Holistic dog trainers facilitate emotional and behavioral balance and general wellness. Once you have decided to train your dog and know, or at least have a good idea of, what you want, choosing a trainer is a crucial decision. It’s not something you should rush into. No matter if you need a holistic trainer because you want to teach your dog basic commands or if you need to address an specific behavior problem with your dog there are some common concerns to address and pitfalls to avoid. The trainer that you hire must not only be able to care effectively for you dog, but must effectively interact with the rest of the family.
The trainer you hire should have the skills, the tools and the experience needed to do the job you want done. Hire a trainer who has extensive knowledge about your dog's breed and your specific goals for training. This trainer will know what training tools and techniques are needed for your dog.
The first question you must ask is what modalities do they use? some conventional trainers might claim to be holistic because they don't use punishing techniques, however, they might recommend products that aim to cure humans such as is the case of Rescue Remedy or, in some cases, giving an excessive amount of treats to your dog during training which is an unhealthy approach and not a holistic practice. You must be aware that these trainers don't know what holistic means.
There are two types of modalities, alternative and complementary. Alternative techniques include biofield therapies, body based practices, sense stimulation techniques and mind-body practices. Complementary therapies are exclusively offered by licensed holistic veterinarians and these include naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, clinical nutrition and applied kinesiology.
The International Council for Holistic Dog Training and Behavior maintains a list of holistic practitioners who can help you manage your dog's emotional and behavioral imbalances.
Holistic Dog Trainers
