Metal Element Season – Paws with a Purpose
By Elizabeth Anne Johnson.
Have you ever watched an older movie where a quiet purposeful librarian who’s not very friendly, sharply tells someone exactly where the book in their hand should be placed on the shelf and watches them like a hawk until its placed in the right spot?
Welcome to Metal season.
We often describe the Metal element archetype as a librarian. Extremely intelligent, calm with a clear mind, purposeful, often inflexible, easily rattled by noise and lack of order, and generally not very tolerant of emotional or physical closeness. This is our Metal Dog.
Like metal parts and pieces, Metal elements can be inflexible. This ask us to be the very best at what we do and who we are with them. There is not much wiggle room for being incorrect in your training or handling of a Metal dog. They have a razor-sharp intellect, learn quickly, and often know more about the relationship we have together than we humans do. And if we mess up – that inflexibility turns to a quiet mistrust, and we have a resistant, highly intelligent and athletic dog on our hands that needs clear direction and a job to be content.
When we think of the many forms and shapes of metal we use in our human world, we recognize that it requires a keen, accurate person to shape it for the work it’s meant to do. It starts out inflexible – literally hard as a rock – and is melted and forged into a purposeful piece of metal that holds many parts and pieces of our world together.
The Metal element is relentlessly curious, diverse, and with diligence and patience, can be gently shaped to find its true purpose that can be lifechanging for us and others in the world. Metal is birthed in the earth. It holds tremendous knowledge and wisdom but doesn’t always share its secrets unless we are able to “unearth” its strength, purposeful vision, and clear ingenuity. Metal elements require their handler to have earnest and clear intentions to create consistent mutual trust. Flexibility does not come easily. Metal must be tempered with extremes: it dances with Fire, creates and holds Water, chops Wood, and is born in Earth.
Metal dogs have brilliant working dog minds and incredible endurance. These dogs are capable of intense focus and are mentally and physically “over-the-top” competent. They like challenges and doing things that matter. Metal Dogs thrive on having a sense of purpose, direction, and having a handler that takes their partnership seriously. They bond deeply with their handlers once they can trust that the person is fully present, competent, and committed to their training. They make incredible working dogs as they have a calm and cool exterior, yet a strong inner sensitivity that requires stimulus and a purposeful outlet. This drive for a purpose leads them to their highway of happiness.
Due to this strong sensitivity, they do not tolerate noisy, chaotic atmospheres. They internalize the stress of the chaos and that ultimately taxes their well-being and health. They do not need much social interaction but rely on the few trusted deep bonds they make in their world at home and “work.” Metal Dogs can also be very focused competitors but are often happiest as working dogs. They typically do not enjoy or need touch, but with trust and time can learn to accept it. Metal Dogs always need to have a quiet place to escape and rejuvenate after giving their all.
Metal Dogs and Metal humans will be very devoted to their people and their work. Once they establish trust with a partner they bond deeply. If or when that trust is breached, ties may be completely severed, to the point of being irreparable. Metal elements lean towards the emotion of grief with any life losses, job losses, or relationship changes, and this can create a hesitance to trust again. Trust can be hard won with a strong Metal element and their potential for rigidness and lack of flexibility may be high due to this self-protective nature. It may take many attempts at rebuilding the bridge of trust that was lost with this intelligent being. Their memory banks are vast and their tolerance for untrustworthy humans low. Once true long-term trust is established, they are devoted partners and driven to do their best right alongside you.
Being of the working dog mindset, they do best by going everywhere with you. They are not very good homebodies. They like to feel the wings of purpose under them, taking them on adventures that mean something, even if that means taking them to your office each day or running errands with them. Like the Wood Dogs, they truly need a job and do best when channeling their extreme intelligence, high sensitivity, endurance, and spirit for adventure into something meaningful.
A Metal Dog’s nose is their main primary sense. I like to think they have a few more scent molecules than the average dog. They do great with scent work in any format – nose work, search and rescue, conservation dog work, and more. Even low-level scent work classes can satisfy their purposeful working dog spirit.
Metal Dogs can have rigidity issues in both their personality and body. If there is lack of trust or disconnection with their handler, they will withdraw emotionally and shut down. When Metal Dogs internalize their stress, the imbalance it creates can cause respiratory issues, skin issues, constipation, and immune problems. They give 110% physically when they work and can acquire leg injuries due to their high-performance standards. If you do Yoga or stretching, they will be downward dogging right beside you.
The Metal Dog’s emotional reflex is grief and sometimes mistrust. This occurs when there is the loss of a bonded handler, companion animal, or even a job they love. They will internalize grief. Grief affects the lungs and can illicit coughing and other respiratory issues, as well as large intestinal issues, impatience, and emotional withdrawal for the Metal Dog.
This hard driving, intelligent, and talented dog has sensitivity needs that are often hidden from many owners. Take the time to connect with them, develop two-way trust, and support them for their unique needs and wants. Find their purpose and you will find their fun…and probably yours too! You will be rewarded many times over.
Dog Partner! Check out the dog and human quizzes!! in my book – Know Your Dog’s True Nature and find out how you and your dog do the happy dance! Available in paperback, audiobook and eBook at booksellers around the world. Please leave a review wherever you buy your books! I will be so grateful!!
Elizabeth Anne Johnson is the author of Know Your Dog’s True Nature, a TEDx Speaker, animal empath and holistic healer, and a former veterinary technician with over 30 years of experience. She works with companion, sports, and aging dogs in her 4Legged Wellness practice and teaches with her wildlife veterinarian husband in their organization Global Wildlife Resources. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her fun and hilarious dog, Pretzel. Learn more at: ElizabethAnneJohnson.com
