Becoming the Alpha-Female as I Become the Authority of Myself

The Top House dogs are settling down after a hectic barking and howling session here at the Desteni farm. I am not used to being with so many dogs in one place, and so I have been working with them and learning from the others how to direct and support them throughout all the challenges the day presents.

I am alone for a while with all 6 dogs while my housemates are out (honoured that they trusted me to take care of the pups!), and so it was up to me to step in and stop the barking session. I yelled from the porch to no avail, so i decided to get closer.

I noticed that as I become more and more flustered within the noise and the movement, I had absolutely no effect with the pups. In fact it seemed to become only louder and more exciting for them as I struggled!

It was only after I took a breath within all the choas, and found a calm and stable place within myself from which to speak, that I was able to beak through the excitement, and direct all 6 dogs to let it go and settle down again. A kind of 'snapping them out of it' as I tried different tonalities and techniques until I found one that worked.

Instead of being overwhelmed and drawn in to the excitement and chaos, the dogs challenged me to practice my self-authority, and to then be that authority to assist and support them to also make the decision to come back out from their programmed pack-mentality, and back to a place of stability.

Never a dull moment here at the farm, and I am grateful for every second of it!