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What is my pet telling me?

The FBI Investigation Method

Understanding your pet can be challenging at times! We'll guide you in reflecting on your feelings, behavior, and intentions (FBI) towards your pet to improve communication with them. Part 1 of 15.

A vector illustration inside an aubergine, paper-textured, magnifying glass, on a large mystic green, paper-textured rectangle, of Lilac, a small juvenile white mutt dog with short white fur and long ears, staring at you with her tongue out and a happy look.

The FBI Investigation Method

If you have a pet family or interact with pets in your community, you've wondered what they're trying to tell you! How often do you get frustrated with your pet for something they did or because you don't know what they want? Since people and pets communicate primarily with body language, how can you understand your pet?

With that in mind, we created the FBI (Feelings, Behavior, and Intentions) investigation method for you. With this method, we challenge you to:

  • Reflect on your feelings and what you think your pet is feeling;
  • Be conscious of your behavior and observe how your pet reacts;
  • Reflect on your intentions. Would you like to change this situation/behavior, and why?

 Let's get started!


  • In a large horizontal light aubergine rectangle, there are three head icon illustrations. On the first head icon there is an atomic tangerine heart in the brain area and a white magnifying glass around the heart, and the head has a dark atomic tangerine contour. The second head has a light grey cog in the brain area, and the head has a dark grey contour. On the third head, there is a dark grey target on the brain area, and the head has a dark grey contour.

 Feelings

How do I feel about this situation/ behavior? How do I think my pet feels?

Try looking at a situation and your pet as if it were for the first time, without the filter of judgment and past experiences. Do you think differently?

We cannot tell how our pets feel because they understand the world around them differently. Practicing reflection and empathy toward your pet, can help you understand your pet's language more accurately. 

  • In a large horizontal light aubergine rectangle, there are three head icon illustrations. On the first head icon there is a dark grey heart in the brain area, and the head has a dark grey contour. On the second head there is a dark mystic green cog in the brain area and a white magnifying glass around the cog, and the head has a dark mystic green contour. On the third head there is a dark grey target on the brain area, and the head has a dark grey contour.
Behavior

How are my feelings affecting my behavior? How is my pet behaving?

The behavior is situational: it happens in a specific moment and place. It does not define the individual, you, or your pet. As long as there’s room to choose, there’s always room for change and improvement. 

It is essential to look at the context when evaluating behaviors as it influences interpretation. Try different approaches to your challenge. The more flexible you are, the more clues you will gather while investigating your pet's language. 

  • In a large horizontal light aubergine rectangle, there are three head icon illustrations. On the first head icon there is a dark grey heart in the brain area, and the head has a dark grey contour. On the second head there is a dark grey cog in the brain area, and the head has a dark grey contour. On the third head there is a night snow blue target on the brain area and a white magnifying glass around the target, and the head has dark night snow contour.

Intentions

What are my intentions? What do I want to change and why? 

Intentions guide you towards becoming the person you want to be and living the life you want. They are connected to purpose and guide you towards achieving your goals. 

Define your intentions regarding your pet:

  • Do you want obedience or bonding with your pet? 
  • Do you want a “perfect” pet or a happy one? 
  • Do you want to feel in control or establish daily routines? 


That’s it! Observe your pet every once in a while; with time, most steps will become natural to you! Just remember, you’re always doing your best. Reflect on the situation and determine what you can do differently! 

Stay tuned for our next blog post. We’ll explore how your pet can give you clues about their feelings.

Thank you for reading!

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