Animal communication can help you understand your animal better. And if you have a rescue or reactive animal, it can certainly give your relationship a jump start in learning more about each other.

Since having my rescue, Soulstice, join our life six months ago, she constantly teaches me about how to help her better settle into our home. Her level of reactivity has prompted me to share some insight I have gathered as an animal communicator to help you with your rescue dog.

Rescue animals have often experienced a lot, from abuse, trauma, abandonment, living in the streets, or the death of their person. They often end up with emotional and sometimes physical wounds. Often the detail of their past is unknown, and in the first year of being with you, they slowly begin to show you their personality. They have learned necessary survival skills and are often reactive to new situations as a natural way to keep themselves safe. When they come to live with you, they slowly begin to trust and let their guard down as they figure out who they are in the new situation; it is a relationship of complete discovery and wonder.

Let’s look at the most common reactions a rescue or reactive dog can have when faced with a new situation. These are known as the 6 F’s- Freeze, Flight, Fight, Fawn, Fidget, and Fool Around. An animal will use a variety of them based on their personality and the situation.

From an animal communication standpoint, I will share how you can help your animal when they display these reactions.

Regardless of which reaction your dog displays, you need to remember to begin by focusing on your energy first. Check-in with yourself and find your neutral, calm and grounded place. Become aware of your body and breathing. Since your dog relies on you to provide them with an anchor of safety, you are better able to help them calm themselves when you are already calm. From this neutral place of calm and presence, you will be better able to support them and begin to build their sense of trust.

Move slowly in your actions and speak softly and calmly to them when you explain the situation, circumstance, and what you are doing or need them to do. Hold a neutral loving space in your heart and send this calm loving energy to them.

Here are the 6 F’s and how to best approach the situation from an animal communicators perspective:

Freeze

When an animal is in a freeze, it is essential to steady yourself as a solidly grounded anchor. They may still tremble and be frozen, but they will feel your calm. If you are worried or anxious over them, this will add to their existing angst. Focus on being neutral, so you can send them grounded love.

Flight

When an animal is fearful or has desperate pent-up energy to discharge, they either run away or run blindly, trying to discharge their emotion. Create a safe space for them to release that energy. I have recently learned of fenced-in private off-leash parks to allow reactive dogs a safe space to run. Your calm energy reminds them that you are the home base. After their release, be with them in that centred place as they will look to you to teach them what being grounded feels like.

Fight

This stems from a tremendous inner fear and is not personal towards you. Distance and space are your connectors with them. Sitting at the distance they need, in a quiet space or even another room, focus on your grounding, sending them love and peace. Let them know they can trust you by giving them the space they need. Communicate that you acknowledge their fear, will provide them with space, and ask nothing of them. You are allowing them to move on their timeline.

Fawn

This stems from insecurity and lack of confidence. This animal is typically clingy, and needy and wants to be in constant contact with you. As lovely as it may feel to have them attach to you, this is where your groundedness helps them begin to feel safe in their body and environment. They need a lot of patience and gentle regular praise as they learn to take up their own space.

Fidget

This is the animal who gets into everything, is a chewer, digger, mischievous, obsessive licker, groom or chew themselves, bedding or toys. Find activities you can do together to move their uncomfortable energy. A walk, play, swim, nose work, dog sports, food puzzles, and calm, slow stroking. Communicate you acknowledge their nervousness and remind them you are here to support them. Often these animals respond well to music that has a calming frequency.

Fool around

This is the animal-class clown, often jumping up and down, rolling and showing their belly for scratches. Slow your movements down, breathe and place your hand on their ribs. Hold space for them by breathing and calmly wait for them to roll back to their side, and then you can begin showing slow, gentle affection.

When animals show any of these reactions, it is their way of communicating their level of anxiety and uncomfortableness in a situation. Pause and observe your level of energy, the situation and energy level while you note their reaction. Your new awareness of this helps you better learn what triggers them.

When you recognize their reaction, use it as your cue to find your inner-centred place, slow your movements, and breathe. Your neutral calmness will allow them to follow your lead and soften a bit more. Their reaction will open up space for them to move to a healthier response. You are showing them a healthy form of trust and love. Remember that each shift and softening in their behaviour offers you the possibility of their change. Praise them gently. Remember that change is cumulative, and each small change is a step in the right direction for your relationship.

A Comprehensive Animal Communication Session can help you discover how your dog feels physically, emotionally and energetically in their body. It also gives a chance for the hardships they have gone through to be acknowledged, helping them release old wounds. When the changes they have experienced are witnessed, and why they are now with you is explained, so much healing can occur. Animal communication also allows you to learn why they have a particular behaviour and bring awareness to change. When they understand their new life with you, and you gain an understanding of their perspective and feelings, this gives you a starting point in developing your budding relationship.

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The 6 F's You Need To Know To Better Understand Your Rescue Dog