How animals sense the emotional and energetic state of the humans around them, and why understanding nervous system regulation can transform behavior and deepen connection.
When I first got my dog Pants, I was very anxious about how she would react to guests. At 40 pounds, she was the biggest dog I’d ever had, and she’d behaved unpredictably a couple of times. But from the start, she viewed me as her person, and so if I was anxious, she could feel it, and she became more guarded towards guests, which made me more anxious, which made her…well, you see where this goes.
As you said, I had to regulate my own emotions in order to set Pants up for success with guests. It wasn’t until I did this that she became more comfortable with new people.
Thank you for your insight. 🙏
I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. 💜
This was a lovely explanation of animal and human differences and similarities and how they interact in a home setting. Thanks
This is an excellent post about co-regulation! My latest article is about the role of music in this dance. https://petguardianwellness.substack.com/p/using-music-for-caregiver-pet-co-regulation
When I first got my dog Pants, I was very anxious about how she would react to guests. At 40 pounds, she was the biggest dog I’d ever had, and she’d behaved unpredictably a couple of times. But from the start, she viewed me as her person, and so if I was anxious, she could feel it, and she became more guarded towards guests, which made me more anxious, which made her…well, you see where this goes.
As you said, I had to regulate my own emotions in order to set Pants up for success with guests. It wasn’t until I did this that she became more comfortable with new people.
Yes. The birds, animals around you know a lot more about you than you think they do.
Very helpful reminder, thank you - our furkins are so attuned to our emotions, and we often forget how much our moods or state of mind affect them.
Looking forward to your EFT post ☺️. Even if we can't completely regulate how we feel, it's important to find ways to restore a balance.