by Sasha Riess | 24.03.26. | Behaviour
Learn how to teach your puppy to use a pee pad — with tips on space management, routine, and proper guidance.
Many puppy owners face the same challenge: how to properly teach their dog to pee on a pad. It’s a process that requires patience, consistency, and an understanding of canine nature.
Why Doesn’t the Puppy Use the Pad?
Dogs instinctively avoid soiling the area where they sleep. If your puppy pees all over the house, the causes may vary:
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Too much water intake – dogs that drink large amounts of water will naturally urinate more often.
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Diet – dry kibble that’s constantly available increases thirst, while cooked or moist food reduces water intake and the frequency of urination.
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Stress and adaptation – a puppy that has just arrived in a new home often pees or poops uncontrollably because it feels separation anxiety from its mother and littermates.
Step-by-Step: How to Teach a Puppy to Use the Pad
1. Limit the space
In the beginning, set up a small area for your puppy — one side for sleeping, the other for the pee pad. This helps the puppy learn to distinguish between rest and potty zones.
2. Gradually expand the area
Once the puppy starts using the pad regularly, slowly allow access to a larger part of the home — but always keep the pad clearly visible and easily accessible.
3. Watch your puppy’s habits
Puppies usually pee right after eating or drinking. During these moments, gently guide your puppy to the pad and encourage it to use it.
Rewarding is a key part of teaching a puppy to use a pee pad.
4. Reward and be patient
Every time your puppy pees on the pad, praise and reward it immediately. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to faster learning. Avoid punishment — it only creates fear and delays progress.
Practical Tips
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Keep the pad clean and in the same location.
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Establish a feeding and walking routine to help your puppy develop predictable habits.
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During the first few days, accidents are normal — stay calm and consistent.
Building Understanding Through Connection
Teaching a puppy where to pee is not just training — it’s communication. When you lead with patience and awareness, your puppy learns trust and balance, not just rules.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that every lesson is an opportunity to deepen the bond with your companion. True education is built on trust, not force. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 24.03.26. | Behaviour
Negative influence on a dog is rarely the result of intentional cruelty. Much more often, it comes from the unconscious transfer of emotions, trauma, and inner conflicts from the owner. Dogs do not understand words the way humans do, but they deeply sense the emotional state of the person they live with. When a dog becomes a place where unresolved problems are discharged, the consequences inevitably appear in the dog’s behavior.
When a Dog Becomes an Emotional Support
Many owners unconsciously project their trauma onto their dog. They talk to the dog as if it were a therapist, confide their problems, and expect understanding. The dog does not respond with words, but it absorbs the emotional burden that does not belong to it.
Such a relationship does not heal the human, but it deeply burdens the dog.
Transferring Trauma Across Generations
If a person grew up in an environment of violence, emotional coldness, or manipulation, those same patterns are often transferred to the dog, usually in a milder form. There may be no physical violence, but there is control, emotional pressure, passive aggression, or constant tension. This is a negative influence on the dog that often goes unnoticed until it becomes serious.
How a Dog Shows That It Is Carrying Your Burden
Dogs clearly signal when they are under emotional pressure:
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Constant tension or withdrawal
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Excessive attachment to the owner
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Fear without a clear cause
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Digestive or skin problems
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Unexplained aggression or apathy
These are not “bad dogs.” These are dogs carrying emotions that are not theirs
Dogs feel and absorb the inner conflicts of their owners.
Love Is Not Projection
If we only know how to love through control, fear, or pain, the dog becomes a victim of our patterns. Loving a dog does not mean transferring our wounds onto it. It means taking responsibility for our own inner state.
A dog is not therapy. A dog is a living being that reacts to the truth we live. Recognizing that you are negatively affecting your dog requires an honest look inward. A dog does not need a perfect owner, but a stable human being. When you begin to carry your own emotions, the dog will be the first to show relief.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that the mirror of a dog’s soul reflects the clarity of its owner’s heart. True well-being starts with emotional responsibility. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 23.03.26. | Nutrition
Homemade apple cider vinegar is a natural product that was once a staple in every household. It was made from apples that were not beautiful enough to eat, but were still healthy and usable. This vinegar was not just a seasoning, but also a remedy, a preservative, and the foundation of a healthy diet. Unlike industrial apple cider vinegar, homemade vinegar does not contain additives, fermentation accelerators, or artificial acids. It is created through a slow, natural fermentation process and retains all the benefits of that process.
Which Apples Are Best for Vinegar
For homemade apple cider vinegar, you can use:
Important notes:
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all rotten parts must be removed
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apples must be healthy on the inside
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sweetness and size are not important
Ingredients
How to Make Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar – Step by Step
1. Preparing the Apples
Cut the apples into quarters or eighths. There is no need to peel them. The skin and seeds are an important part of the natural fermentation process.
2. Adding Water and Sugar
Place the chopped apples into the container. Add about 1 liter of water and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Sugar serves as food for the natural bacteria that will, over time, create vinegar.
3. Fermentation
Once the apples are submerged in water, they will begin to soften and break down. This is a normal and desired process. Do not close the container with a lid. Cover it with cheesecloth and secure it with a rubber band. The cloth is important because it allows airflow and protects the mixture from insects.
4. Fermentation Time
The vinegar should sit for a minimum of 10 days, but most often 2–3 weeks. The exact time depends on the ripeness of the apples and the room temperature. You may gently stir the mixture occasionally using a wooden spoon.
How to Know When the Vinegar Is Ready
Homemade apple cider vinegar is ready when it has a pleasant, sour smell, there is no odor of rot, and the liquid is cloudy (which is completely normal). Once ready, strain the liquid and store it in a glass bottle.
The natural fermentation process of apple cider vinegar.
Most Common Mistakes
Final Note
Homemade apple cider vinegar is not made quickly, but it is made simply. What our grandmothers knew is that nature does not demand perfection, only patience. Apples that are no longer good for eating can become an extremely valuable product. That is the essence of homemade preparation and respect for natural processes.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that respecting nature’s slow processes yields the best results for your well-being. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 23.03.26. | Nutrition
Many dog owners want to switch to cooked or homemade food but worry about one thing: how can they manage to cook when they work, rush, and barely have time for themselves? The truth is that preparing meals for your dog does not need to be complicated, slow, or demanding. Below is a simple system that allows you to feed your dog with high quality, healthy, homemade meals without cooking every day.
Quick Cooking: A Complete Meal in One Pot
You do not need anything special to prepare homemade dog food.
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Chop the ingredients in a food processor, including meat, vegetables, and optionally rice or buckwheat.
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Place everything in a single pot.
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Add water to cover and cook for about thirty minutes.
That is all. No special techniques, no complicated recipes, just simple cooking that results in a nutritious meal.
How Much Food Does a Dog Need
The amount is very easy to calculate. Give your dog three percent of his body weight per day.
Example: A dog weighing twenty kilograms eats about six hundred grams of food per day. This amount can be divided into one or two meals depending on the dog’s routine.
Batch cooking — the perfect solution for busy dog owners.
You Do Not Need to Cook Every Day
If you cook a larger batch, you can feed your dog for several days in advance. Homemade food can:
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Stay in the refrigerator for three to four days
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Be reheated and sterilized if you want it to last longer
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Be frozen for one to two weeks
This means you do not cook every day, but once every few days.
Why Kibble Is Not a Good Alternative
Kibble often looks like small pieces of meat, but in reality it is:
Large corporations make it look attractive, but that does not make it natural food. This is why many owners feel that kibble is not the right choice, and there is no brand I can genuinely recommend as ideal.
Is Homemade Food Sustainable
Absolutely yes. If you can set aside thirty minutes once every two or three days, one pot, and a few basic ingredients, then you already have everything you need to feed your dog healthy, real food. Cooking for your dog does not have to be a time consuming task. On the contrary, with simple preparation, cooking in advance, and basic ingredients, homemade dog food becomes the most practical and healthiest option.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that providing fresh, nutrient-dense food is the greatest act of love an owner can perform. Your dog’s vitality starts in the kitchen. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 22.03.26. | Wellbeing
If your dog is afraid of fireworks and firecrackers, there is a simple and completely natural way to help them feel safer. This method requires no special equipment, only a little patience and the correct placement of a light elastic band underneath a fitted shirt.
The holiday season brings joy to many owners, but for their dogs it often brings serious stress. Sudden sounds, explosions, and unfamiliar smells can trigger fear, panic, and the dog’s instinct to hide or run away. Before the noisiest part of the year begins, it is important to prepare your dog so they feel more grounded and protected.
Understanding the Pressure Wrap Technique
One easy way to support them is the calming “pressure wrap” technique, a gentle form of wrapping the body. It does not replace the rituals and preparations you already know are essential, but it is an excellent additional tool.
How to Apply the Elastic Band
The first thing you need is an elastic band. A pilates band works perfectly, but you can use any soft, flexible band that does not rub or tighten too much. What matters most is that it is wide enough to distribute pressure evenly. The band is first placed under the dog’s armpits, crossing over the front of the chest. Then it is brought up over the back and crossed in an X shape. After that, it is brought under the belly and tied so that it rests comfortably without restricting breathing. The purpose is for the dog to feel light, steady pressure, something like a long, gentle embrace.
Many dogs experience severe stress during fireworks and firecrackers.
Locking in Stability with a Fitted Shirt
Once the band is positioned correctly, put a fitted shirt or light garment on top. This adds another layer of security and helps “lock in” the sensation of stability. Many owners notice that within minutes their dog relaxes, lies down, or at least stops trembling.
A Natural Step Toward Better Control
This technique is quick, simple, and can be used anytime your dog shows signs of tension. It will not eliminate noise anxiety entirely, but it is a wonderful step that restores a sense of control in your dog’s body.
At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we understand that physical security is deeply linked to emotional peace. A grounded dog is a resilient dog. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
