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Areas of work and key areas

Individual support regarding everyday life, behavior and relationships

Every dog and every life situation comes with its own questions and challenges. On this page, you will find the main areas of my work, topics that regularly arise in everyday life between dogs and their people.

I do not work with rigid programmes or one size fits all solutions. Instead, I focus on understanding the underlying causes, the bigger picture, and what is realistically achievable for you and your dog.

The process always begins with a personal consultation, which forms the basis for deciding together on the most appropriate next steps.

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Internal states can be recognized by behavior

Fear, ongoing stress, or insecurity can manifest in very different ways in dogs. Some withdraw, some react explosively, while others seem to be constantly overwhelmed or unable to settle.

This behaviour does not occur by chance, nor is it simply a matter of disobedience. It is the result of underlying internal processes that need to be understood before meaningful work can begin.

For me, the central question is always: what is actually happening within the dog?

Neurobiological factors play an important role. Stress hormones, neurotransmitters, and the processes taking place within the nervous system all have a significant influence on how training and behavioural support should be approached.

Anxiety, stress, uncertainty

The work begins beyond the problem

A large part of my work does not take place within the actual problem situations. For many people, this may seem unusual at first, but it is an important part of the process.

Before we talk about training, we look at the bigger picture:

How does the dog live? What does everyday life look like? Where does pressure or overload occur regularly? Which situations trigger stress, and how does the dog respond to them?

Understanding these factors is often the foundation for meaningful and sustainable change.

Stress reduction in everyday life is not a secondary issue, but a crucial prerequisite for dogs to regain their ability to function properly. Therefore, the first step is to identify and reduce stressors and provide the dog with guidance, tailored to its individual capabilities and the realities of human life.

What makes sense varies from person to person.

 

Honesty is also part of it. Not every situation works, and not everything can be changed. I don't want to sugarcoat anything, but rather look at things clearly together, realistically assess the possibilities, and make responsible decisions.

Honesty is part of it.

Even though it is not something most people like to hear, there are cases that cannot be fully resolved.

Not every situation is workable, and not everything can be changed. Adaptability has its limits, both for dogs and for people.

I take a realistic approach to these situations and will not paint an overly optimistic picture when those limits have been reached.

So we begin

If any of these topics sound familiar, the initial consultation is the best place to start.

Do we already know each other?
Then you can pick up right here:

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There are two situations in particular that bring people to me:

the decision before getting a dog, and the transition period after the dog has already arrived in their home.

A new dog comes into life

Advice on choosing a dog

In my view, a consultation before getting a dog is one of the most valuable steps you can take.

The goal is to create as much overlap as possible between the dog's needs and the people's living situation. The smaller that overlap is, the more challenging life together is likely to become later on.

Together, we take a closer look:

Why do you want a dog? What do you expect everyday life to look like? And which dogs are naturally suited to the life you have in mind?

It does not matter whether you are considering a dog from a breeder or a rescue organisation. Breed, background, original purpose, and individual characteristics are taken into account, alongside your experience, your environment, and your expectations.

The goal is not to find the "perfect" dog, but to make an honest and well informed decision.

The dog has arrived. Support during the initial period.

If the dog has already joined your household, the focus shifts to helping them settle into their new life as smoothly as possible and providing them with a sense of security and stability.

No matter where the dog comes from, whether from a breeder, a local rescue, an international rescue organisation, or elsewhere, and regardless of age, a complete change of environment is a significant challenge for any living being.

Together, we look at whether there are factors that may make settling in more difficult, where overwhelm may arise, and how everyday situations can be structured in a way that provides support and predictability.

This includes building a relationship, establishing clear responsibilities, and learning to understand body language and behaviour.

Many of my clients tell me that they learned more about dogs during this phase than ever before. I am always pleased to hear that, because that is exactly what I aim for: helping people leave training with a deeper understanding of their dog and the ability to make sense of new situations as they arise.

How do you read your own dog? How do you assess a situation? When is training appropriate, and when is something else needed? What truly motivates this particular dog? And where do behavioural patterns begin that may later become unwanted?

I help people recognise these things early, prevent misunderstandings, and establish a solid foundation from the beginning. Not through pressure or rigid rules, but through understanding, context, and a clear, calm approach to living and working together.

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This area focuses on everyday life training and on looking more closely at behaviour than many people are used to. We work on specific topics such as orientation, recall, or other skills and signals that are important to you. At the same time, we explore why your dog behaves the way they do and what factors influence that behaviour.

An important part of my work is observing and interpreting communication. Body language, interactions, and recurring patterns provide valuable insight into how your dog perceives the world and how training can be structured in a meaningful way. This is never just about the dog, but also about the relationship and interaction between dog and human.

Together, we look at what motivates your dog and how clear, understandable communication can be established in everyday life.

Relationship dynamics also play a role. This can be particularly relevant in multi dog households or in situations where responsibilities between dog and human have become unclear.

Social relationships between dogs often deserve a closer look as well. Very few dogs benefit from having many social encounters or constantly changing dog contacts. More often, it is a small number of suitable companions that lead to relaxed walks, reliable social contacts, and long term canine friendships.

For this reason, assessing compatibility, communication, and social dynamics between dogs is also part of my work. The goal is not simply contact for its own sake, but suitable interactions that are beneficial and sustainable for both dogs and people.

Throughout the process, I always keep in mind what is realistic and manageable for you as a person. Training should not overwhelm either you or your dog. Sometimes that means slowing down, sometimes providing more clarity, and sometimes taking a different approach altogether.

The process usually begins with an initial consultation. During this meeting, we discuss your goals, explore the background of the situation, and determine what form of support is most appropriate.

Depending on your needs, this may be followed by individual training sessions or behaviour consultations. For existing clients, online consultations are also available, for example to discuss changes, review progress, or provide support throughout the training process.

Understand, classify, train

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This area offers the opportunity to explore specific topics related to dog behaviour, safety, and enrichment in greater depth. The programmes are designed for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of dogs and values applying that knowledge in everyday life.

The courses and workshops focus on carefully selected topics that are particularly relevant to understanding dog behaviour, promoting safety, and providing meaningful activities for dogs. Subjects range from safe interactions between children and dogs, bite prevention, and canine body language to enrichment activities such as tracking work for motivated dogs.

All courses take place in small groups, allowing room for individual questions and tailored guidance. Webinars on selected topics are also offered regularly, with dates announced separately.

I also offer educational walks, which focus on observing and interpreting dog behaviour, communication between dogs, and responding appropriately in different everyday situations. These walks provide an opportunity to apply and deepen your knowledge in a practical setting.

Deepen and Learn

Muzzle training at KompassHund
Child and Dog Book by Viktoria Zepic
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