A poster from Facebook asked: I have a dog that’s always been jealous! She’s been ok and didn’t bite the dog we got in January from a rescue, but when she got on my lap she always barked. Then when she would get down she would want the dogs attention. Well now we got a male yellow lab, (others are both females), she’s really jealous of him with the female and with me. She stays away from him and when he plays with the one female she barks and sometime snips at him. If I’m there I will always say be nice and she watches me like she knows. I’ve tried to play with her and him alone to get her to play with him and she ignores him. Anything I can do to stop her jealousy? I will not get rid of the lab!

 

I know I saw this post at some point, so I am glad to finally answer it. When I only had my conventional veterinary training, I would often be very frustrated by behavior problems. The holistic philosophy has taught me that there is an underlying vibrational imbalance that causes most problems and the healing goal is to resolve that imbalance with treatments selected for that individual animal. Then I tried to treat all behavior problems with homeopathy and it did not always work. To better understand this perspective, read the first few chapters of Don Hamilton’s Homeopathic Care of Cats and Dogs or the few pages in my book, the Healthy Animal’s Journal. Now that the multitude of holistic modalities is available, I can tell you to never give up. Try one after the other, and record the changes with each.

I would recommend a gentle trainer, especially one using clicker training (very positive) or learn clicker training yourself. I would get videos and books on Tellington T-touch or take a training or go to a TTouch practitioner who can teach you different techniques.

Flower essences are often very successful for emotional issues, so check out flower essence companies that have combinations for animals includiing spirit Essences; Anaflora.com; GreenHopeEssences.com; petessence.com. Many other companies with single remedies can help you select essences. They are totally safe. Try one for awhile, then another. Or Bach Flowers are readily available. Start with the Rescue Remedy and a book to help select any others (holly, honeysuckle, impatience, etc).

Reiki is also totally safe and very effective for emotional issues. Once you have been attuned, sit daily for 10-20 or more minutes (however long it “draws”, offering Reiki to all the living beings in your home.

Now, if you would learn to muscle test/pendulum/dowse, etc or have someone do it for you – choosing the best treatment from the start will be easier. Or just start with one and move to the next.