Did you know that January is National Unchain A Dog Month
While most of us would never physically chain our dogs, I’m reminded restrictions don’t just come from chains.
Psychologically, yes chaining dogs is very harmful to them. It’s restricting. It usually leads to aggression, insecurity, frustration, anxiety, fear, and mental decline. Chained dogs feel restricted physically and emotionally. But not all “chains” are metal.
Though I know you all get it and don’t actually chain your dogs, lets think about how we “unchain” the non-metal chains for our loved pets.
* We can “unchain” our expectations of our dogs. Let them be who they are and not label them as “stubborn” or “reactive”. Those labels limit a dogs expression and tell the dog thats who we want them to be! They feel our energy when we use those terms.
* “The invisible chain” Sometimes even our loved house dogs feel restricted emotionally, mentally or energetically when their voices, requests, needs, and emotions aren’t heard or correctly understood.
* We can give them “freedom”. Let them choose where to walk, when to leave the house with use and when not to. We can honor their preferences to food, space, routines, and touch. Communication is the bridge that allows choice. And we need to be willing to listen.
When we communicate with our dogs and open ourselves up to what they are trying to communicate with us, we “unchain” their voices. When that happens something
Shifts for them and for us.
I am so grateful so many of you already live understand the value is keeping our dogs off physical chains. Our dogs deserve more than a life tied to a chain, physically or metaphorically.
If possible, please help an organization that unchain dogs. There are many. They provide large kennels and doghouses for the dogs. You can help through your time, a donation, or by spreading awareness. So many dogs ARE truly chained and even just doing one thing, one time, may help a chained dog become “unchained” and live a life that is more free.
