Blog — Holistic Healing
Safety First
Safety First “Safety first” is one of the most commonly used phrases in dog training, but it is often misunderstood. In behavior work, safety is not just about preventing bad things from happening or keeping a dog away from triggers. True safety is about creating the internal and external conditions that allow a dog’s nervous system to learn, adapt, and change. Without safety, there is no learning. There is only survival-based behavior. What Safety Actually Means When we talk about safety in behavior modification, we are not only referring to physical safety or environmental management. We are also referring to...
Dog Training Priorities
Handler Self-Care Part One: Your Oxygen Mask
We’ve all heard it: put your own oxygen mask on first, then help others. But this idea isn’t just for emergencies—it’s something we should be practicing every day. I’ve noticed that when I let myself get overwhelmed, stressed, and run down, I’m not the kind of caretaker I want to be for my animals. I feel drained, unfocused, and low on energy—and that means I’m not showing up fully for their needs. They don’t get the time, attention, and enrichment they deserve. So let’s change that. Self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a responsibility. When you take care of yourself first, you...
Your Dog's Mouth is His Hand
Holistic Care for Your Canine Companion
If you're leaning toward a more holistic approach to your dog’s health and wellness, here are a few practices I personally incorporate into my own routine. To be clear, I am not a veterinarian, and I always recommend consulting with a trusted (ideally holistic) vet when making decisions about your dog’s care. What follows is simply a reflection of the choices I’ve made for my own dogs—choices that have supported their health and well-being in ways that feel aligned for me and my fur-family. Nourishment: Feeding a Raw Diet One of the most impactful changes I’ve made is feeding...