Case Study: Transforming Prey-Like Obsession into Peaceful Coexistence

Client Background

The client reached out regarding Butkus, a 2-year-old English Mastiff, who displayed obsessive and potentially predatory behavior toward a newly adopted kitten. Butkus, typically well-mannered and sweet, lived with his older Yorkie brother, Bentley, without issue until the kitten's arrival. The behavior included "staring down," fixation, and lack of responsiveness to his guardians' cues. The family, concerned for the kitten's safety, sought guidance on how to ensure both pets could coexist peacefully.

Initial Concerns

• Butkus' fixation on the kitten created tension, raising concerns about high prey drive.

• Safety for both pets was paramount, especially since the family was unsure how Mastiffs might behave around cats.

• Separation added stress, as Butkus and the kitten vocalized when apart.

Holistic Behavior Intervention Plan

Step 1: Behavior Assessment & Context

The first consultation revealed the following key factors:

• Butkus' Temperament: A gentle, food-motivated dog with no prior exposure to cats.

• Environmental Setup: Shared spaces needed boundaries to minimize stress for all animals.

• Human Anxiety: The guardians' concern for the kitten created heightened emotional energy in the home.

Step 2: Immediate Safety Measures

I recommended:

1. Physical Separation: Keep the kitten in a secure room when unsupervised, allowing Butkus to acclimate to the kitten’s scent through a door.

2. Scent Introduction: Encourage Butkus to sniff items associated with the kitten to begin building familiarity and positive associations.

3. Controlled Visual Introductions: Ensure all early interactions were managed on leash, reinforcing calm behavior.

Step 3: Gradual Exposure Process

Using my trauma-informed framework, we prioritized incremental exposure:

• Positive Reinforcement for Calmness: Rewarded Butkus for showing calm interest in the kitten (e.g., sniffing, sitting, or lying down).

• Brief Introductions: Held the kitten securely while allowing Butkus short, controlled interactions, redirecting fixation with high-value treats.

• Consistent Cues: Established a clear hand signal ("sit") and sound cue (finger snap) to interrupt unwanted fixation.

Step 4: Addressing the Root Cause of Fixation

To address Butkus' behavior holistically:

• Emotional Regulation Exercises: Introduced calming activities such as slow feeding from a snuffle mat and decompression walks.

• Environmental Adjustments: Provided the kitten with escape routes, such as a cat tree, to create a sense of security.

• Pack Dynamics: Encouraged Bentley's role as a natural pack leader to model appropriate behavior, as he barked when Butkus attempted to chase.

Outcome

Within 2 Months:

• Butkus developed a calm, relaxed demeanor around the kitten.

• Both pets now coexist peacefully, even when unsupervised.

• Butkus displays affectionate, non-threatening behaviors, such as gentle licks and playful interactions.

• The guardians report a harmonious household dynamic, with Bentley naturally reinforcing boundaries.

Key Takeaways

1. Holistic and Incremental Approach:
   The slow, controlled introduction of the kitten allowed Butkus to process and adjust without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Understanding Individual Motivations:
   Leveraging Butkus' food motivation and Bentley’s leadership provided natural reinforcement mechanisms.

3. Empowering Guardians:
   With tools, techniques, and emotional support, the family fostered a positive bond between Butkus and the kitten.

Client Testimonial

"Roman’s approach helped us turn what felt like an impossible situation into a heartwarming success story. We’re thrilled to see Butkus and the kitten as best friends now. It’s all thanks to his patient, step-by-step guidance that gave us confidence to build trust and harmony in our home." - Rachel Simmonds

Interested in learning how to resolve your own multi-pet challenges?
Book a discovery video call here: https://holisticdogtraining.as.me/Short-Web.

Online training been god send

Any of my friends who are seeking help with training their dogs, or have any issues with their dogs, Roman is amazing and he has been an absolute Godsend for our family; he has helped so much with our Cane Corsos Star and Onyx, and our Great Dane Sebastian.

You don’t have to be local, as sessions can be done online... I was skeptical at first about online training, but it ended being awesome and I prefer it because the dogs are paying attention to ME, so we aren’t wasting any time with the dogs being curious and paying more attention to the trainer than what we are trying to do in training. Please feel free to share 😃!

Can You Get Help From A Behaviorist During Pandemic Without Breaking The Bank?

It broke my heart to hear many people are struggling with their pup's behavior during this difficult time and I want to make sure no one surrenders their dog for things that are easily remedied.
So, I've decided to offer donation-only,  pay-what-you-can single sessions until the end of April.

Use this button below to pick your online session, 

Enter the code PWYC20 at checkout to redeem this offer

To submit a donation on behalf of yourself or a friend, please pay what you can here. Don’t forget to mention the name and email of your beneficiary.

 Does online training work?

Listen to what an online-training client from Long Island has to say about Roman’s Holistic Dog Training:

Learn More about Online Training

Our Fosters Reported Direct Benefits

We have been working with Roman through a virtual workshop to help our rescue provide better care for the dogs we serve.

There are several benefits to the online workshop and behavior support that Roman has provided to our rescue, Mastiffs to Mutts Rescue.

We are a foster based rescue that serves many Mid-Atlantic States. Through Roman’s workshops, our fosters across 8 different states were able to benefit from learning a skill base that can be used for their current and future fosters. He uses an interactive online method that allows him to perform live demonstrations as well as to answer specific questions during the trainings.

Additionally, his trainings are available to review at a later time for those who misses the trainings or need to refresh their memory.

Roman is not symptom-based, as he tries to provide guidance through finding the root of the problem that is causing the behavior rather than using band-aid techniques.

His focus is not to manage the behavior but to rectify it. He asks for questions regarding real-life struggles with dog behavior and will then virtually demonstrate the techniques that fosters can use and practice in between sessions.  

Roman has been helpful to both our fosters and our admin team as the virtual trainings provided a safe outlet for us to discuss concerns and experiences in a judgement-free zone where we can learn from one another while being guided by Roman.

We would highly recommend Roman as our fosters have reported direct benefits from his trainings. 

Peg Benoit

Director Of Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue   501c3   www.mastiffstomutts.org

They Were Attacking Each Other Every Day!

I received a message the other day on messenger:

“Hello, I was referred to you be a friend due to my 3 dogs attacking each other everyday for 3 days with my family visiting from out of town. They have never been this bad and now it's all the time. The stress and anxiety from all of them is at a all time high. I'm sure they are feeding some of that off my mom because she is very stressful person. One of my dogs I recently rescued in April from PiMA Animal Shelter in Tuscon AZ, the other 2 I've had for years. But they all have their own individual issues and for some reason now there's a dog fight and it's all 3 attacking one or everyone. Please let me know how I can set up something with you. I recently relocated out here and don't know anyone.“

Thats did not sound good. I immediately called and arranged an appointment in person even though it was a q90q minutes drive one way.

Rule Disputes- Aggression

This is Max 80#, I got him in April from a shelter in Tucson. He is about 1 years old and was found in a desert. Very loving dog to people. But gets very aggressive when the other dogs do something to him he doesn't like. He gets in these attack modes and goes nuts and bites anything in his way. I've learned to try and calm him instead of yelling at him one he's biting another one of my dogs. But when he bites then he doesn't let go.

Separation Anxiety- Possession Disputes

This is Spud 103# he is 6 and will be 7 on November. I've had him since he was 6 weeks and got him at a shelter in Illinois. He's the love of my life. Since I got max he won't sleep in bed with me anymore which is weird because he's always been attached to my hip his whole life. Since moving here in December his separation anxiety is at a all time high. I can't walk out the door with one of the other dogs without him or he goes nuts screaming and crying and lunging himself out of the cage or to knock the back gate now. He also has never been aggressive but this past week has been getting aggressive towards Max and growling and snapping at him. He is very bone aggressive and guards his food and will take everyone else's food.

Territorial and Possession Disputes

This is Duke 80#, I've had him since he was 5 weeks my step dad gave him to me when his dog had puppies. Duke is 5yrs old. He for the most part listens the most out of all 3. He is very toy aggressive and will take toys away from the other dogs. He also likes his personal space when he grumpy and will attack max to get him away from him or to just take the toy away even though he doesn't want to play with it he just doesn't want max to have it. He is also bone aggressive and can be aggressive about treats but it's rare.

When I arrived in the small one bedroom appointment, I found one dog isolated in the bed room, one dog gated in the kitchen, and one dog in crate. Very stressful situation!

We were dealing with multiple aggression issues, high level stress, recent relocation, big dogs, and a young owner who was ready to surrender Max back to the shelter.

I had to come up with a solid, stress free, flexible and owner friendly treatment plan.

Starting with Max, who was uneducated and has no bite inhibition. I showed Jessica to get rid of the prong collar, walked lose leash, get max attention and learn redirect him to alternative behaviors and be more obedient. Gave them tools and exercises to ground, and showed her to use emotional conditioning in combination with classical conditioning.

We had only one in person session and it seems Jessica has a gift with animals. She was able to absorb the lesson, work consistently and set new priorities in her life.

“We are doing great no issues in almost 6 months. They all love each other and know each other’s boundaries.”

— Jessica R. - Phoenix AZ, USA

Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter Long Island NY

 " I may not have the dates exactly right, but I clearly remember the circumstances. In late 2011, I worked in a municipal shelter Town of Hempstead, LI, NY , where we had a young dog isolated from the public and most of the staff, essentially living on death row

Goliath had been hit by a car and left to die at the side of the road. He was barely 6 months old then and was somewhat friendly when initially picked up by our ACO’s. After what amounted to basic care at the shelter, followed by emergency care specialist, then, ultimately still losing his leg to gangrene, this pup underwent major physical & psychological changes.

When he returned to the shelter after several months, Goliath was a broken & changed dog.

He had definite trust & fear issues. No one was allowed near him but for a few staffers; he was not available to be adopted and rescues were unwilling to take the risk.

I had heard about Roman from a rescue friend and reached out as a last resort. From time to time, I would see a flash of the trapped puppy in Goliath’s eyes when I tossed biscuits over the kennel gate; I wasn’t sure if he could be saved but I felt we owed him that last effort.

Roman came to the shelter, was fitted into protective gear and left alone in a room with him. (Nerve wracking!) Afterward, he agreed to take him and try to give him a life worth living. Goliath left the shelter behind & became Sigmund (Siggi) that very day. 

Roman & his then partner, started Siggi on a healthy healing diet as Roman & Siggi began the road to being each other’s guides. For the rest of Siggi’s life, he was with Roman through life changes, thick & thin, better or worse. I truly feel that Roman has a gift and a rare affinity for understanding animals. I know that if not for him, Goliath would have died in the shelter and never have had the life he lived as Sigmund."

Wendy Cariello,

formerly with Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter

rescue liaison, event coordinator, adoptions counselor

Run for ever free - August 2017

I was scared she would bite me

January 6th

I got a FB message request:

“Hi Roman, my heart is broken. We are a family of four 2 beautiful EM with us since puppies and a brindle EM/Boxer female we rescued 1.5 years ago. She came from a drug house filled with abuse physical and emotional and bred at a very young age . She was pulled off the streets from an animal rescue. They posted her picture the rest us history . Through out her time with us we have overcome many hurdles. We feel that we have gained her trust and have given her love and a stable family . She is the pack leader which I’m not sure is normal for a new dog to come in and take over or not but she rules both my boys who really don’t care one way or another. Sorry trying to make this short , I am with her the most I am vet attentive to her as I guess we always feel bad for her . Bottom line Roman she bites me a lot and it’s always when I am giving her loving attention. She gives ever indication she want the pets and love and her body language and her talk says she is loving it and then BAM out of the blue she goes at my face . I have several marks on my face over a two week period but it is always me that she does this to . I am ready to give up and just leave her alone . I love her and will never forsake her but this breaks my heart ♥️. Thanks for listening 

- Candice McGuigan Blenheim, Ontario Canada  

But there was another problem:

 “We didn’t have the money for private but i truly believe no one understands more than you”

The solution: 

I had a online workshop coming up and also tons of videos on my YouTube channel so I had them subscribe and watch specific videos.  

Yesterday I got tagged on a post:

 Roman Gottfried is not a dog trainer. ( Well not your typical one)

His ability to read and understand the needs of dogs is beyond any trainer out there today. Dogs are family and should be treated as such.

He understands  that the beloved canine in the house isn’t a thing to control but to be loved, listened to, respected and taught how to behave in this human environment, which they didn’t ask for, we picked them. Roman under stands their feelings, how they think and by their body language what their mood and health . You won’t hear him use harsh words , no harsh equipment and no out of bounds in the house unless it is your wish or a danger . So for those that want their dog acting robotic, obeying your every wish, and continue to humiliate your loved one , please don’t go to Roman, he is not your guy !

Although i hate this picture of me , this is our Zoe Zelda who was a rescue with  abusive issues.  A year ago I would not have been able to get this close to her . We were scared for her , 

I sent two videos to Roman , and he identified her concern and  over time we addressed it with her. We have had her two years now and the care and concern Roman had for her was her cure !! 

Never give upon them!

This got my surprise and I have to admit that I had tears in my eyes. People love their dog’s, they are vomited, they need help, and some times they don’t have the financial strength to buy services.  

I wish I could help them all but it all has a price.  

Last year I donated 600 hours in online consultations for low income and rescue cases. 

You can help make a difference, by helping me supporting those in need, to get the training necessary to keep the dogs in their homes and not surrendered to the shelter, Or put to sleep.