Dogs share similar DNA with wolves, but does that mean should dogs eat raw meat? Here is the truth and a holistic perspective on canine nutrition within the human dog relationship. I often hear the question: “If dogs have the same DNA as wolves, does that mean they should eat raw meat?” My first reaction to this question is simple: why do we keep searching for easy answers to complex topics?
Do Dogs and Wolves Really Have the Same Diet?
For a long time, I believed my abilities were limited. I used to say, “I am not a specialist, I cannot know everything.” But the truth is that we usually do not lack knowledge. We lack perspective—a holistic perspective.
Veterinary medicine, just like human medicine, often removes one essential part of the truth: the soul and emotion. When we exclude energy, relationships, and emotional context, everything becomes a symptom. And a symptom is not the whole picture. Dogs are not simply wolves. They have been part of human families for thousands of years. Yes, their DNA may be similar, but their lifestyle is not.
When we measure with love and precision, raw meat becomes part of a balanced system for our dogs.
Comparing the Lifestyle and Should Dogs Eat Raw Meat
A wolf travels long distances every day, hunts, and burns enormous amounts of energy. A dog, on the other hand, walks on a leash, sleeps on a couch, and eats from a bowl. Are those the same conditions? Of course they are not.
When a problem appears, whether it is coughing, diarrhea, or pulling on the leash, many owners immediately search for quick solutions. A new trainer, a new guidebook, a new technique. They try for a few days and then give up. But the goal is not to “fix the dog.”
The Dog as a Mirror in the Human Dog Relationship
Just as a child is not the problem of the mother, but a reflection of the family dynamic, a dog mirrors the inner world of its owner. If the dog is in imbalance, it often means that we are not in balance ourselves. This is why the question of should dogs eat raw meat goes far deeper than diet alone. It is not only about what the dog eats, but about the system in which the dog lives.
If the dog does not get enough movement, if it is exposed to stress, if the owner lives in chaos, no food will create a miracle. The real question is not whether raw meat is good or bad. The real question is whether the dog’s entire environment supports health, balance, and emotional stability.
What we are missing is not another recipe or another feeding method. We are missing the truth. The moment we honestly look within and admit that the dog is our reflection, everything changes. And that is where the answer hides. Not in copying the wolf, but in understanding the dog as a being that lives with us, in our world, as a vital part of the human dog relationship
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
Red tears in dogs often confuse owners and cause concern, but behind them lies a complex process within the human dog relationship. These stains are not just an aesthetic issue; they are a biological signal that something in the dog’s body is shifting due to stress or diet.
Physiological and emotional causes of red tears in dogs
„Red tears are a metabolic process,“ explains Sasha Riess. „You can see it in the tears, saliva, and sweat glands.“
A dog’s body temperature is naturally higher than a human’s, around 38°C. Because of this, the warm, moist areas of the face become an ideal environment for bacteria to flourish. These bacteria, reacting with porphyrins in the fluid, produce the characteristic reddish-brown color.
Red tears are therefore a triad of:
Bacterial imbalance
Disrupted pH levels
Emotional stress
How the human dog relationship impacts tear staining
Dogs are sentient beings that react deeply to the feelings of their owners. If you notice your dog withdrawing or showing restlessness alongside red tears, you may be looking at an emotional reaction. In the human dog relationship, dogs often act as emotional sponges.
Sasha Riess advises: „Check how attached the dog is to you and whether there is any other behavior that shows tension. Dogs are emotional animals and can respond to your own emotional processes.“
Pay attention to environmental shifts:
Has a family member left the household?
Has the daily routine changed significantly?
Is the dog experiencing separation anxiety?
Natural solutions for red tears in dogs
An imbalance in the microbiome often manifests through the eyes. If the pH level of the tears is off, bacteria grow more easily. To restore balance:
Adjust or change the dog’s food: Move toward more natural, less processed options.
Introduce probiotics: Support the gut-eye axis.
Maintain hygiene: Keep the area dry to discourage bacterial growth.
„First, resolve the physiological part. Change the food and add a probiotic,“ says Sasha. „And at the same time, reduce the dog’s exposure to stress.“
Restoring balance in your shared life with your dog
Chronic stress triggers higher levels of cortisol, which weakens the immune system and disrupts the microbiome. When the human dog relationship is strained or the environment is chaotic, bacteria grow faster.
Closeness and calm communication help a dog release stress and reduce the appearance of red tears.
How to Help Your Dog
Helping a dog with red tears involves a two-step approach of understanding and action. Addressing the issue gradually through diet, hygiene, and stress reduction is key. Consider keeping a small diary to track when the tears appear—after which meals or emotional events? This makes the root cause easier to identify.
Caring for both the emotional and physiological balance is the best way to prevent red tears. Dogs are mirrors of our emotions. If we learn to read their tears, we might learn something about ourselves as well.
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
Parvovirus in dogs is a disease that is rarely discussed openly, even though it is extremely dangerous and can have fatal consequences. From personal experience and conversations with dog owners, I have learned that vaccination does not always mean complete protection. I want to share my understanding because I believe every dog owner should be aware of the full scope of prevention within the human dog relationship.
Vaccination and Parvovirus: Where the Problem Begins
“My dog was vaccinated three times and still died from parvovirus.”
At first glance, this sounds impossible. Yet, it is not an isolated case. I have heard similar stories from many owners, including my own students. One of the reasons is that viruses such as canine parvovirus and coronavirus can evolve over time, while vaccines are developed based on known strains.While vaccination significantly reduces risk, it is not an absolute guarantee. A dog may receive all required doses yet still become ill if multiple factors weaken the body’s ability to respond.
Why Vaccine Quality and Timing Matter
A vaccine may still be within its expiration date, but that does not always mean it reflects the most recent formulation. Veterinary vaccines are periodically updated to improve coverage. This is why, in a conscious human dog relationship, it is important for owners to ask veterinarians about the specific protocol and the „freshness“ of the strain coverage, rather than relying solely on a date in a passport.
The same principle applies to parasite prevention. Preparations suited to current conditions and used correctly provide much better overall protection.
The Role of the Immune System: Protection Beyond Vaccination
Even the most up-to-date vaccine cannot replace a strong immune system. Dogs with resilient immunity cope better with viral exposure. In practice, this means that a dog’s lifestyle is the true foundation of the human dog relationship:
Nutritionally balanced and appropriate diet.
Regular physical activity.
Minimal chronic stress.
Routine veterinary monitoring.
A dog living in a stable, healthy, and active environment develops a stronger physiological response. Such an organism is better equipped to recognize and respond to pathogens, even when external protection is not perfect.
A healthy lifestyle strengthens a dog’s natural immunity.
Why Vaccination Alone Is Not Enough
Modern veterinary care often places a strong emphasis on vaccination, which is essential and should never be dismissed. However, vaccination alone is not sufficient. Without a supportive immune system and attentive daily care, a dog remains vulnerable. True prevention is a combination of factors: vaccination, immune resilience, and quality of life must work together.
A Message to Dog Owners
Do not rely solely on the vaccination calendar. Speak openly with your veterinarian about protocols and your dog’s overall health. Invest daily in your dog’s wellbeing through nutrition, movement, and emotional stability. Only through this integrated approach can we offer dogs the life and protection they truly deserve within the human dog relationship.
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
Raw bones can be extremely beneficial for dogs because they strengthen teeth, provide minerals, and satisfy the natural need for chewing. However, there is one important detail many owners overlook: raw bones that sit for too long become dangerous. In a healthy human dog relationship, understanding these subtle biological shifts is what keeps our companions safe.
Why Old Raw Bones Become Risky
If a bone remains for several days in the bowl, the yard, or even in the freezer, a sticky film begins to form on its surface. This is a sign of decomposing connective tissue and fat. At that moment, the dog no longer chews the bone slowly but may swallow it whole. This is when the greatest risk occurs.
The danger includes:
Choking or the bone getting stuck in the throat.
Potential injury to the esophagus.
Risk of sharp fragments becoming lodged in the intestines.
Therefore, an old raw bone is no longer safe for the human dog relationship to endure.
Which Bone Is the Safest?
The best choice will always be a completely fresh raw bone that is chilled or frozen, but not one that has been stored for weeks. When fresh, the dog can chew it normally, grind it slowly, and digest it without significant risk. Fresh bones provide high amounts of natural minerals that simply cannot be obtained from industrial dog food.
Old bones decompose and can cause choking or severe internal injuries.
What About Cooked Bones?
This is a rule every dog owner must know: Never give a dog cooked bones.
Cooked bones break into sharp, brittle fragments that can tear the intestines, cause severe constipation, and lead to internal damage and painful blockages. If you cook bones to make broth, gelatin, or nutritional additions to meals, that is an excellent choice—but only the liquid nutrients should be shared. The cooked bone itself should never be fed to a dog.
Raw bones are an excellent and completely natural source of minerals, but only when they are given fresh and in the proper form. In the human dog relationship, providing the right tools for health is an act of love.
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
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
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
Preparation: Wash young black walnuts (still in their green husks) under cold running water, scrubbing gently with a brush if needed.
Boiling: Place them in a pot and pour in enough cold water to cover the walnuts completely. Bring to a boil.
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.
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.
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:
Week 1: Give your dog 1 tablespoon of parsley tea per 11 lbs (5 kg) of body weight daily.
Week 2: Continue with the tea and add 1 drop of walnut tincture per 11 lbs (5 kg).
Week 3: Keep giving the tea and add a pinch of wormwood (about what fits between two fingers).
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
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
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:
What is my dog trying to show me through this symptom?
Why does my dog not “see”? What in our human dog relationship or environment remains unseen?
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
450 g lean ground beef
85 g beef liver, chopped or ground
115 g beef heart, chopped or ground
170 g spinach
85 g carrot, chopped or ground
3 eggs (without shells)
55 g mussels (well rinsed; canned is acceptable)
1 pear
3 teaspoons finely ground almonds
3 teaspoons finely chopped mint
55 g sardines in water (added at mealtime)
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:
In the oven at 160°C for 30–45 minutes.
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
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.
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.
Separate: Transfer the butter into a strainer, drain the excess liquid into a bowl, and rinse the butter under cold water.
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:
Marjoram
Thyme
Oregano (fresh if possible)
Dill
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:
Days 1 & 2: The dog should fast. Only bone broth is given to rest the digestive system.
Day 3: Give 1 tablespoon of the mixture per 22 lbs (10 kg) of body weight, four times a day.
Days 4–7: Feed a light diet (like the carrot soup and rice mentioned in our previous guides).
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
The Janissary Dog: Sorrow and the Absence of Instinct in the Modern Human Dog Relationship
There is a phenomenon rarely spoken about, something we have done slowly, quietly, and almost imperceptibly across generations, as if it were a natural process. Dogs as a mirror of society. We speak about dogs, our most loyal companions, but not in the romantic sense we are used to. We speak about how we turned one of humanity’s oldest allies into our own janissaries. Not in the historical military sense, but in a symbolic, psychological, and systemic one.
Deformation of the Human Dog Relationship: The Loss of Role and Original Nature
We created beings separated from their origin, from their inner order, from their primal nature, and reshaped them to serve our needs, our projections, and our wounds. We did this under the disguise of care, safety, love, and modern civilization. The result was not harmony, but a deep deformation of the relationship between human and dog.
Loss of Role, Loss of Health
When I observe a dog in the modern urban environment, I often ask myself how much of it is still a dog, and how much has become a product of our neuroses, fears, inner emptiness, and unfulfilled needs. Historically, janissaries were children taken from their families, torn from their origin, religion, and culture, then reeducated to completely forget who they were before becoming instruments of another will. When applied to dogs, the same pattern emerges.
We took away their instinct. We took away their right to movement. We took away the role that defined them for millennia as beings maintaining balance in nature. Their original purpose was clear. To guard territory. To inform the pack. To maintain the rhythm of village life. To hunt. To herd. To accompany humans as partners in the real world, not in a simulation of life.
In the modern human dog relationship, the dog has lost its purpose. Not because nature demanded it, but because we assigned a new purpose that serves our emotional deficits. Today, the dog exists to fill what we fail to fill in human relationships. To be therapy. To be an emotional prosthesis. To be a living cushion for comfort, a living charger for belonging, a living neutralizer of loneliness, frustration, and inadequacy. In this process, the dog disappears and only a function remains. The original identity is lost, and what emerges is what we metaphorically call a janissary.
The Price Paid: The Janissary as a Psychological Pattern
The most painful part is that most people believe they are helping the dog. The truth is far darker. A dog that is no longer allowed to move freely and be a dog will not develop emotional or physical stability. It becomes frustrated, tense, energetically overloaded, and neurologically imbalanced. This is a dog no longer living from the inner order of nature, but reacting impulsively to the environment imposed upon it.
It is a dog born and raised without understanding its own role. A dog that spends most of its life waiting for a human to explain what is allowed and what is forbidden. A dog that does not govern its body, but oscillates between shutdown and explosion. A dog that no longer knows how to be a dog, but knows how to react to human emotional disturbances. A dog that guards the human instead of guarding space. A dog that reacts to trauma instead of choosing function.
A Mirror of Human Nature
In Chinese medicine it is said that whoever loses their role loses their health. This applies to humans and animals alike. When we take away a dog’s role, we remove part of the inner order from which vitality flows. The result is a dog in constant energetic conflict. A dog that ignites easily, collapses easily, withdraws easily, and becomes reactive. A dog that is simultaneously too much and too little. Too much energy without structure and too little safety without stability. This is the psychological pattern of the janissary. A being removed from its source and placed into an unnatural relational matrix, where it learns to live for another’s will and stability.
In trying to protect dogs from the world, we protect them from themselves. We have normalized extreme control.
Fear of Instinct: Sterilization as Systemic Control
As a society, we have normalized extreme control. Collars. Leashes. Restricted movement. Prohibited socialization. Banned instinctive behavior. Banned barking. Banned courting. Banned territorial marking. All justified as being for the dog’s own good. It seems we fear allowing the dog to be what it is. Like a parent too afraid to let a child fall, holding them so tightly they never learn to walk.
In trying to protect dogs from the world, we protect them from themselves. We create generations of dogs who never learn stability because they never experience their own motor intelligence, territoriality, and energetic boundaries.
These processes are not accidental. They reflect our relationship with our own instincts. As we treat dogs, so we treat our own nature. People afraid of their inner strength fear the dog’s strength. People afraid of emotional freedom fear canine freedom. Those who have not integrated their inner wolf cannot allow their dog to remain a descendant of wolves.
Such a human reshapes the dog into a pleasant, obedient, functional janissary who emits what the human cannot feel. The dog becomes an emotional filter and absorber, carrying tensions, sorrows, fears, and guilt that are not its own.
Another form of systemic manipulation appears in the idea of sterilization as a universal solution. Behind the mask of humane population control lies a deeper dynamic. When we say the only solution is removing a dog’s sexuality, we prefer a dog weakened along its vital axis. A dog without hormones is a dog without part of its life force. Like a janissary severed from origin, the dog is cut from biological wholeness. There are situations where sterilization is responsible, but what we live today is a mass practice driven by comfort rather than necessity. We prefer dogs without passion, without drive, without instinctual energy. Dogs that do not initiate, demand, or claim space. Dogs that fit our mold. That is the janissary. A living being whose strength is adjusted to the needs of its owner.
A dog returned to itself becomes stronger and more stable. Order comes before obedience.
Returning to Ourselves: How to Break the Janissary Cycle
The Return of Natural Order
As long as we believe harmony means the dog ceasing to be a dog, we live in an ideological relationship, not a natural one. We have placed dogs into a system that suits us, not them. We hold them hostage to our ideas of order, cleanliness, peace, and emotional relief. Then we are surprised by explosions of reactivity, fear, neurosis, aggression, excessive attachment, or total apathy. This is not canine pathology. It is the consequence of an imposed system.
A janissary was never aggressive by nature, but by growing within a distorted identity space. The same applies to dogs and humans who lose touch with their nature.
There is a way out. We do not return dogs to themselves through more control, but by allowing them to feel their place again. Not as humans define place, but as nature defines it. This is the return of order. Not the order of obedience, but the order that existed before human rules. An order where every being has a role. Where every being has the right to be what it is. Where humans are not masters of canine destiny, but partners in a shared field of life.
When a human truly sees the dog before seeing the role they need it to play, the transformation stops. The dog is no longer shaped into a janissary, but returned to itself. A dog returned to itself becomes stronger, calmer, more stable, more present, and more fulfilled. It is no longer an extension of human emotional deficiency, but an autonomous being choosing relationship rather than merely reacting to it. The human no longer gains an obedient subordinate, but a living partner.
If we want healthy dogs, we must become humans who live with healthy instincts. If we want free dogs, we must become humans capable of freedom without fear of our own strength. If we want to stop creating janissary dogs, we must stop living as people who turned their wounds into identity.
A dog living beside a stable human will never become a janissary. A dog living beside a wounded and lost human will always carry that burden. The question is not about dogs. It is about us. The dog is only the mirror. And in that mirror, we see everything we are running from. As long as we run from ourselves, we will create janissaries. When we stop running, we begin returning dogs what belongs to them. And in doing so, we return to ourselves what we lost long ago.
At Sasha Riess Wellness, we strive to restore the natural order of the human dog relationship. We move beyond emotional projections to find true partnership. Explore our philosophy: Linktree Sasha Riess
