I Hired an Animal Communicator – This Is What I Learned
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wish I knew my dogs knew how to speak English so I would know what they’re thinking.
Instead I am left trying to infer meaning from their body language and it’s totally a guessing game.
UPDATED: December 27, 2022
Do those kisses mean that Gretel loves me or just that it’s dinner time?
Does Chester’s starting and grumping mean he wants you to cover him with blankets or that he needs to go potty?
Note: Chester has left us since I wrote about this experience.
And what about Gretel’s anxiety? Was it simply that she was not properly socialized or did something traumatic happen to her before the dog flipper sold her to the people who later surrendered her to a rescue?
I recently met an animal communicator named Karen.
I had heard of animal communicators before but wasn’t really sure what they did.
Karen explained to me that animals communicate with each other using body language and telepathy – sending words, feelings or pictures by “thinking” them.
Some humans, whether it be through a natural “gift”, intuition, or training, can receive and send telepathic signals from animals.
On a whim, I thought I would give an animal communicator a try and this is what I learned.
What Does an Animal Communicator Do?
An animal communicator is a person who claims to have the ability to communicate with animals telepathically, or to sense and interpret the thoughts, emotions, and needs of animals.
Animal communicators may use a variety of techniques to communicate with animals, including telepathy, clairvoyance, or other forms of extrasensory perception.
They can do this in person with the pet but they can also communicate with an animal if they simply have a photo of them.
Animal communicators may work with animals to help them understand their needs or behaviors, or to help owners understand their pets better.
They may also work with animals who are experiencing behavioral problems, are stressed, or are sick or injured, in order to help them heal or to provide comfort.
Animal communicators are often called in to help locate their lost pets.
They can also help owners reconnect or address unanswered questions with a deceased pet.
What Happened When I Used an Animal Communicator: What I Learned
The animal communicator came to my house and spent over an hour talking with my two dogs and me.
Before each dog’s session, we discussed a few questions I had for them and then she sat still and closed her eyes to telepathically ask and receive the answers.
Afterward, we discussed what she learned from each of them.
I will note, I had only briefly met the animal communicator, Karen, once before this visit and we did not talk about anything personal.
She had never met my dogs before.
What Did Chester Have to Say?
Some of what the animal communicator told me Chester said to her made sense based on his personality.
However, some things were new and insightful.
Chester told her that “I am kind of the King but they don’t seem to recognize that”.
That is funny because, although Gretel is needy, Chester certainly does have an aloof and superior air about him.
I also suspect that he thinks his human parents aren’t very bright.
I bet Karen was right when she said that Chester feels like he is not served as much as he would like to be!
Chester said that it was no accident that he ended up coming with me when my roommate (his original owner) and I moved apart.
He thinks that he was meant to be in my life to be my teacher and Gretel’s teacher after she came to live with us.
I do believe that things happen for a reason, and know that him being in the household as a “mentor” was one of the primary reasons that the rescue chose us as Gretel’s forever home.
Chester said he is spoiled but he misses going places with me like he used to.
I used to take him everywhere when I was younger and always gallivanting around.
It’s often Gretel that goes with me now when I only take one dog. Maybe I should re-think that.
Chester is such a good boy (oh, you can be sure that he threw that one in there too but he said “very”) and I miss the ease of being out in public with just him.
I had asked Karen why in the heck he barks so much. It’s annoying.
Lately it doesn’t seem to matter if the “knocking” is me closing a cupboard or the UPS guy is coming up the steps – he goes absolutely nuts.
I was concerned it had to do with this old eyes or ears failing him (even thought the vet has checked him out and found nothing amiss).
Nope, Karen said he told her that he barks so much just because he likes to me heard.
It’s also a bit of a game for him because he doesn’t quite believe that no one is there and likes me to jump up and open the door to show him (he sure has me trained).
What Did Gretel Have to Say?
Unlike with Chester, I didn’t know where she came from.
She was a rescue and I had very little information about her life before me.
Gretel told Karen that her life started out in a happy place where she was being groomed or prepared for something and then an accident happened that upended her life.
Karen couldn’t tell if the “accident” was an illness, death, or injury but Gretel had to leave her home after it happened and things got bad for her.
The dog flipper that eventually got her and sold her for a profit was getting free dogs, and preying on people in unfortunate situations, on Craigslist to sell.
Perhaps Gretel’s first owner, or family members of that owner, were reaching out to people on Craigslist to rehome her and the dog-flipper snatched her up.
The “grooming” thing made me hopeful that Gretel came from a breeder and not a puppy mill but I have serious doubts.
She was clearly not socialized well when she was young and every reputable breeder I know puts in tireless effort to make sure their puppies are well adjusted and socialized.
So where she came from will remain a mystery but Karen did tell me that Gretel is so needy because she is afraid something bad will happen and she will have to leave our happy home – waiting for the other shoe to drop as the saying goes.
Gretel told Karen that she is very smart and likes to be appreciated for her beauty.
She felt like that was taken from her when she had to leave her home after the accident.
She wishes she had more opportunities to show us how smart she is.
While I have been trying to use nosework principles to challenge her around the house, I’m not very good and secretly hiding things from her.
I feel like the more that I challenge her the more she “rises to the occasion” and uses her mind to figure things out.
I want to see how smart she is because, so far, I haven’t found any limits. I am going to look for bigger and bigger challenges for her.
My Takeaway
I admit I was very skeptical of animal communicators, or pet psychics, because I have a very analytical brain and mostly shy away from woo-woo stuff.
Whether absolutely true or not, what the animal communicator shared with me about my dogs did change the way I look at them and I found value in that.
I started viewing some things that frustrated me in a different way – that my dog was trying to tell me something, not purposely be a pain in my butt.
I started looking at when behaviors happened, and what happened just before or after them, to try and figure out what they might mean.
In some circumstances, I was then able to change his experiences, and my communication with him, to try and achieve a more desired behavior.
After the animal communicator told me that part of Gretel’s anxiety was the fear that she would be taken from a family again, I started looking for ways that I could reassure her she was loved and was in a stable, forever environment.
The bottom line is that I’m happy that I tried an animal communicator and can see many reasons, and situations, where one might be helpful.
10 Reasons to Hire an Animal
Communicator
Here are 10 reasons I think it’s worth it to at least give an animal communicator a try.
1) To better understand your pet’s behavior
An animal communicator can help you understand why your pet is behaving a certain way, such as why they are destructive or anxious.
This can help you identify any underlying issues that need to be addressed and find ways to improve your animal’s quality of life.
2) To improve your pet’s health
An animal communicator can help you identify any health concerns your animal may have and work with you to address them.
They can also help you understand your animal’s perspective on their own health and well-being, which can be particularly helpful if your animal is resistant to medical treatment.
3) To strengthen the bond between you and your pet
By understanding your animal’s thoughts and feelings, you can build a deeper bond with them and improve your relationship.
An animal communicator can help you understand your animal’s needs and preferences, or help you see your pet in a new light, which can help you meet them more effectively and create a more harmonious household.
4) To facilitate the resolution of problems
An animal communicator can help you and your animal resolve conflicts or other problems that may arise.
For example, if you have multiple animals in your household, an animal communicator can help you understand their dynamics and find ways to improve their relationship.
5) To help you make decisions about your pet
An animal communicator can help you understand your pet’s perspective on various decisions, such as whether to move, change their diet, or bring a new animal into the household.
This can help you make informed decisions that are in the best interests of both you and your animal.
6) To provide support during difficult times
An animal communicator can offer support and guidance during times of stress or loss, such as when you are dealing with a sick or dying animal.
They can help you understand your animal’s perspective and offer comfort and support during these challenging times.
7) To help you find a lost pet
An animal communicator may be able to help you locate a lost animal by using their communication skills to connect with your animal and find out where they are.
8) To improve your pet’s training and behavior
An animal communicator can help you understand your pet’s perspective on training and behavior, which can help you find more effective ways to work with them.
They can also help you identify any underlying issues that may be contributing to problematic behavior.
9) To enhance your animal’s quality of life
By understanding your pet’s needs and preferences, you can create a more enriching and fulfilling life for them.
An animal communicator can help you identify ways to improve your pet’s quality of life and ensure that they are happy and healthy.
10) To provide a unique and enriching experience
Working with an animal communicator can be a unique and enriching experience for both you and your animal.
Who doesn’t wonder what their pet was thinking?
Gaining some insight can help you gain a deeper understanding of your pet and think of them in a new way.
Final Thoughts
I’m a very scientific-minded person and not into woo-woo stuff but I thought I would try a session with an animal communicator to see what I thought.
If nothing else, it would be fun to imagine I knew what my Dachshunds Chester and Gretel were really thinking.
Each communicator has a different style and “accuracy level” I am sure but I think it is valuable whether you are just doing it for fun or you believe wholeheartedly that certain people can communicate directly with animals.
Honestly, I’m not sure I believe if the animal communicator was really able to “talk” with my dogs but most of what she said she could not have known otherwise.
Yes, some of what she told me was general and could have been a guess but some of it felt personal and accurate.
My verdict on the whole animal communicator thing is that it is worth a try.
If nothing else, it’s a fun experiment for you or could be a unique gift for someone else.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Jessica. I’m a Dachshund sitter, President of the largest social Dachshund club in Washington State, a dog trainer in training, and I’ve been a Dachshund owner for 20 years. I have over 150,000 hours of experience with the breed. When I’m not working, you can find me hiking, camping, and traveling with my adventurous wiener dogs.
Very interesting. Seems she was pretty accurate on what they think.
I certainly feel like there were things she shared that could not have been “sussed out” from something I told her but that I made connections to. She checked in with Chester’s health and said he was healthy but his shoulder hurts sometimes from a previous injury. 4 or 5 years ago he fell down the stairs at our house and got hurt. He would squeal with pain every time he tried to get up and I was never sure if it was his back or shoulder (my vet surgeon neighbor examined him and prescribed crate rest. He got better). I am relieved to know it was his shoulder that hurt and not his back because that is a big deal for Dachshunds.
I did take Ruby to a short session at my local pet supply store, just for fun. I’ve always been pretty skeptical of animal communicators, especially after one came to a barn I worked at and told a bunch of people that their horses wanted other names. The woman told me that Ruby was worried about me, and asked if I took good care of myself – I said yes and thought that she was way off. The next day I nearly cut my finger off while working on my Halloween costume, so I thought that was pretty funny.
That’s not funny but funny about your finger. Related to your communicator/horse story: I have seen several naturopaths. The first lady literally looked at me and started humming and then gave a diagnosis. Look, I am not saying that doesn’t work for her but it certainly doesn’t work for me. I have one now that is more like a western doctor but used natural methods whenever possible. I think the key is finding someone that works with your personality type and within you belief system.
I had an animal communicator come as a novelty birthday gift for myself a few years ago. It turned out that she solved some behavior problems we had been having for years- behavior problems that I had spent over a thousand dollars on positive reinforcement trainers and behaviorists for and countless hours on trying to fix. She fixed the problem permanently, in two hours! I always tell everyone about my awesome experience; an animal communicator was the best money I have ever spent on anything for my pets, ever. So obviously I think finding a good one is always worth a try.
That is so cool. I mean, to be skeptical and then have it work so well. That just goes to prove that, although there are different skills and abilities, animal communication can be a great experience.
Love your article! I’ve consulted an animal communicator and definitely believe it can be very helpful. Most recently it helped with some of Jeffie’s anxiety issues.
That’s my biggest concern with Gretel too – her anxiety. Thanks for letting me know that it helped you and Jeffie.
I’m uncertain if I believe that animal communicators are getting direct messages from pets. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t very insightful and can open us up to new ideas. Sometimes a new person can see things about our relationships that we’re blind to.
Either way, it seems like you had a good experience. And it looks like you’re considering different ways you can make your already excellent relationship with Chester and Gretel even better.
Exactly Pamela! To me, it is more about the result than the method to get there. Do I feel like my relationship with Chester and Gretel has changed for the better since my experience? Yes? The neatest thing is that I have reconnected with Gretel’s owner before she went to the rescue (we had reconnected soon after the adoption when the dog flipper lady was exposed but then not talked) and we are going to meet in person! I am going to get to learn more about Gretel’s past before she came to me…which is totally awesome. Karen had nothing to do with that directly but it was my experience with her that led me to something great. That is a win for me and makes it totally worth it!
We used three animal communicator. Really impressed with the last one an we keep using her periodically.
Great to know that you have had success.
Intriguing. I had not considered engaging a pet communicator before, now I think a session would make an excellent gift (a pet stocking stuffer), too. I wonder what qualifications to look for in a communicator?
To be honest, I am not sure. I had never used one before because I was pretty skeptical. The meeting with Karen was by chance and I liked the way she explained what she did. I guess I would say go with someone who resonates with you and matches your personality. I looked around a little to learn more and definitely found some that seemed too “frou-frou” and over-promised in my book. I gravitate toward more logical explanations. I do know there are certifications for this but believe that some people naturally excel at animal communication so no formal training is not a deal breaker for me.
I have known Karen for some twenty years, and we are good friends. In summer she visited us down in Camas, Washington and had lunch. We have a cat who is rather skittish around visitors and always hides when others are around. I found it interesting that during Karen’s visit and lunch our cat did not hide and in fact sat right next to her the whole time, something he never does. To me, this is a rather good indication Karen really has a feel for animals and her work as a communicator is a very good use of her talents.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Interesting that you mention it too. Gretel is usually skittish around strangers too but she LOVED Karen. I knew she had a connection with her that she doesn’t with most peoole.
It’s a novel concept, for sure. Maybe something I’d like to try someday.
But more importantly, is that a little castiron iron I see in the background of Chester’s photo? My grandma had one that she used as a doorstop.
It is! I brought it from my Grandma’s house and figured I should give it a job 🙂 I also have a little Victorian boot made out of cast iron for one of our other doors.
I think a communicator would listen and listen to me and hear nothing but crickets. With an occasional “Huh??” Or “I have no idea what you want from me.”
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Ha! That is what I thought about Chester too. I suspect he feels he is above most humans and wouldn’t want to lower himself (I also suspect he speaks in a British accent). 🙂
Very interesting! We have met similar people before it would be fun to give it a try! Its almost sad that your dogs are wanting things you don’t know they need. Like Gretel being challenged, mom feels like that with me sometimes, she knows if she spent a little time and patience with me I could do all sorts of things. Love Dolly
I do know some about dog body language but I feel like “guessing what they are feeling” is a game most of the time. It was interesting that the communicator mentioned that Gretel wanted to be more challenged (like with agility or something) because I never mentioned to Karen that we had or would do something like that. Be careful what you ask for thought because I kind of knew that Gretel would love a challenge like agility but, as you said, have not set aside the time and made a solid effort at it. Now that I know she wants it I feel worse for not doing it 🙂
This is so interesting. I’m not sure I’m a believer but it sure would be fun to try and maybe be convinced. It’s interesting that she seemed to know a few things that you didn’t tell her. It definitely would make an interesting holiday gift for a dog lover.
I have been practicing animal communication for the last year or so. After hearing about it I was really interested but the skeptical part of me wasn’t ready to fully believe it. After going on a day workshop I got information that there was no way I could have known. Since then the readings have got progressively better and I’m hoping to do it full time soon. It is real folks 🙂
That’s an interesting idea to try it out for fun. I would think it would be interesting to see what my dog would have to say. I’ll have to consider trying that out sometime.