I've decided to work with a Pet Communicator with Shoshi on her fear factors. First I should say that Shoshi is clearly the Alpha Female in our home, she has no trouble pushing the boys around. Unfortunately, she has these bizzare fears. For example, when I go to dust a room and she sees the dust cloth she runs to the bedroom and won't come out. She's never been hit or anything like that and I doubt that she thinks I'm going to ask her to help cleaning, but as soon as I start she runs to the bedroom. It doesn't even have to be a cloth, it can be the feather duster, or anything. Recently I purchased our very first vaccum cleaner-oddly enough, that doesn't bother her!!! But if I dare move furniture around she scampers off to the bedroom, when I bought the holiday decorations out (moving something new-the box of decorations) she hid in the bedroom. This is just awful as I want her to take part in things but more importantly, I want her to feel safe in her home.

In addition to that, she's terrified of the wind and rain. The poor thing will actually shiver in fear sometimes. It just breaks my heart. If it happens at night then I'm up all night holding her and talking to her hoping she can focus on my voice and not the noises outside. I know some would say I coddle her, I'm sure I do but so far just acting like everythings ok and lets 'be happy' didn't get me far and I refuse to watch her in terror and not do anything!

So Friday we will get our first communication. The lady wants me to think of my most important questions and have them ready. I want to know why she is so afraid and what can be done so that she feels safe and secure in her own home. Does that seem like a good start? I want to know how I can build her confidence. I also want to make sure she knows how much I love her. Does anyone else have any suggestions? The lady said its ok for the boys to be in the room but would you recommend that or suggest they stay in one of the bedrooms while she 'talks' to Shoshi?

And lastly, what should my expections be from our first communications.

Many thanks,
Rosa

Rosa - I will be anxious to hear how it goes! I do know lots of people use them with very good results. I think your question is good - that's exactly what you want and need to know. I think I would let her speak to the communicator without the boys being there. No fun spilling your guts if the whole world is listening!!

Have you ever tried a thundershirt on her? My parents had a lab years ago who was also terrified of storms. I bought some drops at the health food store and when it would start to storm, they would put a couple of drops under her tongue. It really reduced her anxiety.

Good luck and I hope Shoshi opens up to the communicator!

Kris, thank you for reminding me about that shirt...I think the one I saw was called and Anexity Wrap??? I need to order one of those....I think its still saved on this work computer.

Gosh, I hope Shoshi is in a talking mood....humm...thats a scary thought, what if she won't open up??? No, I guess thats just me worrying....I'm sure she'll have tons to say.

I think putting the boys in the bedroom is a good idea. That way it will be all about her (just the way she likes things). I can hardly wait to hear what she says....gee, I hope she likes me!!! I just realized, I likely drive her crazy sometimes just looking at her and telling her how precious she is, etc..

OMG, I just realized she could really blackmail me...she knows all my thoughts and now I'm giving her a way to tell someone lol....I better stop at the petstore on the way home and stock up on treats

Hope this goes well for you! Please keep us informed. I have never put much stock in animal communicators but some swear by them and they may be right.

What is a pet communicator? Is this like an animal psychic? Do they communicate via spiritual channels or simply have an ability to understand animals? Just curious.

I look forward to reading what the communicator gets out of the visit.
I agree,the thundershirt is a good one to add to the wardrobe.

I did this one time. Very interesting what she "saw" in such a short period of time. Not the person you are seeing that I am talking about. Someone totally different.

I think this was a big guru in it: http://www.animaltalk.net/

I used one that was so specific, it was scary. He said my Bella wanted to know why I wanted her to sit up. I was like whaaaaaa??? And he said she keeps showing me you telling her to sit straight. It hit me, it was in obedience classes, during the sit stay she would hunch way down so her head was halfway to the floor and it looked so uncomfortable that I would try to get her to straighten up, and look pretty (eek! I was like a Toddler and Tiara mom!). So after that I would tell her to sit up, she would do it, give me a look and end up hunching after a bit! Creepy. He did a lot of things for my dogs and others, but he is no longer doing it anymore.

With the other dogs in the house, they can still "talk" to the communicator no matter where they are. Again, my guy was talking to people at a seminar he did to help Anna, and Bruno kept interrupting him. So he wasn't there to talk to Bruno, but Bruno wanted to be heard. He looked over at him and said, "I know!" at one point so whatever it was, Bruno was happy that he understood.

I know I sound like a loon and well, that ship sailed a long time ago. So be it!

I hope it works for you, Rosa. I have found a good communicator is a nice short cut to working on some difficult behaviors.

You don't sound like a loon at all. I believe there are people who have a special connection with animals and understand them. Heard quite a few times about communicators and was curious. Thank you for the examples. That is fascinating.

Sorry OP, I hope you don't mind. I don't mean to change the direction of the thread. I hope your girl will find peace. They are so close to our hearts, aren't they and it is so desperate when we know they are trying to say something but we can't understand what. I hope you will get to the bottom of her anxiety about these specific issues. Yes, please keep us posted.