Part 2 How I Got Started Holistic Breeding and Training Dogs

 Story part 2 of 4:

Here begins my next journey with holistic training, natural care, raising and medicine.  By age thirty-two, the combination of self-taught knowledge, volunteer work, and mentorship provided me with a solid foundation in dog training.   Out of frustration and need I began to implement natural methods and individualized care to my breeding dogs, lactating mothers, neonatal and infant puppies who were also young athletes.  

It was important to me that I begin focusing on natural and herbal remedies, a natural diet and creating a stress-free environment for me and the dogs.   At this time in my dog career, I had unique circumstances that conventional method dog housing, training and veterinary care was not working well for me and my dog pack.  Breeding dogs, lactating mothers, neonatal, infant and athletes cannot utilize antibiotics, allergy medications, oral flea treatments and most other conventional medications.

These methods were chosen to ensure the health and well-being of the breeding dogs and puppies, addressing the limitations and challenges faced with conventional veterinary medicine.  But what do you do when the medicines don’t work or can’t be used because the mother is responsible for breastfeeding 8 dependent puppies? 

How do you help your mother dog maintain her muscle, while breast feeding and is showing stress from being mauled by her own puppies? 

What do you do when taking your breastfeeding mother and her puppies to the veterinarian clinic is not an option because of the high risk of disease present at a clinic?

How do help unvaccinated young dogs get exercise?

How do help multiple dogs of age and training level stay healthy when they are stressed? What do you do when your male is an athlete, breeder and is stressed out because he is working dog also?

Conventional training, care and medicine did not have these answers.  Out of frustration, lack of answers and need to find care assistance, I guided myself with books, classes and herbal remedies that I could utilize with breeding dogs, lactating mothers, neonatal, infants and athletes that won’t damage their immune system, DNA cells, reproductive system or cause underlying stress and confinement.  I needed flea prevention for puppies aged 4-6 weeks of age, with a nursing mother.  I need an option to treat infection without destroying good bacteria or digestive system.

One of the key holistic approaches was the use of herbal remedies. I incorporated various herbs known for their medicinal properties into the dogs' care regimen. For example, Echinacea was used to boost the immune system, Chamomile to reduce anxiety and inflammation, Garlic for its natural antibiotic properties, Milk Thistle to support liver health, Calendula for its healing properties, Ginger to aid digestion, and Turmeric for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These herbs were chosen for their effectiveness in preventing and treating common health issues without the side effects associated with conventional medications.

See you again next week for part 3 of my story!