Are you struggling with your best friend and about ready to give up?  
Tired of "trying everything" and still not getting results?  
Are you ready to end the struggle and finally enjoy a loving and easy relationship with your dog?

Do you want to be proactive and raise a great, educated, social companion?

Then you should work with Roman. 

I Offer Ethical SOLUTIONS for

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Resource Guarding

Leash Aggression

Off-leash training

Puppy education and socialisation

Aggression healing

Merging two Families

# 3 of the Best Dog Trainers in the United States of 2023 - Sniffspot

#1 of the Best Dog Trainers in Oregon of 2023 - Sniffspot

It's unlike anything you've ever experienced.

In fact, most clients solve most issues in about five sessions.  (We know what you're thinking, perhaps something like, "My dog needs a lot more help than that!"  But it's true.  Even the toughest issues, in about five to nine sessions.)  Want to experience it for yourself?  Schedule a short* in-depth phone consultation to discuss your needs.  

 Whether it's a new or old problem, aggression, disobedience, or seemingly crazy behavior, Roman's unique approach gets to the heart of the matter in the first session and then trains YOU to reframe your dog's understanding of the world, which leads to the behavior you wish for, without the constant struggle.  Change happens naturally and quickly.  

About me

I'm a certified dog trainer and trauma-informed holistic behavior consultant. I guide dog guardians, fosters and dog professionals to solve even the most complex challenges. I use a holistic mind-body-spirit, as well as trauma-informed, secure attachment-based, and Do-No-Harm approach to get results that are in the best and highest good for both Guardians and their dogs.

I am a firm believer in educating dog professionals, handlers, caregivers, and the public about benevolent leadership, Do No Harm training, and the damaging effects that the use of aversion and outdated alpha and misinterpreted dominance theory can have on dogs, especially dogs with trauma.

What Is Holistic Dog Training

Holistic dog training is a comprehensive approach that views dogs not just as pets but as sentient beings with unique needs and personalities. This method integrates various aspects of canine-anthropology, ethology (the science of animal behavior), and a "do no harm" philosophy, ensuring that training is trauma-informed and gentle.

At its core, holistic dog training is about understanding dogs from their point of view. Instead of imposing strict norms or trying to mold them into what we think they should be, this approach respects their natural behaviors, breed traits, and individuality. It's about giving dogs more choices and acknowledging their hierarchy of needs, much like we do with humans.

This training method also draws from multidisciplinary behavior healing and parenting approaches, including attachment theory, which emphasizes the importance of a secure bond between dogs and their owners. Additionally, it often incorporates elements of energy healing, recognizing the impact that the emotional and energetic environment has on a dog's wellbeing.

The goal is to create an environment that is equally pleasant and fulfilling for both humans and dogs. It's about adjusting not just the dog's behavior but also the environment and the way humans interact with their canine companions, fostering a deeper, more empathetic, and understanding relationship.

Certifications:

Certified dog trainer, Holistic behavior consultant, Reiki master teacher

More info about the service provided:

Trauma-informed behavior assessment, separation anxiety, holistic training, attachment problems, sibling rivalry, business coaching

Behavioral issue focus:

I commonly working with families with reactive and aggressive dogs, dogs with developmental problems, anxiety and phobias

Training methods:

100% Do No Harm

I'm working with Families to learn how to educate and help the dogs establish a secure attachment, identify trauma, and communication, challenges, and better understand the dogs breed traits and individual personality. After the assessment, I put together a behavior treatment plan based on the dogs needs and the family's abilities.

Why I became a dog trainer:

It was always my passion to help dogs feel safe and cared for in homes. I also have a passion to help dogs with no family to find one, helping them with their behavior problems and healing trauma

My favorite part of being a dog trainer:

Being able to manage my time, working with clients, working with people and dogs, living a healthy lifestyle and helping dogs

My #1 dog training tip: My number one training tip is not a training tip, before you train your dog, establish a secure attachment relationship

Service areas:

USA, England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, English Speaking Asia

about roman gottfried

Hey, I’m glad you’re here, you and your dog are safe.

I’m a certified dog trainer and trauma-informed holistic behavior consultant. I guide dog guardians, fosters, and dog professionals to solve even the most complex challenges. I use a mind-body-spirit approach, as well as holistic-, trauma-informed, secure attachment-based, and Do-No-Harm approach to get results. I am a firm believer in educating dog professionals, handlers, caregivers, and the public about positive training and the damaging effects that the use of aversion and outdated dominance theory can have on dogs, especially dogs with trauma.

Applying A holistic approach TO Training services

Holistic is not another phrase for “Positive-Training”. In fact, some methods that seem positive to humans are disrespectful and stressful to dogs. The reason is that positive training was the polar opposite response to aversive. The idea of the absolute opposite of what we consider aversive.
Unfortunately, opposing a method or tradition leads to confusion and problems, and the price is paid by the dogs.
In the Holistic approach, we balance the whole aspect of the human-dog relationship not just the dog and not only the human.

Holistic dog training is not balanced training or another positive reinforcement program. 

It’s a trauma-informed, relationship-based,  Do No Harm philosophy of human-dog symbiosis.

Designed for you and your dog

Success comes when your solution is designed for YOU...  your dog, in your home, in your life. This is what makes Roman's training effective so quickly. He is able to change the lives of so many dogs and their owners around the globe, simply by using a unique and easy-to-learn approach. 

From anywhere in the world, you can end the frustration and discover a new relationship with your dog, by just using your smartphone, tablet, or computer to connect.

Imagine, in just a few sessions (either online or in-person), YOU can be your dog's best friend and trainer.
To purchase an online 5-step training bundle choose from the options below:

Ready to work with your dog? 

Facebook, Youtube, and TV shows are the most popular ways to get more knowledge about dogs and training. The problem is that most trainers only give out snippets of information because they want you to buy their services.

I know exactly how you feel. This is why I’ve found a way to offer you high quality information by being still available when ever you need it.  Join my closed Facebook group, learn from others, and share your passion.
 

No matter where you live, Holistic Dog Training is the best method for your dog… below is Nomiki Petroula from Rodos Greece

The Best way to train a dog is to have the dog do things of his own free will. Force creates resistance, and that is not helping the dog. 

- Roman Gottfried

What is Holistic Dog Training Philosophy

Holistic Dog Training (HDT) ) is a do no harm, attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable dogs. 

1. Holistic training is to improve the human-animal bond, in line with the principle of beneficence (do no harm) The language of a principle or rule of beneficence refers to a normative statement of a moral obligation to act for the other’s benefit, helping them to further their important and legitimate interests, often by preventing or removing possible harms.

2. Attachment Parenting is an approach to pet rearing that promotes a secure attachment bond between parents and their pets. Attachment is a scientific term for the emotional bond in a relationship. Attachment Parenting challenges us as pet parents to treat our dogs with kindness, respect, and dignity, and to model in our interactions with them. As studies confirm, dogs can learn, retain and replay actions taught by us.

3. Trauma-informed care shifts the focus from "Correcting what's wrong with the dog" to "Healing happened to your dog.” The concept of trauma-informed care can be a major culture shift in the education, training, and care of dogs. When it's done right, and caregivers can see how it will benefit them, training can help everyone—from dog parents to trainers to veterinarians— start from the same place when they're working with dogs. The core goal of trauma-informed training and services is to enable everyone — traumatized dogs, their human families, people responsible for public safety, and entire communities — to become safer and more effective in caring for dogs.

4. Holistic Dog Training teaches holistic parenting principles ( Nurture Mind, Body & Spiritual Wholeness), which means to be active, proactive, responsible, and have a good understanding of and respect for our dog's hierarchy of needs. I believe that all aspects and practices of parenting are intimately interconnected to our ancestors, our family, our community, and our environment, and since we consider dogs to be family, this is an important aspect of it.

5. Holistic approach also focuses on the dog–human relationship and the dog-related emotional experiences that come from such a relationship. This is not new, The dog is the oldest domestic animal (one whose care, feeding, and breeding happened near and under human control). Humans and dogs share a long intertwined history. DNA evidence suggests domestic dogs most likely diverged from wolves in different places at different times beginning as long as 135,000 years ago (Vila et al., 1997). That leads to the conclusion that in different places of the world at the same period, the dog was domesticated in several places. The timeline of dog burials around the globe indicates the spread of dog domestication at different geographic areas (Morey, 2006).
   

   However, this long-lasting relationship is imprinted in the dogs, and human DNA study confirms. This fact is key in holistic dog training.