Energy

Every dog trainer is different, and every is dog also different.  Whether you like or dislike the methods of Cesar Millan, there is one central philosophy that can be taken from him and his TV show that is highly valuable.  He teaches people that their own perceptions, feelings, and experiences directly impact the way we relate to our dogs, and that balanced, calm, assertive energy is what dogs follow.  And what people follow, too.

For example, I have experienced Nyxie to be reactive to other dogs, and I carry that fear of what's happened in the past with us on each walk.  Therefore, that anticipation and anxiety creates instability that Nyxie reacts to.  She's tense, anxious and reactive.  Well isn't that baggage unfair to her!

While I walked the girls today, I decided to concentrate on calm, assertive energy as Millan encourages on his show.  I employed a finger snap and that "ch!" sound when I saw Nyxie starting to escalate.  I physically stood between her and the glass slider, correcting her when she started barking crazily at my neighbor walking her dog.  

Guess what happened?

Nothing.  No crazy dog flying off the handle.  No lunging at the glass door.  No pulling on the leash.  No reacting to another dog barking at her in close proximity.  My calm, assertive energy won the day.  Even Arwen responded well on our walk - no leash pulling.  It was invigorating, this new strong energy!      

So we're starting over.  No more nervous energy.  That's something I struggle with at times in all aspects of my life and it's quite limiting.  No more.  Wish me luck, folks.  But I won't need it - just my own inner strength.