Welcome!

Welcome to the July issue of Aldaron Animal Essences' Newsletter. It's been awhile since our last newsletter, but as you will see, we've been busy!

• I am super excited to announce that we are introducing 7 NEW Aldaron Flower Essence formulas! You'll see they cover quite a range of behaviors and emotional states our companion animals are prone to. I am thrilled to be bringing these formulas to you, and hope you will be as happy with the results you get.
• We are also now offering a new formula size, the 1/2 oz dropper bottle. This size is perfect for travel, gifts, client and seminar samples, and of course, trying out new formulas! The cost for the new 1/2 oz dropper bottle is $10, which - as always - includes shipping!
• There are also some fairly minor changes to the Formula Line page of the website. First, you'll notice that formulas are now categorized as to type, and there will shortly be a new "at a glance" chart to help you know which formulas to consider for any given behavior concern. Second, I have replaced the list of individual essences in each formula from the website ingredient lists, and replaced that information with "a proprietary blend of English and American flower essences". The actual essences will still be listed on the formula bottles, naturally, but will not be available online. This was a much-debated decision, since I am a big believer in transparency! But with the growing number of online websites marketing in-house products that are exact replicas of their competitors' products (which often took months or years to develop), I felt this was the best course of action.
• Finally, I have included (below) some thoughts on helping to create an environment supporting positive behavioral changes in your dog.

I hope you find this newsletter useful. I am always happy to hear your questions and feedback - you can contact me anytime at juliec@aldaronessences.com. Until next time, appreciate your dogs!

Sincerely,

julie

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

Creating an Supportive 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!

My Best,

Julie

CHECK OUT OUR NEW FORMULAS!

I'll Be Back

I'll Be Back is our new formula designed specifically to help combat the stress, panic, and reactivity associated with difficult problem of separation anxiety.

Hyper-Drive

Hyper-Drive is our new formula for the high-powered performance dog who gets over-aroused while training or trialing, as well as any dog struggling with impulse control issues.

Travel Calm

A variation of our increasingly popular Calm formula, Travel Calm improves your dog's ability to settle and relax while traveling to shows, trials, across country or around town.

Dominance & Territoriality

An amazing formula for bullying, posturing, challenging, over-assertive behavior in dogs! Improve cooperation, reduce bullying and challenging without diminishing the positive natural leadership qualities of "alpha" type dogs.

Golden Years

Our new Golden Years formula helps restore lost confidence, energy, stamina, and zest for life in our beloved senior dogs.

Happy Trails

Happy Trails improves your dog's ability to confidently adapt to change. Perfect for rescue or rehome dogs, it's also an ideal formula to use when moving house with your dog, or introdcing any significant change to your dog's home environment, routine, etc.

Recovery

Our new Recovery formula restores resilience, energy, and positive attitude in dogs that have experienced physical or emotional trauma and/or prolonged illness. Recovery stimulates the all-important "will to be well" in dogs that have been pushed beyond normal limits.