Blog — Holistic Dog Training
Touch Without Talk
If you have an anxious or overstimulated dog: Remember... Talk Without Touch is overstimulating, confusing, and activates the sympathetic nervous system. However... Touch Without Talk can soothe an overactive mind. Petting is just petting, and often done in a mindless way, or worse, in a way that satisfies the owner's need to be validated and soothed. If you want to truly start to heal your dog and the connection you have with yourself and your own nervous system, first: Get quiet. Set an intention. Know that this will be healing for both you and your dog if you go...
As Your Dog's World Shrinks, So Does His Brain
Enrichment has been trending in the dog training for quite some time now, but do you know WHY it's actually so important? It's not just about providing your dog with puzzles and distractions to drain their energy. Environmental enrichment that provides breed-specific biological fulfillment actually changes your dog's brain! It makes your dog's brain more flexible and open to learning. This is ESPECIALLY important for behavior modification because we need your dog's brain to grow new neural pathways so they can learn and actively choose new behaviors. So while it may make sense for a short time to...
What We Teach
Canine Core Method A positive approach to Drive-Training: We channel your dog’s natural drives into constructive behaviors without suppressing energy We use the primal instincts built into the canine mind to engage, play, and build relationships based on trust Emotional and physical wellness through attention to the WHOLE dog: His nervous system, physical health, mental health, etc. (see Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges) Movement-Based Training: Behavior is movement and a dog’s movement is dictated by his drive, therefore, if we engage their drive, we can modify their behavior Relationship-Based Training: The owner is the answer to any stress the...
Behavioral Issues Vs. Genetic Drives
Is my dog in a state of drive, or a state of fear? Lately I've been wanting to help people understand that there is a difference between a dog who has behavioral issues and a dog who is simply acting out his genetics. Behavioral issues, in my mind, are interruptions in a dog's natural way of being which cause distress to the dog, his owner, and other dogs or animals. These issues are labeled as: reactivity, aggression, hyperactivity, self-harm, obsessive-compulsive patterns, depression, anxiety, etc. The dog is not feeling well, and his behavior is a problem for those around...
Your Dog Just Wants to be Acknowledged
How your energy, intention, and emotional state affect your dog... Your dog just wants to be acknowledged. For who they are as a dog. For their individual strengths, weaknesses, fears, wants, likes/dislikes, and insecurities. Your dog wants to be treated with respect, wants to be trusted, wants to be able to trust you. Trust that you see them for who they are, and that you don't expect them to stuff their feelings and just be a robot who obeys commands. I started writing this post because I used to advise people to ignore their dog when they come home, until...