Approaching Humans - A Dog's perspective on saying hello and making friends

Everyone needs friends. Everyone wants to be loved. And we dogs have learned how to approach humans by watching, feeling for the vibes that a person is emitting, approaching carefully and beaming joy, love and acceptance.

Ah - that's the bit humans forget. The bit about beaming joy, love and acceptance. You see, as a dog, I don't want or need anything from you. I just want to say hi. I just want you to know I see you. That you're not invisible to me. That you matter. That I'd like to give you a hug, or play with you, or maybe just hang out quietly in your space.

I approach you with love, as if you already are my friend. As if you already are someone I love. Than I just match my energy with your energy, and I beam out all the good feelings inside me so they flood you with tenderness and love and joy.

When we are connecting eye to eye, soul to soul - THEN we can start some really useful dialogue. But until we do that, it's all about the approach. About putting you in my focus and making YOU the most important thing in my moment. Sometimes we need to do that until the other person can feel lifted up enough to even be able to look us in the eye or reach out. It might take a while. But dogs are patient.

Learning: In communication, most humans think its about the message, but we dogs know that if you can't see us or connect with us our message means nothing. SO it's all about the approach. Make the other person the focus of your energy, thoughts and love. Be patient and observant, and don't expect too much. There's always time for the right words later. And sometimes words aren't needed - because love, acceptance and understanding is enough. So there you go. The basics of 'Dog Communication with Humans 101 Introductory Course'. Thanks for participating!

Listening For Emotion - Reading the Unspoken Vibes!

Humans emit emotional signals like radio stations emit songs. When you tune in to someone by paying careful attention with your heart, by watching and listening and carefully observing you can almost SEE the emotions being given off as energetic signals.

Then you can match your approach and communication with their emotional state. Sometimes you can even figure out how to give them what they need to enhance or improve their emotional state.

Humans and animals can get into very primal states - emotions that are common to all of us. These include fear, panic, grief, curiosity, anger, excitement, love, fatigue, hunger, relaxation, happiness and loneliness. When we reach out to each other and show that we can recognise the emotion the other person/animal is experiencing, it provides great comfort and reassurance. Everyone wants to be heard and understood, even when they are not sure themselves what they are trying to say or do. We all want to belong, and we all want to feel loved.

In this next video humans help animals by listening for emotions. They might look a bit silly, but just like dogs, they are willing to get down on their friend's level and really tune in to those primal emotional signals:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tc7bdx7EBIU

Learning: Humans radiate emotion, through their body language, facial expressions, the way they dress and their tone of voice. We can tune into this emotional vibration ,and by understanding it we can build a bridge between us, no matter if we are different species. Love is the universal language!

It's all about the Eyes!

Some wise human said that eyes are the window of the soul. We dogs have known that for years. One of the best ways to communicate is with your eyes.

Step One: Watch the eyes of the person you are studying. Are they shiny or dull? Do they have life? Stillness? An emotion you can name?

Step Two: What do these eyes focus on? Something here, or something far away, perhaps invisible to other eyes?

Step Three: Can you catch these eyes with your own, and have the person look at you? If you can, be non-threatening. That builds trust. Make your own eyes soft, with a hint of smiling. Soft eyes are always best. You do this by putting love and care behind them. Then it shines through. You don't need to share the same spoken language. Love is a universal language.

Learning: You can learn a lot by looking into the eyes of someone. You don't need words for this at all. In fact, words usually get in the way. Love, openness and awareness help this process immensely.

Life's Second Chances

In the beginning, I was born. That much is a given for all of us. But there were too many dogs already on that farm, and none of the neighbours wanted another pup. The humans brought us into a big town, and started looking around for new homes for us. I'm a working dog, and city people wanted a pup that looked fluffy and cute, and that would wait quietly at home all day - no trouble, and no effort. I was the sort of dog that needed attention. Discipline. Training. My kind of breed had a bad reputation in town. Week after week we all waited, and finally the man who'd brought us to town started knocking the pups in my litter on the head with a shovel.

A lady came to the gate, asking about the puppies. She wanted a female, but there were none left. They'd been killed. She had a kind voice. I tottered over and sat on her foot, and put my small paw up on her knee.

"Excuse me," I said quietly. "They're killing dogs here." I sat steadfastly on her foot, willing her to bend down and take me. My whole body was intent on that one purpose. My ears locked onto her voice and I waited. Hopefully. Purposefully. I quivered with the energy that was running through me. I felt so alive. This was it. The big moment. The bit in your life when time slows down, and you hear the doors opening or closing on your future.

She bent down and ruffled my ears. She scooped me up and I could hear her heart beating as fast as mine.

"He's not really what I was looking for, but maybe I'll take him anyway."

She looked in my eyes and I realised I'd been given a second chance. And I knew I had to make this life count. Life is not a dress rehearsal - it's the real thing, with more twists and turns than a country mile.

So, from that day I've made it my business to understand people, and to help them where I can. That's why I'm here. So I can help you too!

Learning: Never give up hope. Believe in miracles. Focus on a specific positive outcome as though your life depends upon it - because maybe it does. See that outcome as though it has already happened. And when you get that outcome, give thanks, be grateful and give back!