Does it matter if Your Animal is a Pack Animal or a Solitary?
- Kirsten Ivatts
- Apr 30, 2015
- 3 min read
Knowing if your animal is naturally a pack, solitary or herd animal is very important when it comes to figuring out training methods, behaviour issues and just general day to day handling and understanding.
We have a tendency to just expect animals to fit into our human way of doing things. if they don't conform they are punished or forced. This can cause so many problems, even when done unintentionally.
Let's consider a common dog problem, that of the barking dog, who drives the neighbours mad. You want to let your dog have free rein of the garden, go in and out as he pleases, but his barking is causing problems. The dog isn't trying his best to annoy all and sundry, so what is he doing?
Let's start by considering the dog as a wild animal, a pack animal, and also a hunter. If you (the pack member) are not aware of someone passing by, whether that be human, another dog, horse or car, then your dog is just doing his bit for the pack, letting you know that someone is passing. Who knows whether that 'other' is coming to gain new territory, or to steal your food, or even mate with your females!
You will also find some dogs just bark incessantly when out, but this is usually caused by them being cut off from the pack. Perhaps they are kenneled alone outdoors, or have been in the past. The dog is then communicating to the pack that he is lost. You can't find him if he doesn't let you know, rather unhappily, where he is. This is a stress response.
Can you see how thinking as a pack with your dog helps you to monitor how he is, what he is thinking and how to train and handle him?
It is the same with any animal. If you get into their mindset, instead of expecting them to understand yours, training goes far more smoothly and behaviour problems can be ironed out more quickly. AND the animal understands what is expected from him!
It is also important to recognise if your pet is a hunter or prey animal. Prey animals, like horses for instance (also herd animals because there is safety in numbers), will tend to spook at something that looks shadowy, or moves quickly, because they have a flight instinct. Building up a good relationship with a horse can help it to be better out on its own, and this needs to be done with some understanding of the needs of a prey animal that also naturally has the help and support of the herd. Asking horses to ride out alone is often essential for us, but is very unnatural behaviour for the horse. Building trust, respect and showing support and understanding really helps your horse to beable to ride out alone without becoming a danger to you both.
Animals work very much on an energetic level. They pick up emotions, and read them based on their own way of thinking. Using EFT as well as being thoughtful and understanding in the handling process, helps you and your pet to support each other, and to gain a closer and much more enjoyable relationship.
You might not speak the same language, but energy is universal. Tapping into energy gives a huge advantage when dealing with any animal!
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