5 questions to ask to better understand your rescue dog’s emotional needs
Every rescued dog carries a unique emotional story.
Here are 5 questions to ask your new rescued dog to help them intuitively open up to you so you can better understand their emotional needs, triggers, and glimmers, and help them relax into their new life with you.
Dear Intuitive One,
Helping rescue dogs who have faced adversity and hardship tell their stories is one of my favorite parts of offering animal communication. Giving these special dogs the chance to share their fears, feelings, and needs and actually be heard, often for the first time in their life, fills my heart to the brim.
Giving rescue dogs the chance to finally be heard
Many of the rescued dogs I have communicated with over the past two decades have shared in their first session that it was the first time they had ever been given the chance to safely express themselves and share what they feel and need
In these first conversations, some dogs jump right into the intuitive conversation process without hesitation, as if it is the most natural thing in the world for them. They chat up a storm, sharing all about what their life was like before, what they are curious about now, and their hopes and wishes for the adventures that lie ahead.
However, just as many arrive at their first session, shut down, often still experiencing varying degrees of fight, flight, freeze, fawn, or flop. And these dogs… tend to share very carefully, relaying only the bare bones of what is necessary to start, until they know for certain they are safe.
And when I’m lucky enough to work with these dogs over the course of several months, like in my package for rescued dogs, it is beyond heartwarming to witness these dogs open up. And when they do, they start talking about their wishes for future adventures, and what food and activities they are curious to try, and even start to open up and share soulful things, like what they feel their purpose is in this life.
To help your newly rescued dog know they are physically, emotionally, and intuitively safe with you, here are 5 questions I recommend asking them in your first animal communication session with them…
5 Questions to ask your rescued dog to help them feel safe, seen, and understood
1. What kind of things help you feel safe?
I’ve heard such beautiful answers to this question from the rescued dogs I’ve supported over the years. And every time their answers remind me that every dog (and their needs) is unique. For example, some dogs have shared that they need quiet or stillness for a while to feel safe, and on the other side of the spectrum, some have shared that they need more play, silliness, or walks to help them integrate their past experiences and land in their new home. One dog even asked if their new person could take them to get a DQ Vanilla Cone, because in their last home, that was something that always got when everything was alright. :)
2. What aspects of your new routine help you feel secure?
This is such a cool question to ask your new dog friend because it helps you start to see the world through their eyes, which is profoundly bonding and validating your pet. It also helps you build a life with your new dog friend that works for both of you.
3. What do you need from me when you feel afraid, unsure, or shut down?
I love this question so much because it helps you shift from assuming to asking. And in my own personal experience with one of my rescued dogs, everything changed for the better when I asked her this question. Her response helped me know exactly what she wanted in situations she found challenging. She told me exactly what she needed to shift out of the frozen states she would enter when she felt afraid. She requested I remind her of her sillybilly superpowers with presence and a little playfulness. And when she truly understood, I heard her and her needs; she opened her heart in ways I never thought would be possible with her.
4. What do you consider to be your triggers?
Asking this gives your new dog friend the chance to share what kind of situations, fragrances, postures, or ways people use their presence that trigger bad memories from their past. This will help you help them feel safe going forward.
5. What are your glimmers?
Glimmers are the opposite of a trigger and can invoke positive, joyful, loving feelings. Asking your dog this question will help you know what kinds of things feel familiar and good to your dog friend. Like a good things from their previous home that you can try to recreate to help them feel safe with you and in your home (like the dog I mentioned, who asked for a DQ Vanilla Cone).
Every rescue dog carries a unique emotional story
Animal communication can help you understand your dog’s emotional needs and personality so you can respond with the presence and love your new friend needs right now.
Check out my Animal communication for rescued dogs and see if this work is right for you and your new dog freind.
"I just had my first session with Joanna for my dog Lina. A rescue from Mexico. I learned so much about my dog and what I could do for her to help her be strong and grow into the best dog ever.
This session has helped me and my new dog move forward into the future together."
-Jayme - via Google reviews
