ALERT STAGES: UNDERSTANDING YOUR ANIMALS FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE

In my communication sessions I will sometimes talk to a client about theiranimal companion's sensory experience. I do this to help them become aware that while they are sharing an experience with their companion, their experience is not the same as their companions due to the advanced capability of his or her senses. For example; a horse can hear sounds up to 4km away. If you are trial riding with your horse, he or she could easily experience and react to a sound that you can not hear. 


 When speaking of you animals experience and their level of reaction to the experience during an intuitive communication session I like to explain it as three stages or levels of alert. 
 

YELLOW ALERT: Yellow alert is as close to your companions normals state of being. At this level your companion may be experiencing minor stress, and is able to connect with you and engage in activities.

ORANGE ALERT: Your companion moves from yellow to orange alert when additional stressors are added to their experience. For example: your companion is interacting with you in a crowded show ring and they are in yellow alert and mostly comfortable. Then loud music begins playing and your companion is sensitive to loud noises, the added stress puts your animal in a higher alert state. At this stage your animal is still able to connect with you but much less focused and may appear agitated.

RED ALERT:  This is the last level of alert before your animal companions flight or fight response is triggered. When your companion is in red alert you will see extreme stress signs anxiety even aggressive behaviors. In red alert the question is not will your animal's flight or fight response be triggered but when.  

It is important to be aware of your companion moving through these stage of alertness because you want to be able to give him or her information via in-the-moment-message-sending, a technique outlined in previous newsletters as well as in my book, Beyond Companionship. You may also want to employ a positive training tool or technique before the flight or fight instinctual response is triggered. The higher up the level of alert your animal is experiencing less effective any method of connecting you try will be.  Once the flight or flight switch has been flipped on your animal is only reacting and will not be able to connect with you in a conscious or controlled way until the adrenaline has moved through his or her system and s/he has calmed down.
 

It is important to be consciously aware of these different levels of alert, and what is feels like in the for both you and your companion as s/he moves through them. Use your awareness of these different stages going forward as a tool to improve your level of connectivity.  The hustle and bustle of the holidays is often stressful for companion animals and will be a perfect time to practice awareness of your companions level of alertness. 

I would love to answer any questions you have, leave them below in the comments and I will respond as soon as possible.