Dogs Bring Happiness and a Sense of Peace

Dogs Bring Happiness and a Sense of Peace

Dogs Bring Happiness and Peace When the Relationship Becomes a Daily Practice

Dogs bring happiness and a sense of peace when the relationship with them does not remain only a possibility, but becomes a daily practice. A dog does not come into our life to solve problems instead of us, but to lead us toward facing them. That is why people often find peace with dogs that they are unable to find anywhere else.

How Dogs Bring Happiness and Peace into Everyday Life

Many people say that dogs bring happiness and a sense of peace because, with them, they stop running away from themselves. With people, we are constantly negotiating. With children, parents, partners, colleagues, and authorities. In those relationships there is history, expectations, power, and disappointment. A dog does not carry any of that. A dog reacts to what is, not to what we wish we were. That is why meeting ourselves through a dog is often more honest and less painful than through relationships with people. A dog does not pretend. A dog does not manipulate. A dog does not rationalize. A dog shows the consequence of our inner state.

Why Happiness with Dogs Comes Through Presence and Responsibility

People often believe they would feel calmer if only a certain problem disappeared. If only this situation, this person, this job, or this responsibility were gone. In that belief, happiness is projected into something in the future. A new object, a journey, a relationship, an experience.

Disappointment usually happens twice. The first time when it is not there. The second time when it arrives, and we realize it did not bring what we expected. Neither a new relationship, nor travel, nor possessions bring lasting peace. They only briefly shift attention.

 

A Dog Is Not an Accessory: How Human Emotions Shape a Dog’s Body and Behavior

 

Facing oneself through the relationship with a dog reflecting how dogs bring happiness and a sense of peace

A dog brings us back to ourselves, without judgment or demands.

 

Emotional Stability and Dogs: How a Sense of Peace Is Created

A dog does not come as a distraction. A dog comes as a mirror. Through a dog, we cannot escape ourselves, but we can calm down in the presence of a being that does not ask for explanations, but for consistency. The peace people feel with a dog does not come because the dog is positive or therapeutic. It comes because the dog brings us back into the present moment. Into routine. Into responsibility. Into the simplicity of relationship. That peace people feel with dogs is not accidental. Dogs bring happiness and a sense of peace through relational stability, not through excitement. This is not an escape from problems. It is a meeting with them, without drama.

Dogs Bring Happiness: Why External Things Are Not Enough

True peace does not arrive when the external world changes, but when we stop believing that external things will save us from inner restlessness. A dog helps in this process because it constantly brings us back to the essentials. Care. Presence. Responsibility. Dogs do not give happiness. They create the space in which happiness can appear.

At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that communication is felt, not forced. We teach you how to listen to your dog’s soul instead of just commanding their body. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess

Dogs in Shelters: How Poor Nutrition Slowly Poisons Them

Dogs in Shelters: How Poor Nutrition Slowly Poisons Them

Shelters are meant to be places of hope, but for many, they are places of silent suffering. While we often talk about cold kennels and the lack of human contact, there is a quieter, more dangerous problem: the poor quality of dogs in shelters nutrition.

Very often, shelter food consists of expired kibble—stale, spoiled, and filled with chemicals. What the label calls “food” is often just industrial waste that the industry cannot sell to humans.

Poor Nutrition: The Invisible Source of Suffering

A shelter dog is already at the edge of its strength, battling anxiety and a weakened immune system. When we add low-quality food, the consequences are devastating:

  • Skin inflammation and constant scratching.

  • Digestive issues (diarrhea and vomiting).

  • Hair loss and declining vision.

  • Long-term liver and kidney disorders.

 

Fifth Toe in Dogs: What It Is For and When It Should Be Removed

 

Dogs in a shelter in a cold kennel behind bars reflecting the crisis of dogs in shelters nutrition

Poor conditions and low-quality food further endanger dogs in shelters.

 

 

The System, Not the People

This is not an accusation against shelter workers. Shelters are overwhelmed and underfunded. When a truck of expired food arrives, it looks like salvation. But in reality, this food often contains mold and toxins that directly poison an already exhausted system.

What Can Be Changed?

Food is the foundation of survival. When a dog receives clean, nutritious food, it gains a chance to heal. While shelter problems cannot be fixed overnight, the conversation about the quality of what they eat must begin today.


At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that health starts from within. A dog’s coat and spirit are reflections of their nutrition. Learn more: Linktree Sasha Riess

 

 

Dog Training or a Relationship of Love — Why I Don’t Believe in the Circus Approach

Dog Training or a Relationship of Love — Why I Don’t Believe in the Circus Approach

 

When it comes to our lives with animals, we must ask ourselves: is it dog training or a relationship of love? Training often reduces dogs to mere points in a program, but a real connection begins only when we stop training and start feeling.

Training as a Continuation of the Circus

The way dog training is understood today has never represented a relationship to me — it’s merely a modern form of the circus. Once, people used elephants, tigers, or lions to demonstrate power and entertain crowds. Today, the stage is smaller, the method refined — but the essence remains the same.

 

Aggressive Mothers and Dangerous Dogs: The Affective Bond with a Dog

 

A dog sitting calmly next to its owner in nature symbolizing a relationship of trust and love

Trust is not commanded; it is built through presence, understanding, and love.

 

 

When I see dogs performing “tricks,” I don’t see freedom; I see limitation. The dog becomes a number in a show — a tool for our amusement, not a being that feels and breathes.

Zoos and “Positive Therapy”

In zoos, the same principle continues. Animals are taught to accept examinations, open their mouths, and take medication. While it’s called “positive therapy,” the essence hasn’t changed — it’s still about the human adapting the animal to themselves.

The True Essence of Relationship

No one in this process enters the animal’s soul or inner world. The focus remains on shaping behavior for human convenience, while the animal’s need is forgotten. A dog didn’t come into our lives to perform, to entertain, or to validate us. Its presence carries something much deeper — a call to relationship.

 

Can Dogs Eat Sardines? A Natural Boost for Your Pet

 

A dog observing its owner with pure trust, reflecting a relationship of love without training or tricks

True trust doesn’t need a command; it only needs your presence.

 

Relationship, Not Domination

A true relationship isn’t built on dominance, but on trust, belonging, and sincere love. When we choose a relationship of love over dog training, we stop taking away who they truly are.

True Companionship, Not a Circus

When I understood that, I discovered something else — that only then does the bond with a dog stop resembling a circus and start resembling a real community. That’s the moment when both human and dog become what they were always meant to be — partners in life.


At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that communication is felt, not forced. We teach you how to listen to your dog’s soul instead of just commanding their body. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess

 

 
Dogs and Consumerism: When Love Becomes a Commodity

Dogs and Consumerism: When Love Becomes a Commodity

Dogs don’t suffer because something is missing — they suffer because they’ve lost their essential connection with humans. In a world where we have everything, the dog is left without the one thing it truly needs — a stable, present, calm human.

I don’t mean physical presence, but energetic and emotional presence. Everything else — food, accessories, cosmetics — becomes meaningless when connection is gone.

How Caring for Dogs Became a Consumer Identity

The modern dog owner lives under the pressure of an industry that convinces us we can’t be responsible owners unless we constantly buy things. Dogs and consumerism have become so intertwined that caring for a dog has turned into a matter of image, not relationship. Shopping is no longer functional — it’s become a moral duty. We feel inadequate if we don’t buy regularly, and when we can’t afford it anymore, we start believing we no longer deserve our dog.

When Money Disappears — the Illusion of Love Crumbles

When the illusion of consumption collapses due to job loss or personal crisis, people often decide to give their dog away. They think they can no longer care for it, not because they can’t feed it, but because they can’t participate in the expensive „system of care.“ This is the result of a distorted message: that love for a dog depends on money.

What a Dog Truly Needs — Simplicity and Presence

A dog doesn’t need a lavender pillow or a spirulina supplement. It needs stability, clarity, and contact. It needs to know who leads and who stays, even when everything changes. No purchase can replace that.

A Personal Story — Betti and the Illusion of Perfection

I was once part of that system. Betti was a Bichon whose owners followed every „professional standard“—weekly grooming, perfect white coat, show results. But they eventually gave her away, believing they weren’t „good enough“ for her anymore.

Betti ended up with their cook—a woman with no money but a priceless advantage: she had no need to prove anything. She trimmed Betti’s hair with kitchen scissors and never tried to turn her into a trophy. For the first time, Betti could simply be a dog.

 

Dog Cosmetics: The Problem Is Not Bad Intent, but Lack of Knowledge

 

A dog looking at its owner with trust as a symbol of true connection and love beyond consumerism

A dog doesn’t ask for luxury; it asks for the presence of a human who understands.

 

The Responsibility of Professionals

Experts, trainers, and groomers shape the idea of a “good owner.” When we raise that bar so high that it depends on money and perfection, we share responsibility for every abandonment caused by guilt.

Returning to Simplicity — Returning to True Love

If we pause, we’ll see how simple it is to give a dog what it truly needs: a human who understands it. Someone who knows that silence sometimes matters more than another toy.

The Pure Love and Harmony approach teaches that a relationship with a dog isn’t a luxury. You don’t need special equipment or a perfect home. You just need yourself—not as a buyer, but as a human who stays when everything else fades.


At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we prioritize the bond over the brush. True care is about being present, not just providing products. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess

 

 

 

 

 

Dogs and the Culture of Conflict: Animals Teach Us More About Relationships Than Humans Do

Dogs and the Culture of Conflict: Animals Teach Us More About Relationships Than Humans Do

Dogs and the culture of conflict reveal that conflict is an inevitable part of life and that the way we respond to it shapes our relationships, boundaries, and personal growth. In the human world, conflict is often seen as a threat or the beginning of a fight, while animals show us that conflict can be a healthy signal, the start of change, and an opportunity for learning.

When we understand the natural logic of conflict, we more easily recognize the patterns we repeat and the lessons we avoid. Animals, especially dogs and horses, experience conflict very differently. Their instincts are clear, their reactions direct, and their relationships transparent. They give us the chance to see ourselves in a way we otherwise never could, without masks, without illusions, and without rationalizations.

This text is a journey through that mirror.

Why Humans Fight and Why Animals Don’t

Conflict among humans often comes from emotion and ego. Expectations and unspoken needs also play a major role. In nature, conflict is brief, functional, and solution-oriented rather than destructive.

How Dogs Build a Culture of Conflict Without Aggression

Dogs and horses do not have the concept of guilt. They have no need to prove they are better. Their behavior is a message about the state of the relationship, about misalignment, about misunderstanding. In that sense, they teach us something we constantly forget: conflict is not an attack, conflict is information.

When animals clash, they show boundaries clearly. They hold them. They respect them. And they move on. Humans, on the other hand, carry the same wounds, the same themes, and the same fears of abandonment or unworthiness for years.

Evolution and the Culture of Conflict

Our biology is not made for chronic conflict. Evolutionarily, conflict was short, energetic, and resolvable. Modern humans live in long-lasting emotional conflicts that stretch over months or decades. The body remains locked in tension, raising cortisol (the stress hormone), weakening the microbiome, and lowering the immune system.

This is where dogs become our teachers. Animals show us exactly how deeply the nervous system is connected to relationships.

What Dogs Teach Us About Our Nervous System

A dog does not react to our words. A dog reacts to our state. It feels our fear, our doubt, our hidden aggression, and the sadness we suppress. The dog is not a symptom. The dog is an indicator. What we manage to hide among humans, the dog sees instantly.

Dogs and the Culture of Conflict as a Mirror of Our Emotions

Dogs reflect our inner world clearly:

  • If you become unsettled, the dog becomes unsettled.

  • If you calm down, the dog calms down.

  • If you hold a boundary, the dog relaxes.

  • If you have no boundary, the dog begins to control.

The dog does not return your ego. It returns your unresolved emotional material.

Monty Roberts and a Lesson from the World of Horses

Monty Roberts teaches that a horse does not accept violence but accepts clarity. A horse flees from force but connects with stability. Dogs behave the same way. They enter the relationship only to the extent that we are mentally present.

When we have a clear identity, a clear boundary, and an emotionally regulated state, the dog follows us. When we are contradictory, fearful, or attempt to control through pressure, the dog resists, avoids, becomes anxious, or takes on responsibility it should never carry.

A Love for Dogs: Titto’s Story of Boundaries, Connection, and Healing

 

Horses and the culture of conflict in relationships reflecting pure emotional connection

Animals show us what a pure relationship looks like without the conflict of ego.

 

Dogs and Emotions: How the Culture of Conflict Shapes Our Relationships

The dog carries the world we create for it: our rhythm, our stress, our way of solving problems, our unspoken emotions, our impatience, and our chaos. When dogs get sick, become nervous, or react impulsively, they are often carrying emotional weight that is not theirs. Many owners believe it is a behavioral problem, but most often it is a relational problem.

The Microbiome, Stress, and Why Dogs Somatize Our Choices

Chronic stress changes the microbiome in dogs just as it does in humans. Stress affects digestion, immunity, hormonal balance, behavior, and frustration tolerance. When a dog’s nervous system stays in survival mode, the body stops regenerating and functioning properly.

Science, Veterinary Medicine, and the Microbiome Through the Lens of Conflict

Veterinary medicine often treats the symptom instead of the cause. If a dog vomits, the stomach is treated. If a dog bites, training is prescribed. But in many cases, the deeper issue is a lack of secure attachment, a lack of leadership, or emotional instability in the home. This is when relational conflict becomes bodily conflict.

 

A Dog Is Not an Accessory: How Human Emotions Shape a Dog’s Body and Behavior

 

Dogs and the culture of conflict in relationships reflecting a pure emotional bond

A dog shows us what a pure relationship looks like without the conflict of ego.

 

How to Develop a Culture of Healthy Conflict With Your Dog

Clarity brings safety. Boundaries bring stability. Silence brings peace. Predictability heals the dog’s nervous system. Relationships always come before technique. A dog wants you, not a trick.

Conclusion: Conflict as a Teacher

Conflict is not the enemy. Conflict is navigation. It shows where it hurts, where boundaries are missing, where you have abandoned yourself. Dogs teach us that conflict is resolved through presence.


At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that a healthy dog starts with an emotionally aware owner. Discover how to build a deeper, stress-free connection with your pet. Explore our resources: Linktree Sasha Riess

 

Dog Scratching Non-Stop? The Hidden Cause Behind Kibble Diets

Dog Scratching Non-Stop? The Hidden Cause Behind Kibble Diets

Why Your Dog Scratches Constantly

From my years of working with dogs, persistent itching almost always points to an internal imbalance. When a dog eats only kibble, problems often arise in the microbiome — the colony of beneficial bacteria in the gut that keeps the immune system balanced.

Kibble, especially lower-quality brands, contains preservatives and heat-processed proteins that a dog’s body can’t fully digest. When the body doesn’t know what to do with these substances, the brain sends a signal: “Get it out!” The result appears on the skin — through itching, redness, and inflammation.

Allergies and Histamine: How Itching Starts

When an allergic reaction occurs, the body produces histamine — a compound that triggers itching and skin irritation. This means your dog’s body is reacting to something it can’t digest properly. The outcome: inflamed areas, flaky skin, paw licking, and constant scratching.

Allergies are actually a sign of a weakened immune system. They appear when the body can’t properly process food or toxins and tries to eliminate them through the skin, lungs, or kidneys.

 

Chronic Gastritis in Dogs – When the Problem Is Not Only in the Stomach

 

Natural dog nutrition to stop itching and restore internal balanc

Dietary changes and natural probiotics can help a dog struggling with persistent scratching.

 

Natural Nutrition to Reduce Itching

The first step is to change the diet. Introduce fresh, natural food — cooked or raw — with added probiotics and prebiotics to restore gut health. Avoid industrial kibble for a while and observe your dog’s skin and behavior.

Also, add flaxseed and pumpkin seeds — natural sources of omega fatty acids essential for healthy skin and coat. Grind them in a coffee grinder and sprinkle over meals. This supports skin regeneration and helps reduce itching naturally.

Itching Isn’t Just a Skin Problem

Constant scratching is rarely a skin issue — it’s usually a symptom of an internal imbalance. When a dog eats only kibble, its system gradually loses equilibrium.

A balanced diet, natural mineral support, and probiotic supplementation can restore harmony and help your dog live comfortably again — without the constant urge to scratch.


At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that beautiful skin and coat start from within. We teach you how to recognize the symptoms of internal imbalance and restore your dog’s natural glow. Explore our programs: Linktree Sasha Riess

 

 

 

Dog Health and Proper Nutrition: Health, Balance, and the Energy of the Human–Dog Bond

Dog Health and Proper Nutrition: Health, Balance, and the Energy of the Human–Dog Bond

A dog living in harmony with nature — calm, healthy, and free of stress — is the image of true well-being. Caring for a dog’s health and providing proper nutrition are essential foundations for a long, joyful life.

Dogs who share life with humans are not just companions — they absorb our emotions, our energy, and our stress. Understanding how nutrition, emotional awareness, and the owner’s inner balance affect the dog’s body is the key to preventing psychosomatic illnesses and maintaining vitality.

Why It’s Important to Watch Diet and Environment

Almost no wild animal suffers from cancer. But when a dog lives with humans, that changes — our emotions and our stress directly influence its body. The closer the dog is to us, the more it becomes a mirror of our inner state. That’s why diseases linked to stress and emotional imbalance appear more frequently in dogs who live tightly connected to humans.

Proper Nutrition and Its Effect on the Immune System

When a dog reaches six months of age and beyond, care should go beyond medical procedures like sterilization. True care means creating a safe and peaceful environment — one where stress does not poison the body. Dogs instinctively absorb and process their owners’ emotional tension in an attempt to protect them. This makes it crucial for us, as owners, to remain calm, aware, and emotionally present — because our state shapes their health.

 

Buying a Dog’s Attention: Why It Distances Owners from True Connection

 

Proper dog nutrition as a key to health and disease prevention

Balanced nutrition is more than food—it is the foundation of your dog’s immunity and emotional stability.

 

The Connection Between Mind, Food, and Immunity

Balanced nutrition is not just about physical health — it’s also about emotional stability. Healthy meals rich in natural ingredients, consistent daily rhythms, and gentle human energy together strengthen the immune system and prevent disease.

Psychosomatic Effects of Chronic Stress

Chronic stress can lead to deep physiological changes in dogs, including psychosomatic conditions and even cancer-like illnesses. A dog is not merely a pet — it’s a sentient partner in our shared ecosystem. Its body reflects our emotions, our peace, and our turmoil.

Health Through Awareness and Nutrition

Preserving a dog’s health begins with proper nutrition and awareness of the shared space we create together. Wholesome food, regular walks, clean water, and emotional balance form the invisible structure of health and longevity.

The Owner’s Responsibility

Caring for a dog is both a physical and an emotional responsibility. To truly nurture health, one must understand how stress, food, and environment intertwine. When we become mindful of our own emotions, we protect not only ourselves — but also the being that trusts us most.


At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we view the dog as a whole. Our mission is to guide owners toward a deeper understanding of the link between nutrition, emotion, and physical health. Discover more: Linktree Sasha Riess

 

 
Do Not Sing to or Pet Your Dog When They Are Afraid of Firecrackers

Do Not Sing to or Pet Your Dog When They Are Afraid of Firecrackers

Why You Should Not Pet Your Dog While Firecrackers Are Going Off

Many dog owners try to comfort their pets during the holiday season when the noise of firecrackers begins. However, what seems like love and care can actually deepen fear and create a larger problem. Here is what you should never do and how to truly help your dog.

Petting Your Dog While They Are Afraid Only Confirms Their Fear

When a dog begins to show signs of fear—trembling, hiding, whining, or looking around in panic—it is natural to want to comfort them. However, experts warn that in moments like these you should not pet your dog, sing to them, or speak softly, because the dog interprets this as confirmation that their fear is justified.

Your reaction, even if it is filled with kindness, signals to the dog that something is truly wrong. They assume that you also find the situation unsettling, and that you are not able to “lead” or take control. As a result, the next time they will be even more frightened and will seek the same kind of comfort, which unfortunately does not help them.

Why Fear of Firecrackers Can Be Dangerous

Fear of firecrackers is not harmless. Some dogs experience extreme stress, run away from home, or even die from the shock and panic. Dogs feel lost and unsafe because they do not trust that their owner can protect them.

In these moments, it is essential for you to remain calm and steady, without overreacting. Do not show that their behavior disturbs you. What they need is your stability, not your sympathy.

 

A Dog Has No Problem With Boundaries, We Do

 

An owner correctly calming a dog afraid of firecrackers by remaining a steady and quiet presence

Instead of petting and comforting, a dog needs the calm and security that comes from a steady owner.

 

Stay Calm and Give Your Dog a Sense of Safety Instead of Comforting Them

There is a simple and effective way to help your dog feel safe during firecracker noise: the wrapping technique. If you do not have a special anti-anxiety vest, you can use a soft cotton bandage or a piece of cloth.

Wrap the dog gently so that the fabric applies light pressure to specific points on the body, creating a sensation similar to a gentle hug. This gives the dog a physical sense of security while you remain composed and do not focus on their fear.

When the dog sees that you are calm and going about your day, they begin to rely on you and understand that there is no real danger. Over time, the fear becomes significantly weaker and may even disappear entirely.

A Calm Owner Creates a Calm Dog

Dogs absorb our energy and behavior. If you panic, sing, pet, or try to comfort your dog during moments of fear, they believe the situation is dangerous. Instead, show calmness, consistency, and steady leadership. This is what truly helps the dog overcome their fear of firecrackers.


At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we teach you how to read your dog’s signals and lead with love and stability. True care is knowing when to act and when to remain a calm anchor for your pet. Explore our resources: Linktree Sasha Riess

 

 

 

“Dog Friendly” Is a Deception: Stress for the Dog, Empty Pockets for You

“Dog Friendly” Is a Deception: Stress for the Dog, Empty Pockets for You

“Dog Friendly” – The Hidden Cost of Emotional Marketing

In recent years, around the world and in our region, we increasingly see signs and advertisements proudly stating “dog friendly.” Owners of shops, restaurants, cafes, and even certain Western churches open their doors to dogs, sincerely believing they are making a gesture of love and inclusion. At first glance, it appears to be a sign of progress and greater respect for animals.

However, when we look at this phenomenon through a deeper, systemic understanding of the human-dog relationship, beneath the sentimental facade lies a painful truth and a profound misunderstanding of a dog’s nature. What humans perceive as freedom and togetherness, dogs often experience as stress, confusion, and loss of safety.

At the same time, dog-themed cafes, birthday spaces, special menus, and emotional marketing concepts appear everywhere. It seems devoted to the love of dogs, but in reality, it is a sophisticated way to extract more money from owners who are emotionally attached to their pets. The dog, who should be honored for its nature and uniqueness, is increasingly reduced to a marketing prop and a tool for profit.

The “Dog Friendly” Chaos – The Stress of Dogs in Human Spaces

The inspiration for this column came a few days ago when I witnessed a scene inside a store. On the surface everything looked pleasant, people walked in with their dogs, smiling and enjoying the idea of being welcome. But the dogs quickly showed another picture.

A couple entered the space with two dogs, while another couple passed by the entrance with their own dog. That brief moment of encounter was enough for one of the smaller dogs to begin barking uncontrollably. The owners became nervous and embarrassed. They tried to calm him with words and petting, but every attempt only intensified the dog’s excitement. Their eyes looked at me as if asking, “What do we do now?”

Barking Is a Symptom – Not a Dog’s Problem, but a Family Imbalance

What seemed to people like a simple behavioral issue was, to me, an obvious sign of deeper imbalance. That dog had taken on the role of leader, decision-maker, and protector within its family. His barking was not “bad behavior” but the natural consequence of occupying a role that does not belong to him. When a dog feels responsible for making decisions and protecting the household, his nervous system stays on high alert.

I said aloud, “Poor dogs.” The woman replied, “But at home he is perfect. He never barks, he is calm and obedient.” I gently responded: if everything were truly in balance at home, the dog would carry that balance into the world. If problems appear outside, this is a sign of hidden imbalance inside the home, something people often overlook or consider normal.

 

Dogs Are Not Trained, Dogs Are Understood

 

A dog barking on the street as a symptom of family imbalance and lack of leadership

Public barking is a symptom of taking on the leadership role, not just a bad habit.

 

The Illusion of “Rescued Dogs”

The man added that “nothing can be done” because both dogs were rescued, as if this were a permanent obstacle. I explained that rescued dogs are often the easiest to guide into a new, secure emotional structure. Dogs who lived on the street already understand the value of order and hierarchy. They know how to follow the one who shows stability and responsibility. Problems more often arise in dogs who have lived only in human households, where boundaries between human and canine worlds become blurred.

The Method of Love and Order – How to Be a True Leader, Not Only a Friend

I explained the principles from the Harmony Guide. Nothing I ask of people are tricks or obedience techniques. They are natural patterns dogs already understand. Kindness, calm presence, clarity in decisions—these create harmony. When the human becomes a leader through love and responsibility, the dog steps out of the role of protector and finally relaxes.

I suggested they avoid taking their dogs to cafes, churches, or busy places for the next two weeks. Instead, they should create a new structure at home. They were ready to learn, and that brought me joy. The problem is never the dog. The problem is the human misunderstanding of what “being welcome” means to a dog.

The Forgotten Truth – A Dog Does Not Understand the Concept of “Going Out”

One of the most important truths people forget is that dogs do not understand the human concept of leaving and returning. For a dog, every new place is a new world. When we take a dog into a church, café, or restaurant, he does not experience it as a short visit. He steps into a completely new environment with new scents, dogs, and people. He immediately has to determine where he belongs and what role he must take.

This is a huge task for an animal living entirely in the present moment. While we drink coffee imagining we are giving the dog joy, the dog is silently evaluating danger, boundaries, and responsibility.

Profit Over Wellbeing – When Love Becomes a Marketing Tool

Why then do shops, churches, and institutions promote themselves as “dog friendly”? The answer is simple: profit. People love their dogs, and where dogs are welcome, more customers come. Owners of these spaces rarely intend harm, but few truly understand what it means to bring an animal into a human-designed environment that is unnatural for them. Humans feel pleasure. Dogs feel subtle stress.

 

Dogs Love Us Without Conditions: The Question Is Do We Know What To Do With That

 

A calm dog walking beside its owner in a state of following and harmony

Calm presence, love, and order – this is what a dog truly needs, not an outing.

 

The Path to Harmony – Respecting the Dog for What It Truly Is

If we want a real relationship with dogs, we must respect who they are. This means stopping the projection of human roles onto them: child, angel, emotional companion for outings.

A dog is a dog. Its place is beside humans, but not inside human rituals that overwhelm its instincts.

  • Love is not taking the dog everywhere.

  • Love is providing structure, calm, and safety.

When we take responsibility for decisions, when we become leaders through love, the dog no longer needs to bark, control, or decide. He can finally be what he is meant to be.

“Dog Friendly” as a Mirror – A Call to Re-examine Ourselves

The “dog-friendly” trend is more than a cultural shift. It is a mirror showing how humans project their emotional needs onto animals. We call it love, but often it is the extension of our own ego. This pattern spreads into human relationships, shaping how we treat our children, partners, and friends. Perhaps the greatest proof of maturity is the ability to see another being as they truly are. Only then can harmony begin.


At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that every physical symptom is a message. Understanding these signals and addressing them through a holistic lens—understanding the true nature of the animal—is at the heart of everything we teach. Learn more and join our community: Linktree Sasha Riess

 

 

 

 

 

Do Not Judge and Do Not Forgive: Why “Yes, this is how it is” Leads to Peace

Do Not Judge and Do Not Forgive: Why “Yes, this is how it is” Leads to Peace

In family relationships, we often hear that forgiveness is the key to peace, but in reality, the role of forgiveness is far more complex. In the parent-child relationship, we should neither judge nor forgive, because both actions disrupt the natural order of love. Instead, the sentence “Yes, this is how it is” brings the deepest form of release without taking on burdens that do not belong to us.

Why We Should Not Judge or Forgive

When we say that forgiveness is not always the path to healing, it may sound contrary to everything we have been taught. But within the natural family order, the child must not rise above the parent. If the child says “I forgive you,” the child unconsciously takes the position of a judge, and this disrupts the order of love.

What It Means to Take On a Parent’s “Guilt”

Forgiving a parent places the child above the parent, as if the child is evaluating the parent’s actions and deciding what is good and what is not. This is a form of unconsciously taking on the parent’s burden.

How a Disrupted Order Affects Future Generations

When a child stands above the parent, the consequences can echo through generations. Feelings of guilt, fear, insecurity, destructive behavioral patterns, and even psychosomatic symptoms may emerge. To stop this burden from continuing, the answer is simple: do not judge and do not forgive.

 

Is Dog Training Traumatic? The Truth About Methods and Lasting Consequences

 

A mother and her angry son in an emotional conflict illustrating the parent child order

A moment showing the importance of maintaining the order in the parent-child relationship.

 

 

The Power of “Yes, this is how it is”

Acceptance does not mean justification. It means acknowledging that the parent gave what they could with what they had. This sentence restores order: the parent is the big one, the child is the small one.

  • The child keeps: Strength, discipline, and life energy.

  • The child releases: Wounds, violence, and disoriented emotional attachments.

“Yes, this is how it is” as the healthiest form of liberation does not try to change the past. Judgment belongs to a higher power; the burden stays where it belongs, and you are finally free to live your own life.


At Integrative and Holistic Grooming Education, we believe that understanding our roots and emotional order is essential for true health. Every physical symptom—in humans or dogs—is a message about balance. Learn more: Linktree Sasha Riess