleased you are with him. List his positive traits (he has them, really!) out loud, as well as any good thing he did in the last day that got your attention (and remember you are watching for these things). Say these with affection and sincere appreciation. I like to pick a favorite tune and sing to my dogs all the things I enjoy about them. This is more fun than you might think - as the old Alka Seltzer commercial suggested, “try it, you’ll like it”! Even more important, your dog will love you for it.

Trust in the process. Things are improving positively. It’s happening right now! You and your dog are drawing out each other’s best qualities. It’s true - believe it!

julie

Julie Cantrell BSc, CPDT-KA, CDBC
www.aldaronessences.com
www.k9behaviorservices.com
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