Pet psychic says you need to ask animal's permission before taking their picture

An animal communicator is urging owners to ask their pet's permission before taking their pictures. Nikki Vasconez, who teaches people to hear their animal's voices, says owners need to explain to their pets why they want to take their picture before reaching for their cameras.

Just like humans, she claims animals might not want their picture taken - or be in the right mood to pose for your enjoyment. In a recent Instagram video, she said: "If your pet doesn't like their picture taken, you can thank me now for this... Next time you want to take your pet's picture, before you take your camera out, ask them permission and explain why you want to take their picture at that moment."

Providing an example, she added: "Donald, can I take your picture right now? You look so cute. I want to capture this, it'll make me really happy." When Nikki asked Donald for permission, he started to lick his lips - a sign she reads as him saying 'no'.

"He's licking. No, he doesn't want to be on screen," she added. "Asking permission and explaining why you want the picture, you're going to get a different result. I hear it from my clients time and time again. They do those two simple steps and sometimes the animals pose. But actually, your animal might just never want their picture taken and you have to respect that but by asking permission you might get a different result."

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Commenting on her Instagram video, one user said: "I’ve definitely noticed this!! So true! My dog was always looking in the opposite direction for pictures and I started telling him that it’s important that he’s in our family pictures and now he poses so good. Like seriously I’m so impressed." Another user added: "Yes, mine all act like they are in the witness protection program when the camera comes out."

A third user said: "I’m going to have to try this! I made a promise to mine that I would take a picture every day of her. Two years already full of memories." One more user added: "Omg! This actually worked! I asked, explained and complimented my pup. She sat down right in front of me and looked at the camera until I was done."

Nikki started learning how to communicate with animals in her late 20s, saying her interest in speaking to animals started when her pet dog "told someone he didn't like his name".

A statement on her website reads: "Our mini poodle Merlin, formerly known as Havoc, was so anxious and scared all the time. His nickname was 'Havoc Danger' or just 'Danger' ... and guess what? He always acted like he was in danger. My husband Michael named him Havoc because that was his military unit's call name while deployed to Afghanistan... we didn't know any better at the time.

"When our senior pup wasn't doing well, we hired our first animal communicator. During the session, I said to her, 'This might sound crazy but I feel like Havoc doesn't like his name.' She blurted out "I'm so glad you said something. When I walked in the door and you introduced us, he said 'Call me Mr. H.' (because he didn't like Havoc)."

She decided to rename him Merlin - and immediately noticed a change in his behaviour around the house. The statement adds: "Once Merlin’s name was changed, he strutted around the house like we’ve never seen! He literally became a new poodle overnight. Still to this day, he struts his stuff so proud and so confident, and all we did was change his name!"

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