Blog — Alternative Medicine for Dogs

  The polyvagal theory implies that more attention needs to be paid to the development of interventions that either promote activation of the social vagus or dampen sympathetic tone. One major implication is the need to pay closer attention the therapeutic use of play, rough and tumble behaviors that serve as preliminary exercises to develop adaptive defensive and aggressive behaviors, as a means of shifting people [and dogs] out of fight-or-flight reactions into loving and mutually engaged mobilization. --Bessel A. van der Kolk, in the foreword to: The Polyvagal Theory by Dr. Stephen W. Porges Play as Connection and Regulation Mirroring...

Why Enrichment Matters More Than You Think Enrichment has been a major trend in dog training for quite some time—but it’s worth asking why it actually matters. It’s not just about giving your dog puzzles or keeping them busy to burn off energy. Thoughtful environmental enrichment—especially when it aligns with your dog’s breed-specific instincts and biological needs—has a direct impact on the brain. It supports greater flexibility, resilience, and openness to learning. In other words, enrichment doesn’t just occupy your dog. It helps change how they process the world. The Role of Enrichment in Behavior Change This becomes especially important...

  Beyond Snuffle Mats: What Dogs Truly Need Sniffing, licking, and chewing are all naturally soothing behaviors for dogs. That’s why tools like scatter feeding, snuffle mats, and long-lasting chews have become staples in enrichment routines. And they absolutely have their place. But there’s a piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked—something just as important, and for many dogs, even more satisfying: Biting, tugging, kill-shaking, and dissecting. Honoring the Predator Within If we take a step back and look at the predatory sequence, it becomes clear that dogs are not just companions—they are, biologically, predators. A full predatory sequence...

  Mindset matters! Grow your emotional capacity by learning how to deal with stress and making room for feelings! Kajsa explains to us how radical acceptance of stressful situations and the feelings that they produce can bring us closer to a sense of peace and well being. Kajsa is a mindset coach who helps guardians of challenging dogs reduce stress and anxiety in their life. This episode is incredibly useful for those struggling with their feelings about having a reactive dog in their care.    Kajsa's Coaching Website: https://kajsavanoverbeek.com/ Kajsa and Rusty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruscattledog Ruff Around the Edges Podcast:...

How your energy, intention, and emotional state affect your dog... Your dog wants to be acknowledged. Not just managed, corrected, or trained—but seen for who they are as an individual. Your dog has their own personality, preferences, sensitivities, and emotional world. They have strengths and weaknesses, things they enjoy and things that overwhelm them. Like any relationship, trust is built when those things are recognized and respected. At the heart of it, your dog wants to feel understood.They want to trust that you see them clearly—and that they’re not expected to suppress everything they feel just to “perform” for you....