by Sasha Riess | 30.03.26. | Behaviour
Punishing a dog is never the solution. It leaves lasting consequences not only for the dog but also for us. Instead of control and force, the real path leads through love, understanding, and trust. Our approach to discipline is perhaps the most profound reflection of the human dog relationship.
My View on Canine Behavior
Today I live with a dog who behaves beautifully. He follows me, listens, and walks at my side. At first glance, it looks perfect, but I always ask myself one question: At what cost?
When a dog’s behavior comes solely from our will and pressure, that behavior is no longer natural, but imposed. Such an approach leaves deep traces, and the consequences often show up later as various health problems. We are seeing more and more dogs suffering from epilepsy, tumors, and other serious diseases. While many search for the cause in poor nutrition or vaccinations, few stop to ask whether these physiological factors are the only explanation. Could the suppression of a dog’s soul within the human dog relationship be the silent trigger for physical decay?
A Harmonious Relationship Between Owner and Dog
Punishing a dog does not create obedience; it creates a „Janissary“—a being stripped of its own will. Love and understanding are the only materials that can build a real, lasting relationship.
Punishing a dog does not lead to obedience — love and understanding build a true relationship.
The Question I Ask Myself
When I am faced with a choice in how to respond to my dog, I always remember one thing: Every time I punish him, I am actually punishing myself.
Our choices in how we treat our dogs mirror our inner world. If I choose the path of strict control and force, it means I carry inner insecurities that I project onto him. The human dog relationship acts as a mirror, showing us the parts of ourselves we are afraid to face.
Why This Is Not Easy to Accept
It may sound simple: Do not punish your dog, love him, and let him be who he is.
But if it were easy, people would effortlessly give up bad habits, stop eating food that harms them, or leave toxic environments. Life would be much simpler. In reality, it takes courage and deep honesty to admit that the way we treat our dog is a reflection of how we treat ourselves. True healing begins when we stop seeking control and start seeking connection.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that precision in nutrition is a reflection of our care. When we measure with love, we feed the soul. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 30.03.26. | Nutrition
Natural healing is about returning to the roots of care. This approach follows Dr. Hulda Clark’s well-known natural parasite cleanse, successfully used for both people and pets. The combination of walnut tincture, parsley tea, wormwood, and clove helps remove parasites while strengthening your dog’s digestive system and the human dog relationship through mindful, proactive care.
How to Make Walnut Tincture
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Preparation: Wash young black walnuts (still in their green husks) under cold running water, scrubbing gently with a brush if needed.
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Boiling: Place them in a pot and pour in enough cold water to cover the walnuts completely. Bring to a boil.
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The Secret Ingredient: Once the water starts boiling, add 1/8 teaspoon of vitamin C crystals or powder. Cover with a lid and do not remove it. Let it sit for 24 hours.
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Finalizing: After a full day, remove and discard the walnuts. Add another 1/8 teaspoon of vitamin C to the liquid and let it stand for another day.
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Storage: Store the finished tincture in a clean glass bottle with a tight lid. Keep only a two-day supply in the refrigerator and freeze the rest for later use.
Parsley Tea for Dogs – Support During Cleanse
Parsley tea supports the kidneys and helps the body flush out toxins, making it a great natural addition to your dog’s parasite-cleansing routine. Add two bunches of fresh parsley to half a liter of water and bring to a boil for about three minutes.
The 4-Week Cleansing Protocol:
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Week 1: Give your dog 1 tablespoon of parsley tea per 11 lbs (5 kg) of body weight daily.
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Week 2: Continue with the tea and add 1 drop of walnut tincture per 11 lbs (5 kg).
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Week 3: Keep giving the tea and add a pinch of wormwood (about what fits between two fingers).
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Week 4: Add a pinch of freshly ground clove.
Tip: Always grind cloves right before use—never ahead of time—to preserve their natural healing compounds.
Walnut Tincture for Humans
For your own personal use, place the green walnuts in a jar, cover them with vodka, and add 1/8 teaspoon of vitamin C. Before sealing, place a piece of cellophane between the jar and the lid. Let the mixture sit for three days before use.
Parsley tea for dogs is used for detoxification and kidney support, a natural pillar of canine health.
Natural Parasite Cleanse Protocol
By working on nutrition and restoring the natural balance, you help the body stop losing function and begin the process of healing. This protocol doesn’t just fight parasites; it reinforces the human dog relationship by acknowledging the dog as a biological being that deserves a clean, vibrant internal environment.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that precision in nutrition is a reflection of our care. When we measure with love, we feed the soul. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 29.03.26. | Coat Care
How often to bathe and brush dogs is a question every owner of a double-coated breed must master to ensure their pet’s health. Understanding how often to bathe and brush dogs correctly is not just an aesthetic ritual; it is a vital practice that directly affects the dog’s comfort, prevents pain during detangling, and helps effectively remove the undercoat. In many breeds, brushing a dry coat can be extremely painful, which is why your grooming routine must always combine proper bathing with brushing.
How Often to Bathe and Brush Dogs: Frequency Matters
The frequency of bathing depends on the environment in which the dog lives. A dog that stays in a clean home and does not sleep in the owner’s bed can usually be bathed once a week or every ten days. However, dogs that live in dirtier, urban environments or spend a lot of time outdoors may require more frequent bathing, every five to seven days. If the dog sleeps in the owner’s bed, many choose even more frequent bathing to maintain impeccable hygiene.
Why How Often to Bathe and Brush Dogs Is Vital for Double Coats
Breeds such as Pomeranians, Chow Chows, Keeshonds and Samoyeds have a dense undercoat that matts easily, especially when dry. Brushing without bathing often causes pain because the hair breaks, pulls and catches, and owners frequently make the mistake of brushing the dog “dry” thinking they are helping. Proper bathing with plenty of high quality conditioner allows the coat to glide under the brush and the undercoat to be removed easily.
Proper bathing with shampoo and conditioner prevents painful hair pulling.
What Does a Proper Brushing Routine Look Like
Undercoat is removed with special brushes that do not hurt the dog when the coat is well prepared. After bathing, with the right shampoo and conditioner, the coat separates more easily and the process becomes much more pleasant. Professionals in grooming academies teach students this skill first, how to hold the brush correctly, how to work in sections, and how to assess the condition of the coat before starting. If you are unsure how to brush your dog properly, it is best to do it after a bath or consult a groomer.
Why You Should Never Brush a Completely Dry Coat
Dry hair breaks easily, the skin becomes tight and every stroke of the brush can cause pain, especially in breeds with long or double coats. This is the main reason why many dogs run away from the brush, not because they dislike grooming, but because it hurts. Bathing and proper conditioning make an enormous difference and make the entire process much easier for both the dog and the owner.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that grooming is a conversation of touch. By choosing the right method, you turn a chore into a moment of pure bonding. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 29.03.26. | Nutrition, Wellbeing
During the show “1000 Why – 4 Therefore,” a question was raised about a dog with spots on its pupils. The veterinarian explained that cataracts can develop in later years. The owner wanted to try a treatment with cold-pressed castor oil, one drop each evening. Many owners have reported the same issue: their dogs suddenly lost sight or experienced a gradual decline in vision. Such problems are often not purely ophthalmological but also immunological and metabolic. Understanding the human dog relationship and its impact on health is the first step toward healing.
The Eyes Reflect Inner Health
Just as the eyes can be affected by diabetes, visual degeneration in dogs indicates a deeper imbalance in the body. The eye is difficult to regenerate, but it’s not impossible to stop degeneration. The goal is not to “fix the eye” but to stop the process that breaks it down.
We return to the relationship with the dog, reducing stress, and applying the principles of holistic care. Stress is one of the main triggers of diabetes and autoimmune diseases. It disrupts mineral balance and weakens the microbiome, which is the foundation of immunity. Poor nutrition—too many carbohydrates and sugars, and too few proteins—further worsens the condition. In this process, the adrenal, thyroid, and parathyroid glands are often affected, leading to increased acidity in the body and a range of symptoms, including eye problems.
Castor Oil and Alternative Approaches
Experiences with castor oil vary, and there is no universal solution. Before treating the symptom (the eyes), it is important to understand the cause, because loss of vision is only a signal of a deeper problem within the dog’s body.
The eyes are part of a complex system, and if your dog has vision problems, ask yourself:
By working on nutrition, reducing stress, and restoring emotional balance, you help the body stop losing function and begin the process of healing.
Trust and closeness — the foundation of a dog’s health and emotional balance.
Eye Health Diet for Dogs
This diet is designed to strengthen the immune system, support eye health, and balance the dog’s body through natural ingredients.
Ingredients
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450 g lean ground beef
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85 g beef liver, chopped or ground
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115 g beef heart, chopped or ground
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170 g spinach
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85 g carrot, chopped or ground
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3 eggs (without shells)
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55 g mussels (well rinsed; canned is acceptable)
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1 pear
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3 teaspoons finely ground almonds
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3 teaspoons finely chopped mint
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55 g sardines in water (added at mealtime)
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1 flat teaspoon kelp powder (added at the end)
Note: Give eggshells only to puppies, not to adult dogs.
Preparation
Grind and mix all ingredients into a uniform mixture.
Cooking methods:
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In the oven at 160°C for 30–45 minutes.
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In a slow cooker on low for 4–6 hours.
After cooking, let it cool completely. Add powdered supplements (like kelp) only after the mixture has cooled. If using capsule supplements, open them and mix the contents evenly into the food. Grind nuts and seeds before adding them. Freeze portions you won’t use within 72 hours. Frozen food retains nutritional value for up to 3 months.
Daily feeding amount: about 3% of your dog’s ideal body weight.
Important Note
Avoid fish oils as a source of omega-3 fatty acids because toxins from polluted waters remain in the fatty tissues of fish. Instead, use flaxseed oil or pumpkin seed oil, added just before serving.
In Conclusion
Eye health does not depend solely on local treatments but on the overall balance of the body. Proper nutrition, stress reduction, and emotional stability can help slow down or stop the degenerative process. When your dog begins to see clearly again, it’s a sign that there is more light and balance in your human dog relationship too.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that precision in nutrition is a reflection of our care. When we measure with love, we feed the soul. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 27.03.26. | Nutrition, Wellbeing
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Giardia (Giardia lamblia) can seriously impact a dog’s gut health and immune system. While it is a persistent parasite, a supportive natural remedy for giardia in dogs can help strengthen the microbiome and aid the body in fighting the infection. This recipe is simple to prepare at home and completely safe for your companion.
How to Make the Natural Giardia Remedy
The base of this remedy is fresh buttermilk, which provides essential probiotics.
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Prepare the Buttermilk: Pour 1 liter (about 4 cups) of unsweetened cooking cream into a blender and blend until it turns into a buttery consistency.
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Separate: Transfer the butter into a strainer, drain the excess liquid into a bowl, and rinse the butter under cold water.
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The Result: The remaining liquid is your fresh buttermilk. If you don’t have enough, you can substitute it with high-quality kefir.
Preparing the Herbal Ingredients
Herbs like marjoram and oregano are nature’s answer to parasites. In a mortar, place 4 tablespoons each of the following:
Gently crush them to release their natural aroma and potent nutrients.
Combining and Storing the Mixture
Add all the crushed herbs into a glass jar with half a liter (2 cups) of your homemade buttermilk or kefir. Mix well, close the lid, and store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours. This allows the herbal properties to fully infuse into the liquid
Sasha Riess demonstrates how to prepare a natural supportive remedy for giardia in dogs.
Dosage and Use
To get the most out of this natural remedy for giardia in dogs, follow this specific protocol:
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Days 1 & 2: The dog should fast. Only bone broth is given to rest the digestive system.
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Day 3: Give 1 tablespoon of the mixture per 22 lbs (10 kg) of body weight, four times a day.
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Days 4–7: Feed a light diet (like the carrot soup and rice mentioned in our previous guides).
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The Follow-up: Continue providing buttermilk or kefir for another 6 to 8 weeks to fully restore gut flora.
This preparation helps reduce the number of parasites, supports gut flora, and improves digestion during recovery and detoxification.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that precision in nutrition is a reflection of our care. When we measure with love, we feed the soul. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
