what is “holistic” dog training?
Holistic is defined in human medicine as “Characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of an illness.” In dog training, it means zooming out and accounting for all the external factors as well as limitations of the guardian. It means not diagnosing problems and prescribing solutions but rather taking a nuanced approach with each and every case, taking the time to gather data and truly understand all the factors at play. It also means knowing what to look for- and how to ask the right questions.
It is important to me that all of my clients understand how behavior does not exist within a vaccuum. Behavior is shaped and created by the environment around it. Each interaction, object, sound, dog, person, and scenario is part of the big picture and it all matters. There are even a number of factors within the dogs’ body and mind (read health, GI system, chronic stress, etc.) that can have major implications on the expressed behavior.
This is precicely why approaching behavior change holistically is so important. This is precicely why people who come to me for help are usually in distress themselves. Their dog is having a bad time and their dog’s behavior has caused them to have a bad time. Then, their bad time might turn into more agitation and a reduction in ability to regulate from their dog. It’s all one big circle with no end in sight. Approaching one side of the circle without addressing the entire thing is likely to be unsustainable. Addressing it this way can cause behavior to break down over time. It is imperitive that we approach these scenarios with all of the aspects of behavior at the front of mind. Otherwise we risk incomplete behavior plans that can only ever serve us temporarily.
I am of the opinion that the only ethical way to impact behavior change is holistically. Looking at the whole body, the whole mind, the whole environment, and each system that impacts it is our best shot at success. Dealing this way can help us avoid common pitfalls and work within our limitations. It helps us do our best work and avoid years of treating the wrong problem.
