Is Your Energy Causing Your Dog's Anxiety/Aggression?

We all know the dog trainers who preach that “your energy” is causing your dog’s anxiety or aggression. This week’s video challenges you to reframe what you think about your energy causing your dog’s bad behavior through Jenna’s personal storytime on dealing with an aggressive dog she had growing up.
Next, WATCH:
“____”
“____”
“____”
Get a FREE Reactive Dog Case Study HERE: mailchi.mp/9051891745ab/react...
Get Your FREE List of 50 Enrichment Activities HERE: mailchi.mp/0df8c883e11e/50-ty...
Do you have a dog dealing with anxiety? Is your dog reactive to dogs, people, or sounds? Maybe your dog is dealing with aggression. Or perhaps your dog has separation anxiety. Then you might be the right fit for my signature program, The Recovering Rover Program. In the RRP, we coach you on how to treat your dog’s mental health. The program is open for enrollment in March, June, and September. To find out more, go to www.getacalmdog.com/
Join my Email list for even MORE free training tips, promos about the RRP, and to be in the Dog Liaison community.
mailchi.mp/8fc2973c78eb/join-...
Follow me on Instagram @dog_liaison / dog_liaison
Like me on Facebook / dogliaison
Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell on KZbin!
Disclaimers: Jenna Romano is not a veterinarian. Always consult a veterinarian before giving your dog any food. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Jenna Romano will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this video including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death to you or your dog. This video is not instructional. This video is for entertainment purposes only.

[@floopowder79]

Fear is energy. Everything is energy.

[@patmunro3531]

So your fear isn't your energy? I'd say it was. As a predator a dog can read that. When my GSD was 15 months old, winter in northern Scotland, covid around, so the foot paths were not scraped or salted. Last walk midnight, I was terrified of slipping, we did this walk all year, but my fear travelled down the leash. She knew I was afraid, but not why. She started lunging at the shadows cast by the street lights. Many a tobogganing trip for me, I always managed to grab a tree, or the fence. Never fell or dropped the leash. Then spring, and calm midnight walks.

[@annatetiad.4991]

Love your videos - I too, hate clowns. It does come down to building confidence so our dogs feel safe. Reconditioning to the fact that "nothing is going to happen" instead of getting our bodies ready for the "fight or flight" that may have happened in the past.

[@lisaomalley160]

Many thanks to you and the other trainers out there who are trying to undo the damage done to so many dogs and dog owners by all the nonsense that has been out out there over the last couple of decades. I really hope proper techniques and correct information can become the norm and things can turn around for the better.

[@michelleborchardt199]

YESSSSsssss! The term “energy” is used when a trainer isn’t sophisticated enough to point out human and dog body language that changes during an interaction. The trauma of a dog attack erodes trust between dog and humans. You can’t just “turn off” fear because you want to! This is classic victim blaming. Instead of assisting a client with ways to work through these issues via understanding dog body language, the use of tools such as muzzles, and appropriate interactions to rebuild the bond - the person is told “stop doing that”. It’s horrid. Thank you for discussing this important portion of desensitization that occurs on the other end of the leash.

[@allisonwieser7296]

Yes! This reminds me of the book "The Body keeps the Score" that talks about how our body stores trauma. Your experience is a good example of how your body responds to trauma triggers.

[@louisamae8897]

The way you've converted trauma into education is incredible. Thank sooo much from all the people and dogs you help.

[@Bruno_LEsperance]

This is the first time I finally hear someone pointing out what is the biggest problem about Cesar Millan (I know you did not actually named him and he is not the only one). Usually people point things like: he uses aversive, he scared dogs, he gives harsh corrections, etc. The biggest problem is really the fact that his technique does not transfer well to the dog owner. Be calm and asertive is way more difficult to execute in practice than something like: practice loose leash walking indoor in a calm environment first. Also, he seems to think that the average dog owner is able to read their dog's body language properly which in my opinion is far from being the case. It is not all bad, I still watch some of his videos and I do like: "No touch, no talk, no eye contact" when meeting anxious, fearful or overly excited dogs. That is something clear and easily transferable. Anyhow, thanks for the video. Happy traininig.

[@florafaunafarmsanctuary]

I think maybe you are confusing what they are saying though. What you explained, is what they mean when they say energy. As a biologist who specializes in captivity induced stress and works with all species of animals in captive environments, I try to explain to people how their energy impacts animals all the time, because that energy is scientific. It is the physiological response that humans struggle to understand but animals smell, see, feel, hear. Energy is just the laymen’s term most people understand and without trying to also make them biologists that understand the science behind it in 5 minutes.

[@n.aioli3950]

when i clicked on this video, i was expecting u to talk about energy vs body language when it comes to dog training. i didnt expect u to talk about peoples feelings being dismissed when they have dog aggression related trauma. i can tell ur a pro at what u do. i got a lot of insight from this video.

[@michelewood925]

They aren’t demonizing it. They are pointing out that they feel you being anxious and makes them react. That’s a fact. From experience my dog knows when I’m stressed and reacts accordingly. No one is blaming anyone, just telling you to be mindful of your body language.

[@pittymama4500]

So do you have any videos available for viewing with you working with these tough cases? You seem so confident about what you're saying so it would just be nice to see it in action.

[@ginasalinas300]

I don't know if you have any experience with anxiety but that's what you're describing here causes anxiety so you were feeling exactly what your old pet was. You are a beautiful soul

[@organicintelligence3137]

I appreciate this sooo much! Thank You it’s brilliant 🤩🙏🏻🐾💜🐾🐾💚🐾

[@creatingidssucks8719]

Legend! Thanks for sharing your hurtful past and even more for all your work and info you put out

[@matt212194]

Thanks for all of your hard work, thanks to you and your videos I've been able to quickly take care of aggression between my new puppy and older two dogs and he should be able to stay with us!

[@JotaTondi]

Back then when I started working as trainer, I used to preach those things and I used to filter everything through that woo woo stuff, and up until this day... it kinda makes sense for a minute but then I go like "this is BS.. stop!".

[@virginiabernal3184]

Thank you very much ❤👍👍👍👍

[@cjdflkj]

I think you are unknowingly misrepresenting what those trainers are saying and teaching.

[@redhatpat9387]

I still love your videos! I am currently a member of a FB group for owners of Fearful/Reactive dogs. This very topic came up today and I remembered that you had made this vid, so I posted a link there. I will try to come back and let you know how it was received. <3