Roman's Holistic Dog Training

20/12/2025

Read carefully

20/12/2025

Distress isn’t always loud - and neither is abuse.

One of the biggest mistakes people make on social media is assuming that abuse only looks like screaming, panic, or obvious fear. They fall for impressive videos of so called “balanced” trainers can - for the experienced eye it screames abuse.

You see videos of
• a quiet dog
• a still dog
• a compliant dog
• a dog doing exactly what’s asked
In a context where the natural behaviors should show curiosity, engagement, activity.

That’s why posts showing “calm,” “neutral,” or “well-behaved” dogs are so often used to sell harmful methods.

In this image I try to show what gets hidden.

• Hyper-still compliance ( photo 2)
A dog holding position with tension and averted eyes. Often framed online as “focused,” “respectful,” or “finally trained.”

• Behavioral inhibition (photo 3)
Low responsiveness, reduced movement, withdrawal. Commonly mislabeled as “calm state,” “clarity,” or “neutral behavior.”

• Subtle distress (photo 4)!
Frozen posture, withdrawal, confinement without choice. Easy to miss - and easy to exploit - because it doesn’t disrupt the handler or the video. Nor the five star reviews.

Here’s the fallacy to watch for on social media:

Quiet ≠ regulated
Still ≠ safe
Compliance ≠ consent
Neutrality ≠ shutdown

The video will not show you what happened before the clip.
A smiling handler ( making jokes) will not tell you how the dog learned to avoid - but if you look close you’ll see the remote control “ring button” or the prong or e-collar hidden under the bandana.
“calm dog” doesn’t tell you whether that calm came from felt-safety or suppression, but you’ll see most dogs in a unnatural posture disproportionately to the environmental context

When you see posts making claims like:
• “This dog is calm because they understand consequences” 🚩
• “No fear here — look how relaxed they are”🚩
• “This works because the dog chooses correctly”🚩

This is where I press pause, check older vidros and posts - and 99% bingo - same dog wearing a shock collar in another photo.

What I look for:,
Look at the body.
Look at movement, tension, responsiveness, and choice.
Look for what’s missing.
Look at the context and the environment

If we don’t learn to recognize invisible cues we become easy targets for polished videos, confident language, and false authority. ( photo 5)

This is how abuse hides in plain sight, gets likes and followers.

📚Book recommendations in the comments

18/12/2025

Position Statement on Electronic Shock Collars

Dear Dr. Michael Bailey

I am writing in response to your public comments regarding the use of electronic shock collars, made during a recent radio interview. Because these remarks were made while you were serving as President of the American Veterinary Medical Association, they have been widely interpreted as reflecting acceptable veterinary guidance rather than personal opinion.1

Link to the Steve Dales show:

https://wgnradio.com/steve-dales-pet-world/affordability-of-veterinary-care-vaccine-hesitancy-of-pets-and-more/

I offer this perspective as a behavior professional and crossover trainer - someone who previously worked with aversive tools and later moved away from them based on outcomes, evidence, and ethical responsibility. That background allows me to evaluate these tools not in theory, but through direct professional experience.

My current practice is guided by the LIFE framework: Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective. This framework requires that any intervention be evaluated not only on whether it can suppress a behavior, but on whether it minimizes harm, teaches usable alternatives, and supports long-term emotional stability.2

Using the LIFE framework, electronic shock collars do not meet the standard.

Electronic collars operate through the application of pain or the anticipation of pain.1 Regardless of intensity or frequency, this places them high on the inhibition spectrum. Under LIFE, such intrusiveness requires strong justification. That justification is not present when less intrusive methods exist that achieve comparable or better outcomes.24

From a functional standpoint, suppression is not the same as learning. In practice, behaviors stopped through aversive stimulation often reappear under stress or in new contexts. The underlying emotional drivers remain unaddressed or are intensified. This pattern is consistent with fear-based conditioning and is commonly observed in applied behavior work.3

I am particularly concerned by public framing that suggests shock collars may be appropriate in severe cases, including those involving safety risks or euthanasia considerations. Under the LIFE framework, increased risk calls for escalation of expertise, not escalation of aversiveness. Comprehensive behavioral assessment, environmental management, structured behavior modification, and, when appropriate, pharmacological support represent the least inhibitive effective pathway for such cases.4

The suggestion that shock collars can be used humanely if the animal understands the reason for the stimulus does not reflect real-world learning conditions. In typical household environments, timing and contextual control are inconsistent. As a result, dogs often associate aversive stimuli with surrounding cues rather than with a specific behavior, increasing the risk of generalized fear, avoidance, and defensive aggression.3

Reinforcement-based training combined with management strategies meets LIFE criteria without introducing these risks. These methods reduce inhibition, support skill acquisition, improve emotional regulation, and demonstrate equal or better effectiveness for recall, reactivity, and safety-related behaviors. When such options are available, ethical practice requires that they be prioritized.24

As a professional in this field, clarity in public guidance matters. Pet guardians and practitioners rely on veterinary leadership to define standards of care. Public statements that appear to normalize highly inhibitive tools risk creating confusion about ethical thresholds and evidence-based practice.

Internationally, veterinary and welfare organizations have increasingly moved away from electronic shock collars. This shift reflects a broader recognition that these tools are unnecessary within modern behavior care and inconsistent with welfare-centered standards.

Based on my professional experience 25 years, crossover training background 18 year, and application of the LIFE framework, I do not consider electronic shock collars compatible with contemporary, evidence-based behavior practice. They are not the least inhibitive option, and they are not required for effective outcomes.

I encourage the AVMA to clarify its public messaging in a way that reflects current behavioral science and welfare-focused standards of care. Clear, measured guidance supports practitioners, protects animals, and preserves professional integrity.

Sincerely,
Roman Gottfried
Holistic, Trauma-Informed Dog Behavior Consultant
Crossover Trainer
Founder, Holistic Dog Training

Footnotes
1 Masson, S., de la Cruz, L. R., Landart, L., Dufour, E., & Gaultier, B. (2018). Electronic training devices: Discussion on the pros and cons of their use in dogs as a basis for the position statement of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE). *Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 26*, 69–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2018.04.005

2 Cooper, J., Cracknell, N., Mills, D., & Bailey, J. (2014). The welfare consequences and efficacy of training pet dogs living with owner-reported problem behaviour with remote electronic training collars. *BMJ Open, 4*(9), Article e005730. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0102722

3 Schilder, M. B. H., & van der Borg, J. A. M. (2004). Training dogs with help of the shock collar: Short and long term behavioural effects. *Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 85*(3-4), 319–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2003.10.004

4 Polgár, Z., de Assis, L. S., & Mills, D. S. (2024). Comparison of the efficacy and welfare of different training methods to desist lure chasing in dogs. *Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11*, Article 1463311. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14182632

15/11/2025

Should Dogs “Earn Their Food”?

A newborn pup doesn’t work for nourishment. They receive food, warmth, protection, and comfort because they need them. That’s how mammals grow. Guardians meet needs freely so young animals develop secure attachment, emotional stability, and a sense of safety in their world.

Linda Michaels outlines this clearly in The Do No Harm Dog Training & Behavior Handbook (https://amzn.to/3Z6XhcZ). Dogs have essential biological and emotional needs that should never be used as leverage. Withholding them to control behavior doesn’t create a confident or well-educated dog. It undermines trust, increases stress, and disrupts natural development.

Meeting a dog’s needs without conditions is ethical care. It creates a stable foundation for connection, safety, and genuine learning.

Photo : Bobby - rescued stray - resident of Nea Makri Greece.

14/11/2025

Six-Year Prison Sentence - For Newborn Puppies Abandonment - Marks Turning Point in Greece’s Animal-Welfare Enforcement

A significant development in Greece’s animal-welfare system is already showing real impact in the courts.

The Special Secretariat for the Protection of Companion Animals recently issued a new directive that clarifies, with legal and scientifically verified standards, how the age of an abandoned animal is determined and when a puppy is officially classified as “newborn.”

This clarification has already led to an important legal milestone.

Landmark Conviction in Patras

The Mixed Jury Court of Patras sentenced a woman to 6 years in prison for abandoning five newborn puppies in a public park in 2022.
A central issue in the trial was the precise age determination of the puppies, something that has often been disputed.

The prosecution submitted the directive from the Special Secretariat as formal evidence, and the veterinary expert explained the scientific criteria used to determine age.

The court accepted that the puppies’ newly erupted milk teeth were a clear indicator that they were newborns. This classification elevated the offense to a felony, which resulted in the severe sentence.

Additional penalties:
• 6 months in jail for failing to meet welfare standards for the mother dog
• €151,300 in administrative fines had already been issued

Why This Matters

The directive from the Secretariat provides:
• Unified and scientifically supported criteria for determining age
• Clear authority that only a certified veterinarian can assess age
• Consistency and fairness across all abandonment cases
• Stronger legal protection for authorities and the justice system

With this framework in place, newborn animals finally receive the level of protection they need.

Clarity strengthens justice.
And justice for animals grows when the law is specific, enforceable, and grounded in science.

The Special Secretariat continues to reinforce every stage of the process, from early investigation to the courtroom, ensuring Greece moves toward stronger and more effective protection for companion animals.

If Your Dog Gives Birth and You Cannot Care for the Puppies

This situation is overwhelming for many guardians, and you’re not alone. What matters now is acting safely, legally, and with the puppies’ well-being in mind.

1. Do Not Separate the Puppies From Their Mother

For the first weeks, the mother is the only one who can:

• Keep them warm
• Feed them properly
• Help them eliminate
• Provide immune protection

If she is calm, healthy, and able to nurse, keep the litter together until an appropriate plan is in place.

2. Contact Your Veterinarian Immediately

Explain the situation honestly. A vet can:

• Check the mother and puppies
• Help you assess their health
• Guide you on next steps
• Connect you with reputable rescues or foster homes

Early veterinary guidance prevents emergencies.

3. Reach Out to a Reputable Local Rescue or Foster Organization

Most areas in Greece and abroad have volunteer groups trained to take in nursing mothers and puppies. Look for:

• Municipal shelter
• Licensed rescues
• Foster networks
• Local animal welfare associations

Ask specifically whether they have a nursing foster home available. These homes are experienced in caring for a mother and her litter.

4. Do Not Offer the Puppies Online Too Early

Removing puppies from their mother too young is dangerous and illegal.

In Greece:
• Puppies must stay with their mother at least 8 weeks
• Transfers must follow microchipping and official adoption law
• Abandonment or unsafe transfer is treated as a criminal offense

Keep everything transparent and legal so the animals are protected.

5. Ask the Rescue for Help With Supplies or Temporary Foster Care

You may not need to surrender them completely. Many organizations can help with:

• Food
• Puppy milk replacer
• A safe whelping area
• Temporary foster support
• Veterinary expenses

Sometimes a little help buys you time and keeps everyone safe.

6. If the Mother Rejects the Litter or Cannot Nurse

This is a medical emergency. Get to a vet immediately or contact a rescue with neonatal experience.

Rejection can signal:

• Mastitis
• Pain
• Infection
• Stress
• Eclampsia

Bottle-feeding newborn puppies is extremely demanding, and they need expert care every 2–3 hours.

7. Plan for the Puppies’ Futures Early

While the puppies are with their mother, you can work with rescues to:

• Book vet checks
• Arrange vaccinations
• Microchip legally
• Screen potential adopters
• Prepare adoption paperwork

Planning early decreases stress later.

8. Spay the Mother When the Time Is Right

This prevents future accidental litters and protects her long-term health.

Work with your vet or a rescue to choose the right timing based on her health and recovery.

9. You Are Not Failing the Puppies by Asking for Help

The real failure is waiting too long or hiding the problem.
Reaching out early is responsible and protects the animals.

05/10/2025

It takes a deep understanding of trauma, animal behavior, and cognitive processing to help a dog trust and feel safe.

04/10/2025

Photo Dozer and Diesel

04/10/2025

Healing a traumatized dog is not about erasing memories- it’s about building enough trust for new ones to take root.
Like this mastiff puppy who was trained with a shock collar because he was disobedient - since what the trainer did wasn’t working I was contacted to do an assessment. Only to found out the puppy was deaf. Minutes later we had two dogs that understood what was asked!

Holistic dog training looks beyond obedience, meets the dog’s needs and communicate with them in their language. You can learn how. If you’re interested let me know in the comments.

04/10/2025

What is your dog's background and what steps do you plan to take to support them?

17/09/2025

Agressive 15 Month Doberman Attacked His Owner
In this video, you're about to see a powerful transformation in a very short amount of time. We're working with a 15 -month-old Doberman who exhibits severe crate aggression, a situation so intense that his owner has to use a door as a shield just to let him out.

The Challenge: Understanding the Dog's Story

To solve a problem like this, we first have to understand its roots. This isn't just a "bad dog"; this is a dog under immense stress. Here's what was going on:

History & Triggers: He was brought home at nine weeks and has had limited exposure to new situations. His stress has recently been amplified by his owner's use of crutches.

Stress Responses: He is highly intelligent, but he channels his anxiety into specific behaviors. He uses his food bowl to self-soothe when stressed and can escalate into prolonged "rage" episodes when he feels overwhelmed.

The Core Issue: At the heart of it all is a profound feeling of being trapped and threatened inside the crate. The aggression you see is not malice; it's fear.

My Approach: Changing the Dog's Mind, with Cooperation and Emotional Support upport

My goal was never to confront the aggression head-on. That only validates the dog's fear. Instead, my entire approach is designed to change his emotional state from the inside out. Here’s how:

Building a Foundation of Safety: I start by simply being present in a calm, non-threatening way. This communicates to him that I am not a threat.

Positive Reinforcement: Every time he offers a calm behavior—a relaxed posture, a soft eye—he is rewarded. He learns that calm behavior makes good things happen.

Addressing the Root Cause: I identified that he uses his food bowl for comfort, so I integrated it into our work, turning a stress behavior into a tool for building positive anticipation. I also advised the owner on environmental changes to the crate setup to reduce his feeling of being trapped.

The Breakthrough: The Release Process

The most critical part of this session is the final release. I didn't just open the door. I waited for the dog to tell me he was ready. Pay close attention, and you'll see these key steps happen in real-time:

Waiting for the State Change: I wait for his body language to shift from tense to relaxed. The moment he lies down is a huge sign of de-escalation.

Waiting for Voluntary Engagement: I wait for him to be in control of me and his own mind. You'll see him stop reacting and instead choose to look at me. He is now participating, not just reacting.

Confirming Positive Expectation: This is the final piece. He isn't just looking at me; he's looking with the expectation of more treats. His mindset has shifted from "threat" to "opportunity." He felt in control of his environment, which helped him calm down.

Only when all three of these criteria were met did I open the door. What you see is a dog walking out calmly because we addressed his fear first. This is the power of understanding the "why" behind a behavior and building a foundation of trust.

In this video, you're about to see a powerful transformation in a very short amount of time. We're working with a 2-year-old Doberman who exhibits severe cra...

10/08/2025

SHOCK COLLARS, “BALANCED” TRAINING, AND NO TRAINING AT ALL - OUR DATA REVEALS WHY YOUR DOG’S BEHAVIOR MIGHT BE GETTING WORSE

Disclaimer: The data and conclusions presented here are based on client-reported information from intake forms. While the correlations are compelling and align with established behavioral science, this data is not from a formal, controlled scientific study. It is intended for educational purposes to help dog owners make informed decisions about training methods.

I’ve worked with dogs full-time since 2009, but this is the first time I’ve put hard numbers to what I see every day.
I analyzed over 3,800 client cases, real dogs with real families, to find out which training methods were linked to the most aggression, fear, and biting.

The results are crystal clear: aversive and so-called “balanced” training methods are directly tied to higher rates of aggression, fear, and bite history.

What the Numbers Show

Dogs trained with aversive methods — shock collars, prong collars, choke chains — consistently showed the worst outcomes:
• 92% aggression
• 83.5% fear/anxiety
• 46.1% with a documented bite history

Dogs in the “Balanced/Unknown” category showed similarly high rates, confirming that mixing rewards with punishment still damages trust and increases risk.

(see Chart 1)

Why These Problems Happen

Our analysis revealed the most common root causes behind these behaviors:
1. Suppressed fear responses from aversive tools
2. Unmet social and emotional needs
3. Mismatched training for temperament
4. Overlooked pain or medical issues
5. Inconsistent handling in the home

(see Chart 2)

These are not “stubborn dog” problems , they’re the result of fear, confusion, and unmet needs. Correcting the symptom without addressing the cause doesn’t work.

The HEART Approach: Real Change, Real Connection

In our HEART Program, we:
H – Heal your dog’s past trauma and build confidence through safety and trust.
E – Educate you on your dog’s unique needs, communication, and stress signals.
A – Advocate for your dog in situations that could overwhelm or harm them.
R – Rebuild trust and emotional security without fear or pain.
T – Transform behavior through connection, cooperation, and mutual respect.

If your dog is struggling with aggression, reactivity, fear, or anxiety, the answer isn’t more control or harsher tools — it’s understanding and treating the real cause. That’s exactly what my HEART program is designed to do.

💬 If your dog is struggling, the fix isn’t more corrections,it’s finding and treating the real cause.

🔗 find the link to a free exploratory call in the comments.

26/07/2025

Case Study: How Rascall Found His Way Home Through 24/7 Healing Support

When Rascall arrived at the shelter, Rogue Valley Humane Society, he had the soft-eyed look of a dog trying to hold it together. His body was heavy, his expression guarded, and his world had just been turned upside down. The man who brought him in walked away without much explanation. From that moment forward, Rascall began to unravel.

The team noticed the shift right away. Within 48 hours, he was growling and barking through the kennel gate. He stopped eating in the presence of staff. Any attempt to leash him brought visible tension and fear responses. He began vocalizing whenever anyone passed by, and he showed signs of shutting down during handling.

Veterinary procedures became impossible without sedation. Staff made the decision to place him on a Lead-Only handling protocol. Only three designated caregivers were allowed to interact with him, and even those interactions were brief and carefully managed.

Staff documented several concerning behaviors during Rascall’s intake period. These included:
• Kennel reactivity
• Barrier frustration
• Handling sensitivity
• Fear-based growling
• Defensive lunging
• Food refusal in presence of humans
• Avoidance of touch
• Leash avoidance in confined spaces
• Hypervigilance
• Vocalizing at approach

Each of these reflected the state of a dog experiencing emotional shutdown and environmental overwhelm. His behavior was not unpredictable. It was a consistent attempt to protect himself in a situation he didn’t understand.

🐾🐾🐾

Rascall Needed 24/7 Attunement and Gentle Support

When Rascall came into my care, we set up in a quiet, home-like 10x13 space with a doggy door and secure fenced yard. This allowed him to move freely between indoors and outdoors on his own terms. I committed to being with him around the clock and applied the principles of my H.E.A.L.™️– Holistic Emotional Awareness for Life philosophy.

There was no pushing. No luring. No flooding. I provided safety through predictability, met his needs through daily routines, and created space for co-regulation and quiet observation. I cooked while he watched. I worked at my desk while he rested nearby. I offered food calmly and allowed him to choose when and how to engage.

He watched me quietly at first. Then he began resting closer. He followed with his eyes, then with his body. He began eating with confidence and walked calmly on leash in the yard.

His breathing softened. His vocalizations reduced. The defensiveness gave way to curiosity. His posture, expression, and emotional tone shifted.

🐾🐾🐾

Rascall Was Ready

Within just four weeks of consistent, trauma-informed, 100% ethical care, Rascall was fully ready for adoption. He was calm and grounded, accepting interaction, showing voluntary participation in his routines, and expressing emotional flexibility and security in a home-like setting.

He never returned to the shelter.

On May 13, he was picked up directly by his new family—transitioned smoothly from a place of safety, stability, and felt trust.

Today, Rascall lives the life he was always meant to have. His story is a reminder that when we meet dogs where they are, support their emotional recovery, and provide clear, respectful communication, real healing becomes possible.

If You Have a Dog Like Rascall

The H.E.A.L.™️ approach is more than a training method. It’s a comprehensive Body-Mind-Spirit philosophy rooted in science, compassion, and relationship. It addresses the full spectrum of a dog’s biological, cognitive, emotional, and energetic needs while honoring their agency, individuality, and inner life.

If you’re supporting a dog in crisis, I’d be honored to help.
📆 Book a discovery session here:
👉 https://holisticdogtraining.as.me/Short-Web

Donate towards dogs like Rascall https://roguevalleyhumanesociety.org/ways-to-donate/donations/

.E.A.L.