How Your Emotions Affect Your Dog

Your Emotions and Other People

Did you know that humans are really walking mood conductors? The ability to tell how someone is feeling and the ability to mimic feelings and behaviors served as great survival strategies for our ancestors. Their ability to know in a split second with no verbal cues if a lion was going to pounce is a testament to a human’s ability to “read” their environment. We still do this today but on a different level. Since we have become slaves to the spoken word, we have lost some of those skills; however, we still have an understanding of feelings and emotions.

Human emotions can be transmitted in less than a second, without words, and the transmission often goes unnoticed. Some people are more susceptible to ‘catching’ the emotions of others, and some are more powerful at influencing other people’s moods.

These “mood spreaders” can affect you negatively or positively without a word. When research subjects were put in a room together with an identified mood-spreader, they all came out with the same emotions that the mood-spreader had exhibited. The results show that the way we feel is largely determined by other people. Now here’s the key. Your mood cannot only effect humans, but has a large impact on your dog!

Your Emotions and Your Dog

You must be aware of what emotions you are spreading to your dog. If you had a bad day at work and are stressed when you come home, guess who else is going to stress out right along with you? Yep, your dog! If your boyfriend is depressed, there is a better chance that you will become depressed to and so will your dog.

To alleviate this trickle down effect, try to be the person who sparks a rippling pool of positivity. Smile at a stranger who is not expecting it. Laugh instead of scowl when someone does something you don’t like. Post a positive comment on a blog,like this one :0). Positivity breeds positivity and your dog will love you even more for it.

We are all connected, and this study has shown without a doubt that the energy you create in this world affects not only the people around you but also your animals. Choose to make your effect on the world a positive one, and you will soon find that the good energy bounces right back to you, and you won’t have to try and smile at a stranger in the checkout line, you just will. Your dog will love you even more for it!

The connection between the Outer and Inner Health of your Dog.

The outer health of your dog relfects his inner health.  An oily coat, dandruff or even a greasy tail is an outward sign that your dog is trying to rid itself of toxins.  Giving your dog a bath just isn't going to get to the root of the problem. 

Did you know that the skin is the largest organ of the body?  It also serves many functions.  It guards your dog from the heat, cold, injuries and regulates their body temperature.  The skin is the first defense against infection and is important in sensory perception and gives your pet a lot of information about his surroundings. 

A little oil is normal, but too much oil which can manifest itself as an oily coat and greasy tail can be signs that your dog has a waste disposal problem which can be related to his liver or kidney.

If your dog sheds excessively or has dandruff, it could indicate disorder or imbalance in the body.  Your dog's skin needs to be well nourished to stay healthy.  They may need additional essential fatty acids.  Without them, dandruff, dry skin and itching occur.

Vitamin B supplements are a great source of good skin nutrition because it stimulates elimination and helps the body dispose of waste through the proper channels.

Again, remember than when your dog is not well, he becomes stressed and even anxious and the behavioural issues come into play.  Once you start taking care of your dog holistically (mind, body and spirit) you will begin to see the dramatic changes and the stress and anxiety becoming less of an issue.

Is your dog Employed?

Bottom line is, if you don't give your dog a job to do, they will become self-employed.  This means they will come up with their own "jobs" to do around the house.  They can become your self appointed host or hostess; jumping on and licking everyone who comes through the door.  They can become great gardeners and replant all your flowers and vegetables in the yard.  They can even become an interior decorator and rearrange the stuffing in your couch.  When you don't give your dog a job to do, you create an improper balance of the mental, physical and emotional stimulants your dog needs.  In short, they become bored!  Boredom then leads to other mental and physical symptoms such as stress and anxiety.

Employment is so important because not only will you provide stimulation but also promote and develop a sense of purpose and pride.  Having a dog "work" for a living eliminates boredom and engages them in life.

Jobs can include retrieving toys, doing tricks and playing games.  My dog's job is to find and bring me my keys when it's time to "go for a ride" and bring me my cell phone when it rings.

Give your dog a job to do and work to create the balance they so deserve.