We’re huge fans of Cesar Millan and watch his shows anytime we can. Today I watching an episode that I had seen before; however, I heard these words for the first time: our body language and energy are the two most important things we have when working with dogs. So, immediately I began to take notice of my own. My body posture was not that good and my energy was not that great so I changed my posture and felt an instant positive shift in my energy. I started to pay greater attention to this episode. Cesar was trying to get a dog that was apprehensive about getting on a treadmill to become comfortable doing the task. He said that he had visualized the dog already doing the task and projected that energy. How many times have you heard that if you just visualize yourself doing something, then pretty soon, you’ll accomplish it? Cesar also noticed that the dog was not getting enough exercise, which led to her pent up energy. Once the dog was exercised, her mind was able to get focused and the extra energy was released. At the end of the episode, the dog owner was able to become the leader of the pack and everyone in the family was relaxed, happy and content. Within a TV hour, the “misbehaving” dog learned how to respect her owner, play well with others and become calm and happy. The dog changed primarily because the owner changed. Cedar said dogs want to be free, relaxed and calm. I believe that people also want to be free, relaxed and calm. However, people overanalyze everything and thus, slowly change. We get stuck in our energy patterns (aka beliefs), chase our own tails and all the while wonder why things are not changing. Our beliefs and environments contribute to our “sameness”. We become the “misbehaving dog.” So I wondered: How can I learn to be more like the calm, relaxed and happy dog? Well, I observed the following:

1. Sometimes it is necessary to change your environment to change your energy and your mind.
2. Be around people who also believe in you (i.e., Cesar believes all dogs are good dogs and holds no pre-conceived notions about any of them).
3. Regular exercise is important.
4. Good posture directly impacts your energy so be aware of it at all times.
5. Respect yourself if you want respect from others. This includes establishing boundaries with others. (e.g. the Rescue Dog owner established a boundary that dog was not allowed on bed unless invited.)
6. Feeling sorry (Pity) for someone does not help them get over their challenges. Rescue Dog owner felt guilty when telling the formerly abused dog that it could not have something.
7. Live in the present moment and move forward with love and respect (for yourself and others) while actively seeking and visualizing the positive results that you want.

Now I need to say that I get a lot of support from my husband and family, it’s just that sometimes I find myself chasing my own tail. In other words, just acting like a human. Do you find yourself relating to situations presented by Cesar Millan?? Please share.