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funny title, but a serious problem. part of the reason my personal practice has gone by the wayside is that my dog really is scared of ritual. he not only comes and sits right in front of me, staring into my face, but he paces and is generally irritated whenever i enter a meditative state.

i'm assuming he detects a change in energy in the air, as well as the change in me personally and this somehow frightens or discomforts him. he's a jack russell terrier of course, and i've always considered him to be my guardian.

i have noticed it doesn't particularly matter what time of day or night i conduct ritual; the moment i start cleansing and getting into a meditative state, he gets nervous and frightened.

mostly i'm looking for a way to get around this, and any suggestions that anyone might have in regards to pets and ritual.

Jack Russels are some of the most high-strung dogs I've ever seen, second only to chihuahuas. This is likely what accounts for the behavior, as it would be more pronounced and/or more readily noticed when you are sitting right there, but completely ignoring him.

i would be happy to write it off as that as well. however, he never does this at any other time. i can be on the computer totally ignoring him or reading a book and totally ignoring him and he could care less. it's only when i sit down and meditate or try to enter a ritual mindset that he goes totally strange. and he doesn't run all over creation. i can sense that he's disturbed.

animals can detect trouble. I solved the problem by including my animals in my meditations. The cat to protect me from the dead and the German shepard to watch the living. Now I can't imagin doing anything without them.

You could always do it in a different room to your dog, or at a time when he is not around...

I used to have a cat who would get very excited when my friends and I got together to meditate etc.

Not afraid or panicky though.

I guess you have thought of the obvious...removing the dog from the room ?.

In my experience dogs being generally excitable creatures tend to react in less than a positive manner to workings. Have you tried doing anything in specific directed at your dog to soothe and relax him?

Personally I like cats. They know what you're doing, but usually don't care. And if they do care, they'll leave if they don't like it, or they'll come join you if they do. Dogs on the other hand, sense what you're doing and more often than not will feel threatened by it.

My cat has a similar behavior, she walks litterally on me, only when I meditate, or she will meow loudly, that is rare she is the silent type, she will tap directly my face with her paw several time like a drumer, until I stop.

My solution was to sadly, lock ehr in another room, for the time fo my meditation, I would gave her a treat or toy but, she is a cat and she dont care about those, I did how ever put a soft music, in the room she is in and open the window so she can ear outside and then watch. Thats what works for me.

I agree with Duc that Jack Russells are an incredibly high strung and skitzy breed. Combine that with an animal's sensitivity to changes in energy, and you've got a highly uncomfortable dog. Unfortunately, being a Jack Russell, if you were to lock him out of the room during your meditation he will probably create even more distraction trying to tear the door off lol. Maybe if you took him for a long run or something to sort of wear him down a bit just prior to meditation he would relax some and leave you be.

Maybe you should try to include him in on what your doing. Make him part of the magical practice you have. Its said that animals protect and guide you everyday, especially in a magical practice. So maybe if you invited him in along with you while you just sit there while him next to you maybe?

My karma ran over my dogma

lol.... nice post Upir
ok... so what herbs are you using? maybe there are negative energies floating around causing your dogma to worry. Try burning sage to keep evil spirits at bay.

maybe he just simply doesn't understand what it is you are doing. Do you sit on the floor? He may think when you are on the floor it's time to play. My dogs are that way. If I sit on the couch they are just fine, if I sit on the floor they won't leave me alone.

I agree he may think it's playtime. But try doing it when he's outside in the yard or something. Or do it in a room where you can possibly close the door and keep him out of.

I don't think that you're actually going to be able to break him of it, so your best bet is to ignore it, do it in a different room, put him outside or do it when he's not around. Dogs are highly sensitive to energy change, so he's just worried that you're changing and that you may not come back to the state he knows you best in.

This may sound a little daft - but have you tried to teach him to meditate? if he's your guardian, then maybe he expects to accompany you and be involved in the ritual.

try creating an energy wall around you that keep the energy inside with you so the dog can't sence it...333

they say dogs sense ghosts and other paranormal things, so I'm guessing just try and play with doggie till tired and sleepy :)
If I try to do any meditating, my dog shoves her cold, wet nose all over me :S

I own an American Rat Terrier who is my near constant companion. She's very sensitive and can be high strung at times. She can sense when there's a flux in energies, and when my familiar is around.

Thankfully, she's crate trained and I usually put her in there when I'm doing any sort of ritual. She thinks of it as her safe place and doesn't fuss about it.

The energy does change when you are in a meditative state and being a high strung dog to start with is going to feel that energy more then most animals would. I would say to put the dog in a different room for the times when you are meditating

heh. thanks for the solutions everyone. i'll think of something.

upir:> yes, my karma ran over my dogma is the original saying.

Just put your dog in a diffrent room...

Animals can sense more then a human can so of course he is reacting to it. I would put him in another room turn soothing music on for him or tv and maybe that will help? Wish ya the best...

Including the pup in the ritual sounds difficult. What does a jack russel represent...protection against not having pee stains on the carpet?

I'd go with the other suggestion of play time and or a long walk right before hand. Not only will that 'wear him out' but it will be positive reinforcement of your meditation. He gets to play right before it's your quiet time.

Dogs are very protective creatures... protective of all members of the pack... summonings and invocations can permit unwelcome and un expected visitors... I believe your dog may be trying to protect you from an intruder into your magicks... some witchhunters used to employ dogs to detect the presence of uncontrolled magicks...

put the dog outside..problem solved

do you think that you could find some way to amuse the dog in order for you to have your time, or even put him outside for a while...333

You could put doggy sleeping pills in some food and give it to him, or perhaps just put him outside or otherwise keep him where he can't interfere or bark and snap you out of it.

maybe the dog is upset because you have the whole cleansing ritual all wrong and because he cant speak english it bothers him so he paces back and forth trying to figure out a way to say nonononono thats not the right way to do it...stop!(woof) light a candle after not before and so on.....you should have a heart to heart with the doggie and get his advise.

nice tittle

he is probably frightened.....I say put him in another room so it's a little more comfortable for you....or not do it around where he is....for example keep him in the house and you go outside or the other way around.....animals have more sensitive senses....he's going to sense it no matter what

I agree put your dog in another room at least for a while till the cleansing spell wears off

Just keep him out the room. That's always a good idea. I know when I enter the mediative state, my cats definitely can sense a change in the energy, and will start meowing or pacing. It's very distracting so I just keep them away.

Ok as much as I understand that this is a freeform exercise in running at the mouth, I can't possibly think that sedating your dog with pills every time you want to meditate is anything but cruel and possibly even prosecutable in most states. So I'd avoid that particular solution if you could please.

As to just putting an already agitated Jack Russel Terrier in the other room, those of us familiar with the breed would know that this is not only not the solution but a great way to further excite the pup and have him whimpering, barking and scratching at the door during your 'quiet time' lol.


It is only because we're talking about a pet, a companion and an animal that I feel the need to again stress the importance of both patience and positive reinforcement as a means of training the dog to not only give you your quiet time but look forward to it in some way. It is this reason that I reiterate the idea of a walk and or heavy play time so that the animal will be naturally worn out and in good spirits while also looking forward to your next meditation day. If you schedule appropriately and expect a few tries to build the habit, this will train the dog.

i can't really help with a dog problem i used to bring my rat (she died) and she wouldn't leave the circle once it was drawn . i never had any problems with rodents

I'm not too familiar with dogs, so I didn't know the breed thing, lol.

Well, maybe he'll just grow used to it? If you do magic or meditation around him enough then maybe he'll get used to it.

i don't know much about dogs at all

I have found from experiences similar to yours that sometimes including your pets into your rituals can help ease their minds/spirits. He is just worried about you. If you can show him, and include him in what you are doing, it may help.

Pets can sence changes in their masters behavior it's like almost having animal version of a twin. It's like they feel whatever you feel. Example if your happy their happy if your sad their sad. It's kind of like they have a sixth sence.

I would suggest not having the pooch around at those times... A nice boarding kennel for extended retreats.

i treat my animals like family ....i would never cage a family member

Sounds like you have one super perceptive K9.

Agreed Skittles - for most of us, our pets are our family...drugging, caging or simply locking out the pet isn't a valid answer for what could be a weekly or even daily activity.

I meditate in a quiet room with no distractions...Obviously your dog is an inside dog and is trained and probably spends some time alone anyway..what harm could it cause if you meditated in a different room? If you know your dog is sensitive or bothered by it why do it in front of the dog?

wow this is a weird topic but it also very interesting