Thanks to my lifetimes experience with animals l have acquired a unique perspective on their behaviours and how to understand and get on with them..

In my book “13 reflections” I explain this and I invite you to learn from and to enjoy my experiences. I explain what to look out for and how to get the best from your time spent with these “foreigners”, with their own habits and customs.

Your understanding of animals will improve and you will no longer fear them. You will be better able to read their body language and therefore your training skills will improve. You will be better informed on the issues surrounding animal welfare and be in a position to form your own opinion on this subject. In short, you will learn a lot more about animals and animal behaviour.

Here is an overview of the  ‘13 commandments’.

Have fun!
1 Animal Reflection – to know your animal is to know yourself

By looking more closely at our animals we come to a better understanding of ourselves. You get honest feedback and insight about how you deal with life and your (un)conscious feelings.

2. Your animal is a foreigner with its own language and habits and customs.

Be a guide and an interpreter for animals.

3. Allow an animal to be itself within the limits imposed by our society and take responsibility for your animal’s health and welfare. Your concern for your animal is a measure of your own worth.

Respect the basic needs of your animal companion: territory, hunting instinct, sexual drive and social contact, these basic needs are the driving forces that motivate your animal’s behaviour. Put physical, emotional and social wellbeing first and foremost!

4. To be civilised is to have respect for the animal kingdom… vote for animal rights.

Animals are alive and have rights whether or not they are of use to mankind. Lend your voice to the animals so that people can hear them.

5. Be a true coach and a natural leader for animals. Are you able to be as altruistic as they are?

Build a partnership instead of attempting to tame, dictate and force. Be a good parent but one deserving of respect.

6. Undesirable behaviour is not always problem behaviour. It all depends on your point of view.

It is all a question of communication. Never trust your pet to guard your sandwich!

7. Every animal follows its own learning curve. Individuality must be respected. Friendship and becoming partners is important and with mutual respect much can be achieved.

When we are working with animals everything comes down to trust, respect, emotions, motivation, the learning process and distribution of basic tasks. The animal must be open to humans and happy in its environment. Training is best done in a relaxed manner with respect for the needs of the animal and taking care to honour the mutual bond between you. This will promote learning in a way that the force can never do.

8. Reward and encourage desired behaviour, ignore or punish unwanted behaviour in a way that the animal understands.

Mutual respect is the basis for communication and training. Remember there are two sides to every coin, both equal in merit. Use the language of the animals.

9. If you can train a terrier type (character) you can train anything.

Mutual respect and appreciation of the individual identity of the animal must always be the basis of any contact. Choose an animal that is compatible with your own character.

10. When we talk about professional training the key word has to be education. Learning how to fish is more important than just catching a fish. Are you or do you aspire to be a real professional and not just a ‘wanna be?’ Are we living in Hollywood or in the real world? What counts most, your own ego or really making a difference to an animal? Are you really an animal lover? Take responsibility for yourself and your decisions.

11. An animal is neither a product nor a mechanical device. Anyone who still labours under this delusion requires enlightenment.

An animal is not a device; they have real emotions and cannot therefore be considered as mere objects.

12. Animals live in the present tense, in the here and now

Enjoy life, guilt free, open minded and conscious of the moment you are living NOW.

13. A holistic viewpoint – Back to Basics

Not a black and white – one size fits all approach but a view that looks at the whole and the cause (not the symptoms), taking into account the environment, nature and the inner self of the individual.

More about the book on https://www.toscanzahoeve.be/winkel/13-reflecties-dieren-inge-pauwels/

Order and read the book of 13 reflections now and give us your opinion below.

What do you think of the ‘13 commandments’ for understanding and living comfortably with domesticated animals? Which reflection do you think the most important of the thirteen? Let us know by commenting below.