Today’s Animal World: Our Co-Inhabitants will be presented in German, with subtitles in Arabic, Aulacese (Vietnamese), Chinese, English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Mongolian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Thai.

And I think that you can also train any dog to be a sociable, well-mannered and accessible being. It depends on the person at the other end of the leash.

Halo thoughtful viewers, and welcome to Animal World: Our Co-Inhabitants. Today we present the first in a two-part series on Clarissa von Reinhardt, who is one of the most highly respected and sought after dog trainers in Europe.

In 1993 she founded the animal learn canine training center in Germany’s Bavarian Alps, a serene place where dogs are taught in a gentle manner and human clients gain a greater understanding of how our four-legged friends think and perceive the world.

She is also the author and co-author of several books about dogs, including “Calming Signals,” “Chase!” and the award-winning “Stress in Dogs.” Her most recent publication, a vegan cookbook called “Vegan and Natural,” won the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Germany’s Progress Award for best vegan cookbook of 2010.

Mrs. von Reinhardt’s training methods are always peaceful and nonviolent and are based upon her deep knowledge of canine nature.

Eventually I developed my methods through observation of dogs ultimately figuring out how dogs interact with one another. That means, for example, in which situation do they behave very patiently, very empathetically with the situation? And when do, for instance, situations occur when they set limits on their fellow dogs, which happens in a nonviolent way nearly always.

Dogs are very highly social beings and only in rare cases do they resort to violence. Mostly they just apply body language to show: Do not come nearer or go away now. And this I just studied, studied, and studied. I have been observing dogs for hundreds, I’d even say, thousands of hours, and have wondered what do they do in certain situations and how can I as a human being behave similarly so that my behavior will make sense to the dog?

How do Clarissa von Reinhardt's methods differ from traditional dog training? For starters, they are worlds apart in terms of how the canine is treated.

First of all, in traditional dog training some things are very common: That people use dog collars, maybe even choke collars or pronged collars and that these collars are being yanked around a lot, so the dog is told through jerks again and again what he should do. And, of course, that feels very unpleasant.

Just imagine for yourself that attempts to communicate among each other would consist in me constantly yanking your neck. And if I want you to sit down, I jerk the chain upwards, and if I want you to lie down, I jerk you downwards with the chain. That’s no way to treat each other.

The name of her training center, animal learn, reflects Mrs. von Reinhardt's basic philosophy: that dogs and humans should learn together and from each other. Her teachings emphasize mutual respect between the dog and his or her caregiver.

Now, first off, it is essential in my training sessions that I work in an absolutely nonviolent way. That means, to put it a bit provocatively, not be just a “little bit” nonviolent or true to the slogan: “I am working nonviolently as long as the dog does what I want.” Instead, nonviolence means to me to really, always and at every moment, to deal with great respect with that living being who is entrusted to me for training.

Or we might even say, [with great respect] for both living beings that are entrusted to me. That is on the one hand the dog her- or himself and then of course also the human companion on the other end of the leash. Because both need to be trained. Because both deserve to be treated with patience, care and respect. And this often is a balancing act, because the dog naturally has entirely different needs than her or his human companion.

And often the trainer has to take the function of a mediator, e.g. explaining to the companion that the dog cannot do certain things expected from her or him. Or explaining to the dog that certain things he or she likes to do as part of her or his nature are just not possible in this way.

To me. Come to me! Come on, sit! Lissy, come to me! Chinnok, to me! Come on! Come, sit! Come, sit! And stay! Good boy! And stay! Hallo! You are doing great! Good dogs. Look: On we go! You, too! Come on!

Training a canine companion in a nonviolent way is not the only mark of a healthy relationship between dog and human. We must also consider the needs and wants of our canine friend to ensure their happiness.

But in addition there is a lot of mental abuse, for example, giving a living being the impression that the only reason for their existence is to act the way it pleases me. That means the dog is only allowed out when I feel like going for a walk. And he is given to eat what I give him, not what he really would like to eat. If people, for instance, don’t think about what he would like to eat but they just think: What is the most convenient thing for me put in his bowl? What means the least work for me?

Or the dog would like to sniff around somewhere for example, but we have no time, no patience, no mind for doing that so we just pull him along, or even get annoyed about it and say: “Come on, hurry up!” And imagine if you would have to live your life like that, always controlled by others, always dependent.

If I want to go to the loo, I have to depend on someone bringing me outside and on that somebody noticing that I need to go. I can only eat when somebody puts some food in front of me. And most dogs are not allowed to choose a partner at all, because it simply doesn’t fit into our society, it is just not possible. And I could go on and on in an endless repetition of examples.

Mrs. von Reinhardt says dog training should be fun for both the dog and their human companion and done in a constructive way so that the canines will enjoy the experience.

Another very important aspect for me during training is to actually involve the dog. And this means not only telling something to the dog and then she or he should obey the command or refrain from something after being told so. But rather I involve the dog in the training process, enabling her or him to take part in decisions on how far she or he can and wants to go in the training.

Clarissa von Reinhardt frequently works with dogs who have socialization issues, such as exhibiting hostility toward other dogs. She has discovered that by carefully observing the dog's non-verbal communication and respecting their personal limits, she is able to help them to develop new, socially acceptable behaviors.

When working with dogs in re-socialization with other dogs, that is with dogs that have aggression issues with other dogs, for such dogs it is very strenuous when I work with them, as the dog is not getting aggressive just for fun, but because something happened in his life that made him believe in the need for aggressive behavior for chasing away the other one.

If I put the dog into this situation, if I put him in a situation so to speak in which he is confronted with another dog, telling him: “But please do not attack but wait for a moment first. Think about it first. I can show you strategies and solutions how to deal with the situation in a different way.” Then this is very demanding for the dog. It is similar to undergoing psychotherapy.

And if the dog for instance is telling me by glancing at the exit door or by showing calming signals or signs of stress that it is getting too much for her or him, then I give her or him the chance to have a little interruption, to have a break and maybe have a little walk in between and have a rest. And this has a tremendous effect on the dogs, because they do not have the feeling of being at the mercy of someone else.

It is like saying: “I am putting you into this situation and you must see how to somehow cope with it. And if you do not behave the way I want then you have to expect punishment on top of it.” Instead, the dog learns that he can communicate with me during the training, that he can explain to me: “It is too much for me now. Could I please have a break?” And he also learns that these attempts of communicating that are on a non-verbal level, that is, via eye contact, via touch, that these actually work for the dog.

So she or he at the same time sort of learns something that is very important for the therapy’s success: If I de-escalate, that is, if I show, it is getting too much for me, I’d rather leave, then she or he may actually leave. And therefore the dog does not necessarily have to react aggressively to escape the situation. And that is very, very important.

Mrs. von Reinhardt feels that many times people make too many demands on their canine companions and that it is important for dogs to also have the freedom to enjoy their surroundings.

And that’s why I feel it’s very important in my training to not just say… Okay, the human companion for example, wants the dog to come when he is called. Sure, we like to teach that to them and it also works very well afterwards, but to also teach the caregiver a little bit: “Look, you don’t need to call your dog at all. Let him sniff around for a while. Give him some time. Give him a bit of mental freedom to do what he likes to do. Don’t boss him around all the time.”

And the interesting thing is, many people are taken quite aback, because they say: “I’ve never thought about that before.” And they immediately agree with me and often thank me for pointing it out to them and say: “If you put it like that it makes sense, but we never thought about it like that.” And for me that is an important part of my work: To make people aware how to look after other living beings, not just dogs but also others they come across in daily life, like cats, horses or even insects or plants, how to treat everything with care.

What are some ways of being more thoughtful towards our canine companions? What is the best type of leash to use? Should we take our dog friend with us to a restaurant? To find out the answers to these and many other questions, please join us again tomorrow for the conclusion of our interview with Clarissa von Reinhardt.

For more information on animal learn and Clarissa von Reinhardt, please visit:
Books by Mrs. von Reinhardt are available at the same website

Thank you for joining us today on Animal World: Our Co-Inhabitants. Coming up next is Enlightening Entertainment, after Noteworthy News. May we all grow in understanding and love with each passing day.

Today’s Animal World: Our Co-Inhabitants will be presented in German, with subtitles in Arabic, Aulacese (Vietnamese), Chinese, English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Mongolian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Thai.

In many natural religions and esoteric creeds the same statement can always be found: It is said that animals have been sent to us as teachers. And every human being will find the animal or will be found by the animal that is supposed to be his teacher. It is up to us humans to recognize this role of the animal in our lives.

Halo bright viewers, and welcome to Animal World: Our Co-Inhabitants. Today we present the conclusion of a two-part series on Clarissa von Reinhardt, who is one of the most highly respected and sought after dog trainers in Europe.

In 1993 she founded the animal learn canine training center in Germany’s Bavarian Alps, a serene place where dogs are taught in a gentle manner and human clients gain a greater understanding of how our four-legged friends think and perceive the world. She is also the author and co-author of several books about dogs, including “Calming Signals,” “Chase!” and the award-winning “Stress in Dogs.”

Her most recent publication, a vegan cookbook called “Vegan and Natural,” won the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Germany’s Progress Award for best vegan cookbook of 2010. Let us now hear several tips on how we can develop a more loving relationship with our canine companions.

Well, first, I would recommend some very practical things like I would not lead a dog on a collar that causes him pain and restricts him. Instead use a chest harness which puts pressure points on the ribcage, without hurting him in any way. And use a very long leash, for example, three to five meters long, so that the dog can move a bit, too, so that he can also sniff a bit to the right and left and can go a bit in front or behind his human companion without there being a tug right away.

It is such a sad image when you see dogs with a collar and they have to go through life strangled on such a short leash. Then, additionally as a practical point, I would recommend that you work as much as possible with the expressive and social behavior of dogs so that you can better understand them.

And last but not least, I would recommend developing as much of a sense of empathy, as much compassion as possible for this animal entrusted to you; simply because it shows that you really care. The animal feels it, too. And I can’t find the words at the moment to explain it correctly, but the more carefully I treat the dog, the more I will notice and the dog will also notice that I am making an effort. That is maybe the best way to express it.

When planning activities that include taking along our canine companion, Mrs. von Reinhardt suggests that we first look at life from the point of view of our dog friend. An event which is very enjoyable for us like dining out may be uncomfortable for him or her.

“Ok, this situation is such for me as a human,” and then you step aside for a moment and ask yourself: “Okay and now how is it for my dog?” So, for example, I go into a restaurant to have something to eat with friends. For me, it is very nice. It’s a pleasant atmosphere. I meet friends. We sit at the table and while we are having a leisurely meal, surely two or three hours pass.

I want to take my dog with me but I ask myself first: Is it really so great for my dog? Maybe the place is very loud? Does he have to move away every time the waiter is handing a plate over the table? Does he have enough room to lie there in peace? Do I have a somewhat fearful dog, for whom being there means much more stress than actual joy?

If I have him along …and this too is a very simple example: Everyone is sitting at the table and talking. Maybe the dog has really gotten peaceful and is sleeping, because he meanwhile has accepted: Ok, at the moment nothing is going on for me, but I am part of it. And then the people at the table are ready, they have paid and everyone gets up all at once and the dog that was in the middle of deep sleep is suddenly so (frightened) like for us when the phone rings in the middle of the night during our deep sleep. We would be startled, like: “What’s going on now?”

It’s so much easier like that: When I am sitting with my friends at a meal and I know that we will soon stand up I just pat my dog, wake him up, speak to him and say: “Ok, we are leaving soon.” So that he can wake up, understand the situation and then we all leave. And I could tell thousands and thousands and thousands of such examples.

Simply always understanding our entire day-to-day living a bit from the perspective of our dog and being considerate, that would be one of my most important recommendations.

Dogs with serious behavioral issues often come to animal learn for training. Because of her firm grasp of canine psychology, Clarissa von Reinhardt can usually resolve even the most challenging cases.

Recently, I had a woman with me who just cried because I pet her dog and said to the dog how brilliant I thought he was. And, oh, I almost feel like crying myself, because this woman previously attended seven different dog schools, seven. And all they had ever told her was: “Your dog is difficult. Your dog is a problem dog. It would be best to put him to sleep. He is beyond help. There is nothing that can be done, he is dangerous. You are responsible for him.”

And of the eight dog schools, I was the first dog trainer to pet her dog. When he came he was very reserved and very suspicious. He checked me out along the lines of, “What do you want from me again?” It was very understandable from his point of view. Thus far his experiences hadn’t been positive. And when he realized that I was holding back, and gave him time, and listened first to all the caregiver had to say about his life, he very slowly came up to me and nudged me and then he looked at me as well.

And the caregiver was very worried and said: “Oh please, please, don’t touch him, he is extremely dangerous.” But because I was able to read the dog’s body language very well, I knew that he wasn‘t dangerous at that moment. He can become dangerous in certain situations, but at that moment there with me he was not dangerous and I could pet him. And that was the moment when her tears started flowing. That was very moving. It was very beautiful.

Mrs. von Reinhardt believes that dogs, and indeed all animals, have been placed on Earth with a special mission in life including uplifting the hearts of humans.

Well, I believe that all animals can serve us as teachers. And talking about dogs in particular, they can teach us many things. For example, they can teach us patience. Dogs have so much patience with us humans. It is unbelievable how often we do things and we afterwards know exactly: Ouch, that was not a good thing to do! I’ve pulled the dog on the leash or I was impatient with him or I was in a bad mood and took it out on him when it was totally uncalled for. And in hindsight we think: “Oh dear, that was not nice, what we’ve done there.”

And dogs are willing to forgive us again and again and always come back to us and accept us again. If we could learn even just that from dogs, only that, then we would probably have the most peaceful revolution that you can imagine on this planet. Yes, it would be unbelievable what would happen then.

If we then add to that their quality of not valuing us based on appearances but of loving us whether we are pretty or not pretty, whether we are disabled or not disabled. Rather they value us simply for who we are and they forgive us so quickly for our mistakes.

Clarissa von Reinhardt loves and respects all animals and holds them in the highest regard.

And I cannot understand people, for example, who say: “Well, I love my dog and I will do anything for him and I am a great lover of animals and I’m a member of the humane society and I donate a bit of money. But when I come home at night, then I eat a ham sandwich.”

So that is someone who in the truest sense of the word doesn’t look beyond the rim of their teacup, yes. Yet, a cow, a pig, a sheep, a chicken wants to live their life exactly the same and beyond even considering the issue of taking an animal’s life just in order to eat it, which for me is not okay, there is the whole industrialization of livestock raising.

And finally, I am firmly convinced that we take on all the cellular information of the animals that suffered so terribly; just in the way that they were kept and then how they were finally killed and the terrible convoys of animals to be slaughtered. And all that the animal has experienced is manifested in the cells of their body. And I don’t want to take that suffering into myself. Those for me are very, very important reasons.

And I also don’t want that mothers have their children taken away from them, so that from the milk that was intended for the baby we later make, cheese or yogurt or something else for us to eat. And that is aside from the fact that there are more and more studies that show that it (milk) doesn’t do our bodies any good either.

The founder of animal learn’s sincere wish is to make the world a better place for our animal friends.

Out there, there are hundreds of thousands of animals, millions of animals needing help. And I cannot save all of them. But for that one dog that I can get out, for that one cat that I can save, for them it is life. And if everyone would think like that, then the misery in this world would certainly be less.

We are deeply grateful Clarissa von Reinhardt, and all others around the world like you who devote their lives to improving the welfare of our animal co-inhabitants. We wish you every success in your future noble endeavors.

For more information on animal learn and Clarissa von Reinhardt, please visit:
Books by Mrs. von Reinhardt are available at the same website

Thank you for joining us today on Animal World: Our Co-Inhabitants. Up next is Enlightening Entertainment, after Noteworthy News here on Supreme Master Television. May your life be filled with respect, understanding, and wisdom.