Episode 80: Understanding Why Dogs Behave As They Do with Chantal Karyta

Episode Description:

In this episode of Homeopathy 247, Mary Greensmith welcomes Chantal Karyta, a professional dog trainer and behavior expert. Chantal shares her deep knowledge about understanding dog behavior, especially around issues like anxiety, reactivity, and how training can work alongside natural approaches like homeopathy to support happier, healthier pets.

Chantal’s Work with Dogs

Chantal has been training dogs since 2007, working with pets and their owners to build better relationships and tackle behavior challenges. She specializes in helping with problems like separation anxiety, reactivity, and fear-based behaviors by teaching life skills, offering enrichment activities, and focusing on building confidence in dogs.

Why Understanding Dog Behavior Matters

Chantal and Mary discuss how important it is not just to “fix” a behavior with medication or homeopathy, but to truly understand why a dog behaves the way it does. Dogs express fear, anxiety, and confusion in many ways, and addressing the root cause is key to real healing.

Reactivity in Dogs

A big part of the conversation focuses on reactivity – when dogs bark, growl, or lunge at people, animals, or things they are afraid of. Chantal explains that reactivity is often a survival instinct: dogs either choose to “fight” or “flight” depending on their past experiences, genetics, environment, and sometimes even lockdown experiences.

Steps to Help Reactive Dogs

Chantal offers practical advice:

• Avoid letting dogs rehearse bad behaviors by controlling their environment.
• Walk them in quieter areas to avoid overwhelming situations.
• Pay close attention to early warning signs in their body language.
• Use positive experiences like nose work and trick training to build confidence and happiness.

Understanding Dog Body Language

Learning to read a dog’s subtle body signals — like a slight ear twitch, lip licking, or paw lift — can help owners recognize early signs of stress before a dog reacts badly. This allows for gentle intervention and support.

Matching Training with Natural Health

Chantal highlights how physical exercise, mental stimulation, and meeting a dog’s instinctual needs are essential for emotional health — just like how homeopathy addresses underlying issues, not just symptoms.

Courses and Further Learning

Chantal offers a range of online dog training courses, from recall and loose-leash walking to behavior-specific courses like dealing with reactivity. She also offers a membership option with monthly Zoom sessions and access to all her materials.

Mary and Chantal agree that understanding and respecting a dog’s natural behavior, paired with homeopathy and natural living, provides the best foundation for truly happy and healthy pets.

Visit Chantal’s website: https://www.ck9training.co.uk/online-training-services/

You can also join our Natural Health and Homeopathy for Dogs Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/333847953658397