Blog — Holistic Dog Training

Dog Training Priorities

Feb 02, 2019 Leah Lykos

Tags Canine Core Method, Health and Well-Being, Holistic Dog Training, Holistic Healing, satisfaction guaranteed

Many people wonder why their dog behaves well and obeys perfectly when there are no distractions, but as soon as they get outdoors, the dog seems to "forget" his commands.

A Positive Feedback Loop

Nov 19, 2018 Leah Lykos

Tags Canine Core Method, dog training, Health and Well-Being, Holistic Dog Training, training, training advice

I know this approach can feel a bit abstract at times. It’s natural to want clear “steps” or a recipe for success. But because we take a somatic, individualized approach—meeting each dog as they are—it’s not always possible to apply a one-size-fits-all formula. That said, having a simple framework can be incredibly helpful, so here’s a template to guide you. 1. ObserveStart by truly seeing your dog. Take time to notice what’s actually happening—body language, energy, patterns, and overall state. What is your dog communicating? What situations bring out certain behaviors? Write your observations down if that helps you stay...

Am I a Dog “Trainer”?

Aug 23, 2018 Leah Lykos

Tags Canine Core Method, dog training, dogs, Holistic Dog Training

I always hesitate to call myself a dog "trainer." What's that all about? Well, it's my gut feeling that dogs don't really need training, what they need is relationship. Once the dog has a strong relationship with his human counterpart, the training isn't really training at all, it's teamwork! See, dogs naturally want to please us, be in connection with us, and work in sync with us. It's selfish and self-less all at the same time. When we do well, they do well and vice-versa (the whole hunting thing).

Your Dog's Mouth is His Hand

Jun 04, 2018 Leah Lykos

Tags Alternative Medicine for Dogs, bite inhibition, bite work, dog training, dogs, Health and Well-Being, Holistic Dog Training, Holistic Healing, training advice

All the things we do with our hands, your dog does with his mouth. We don't teach our children "grip inhibition," so why then do we insist on teaching puppies "bite inhibition"???

Bite-and-Carry Channels Everything

Sep 30, 2017 Leah Lykos

Tags Holistic Dog Training

When you clip the leash onto your dog, the two of you usually have very different goals in mind. You, being a simple human, might be looking forward to a peaceful walk—taking in the sights and sounds of a beautiful day. Or maybe you’re heading out for a jog, hoping to get your heart rate up and enjoy that runner’s high. Either way, your expectation is fairly straightforward: you and your dog will move together along a path, street, or sidewalk, in a relatively straight line, at a steady pace, politely ignoring distractions. Your dog, however, has a completely different...