It’s opening day for the new Star Wars movie.
If I could I would sneak off today and go see the movie. Looks like I’ll have to wait until this weekend.
BUT…. I will share with you a real Jedi Mind Trick I use on dogs everyday.
You may be thinking “This guy is kidding around. I have more important stuff to do than read about some stupid, made up story. He’s probably going to just try and sell me something anyway.”
Leave now and never learn young padawan.
Or stay and learn how to control your dog without touching or talking to your dog.
I meet and work with dozens of dogs every week. And every time I walk through the door two things happen.
I am judged by the human and I am judged by the dog.
I am judged by the human who is skeptical about my ability to help them. Which is the correct thing to do. I may have been referred to them but before they part with their money they want to make sure they made the right decision to hire me.
The dog will do what dogs do. Most of them are excited that I am there and their behavior is chaotic and uncontrollable. They usually jump on me, lick my face, stuff their nose in my crotch, you know, normal, excitable dog behavior.
This is where I start to use my Jedi Mind Tricks on the dog. I need the dog to calm down as fast as possible without touching, talking or looking at the dog.
With most dogs, especially after the first visit, the dog will calm down immediately and most of my clients that I have worked with will agree with this.
So, how do I get an out of control, off the hook to calm down. I do it using a concept called…
….spatial pressure.
Spatial pressure works well with dogs because they have an innate desire to please other members of a social group. This doesn’t work too well with cats.
Spatial pressure is how you position your body. It is how you interact with the dog. Often when I am interacting with the dog for the first time I am subtly claiming the dog’s personal space and using body language to also apply spatial pressure.
This is NOT done to intimidate the dog. This is done to start establishing rapport with the dog and to show that I am the one in control.
Dogs do this to each other all the time. Watch as two dogs meet and you’ll see them applying spatial pressure, especially in groups of dogs.
Once you learn to use spatial pressure your dog will look to you as the leader and respond to your commands much better.
Here is the important point to remember. I have to be careful using this with certain dogs. Using spatial pressure on a dog that has gone to the Dark Side can result in getting bit.
And in case you’re wondering, I have messed up using spatial pressure.
I share some more about spatial pressure in tomorrow’s information packed, highly entertaining, fun filled email.
And before you take off to go watch The Force Awakens you can take advantage of the Holiday Special I put together for you.
Peace,
Eric