Respected In The Guardian Breed Rescue Community

Roman Gottfried with Roman's Holistic Dog Training is very well respected within the Great Pyrenees community. He traveled to Idaho to work with several rescue Pyrs at this rescue and sanctuary. He knows this breed extremely well which is why we utilize and highly recommend his services for GPAT dogs. Whether it training (sit, down or stay), secure attachment (bonding with your adopted dog) or positive parenting (understanding the breed, dealing with trauma based or breed specific issues throughout their lives) Roman is the “go to” for many rescues, shelters, owners, fosters, etc. Although this rescue was fortunate enough to hire Roman to come to them, his online work is just as effective. If you don’t have access to “positive” training in your area or just prefer to work with your dog at home as a family, Roman is a preferred, recommended source.

Patty Witten - Great Pyrenees
Advocates of Texas

Dealt With Five Anatolians and Aggression.

I have five Anatolians at the beginning, I dealt with aggression from one of them. Resource guarding and generally just a jerk. I hired Roman Gottfried had online via Zoom sessions learned so much. I watch his videos and follow him religiously. He helps us help our Raggy. He now is the sweetest dog in earth. And let me tell you. It was bad.
He CARES ABOUT THIS BREED. He is well well Knowledgeable in this exact breed. I am so thankful for him and if I was you I would definitely take his advice. He’s very well known in the livestock guardian community and the best thing would be is to listen to him. We couldn’t have our dog near anybody and now when the vet comes to our house to do shots etc. he’s just a big ass love bug. That was not the case before Roman. Now our vet comes for visit for love from our “meanest” one of the bunch.

-Janine G.

Online Puppy Training Possible

I have to give another big thanks to Roman. This "little" (85 pounds) 8 month old went shopping at Cabela's, then to a pet friendly mall (with multiple store visits), and then to a pet store. She was the best behaved dog all day. She never barked or pulled toward any of the other dogs or tried to jump on people for attention.
She sat, laid, and walked so well on a leash.
This puppy who was rescued from a horrible situation and was scared of grass, wind, and anything else, is now confident and walked around exploring a couple of new stores, met a lot of people, and got many treats from staff members because she was so well behaved.

We started training with Roman and his five-week puppy parenting program when she was about 12 weeks old and it was the best decision we ever made. I'm not sure she would be so confident, secure, and we'll trained without his online guidance. Thank you!

Roman Gottfried is an internationally renowned Holistic Dog Training and Dog/Human Relationship Coach. He works with dog parents worldwide via video conference to help their dogs reach their full potential, by teaching them the holistic philosophy of creating a healthy relationship with their dog. He sees clients both online and in-person.

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

Online-Classes are informative and thought-provoking

I am happy to recommend Roman Gottfried.  I have had my own fosters and personal dogs evaluated and helped by Roman , and have also set up and attended an online canine holistic handler class for about 20 volunteers with the rescue that I volunteer for, National Great Pyrenees Rescue.

Roman’s presentations were informative and thought-provoking, and our volunteers who attended came away with a great understanding of their own dogs and the dogs within our rescue that we deal with on a daily basis.  The classes included homework that reinforced the learning experience, and questions during the class were encouraged.

NGPR also has recommended Roman to adopters who need help with their dogs.  NGPR also consults with Roman on dogs in our foster homes.  NGPR feels working with Roman is a great learning experience, that the adopters or fosters working with the dogs will be better able to interact and communicate with the animals in their care.  

If you have more specific questions, I would be happy to answer them.

Susan DeBili

Secretary, NGPR ​

                 National Great Pyrenees Rescue  ~ www.nationalpyr.org ~  P.O. Box 214, Maplecrest, NY 12454 

One online consultation made a world of difference to us.

I was desperate about my little Big Mastiff girl and how to handle her. I’m on the other side of the world, the Netherlands, Europe. I was lucky enough to have won a free Video consultation of one hour. That one hour changed my perspective towards my dogs and myself and made a world of difference to us. Roman is a lovely person and exactly what my dogs and me needed to get back on track. 

Yasmin Wijands - Netherlands, Europe  

Mastiffs are such a majestic breed! 

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.