02/15/2024
LINDA TELLINGTON-JONES...
MY MENTOR SISTER FRIEND...
UNDERSTANDING OUR CRITTERS BEHAVIOR...
AND HOW WE MAY AFFECT IT...
"CHANGE YOUR MIND...
CHANGE YOUR ANIMAL'S BEHAVIOR"...
LOVE, BIG HEART HUGS AND PRAYERS, ALWAYS, MY BELOVED ONES ❣️
Have you ever noticed how we tend to characterize our animal companions based on their actions? If you have spent any time lurking around the internet on animal advice forums, you will see that people describe their animals as “liking” to do all sorts of things.
“My dog *likes* to pull on the leash, what should I do?”
“My horse doesn’t *like* to take the left lead, what can I do?”
“My dog *likes* to jump up, what should I do?”
“My horse *likes* to buck under saddle, what should I do?”
And this is nothing compared to how animals are described based on their external behaviors:
“Bratty”
“Rude”
“Disrespectful”
“Dominant”
“Pushy”
All of these ways of describing an animal, for what is just our human interpretation of certain behaviors (the way in which an animal or person acts in response to a particular situation or stimulus), makes it very easy to take said behavior quite personally.
When we make these statements that imply an animal’s behavior has some ulterior motive, we begin to see the animal in terms of their behaviors, not their innate self or personality. While it may seem like a little thing, words and how we use them are very important.
One of the core philosophies in the Tellington Method is “Change your mind, change your animal.” When we can see our animals with “new eyes” and look beyond behavior, we are better able to see that behavior is really a form of communication. What we see as “undesirable” behaviors are generally symptoms of our animals having a response to some kind of stressor (internal or external), that they cannot cope with in a measured way. By shifting our perspective, we can see beyond mere actions to understand the underlying stressors our animals may be facing. It's not about excusing behavior, but rather about empathizing with the challenges our furry friends’ encounter.
Let's challenge ourselves to rethink how we describe our pets and to cultivate a deeper empathy for their experiences. Remember, the words we choose matter, especially when it comes to our cherished companions.
Interested in learning more about the Tellington TTouch philosophy AND the integrative exercises you can incorporate into your existing program?
Just comment TTouch and I will send you a 50% off coupon for lifetime access to one of our self-paced online courses (for dogs OR horses). But hurry, this coupon expires on February 14th!
