Class 1 – Healing vs. Heeling

This class will explore the fundamental desires of our Dogs, the biological basis for these desires, and what obstacles are in the way of achieving it. We’ll discuss why focusing on control separates us from our Dogs, and how the way to heal and repair this fracture is through a deeper connection with them.

Class 2 – Friendship: An Alternate Path

This class will explore the ultimate connection with our Dogs, which is a secure friendship. We’ll examine various definitions of friendship from some of the world’s greatest thinkers, and apply these definitions to our own relationships with our Dogs. We’ll discuss why friendship is the natural relationship between humans and Dogs, and introduce the “six needs of a secure friendship.”

Class 3 – Presence / Mindfulness

To truly connect with our Dogs, we need to be on level ground with each other. Mindfulness is the dimension where we can align our present moment experience with theirs. We’ll discuss what mindfulness is and how to practice it together.

Class 4 – Unconditional Love and Devotion

If our Dogs are to feel safe, secure and whole, then our friendship needs strong roots. This is unconditional love, acceptance and devotion to each other. We will explore ways in which to exercise our loving kindness “muscles”, and learn why transactional love can erode a friendship.

Class 5 – Freedom, Authenticity and Autonomy

Our Dogs are self-determined beings and need freedom to become who they really are. This is known as Ikigai, or “reason for being.” When we dominate or over-control our Dogs, we inhibit their growth as individuals. We’ll explore how to recognize our Dog’s true inner nature, and practice the Taoist concept of “wu-wei” or non-interference.

Class 6 – Respect and Conflict Resolution

When individuals live together, there will be an inevitable conflict. We can learn to branch out in different direction, while being respectful and compassionate. We will discuss the importance of individuation as well as integration in our friendship with our Dogs. We’ll discuss various ways of repairing any ruptures in our friendship, and turning friction between us into traction to move us closer together.

Class 7 – Partnering

In this class, we’ll discuss the importance of “bi-directional nourishment.” Our Dogs and ourselves have complementary skill sets that help each of us be safe, secure, and whole. We will explore how seeing our relationship as equal partners, and not a hierarchy, we will thrive as individually and together as friends.

Class 8 – Attunement and Resonance

As friends, our Dogs and ourselves create a synergistic relationship. By attuning to and resonating with each other, we will learn to transcend our individual selves and create a harmonious whole. We’ll explore several ways to tap into this deeper connection.

Class 9 – Further Down the Path

A secure friendship with Dogs doesn’t end at our our own interpersonal relationships, it expands outward to a societal, cultural and global levels. In this class, we’ll review the six needs of a secure friendship, and widen that view to include the way our world relates to Dogs. We’ll discuss the ethical implications of mass breeding and commodification of Dogs, as well as exploring how Dogs are exploited and manipulated solely for the benefit of humans. We’ll discuss how we can make global paradigm changes by changing the paradigm of our own relationship with the Dogs in our lives.