by Sasha Riess | 03.03.26. | Behaviour
Most people believe that a dog reacts only to commands, tone of voice, or training. But the truth is much deeper. Both dogs and young children feel far more of who we are than what we do. This is why a dog sometimes does not listen, a child does not respond, and it seems to us that they “do not understand.”
In reality, they understand much more than we would like to admit. How dogs and children react is a direct reflection of our inner state.
What Does a Dog Actually Sense?
A dog does not respond to our words but to the atmosphere we create. If we are nervous, insecure, angry, or afraid, the dog will feel it long before we acknowledge it to ourselves.
The issue is not the leash, the collar, the command, or the technique. The issue is the energy we bring into the relationship. Just as we do not need to walk a dog with a choke chain or an electronic collar, we also do not need to “break him with discipline.” A dog reacts to the entire environment shaped by us—to the way we move, speak, breathe, and approach.
Why Is It the Same with Young Children?
It is similar with children. They rarely react to what we tell them; they react to what they feel coming from us. If we are confused, tense, angry at ourselves, or afraid of life, they interpret it as their own insecurity.
They do not respond to our story but to our inner reality. And here lies the essence of the problem. We are often afraid to be who we truly are, so we wear masks. We perform calmness, confidence, and authority. But the dog and the child see right through it.
Children feel what we live, not what we say.
How One Sentence Can Change a Child’s Entire Life
A dog did not come to be your pet; he came to change your life. This applies to children as well. They do not learn from what we say; they learn from what we live. Understanding how dogs and children react to our lived truth can shift the entire family dynamic.
How to Change Their Response
There is only one way to change the behavior of a dog or a child: We must first change ourselves.
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Slow down: Speed creates tension.
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Release tension: Physical stiffness signals danger.
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Become present: They feel when we are mentally elsewhere.
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Stop hiding emotions: They sense the dissonance between our face and our heart.
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Stop sending mixed signals: Consistency comes from inner peace.
They react to truth, not performance. When we change, their behavior naturally changes with us.
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 is at the heart of everything we teach to ensure the well-being of every dog in our care. Learn more and join our community: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 03.03.26. | Wellbeing
Spaying and neutering are topics that often spark controversy among dog owners and veterinarians. The question of do dogs develop tumors if not spayed or neutered comes up frequently, but the answer is not simple. It is essential to understand not only the medical aspects but also the hormonal, ecological, and biological factors that shape a dog’s life.
When to Spay or Neuter and Why This Question Exists
Sterilization is often viewed as a preventive measure against unwanted litters and certain diseases, such as tumors of the reproductive organs. However, the decision on when to spay or neuter depends on the physiological and mental maturity of the dog. Premature sterilization can disrupt normal hormonal and physical development.
Veterinary experts generally recommend spaying or neutering only after the dog has reached sexual maturity, usually between 18 and 24 months. Before this period, sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone are not yet fully developed and cannot properly support other bodily and mental functions.
The Risk of Tumors in Intact Dogs
Many dogs who are not spayed or neutered and have never had offspring can develop certain types of tumors. The most common are mammary tumors in females and testicular and prostate tumors in males, as well as uterine infections such as pyometra.
The cause is not only genetic. The deeper issue is that the reproductive organs lose their natural function when the reproductive drive is present but never expressed. This can lead to systemic imbalance and increase the risk of cancer.
How Hormones Influence Tumor Risk
Hormones play a crucial role in maintaining balance within the body. In dogs that are sterilized too early or never have the opportunity to express their reproductive function, hormonal imbalance may occur.
Properly timed sterilization reduces the risk of tumors and supports hormonal health.
Why Dogs Without Offspring May Face More Problems
Dogs who never use their reproductive organs may develop what can be described as an “energetic blockage.” When the body cannot properly utilize the natural function of these organs, it can increase the likelihood of tumors, especially in middle-aged and older dogs. Therefore, while sterilization reduces certain risks, its timing must be based on individual development.
The Mistake of Early Sterilization Policies
In the nineties, policies used for feral cats (Trap-Neuter-Return) were applied to dogs in the US to reduce stray populations. However, studies show that sterilization alone does not resolve overpopulation unless the population is first reduced to an ecological minimum. Nature does not tolerate a vacuum; removing dogs often just creates space for new animals from surrounding areas.
The Energetic Mechanism and Proper Timing
When a dog feels the need to reproduce but never has the opportunity, stress and hormonal imbalance can appear. Unexpressed reproductive energy can contribute to the development of cancer. This is why properly timed sterilization—after 18 to 24 months—is so critical. Sterilizing before full maturity can disrupt the development of bones, muscles, and hormonal balance.
Is It Better for a Female to Have a Litter?
Naturally, reproduction can reduce the risk of certain tumors in females as the organs fulfill their biological purpose. However, the decision to have offspring must be responsible. Every litter creates new lives that require care, time, and space.
The right decision about sterilization should be calm, thoughtful, and based on the dog’s physiological development, not merely on social or political pressure.
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 is at the heart of everything we teach to ensure the well-being of every dog in our care. Learn more and join our community: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 03.03.26. | Nutrition
At first glance, commercial dog food seems like a perfect solution. It is easy to buy, practical, and described as professionally formulated. But the core of the problem is not practicality. It is responsibility and the role of the owner.
Why It Is Essential That You Personally Prepare Food for Your Dog
If you prepared food yourself, you would need to choose ingredients, think about the balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, observe your dog’s reactions, and adjust the diet according to your dog’s condition. By buying ready-made commercial dog food, you transfer that responsibility to someone else.
Why Commercial Food Is Often Offered as an Easier Solution
If profit were the only goal, the market would already be overflowing with supplements, special formulas, and industrial products promising health. The problem is that commercial dog food is not designed in service of the dog, but in service of the system.
When someone sells you a ready solution, they are actually taking away your opportunity to understand, removing responsibility from your hands, and limiting your ability to learn and adapt on your own. A dog does not respond through packaging; a dog responds through relationship.
Why It Matters That You Remain in Service of Your Dog
When you prepare food yourself, you observe your dog, notice changes in behavior, and respond earlier than any industry ever could. This is not always easy. It is not fast. It is not clean or perfectly measured. But it is honest.
That is why many people do not remain in this process for long. Not because they do not want better, but because they cannot carry the responsibility.
Nutrition is part of the relationship, not just a meal.
Perfection Is Not the Goal. Presence Is.
There is no perfect diet. There is no perfect owner. There is only effort, learning, mistakes, and correction. Perfectionism has long been abandoned; presence has not. Every message, comment, question, or doubt shows that people want to understand, not just buy a solution.
Why Personal Food Preparation Matters More Than Any Recipe
Anyone can copy a recipe, but a relationship cannot be copied. When you prepare food for your dog, you are not feeding only the body. You are participating in your dog’s life. And that is the one place where the commercial dog food industry can never replace you.
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 is at the heart of everything we teach to ensure the well-being of every dog in our care. Learn more and join our community: Linktree Sasha Riess
by Sasha Riess | 02.03.26. | Coat Care
Cleaning a Dog’s Ears: Why It Is Not as Simple as It Looks
One of the most common questions owners ask is: “How should I clean my dog’s ears. Can I put shampoo in them and rinse with water?”
At first glance, it sounds logical. You apply shampoo, rinse with water, the dog shakes his head, and it is done. However, the problem occurs much deeper inside the ear canal, exactly where water should never end up. Cleaning a dog’s ears requires a more careful approach than just basic washing.
Why Water in the Ears Can Cause Problems
Dogs have a natural mechanism for cleaning their ears. Anything that stays in the shallow part of the ear canal can usually be expelled by shaking the head.
The problem arises when:
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water penetrates below the cerumen layer (ear wax),
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dirt softens and becomes trapped,
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moisture remains locked inside the ear.
Under these conditions, the ear becomes an ideal environment for inflammation, fungal infections, bacterial growth, and unpleasant odor from the ears.
Shaking the head helps a dog expel excess fluid and keep ears dry.
Is Shampoo Safe for Dog Ears?
Shampoo itself is not the problem. The problem is how it is used. When shampoo comes into contact with dirt, it no longer behaves as shampoo but as foam. Foam has an excellent ability to break down grease, remove impurities, and clean surfaces.
This is why foam can be useful, but only if:
How to Properly Clean a Dog’s Ears
A safe approach to cleaning a dog’s ears includes the following steps:
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Use products specifically designed for cleaning dog ears.
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Do not pour water directly deep into the ear.
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Clean only the outer ear and the visible part of the canal.
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Rinse gently, without pressure.
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Allow the dog to shake thoroughly.
Dogs are naturally capable of expelling excess fluid from their ears, but only if the water has not become trapped beneath layers of ear wax.
The Most Common Owner Mistake
The biggest mistake is not cleaning itself, but overcleaning. Ears are not meant to be washed frequently, nor should they be cleaned “thoroughly” like skin.
Too much intervention:
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disrupts the ear’s natural protective barrier,
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increases the risk of infections,
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creates chronic ear problems.
For a healthy dog, minimal and proper hygiene is the best hygiene.
Sasha Riess Pure Love & Harmony 100% natural active ingredients: nourishing aloe, generous jojoba, luxurious lavender, premium spring water rich in minerals from an ancient hidden European sea. Learn more about our Holistic Care.
by Sasha Riess | 02.03.26. | Wellbeing
More and more often, I hear from owners who describe their dogs as anxious, reactive, fearful, or overly sensitive — and no one seems to know why. Behind these behaviors often lies a hidden mineral imbalance: too much copper and not enough magnesium. This delicate relationship profoundly affects both the health and behavior of dogs, yet it’s rarely discussed.
The Link Between Copper Toxicity and Magnesium Deficiency
Over the years, I’ve seen how excess copper can deplete magnesium — in both humans and dogs. You can give your dog the best supplements, but if the body is overloaded with copper, magnesium simply won’t stay. That’s why copper detoxification is the first step — but it must be done slowly and safely, never abruptly. Copper toxicity in dogs acts as a silent saboteur of mineral balance.
Estrogen Imbalance and the Role of the Adrenal Glands
In spayed female dogs, the adrenal glands take over a small part of hormone production — estrogen in females, testosterone in males. However, when the body is burdened with copper, hormones can’t function properly. The result is a dog that appears nervous, fearful, or reactive — and owners often misinterpret this as a behavior issue, when in fact it’s biochemical.
Behavioral Changes Caused by Excess Copper
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) shows that hyper-reactive dogs often have elevated copper and low levels of magnesium and zinc. These dogs are not simply ‘difficult’ — they are struggling with a physiological imbalance that affects their nervous system, heart, and energy levels.
There’s no magic pill that fixes this overnight. What we can do is gradually help the dog eliminate excess copper through lifestyle changes and natural nutrition. Only when that balance is restored can the body retain minerals where they’re needed.
The Hidden Epidemic of Copper Overload
Scientists now speak of a silent epidemic — copper toxicity in dogs and magnesium deficiency. Copper is everywhere: in water, food, and even supplements. Deficiency is almost impossible today, but overload is very real and dangerous.
Excess copper pushes magnesium out of the body, directly affecting heart function, the nervous system, and energy. This imbalance is linked to increased cardiovascular problems, fatigue, and hyperreactivity.
The diagram shows how minerals interconnect and impact a dog’s health and behavior.
How to Help Your Dog — A Step-by-Step Approach
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Never remove copper abruptly: Copper is essential, but too much creates imbalance. It works in partnership with zinc to regulate brain function. The goal is balance, not elimination.
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Avoid food enriched with copper: Most dry kibble contains added copper, increasing the toxic load.
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Include natural mineral sources: To neutralize copper toxicity in dogs, use zinc, magnesium, manganese, and vitamin A. These are best from whole foods: red meat, egg yolks, pumpkin seeds, and leafy greens. Note: Avoid liver for reactive dogs as it is very high in copper.
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Support the liver: Herbs like milk thistle (silymarin), dandelion root, and artichoke root support the liver’s detox process.
Balance Is the Key to Health
Copper isn’t the enemy — it’s vital for life. But when it builds up, it becomes a silent saboteur. Balance between copper, zinc, and magnesium is essential. If your dog seems reactive, anxious, or restless, the issue may not be behavioral — it may be biochemical. With proper nutrition, a calm environment, and patience, the body can restore its natural balance.
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 is at the heart of everything we teach to ensure the well-being of every dog in our care. Learn more about our Holistic Approach.
by Sasha Riess | 13.02.26. | Emotions
Dogs may live in the present moment, but their reactions often reveal something much deeper: our anxiety, our fears, and the tension we suppress. When a dog looks worried, unsettled, or reacts without an obvious reason, it is often a reflection of negative projections coming from us, not from the dog.
Can Dogs Project Negative Outcomes?
Anxiety in dogs functions like the projection of a negative scenario into the future, even though a dog is not naturally a being that thinks ahead the way humans do. This leads to an essential question: How can a dog have a “negative future” in its mind if it does not think the way we do?
The answer is simple: A dog does not project its own future; a dog projects ours.
Dogs absorb our emotional tone, our tension, our unspoken fear, and every subtle shift in our energy. If the owner is worried, under pressure, internally chaotic, or carrying repressed anxiety, the dog feels it as if its own future is threatened. This is a primary driver of anxiety in dogs.
Why a Dog Carries the Emotion We Suppress
What is especially interesting is this: the more we believe we are calm while actually suppressing anxiety, the more the dog becomes tense.
Why? Because a dog has no filter. What is repressed in a human is active in a dog.
A dog reacts to what we try to hide:
While we rationalize, the dog feels. This is why it can seem as if a dog “thinks negatively,” when in reality, it is simply manifesting our inner world.
Dogs feel every unspoken emotion and tension within the family.
How to Recognize When a Dog Is Carrying Your Anxiety
The most common signs of anxiety in dogs that mirror human stress are:
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Restlessness without reason
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Stress twitches, sighing, trembling
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Avoiding contact or becoming overly attached
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Aggression that appears “out of nowhere”
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Hypervigilance, constantly scanning the environment
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Behaviors that resemble “fear of the future”
This is not the dog’s burden. It is the burden the dog has taken from us.
How to Help the Dog and Yourself
For a dog to be truly stable and free from anxiety in dogs, the owner must:
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Slow down their pace.
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Allow themselves to feel instead of suppressing.
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Lower expectations of the dog.
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Recognize their own stress.
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Restore emotional presence.
A dog does not need a perfect owner, only a present one. When a person returns to their authentic emotional state, the dog responds with immediate relief.
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 is at the heart of everything we teach to ensure the well-being of every dog in our care. Learn more about our Holistic Approach.
by Sasha Riess | 11.02.26. | Behaviour
Chronic Stress in Dogs Is Not a Momentary Fear
Chronic stress in dogs is not just a momentary fear or short term discomfort. It is a condition that quietly builds through our everyday actions. What surprises owners the most is that stress rarely comes from major events. It most often arises from small, repeated inconsistencies in human behavior around the dog.
When one family member allows something and another forbids the same behavior, the dog enters a state of constant confusion. Over time, this confusion turns into chronic stress in dogs, which can lead to serious physical and emotional disorders.
How Chronic Stress Develops in Dogs
Chronic stress most often develops when a dog cannot predict the consequences of its behavior. If the dog is sometimes punished and sometimes rewarded for the same action, it enters a state of insecurity.
A dog does not understand the difference between “mom allows it” and “dad does not allow it”. The dog only experiences that the same stimulus leads to completely different reactions. For the dog, this becomes an alarm that never turns off.
Inconsistent rules, shouting, unfair punishment, and sudden changes in owner behavior directly activate stress hormones. When this repeats day after day, the dog loses its sense of stability, and the body shifts into a state of constant tension. This is the physiological foundation of chronic stress in dogs.
Confusion as a Trigger for Serious Problems
A dog can appear obedient, calm, and affectionate, while still being deeply confused. Confusion is one of the most dangerous forms of emotional pressure in dogs because dogs do not have the ability to rationalize situations the way humans do.
If a dog is allowed on the bed one day and forbidden the next, if one family member feeds the dog from the table while another punishes it for the same behavior, the dog’s nervous system enters a chaotic survival mode.
This state can lead to:
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loss of energy and lethargy
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withdrawal and depressive behavior
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sudden aggressive outbursts
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psychosomatic illnesses
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weakened immunity and digestive problems
For a dog, confusion is not just discomfort. It is a state in which the body remains in constant physiological defense, as if danger is present at all times.
Chronic stress in dogs leads to both emotional and physical health issues.
How Family Disharmony Affects a Dog
Dogs live in the present moment. They do not process the past the way humans do, nor do they imagine the future. Their perception of the world exists entirely in the here and now. Even small inconsistencies within the family create inner chaos for the dog:
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one owner shouts, another stays calm
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one allows the dog on the bed, another forbids it
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one punishes a mistake, another rewards the same mistake with attention
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children allow behaviors that parents forbid
In such conditions, the dog no longer knows what is right and what is wrong. And when a dog does not know, it prepares itself for the worst-case scenario. This leads to constant activation of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. As a result, the dog may begin to behave unpredictably, becoming withdrawn, tense, fearful, or aggressive. Even sudden reactions in public spaces, such as snapping or rough play, are often rooted in accumulated confusion and chronic stress in dogs.
What Owners Can Do Immediately
To reduce chronic stress in dogs, the family must function as one clear voice. Not as several individuals with different rules, but as a unified structure the dog can understand.
The most important steps are:
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Agree on clear rules within the family
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Follow those rules consistently
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Avoid shouting and confusing punishment
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Provide routine and predictability
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Build the relationship through calmness and consistency
A dog does not seek perfect owners. It seeks consistency. Consistency creates safety, stability, and a healthy life without unnecessary stress.
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 is at the heart of everything we teach to ensure the well-being of every dog in our care. Learn more about our Holistic Approach.
by Sasha Riess | 11.02.26. | Nutrition
Sardines can be an excellent choice for dogs. They are easy to digest, rich in omega fatty acids, and full of nutrients that support skin, coat and the immune system. However, the key is that a dog should eat food that naturally exists in the diet of its owner. If sardines are part of your own table, then you can occasionally include them in your dog’s menu as well, but always in reasonable amounts and in a way that is safe for their digestive system.
Why Is Food We Eat Recommended for Dogs?
Dogs easily pick up the energy, rhythm and eating routine of their owner. The food you enjoy usually suits the dog too because it is part of the shared living environment. If your home often includes sardines, fruit or light meats, your dog will naturally gravitate toward those foods on an energetic level. The most important rule is simple: Do not buy anything for your dog that you would not eat yourself.
Can Dogs Eat Sardines Without Any Risk?
In most cases, yes. Can dogs eat sardines without harm? Generally, sardines are safe for dogs, especially when cleaned and free of salt and spices. Cooked or lightly prepared sardines are the best choice. There are very few foods that can harm dogs, and fish generally does not belong to that category. Still, it is important to avoid overly fatty or seasoned foods, as well as industrial fish products that contain too much salt.
Sardines can be a tasty and healthy addition to a dog’s diet.
How to Occasionally Add Sardines to a Dog’s Diet
Sardines can be added to the main meal, especially if the dog eats homemade food. You can chop them and mix them into the meal, combine them with vegetables or add them as an occasional protein source instead of meat. On days when you prepare fish for yourself, you can set aside a small portion for your dog so that their diet remains natural, balanced and energetically aligned with you. This answers the frequent question, „can dogs eat sardines as a regular treat?“ — yes, as long as it aligns with your shared rhythm.
Can a Dog Be Vegetarian or Vegan?
Theoretically yes. Practically, only if the owner knows exactly what they are doing. Dogs can live on a plant based diet, but only if the meals are prepared carefully and with proper fermentation of carbohydrates so that insulin does not rise. Unfermented rice, quinoa or other carbohydrates can cause long term problems with the pancreas, thyroid gland and insulin resistance. Therefore, if you are considering a plant based diet for your dog, you must be very responsible and well informed.
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 is at the heart of everything we teach to ensure the well-being of every dog in our care. Learn more about our Holistic Approach.
by Sasha Riess | 11.02.26. | Nutrition
Dried bones for dogs from pet shops are often presented as a natural and safe treat for dogs. However, the recommendation is not to buy them, not because they are “forbidden,” but because anything you can do yourself should not be delegated to the industry.
When a dog is given a bone, it is not just about chewing. It is part of a ritual, digestion, calming, and a sense of safety. The problem begins when that bone is produced industrially, without clear control over its origin, processing methods, and additives that are not visible on the label.
The Hidden Risks of Industrial Dried Bones for Dogs
Dried bones for dogs from pet shops often go through processes designed to extend shelf life, alter the structure of the bone, and increase the risk of breaking into sharp fragments. Such bones are not digested naturally by the dog and are often chewed mechanically — without real benefit for teeth, jaw strength, or psychological balance.
If you want to give your dog a dried bone, the safest option is to prepare it yourself. A bone left over from raw meat can be dried in the oven at the lowest temperature, overnight, or in a dehydrator. It is important that the bone is not cooked or baked, because heat treatment changes its structure and increases the risk of splintering.
Why DIY Preparation is the Safest Way to Give Bones
In this way, you know:
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Where the bone comes from
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That it contains no preservatives
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That your dog is receiving something that comes from your world, not an industrial product
Industrial dried bones for dogs often alter the natural function of chewing.
A dog will enjoy far more what comes from your hands and your environment than something from an anonymous bag on a store shelf. By choosing to avoid industrial dried bones for dogs and preparing them yourself, you are maintaining the purity of the ritual and ensuring your dog’s safety.
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 is at the heart of everything we teach to ensure the well-being of every dog in our care. Learn more about our Holistic Approach.
by Sasha Riess | 11.02.26. | Emotions
A Dog Owner Trying to Buy the Dog’s Attention with a Toy, While the Dog Appears Distant
In an era where almost everything can be outsourced, including caring for a dog, buying a dog’s attention has become one of the most dangerous traps of modern life. It appears practical, efficient, and helpful, but in reality it silently erases the most essential part of the relationship, which is presence.
And when love becomes a service, distancing begins long before we notice it.
Buying a Dog’s Attention as the Beginning of Emotional Distance
Why buying attention, even when it is of the highest quality, becomes a moldy compromise. When we begin paying for love instead of giving it, the relationship begins to fade and alienation slowly takes over.
Conformism is a simple word. In translation it means “I agree”, “I do not want to stand out”, “someone else will do it for me”, yet its price sometimes exceeds what we believe we are paying for. We often think that money buys freedom, that we can simply hand over the time we lack to someone else. But where does this lead? And what do we lose when we choose conformism as our daily way of living, not only in relationships with dogs, but with ourselves and the world around us?
Modern Challenges: The Trap of Buying a Dog’s Attention
Conformism today does not look like silence in a crowd or shrugging before authority. Today it is polished, digitalized, serviced, and delivered to the doorstep. Modern conformism is the ability to pay for someone else to do what you no longer have time for. It is the ideology of efficiency, speed, and delegation. But beneath that efficiency lies something far more expensive: the loss of relationship.
The loss of rhythm. The loss of the primal spark that once connected us with ourselves, with our dogs, and ultimately with the world. In a time when someone else can prepare your dog’s meals, walk them, bathe them, groom them, or train them, the question becomes: where are you in that story? Not as the owner who pays, but as the human who loves.
Where are you as a being capable of communicating through eye contact, touch, and presence? Where are you in the microcosm of trust between a human and a dog, the being we claim to love most in the world? And even if we can provide everything for a dog, does that mean we should?
Buying Attention vs Communicating: Why Relationships Cannot Be Delegated
In the Pure Love and Harmony philosophy there is no pressure, no punishment, and no training through fear. Love is not a form of control. Love is presence. This is the foundation of building a dog secure attachment.
Communication with dogs is not a project measured by a successfully executed command. It is a flow. And those who have applied this approach in practice speak of the “miracles” it brings, but so do those who were unable to. A dog does not need you to teach it how to sit. A dog needs you to teach it how to trust. And trust is not built through commands. It is built through consistency.
True dog attention comes from presence, touch, and communication, not from buying a dog’s attention.
Preparing Food: The Antidote to Buying a Dog’s Attention
One of the deepest expressions of love toward a dog is preparing its food. When you chop ingredients, mix them, and thoughtfully design every meal, you enter the deepest zone of devotion. There are no shortcuts. Your hands, your mind, and your heart work together for a being that depends on you. And that is not duty. It is calling.
When I first began speaking about proper canine nutrition, I was not only talking about recipes. I was talking about rituals, something far deeper than cooking. I was explaining why owners should cook for their dogs, because that is where relationship is formed. Not only physical benefit, but real connection, a daily practice of love.
People recognized this. They began cooking. One acquaintance, together with his mother, cooked for their four small dogs. They chopped ingredients together, sent photos, and spoke to me about everything they were learning. Their kitchen became a space of connection, quiet joy, and togetherness.
However, life changed. New jobs, more responsibilities, less time. And like many others, they switched to buying cooked dog food, which represents the typical act of buying a dog’s attention. At that moment, food producers enter the picture. Some begin with sincere intentions, following the philosophy of health and care. Some genuinely want to help. But the market quickly recognizes the weak point, conformism.
Food that was once an act of presence becomes just another package at the doorstep. Many contacted me asking for help starting a cooked dog food brand, but my answer was always the same. I cannot participate in the concept of buying a dog’s attention through food, because I believe the owner should cook. These were not opportunities. They were hooks.
What began as a movement of love became another service. As a consequence, people stopped cooking. Not because they could not, but because it was easier. And that “easy” always costs the most. My acquaintance noticed the change: tension, coldness, emotional distance. The dogs became just another responsibility. But when they returned to cooking, everything changed. Not because of the food, but because they returned to presence. Because food is relationship. It is a practice of love. And when you hand it over to someone else, you lose a part of yourself.
Delegating Care: What We Lose When We Are Not Present
Saying “I do not have time” sounds practical. But very often it is the act of giving up what matters most. Feeding, walking, bathing, grooming, these are the places where relationships are born. And without relationship, you are no longer the same.
A person who says “I no longer have time to cook for my dog” soon says “I have not seen my daughter in days” or “I do not know where this month went.” When you delegate love, you delegate yourself.
Emotional Intelligence and the Cost of Choosing What Is Easy
Cooking, walking, touching, these are not tasks. They are channels through which our emotional intelligence communicates with the world. When you remove them from your day because you “do not have time”, you cut off your own channels of growth. Paradoxically, through these simple actions comes the energy for everything else.
The law of abundance does not function in conformism. It functions in integration. If you once cooked and now enjoy the benefits of that bond, do not stop because life became faster. Integrate it. Do not discard it. This integration is vital for maintaining a dog secure attachment.
Why Buying a Dog’s Attention Never Leads to Abundance
When we nurture, we do not lose time. We expand it. We bring life into it. And that cannot be bought. Time is infinite, but we are not. People often say, “If I had more time, I would cook.” But time is not the problem. The problem is choice. When we say we do not have time, we are actually admitting that we chose something else.
And in the moments of commitment to dogs, family, nature, we receive energy that money cannot buy. The spark of life. When that spark ignites, we do not go backward. We do not search for shortcuts. We do not look for ways to delegate what is ours. Instead, we look for ways to integrate more.
Preparing food for a dog is more than just a meal — it is an exercise in love and presence, as opposed to buying a dog’s attention.
Meals, rituals, shared moments are not habits. They are the integration of heart and mind. The mind measures and calculates. The heart unites and builds. The heart recognizes wholeness. Heart intelligence leads us toward a universe that functions in harmony, where all cells work together, not because they must, but because they belong. On that path stand consumerism and conformism. They offer speed, services, convenience. But they do not offer life.
Pure Love and Harmony as the Answer
So do not choose the shortcut. Do not choose replacement. Choose integration. If you once cooked and now receive the benefits of that relationship, do not stop because you “do not have time”. Remove what actually steals your time.
Life is not a list of tasks. Life is a system. A holistic system that requires wholeness. And the best in us cannot awaken if we run from what makes us human. We have time. Time does not disappear. But if we do not use it for love, connection, and presence, then we are the ones who disappear.
This is what dogs teach us. Not through words, but through eyes, through presence, through loyalty without calculation. And the path toward that is pure love and harmony. Nothing less. Nothing faster. Nothing easier. But the only thing that truly matters.
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 is at the heart of everything we teach to ensure the well-being of every dog in our care. Learn more about our Holistic Approach.
