Respected In The Guardian Breed Rescue Community

Roman Gottfried with Roman's Holistic Dog Training is very well respected within the Great Pyrenees community. He traveled to Idaho to work with several rescue Pyrs at this rescue and sanctuary. He knows this breed extremely well which is why we utilize and highly recommend his services for GPAT dogs. Whether it training (sit, down or stay), secure attachment (bonding with your adopted dog) or positive parenting (understanding the breed, dealing with trauma based or breed specific issues throughout their lives) Roman is the “go to” for many rescues, shelters, owners, fosters, etc. Although this rescue was fortunate enough to hire Roman to come to them, his online work is just as effective. If you don’t have access to “positive” training in your area or just prefer to work with your dog at home as a family, Roman is a preferred, recommended source.

Patty Witten - Great Pyrenees
Advocates of Texas

Dealt with fence aggression just by watching Roman’s Videos 😳

Neighbors dog 2 houses down came up to our fence my mastiff and I were out playing ball ...back story ....My dog use to run up to the fence it made me nervous but after watching and listening to your videos I started paying no attention ( reacting) when he would charge the fence and have been saying to my dog “ it’s just a puppy “ come on go get your ball and throw it” well 2 days ago neighbor dog came to fence I calmly said to my Enzo oh no big deal let’s keep playing with your ball and he literally could have cared two craps about the dog he went running after his ball ...it was all about him and I playing ball ...I was over the moon proud of him and it only strengthened the fact that you know your stuff lol lol lol thank you pic because he’s amazing .

I watched your few of your videos; one was about people’s reaction and dogs being able to sense our anxiety and the most important video which you have stressed in many is the importance of the bond and partnership we must have with our dogs...l feel if you have that everything else you work on becomes so much easier...the foundation of the “ trust and working together with my dog “ is the most important and the most I’ve worked on ...some may not believe it or think it’s mumbo jumbo ...but those folks are too closed minded and unfortunately are stuck in wanting to control with barbaric ways ...it’s sad ...because if they would only listen and connect the dots they would see and reap the rewards of having a best friend that would do anything for them ...I stay away from people like that i have zero in common with people who think they know it all ...

Kristine Deetjen - Oregon USA

Our Fosters Reported Direct Benefits

We have been working with Roman through a virtual workshop to help our rescue provide better care for the dogs we serve.

There are several benefits to the online workshop and behavior support that Roman has provided to our rescue, Mastiffs to Mutts Rescue.

We are a foster based rescue that serves many Mid-Atlantic States. Through Roman’s workshops, our fosters across 8 different states were able to benefit from learning a skill base that can be used for their current and future fosters. He uses an interactive online method that allows him to perform live demonstrations as well as to answer specific questions during the trainings.

Additionally, his trainings are available to review at a later time for those who misses the trainings or need to refresh their memory.

Roman is not symptom-based, as he tries to provide guidance through finding the root of the problem that is causing the behavior rather than using band-aid techniques.

His focus is not to manage the behavior but to rectify it. He asks for questions regarding real-life struggles with dog behavior and will then virtually demonstrate the techniques that fosters can use and practice in between sessions.  

Roman has been helpful to both our fosters and our admin team as the virtual trainings provided a safe outlet for us to discuss concerns and experiences in a judgement-free zone where we can learn from one another while being guided by Roman.

We would highly recommend Roman as our fosters have reported direct benefits from his trainings. 

Peg Benoit

Director Of Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue   501c3   www.mastiffstomutts.org

The first trainer that sat down on the floor at Baby's level

I adopted my chi-weenie Baby from the shelter when she was four. I was easily over my head and couldn’t control her aggressiveness, biting, barking and messes in the house. I tried several trainers and even Veterinary behaviorist who put my dog on heavy drugs, before finding Roman.

I remember the first visit and saw he was special right away. He was the first behaviorist to get to her level & sat on the ground while explaining what my dog was showing him, and not afraid of her.

You have to be patient as you can't undo years of patterns and behaviors overnight. But Roman was patient and we tried training scenarios in various situations - in the neighborhood, park and even the pool. I would highly recommend Roman for any level of training and worth every penny.

“You have to be patient as you can’t undo years of patterns and behaviors overnight. But Roman was patient and we tried training scenarios in various situations - in the neighborhood, park and even the pool.”

Roman teaches YOU the skills to connect with your dog. Since his first visit, we got back to Roman periodically because I need training but he doesn’t make you dependent on him. We followed up remotely via online-consultations. Then when we were introduced to Barbara Buck - WOW, I was skeptical she could do anything long distance but then I saw her connecting with Baby with my own eyes. They joined from across three states. Barbara recently connected with Baby before I took a long trip. I returned & there was no anxiety on either of our parts. I’ve personally retained Barbara’s services in person and long-distance and what a difference in my life. Close friends see it as well. Thanks to Baby we’ve met Roman and Barbara and so glad we did!

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

Cindy Crosby- Attorney

Online-Classes are informative and thought-provoking

I am happy to recommend Roman Gottfried.  I have had my own fosters and personal dogs evaluated and helped by Roman , and have also set up and attended an online canine holistic handler class for about 20 volunteers with the rescue that I volunteer for, National Great Pyrenees Rescue.

Roman’s presentations were informative and thought-provoking, and our volunteers who attended came away with a great understanding of their own dogs and the dogs within our rescue that we deal with on a daily basis.  The classes included homework that reinforced the learning experience, and questions during the class were encouraged.

NGPR also has recommended Roman to adopters who need help with their dogs.  NGPR also consults with Roman on dogs in our foster homes.  NGPR feels working with Roman is a great learning experience, that the adopters or fosters working with the dogs will be better able to interact and communicate with the animals in their care.  

If you have more specific questions, I would be happy to answer them.

Susan DeBili

Secretary, NGPR ​

                 National Great Pyrenees Rescue  ~ www.nationalpyr.org ~  P.O. Box 214, Maplecrest, NY 12454 

Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter Long Island NY

 " I may not have the dates exactly right, but I clearly remember the circumstances. In late 2011, I worked in a municipal shelter Town of Hempstead, LI, NY , where we had a young dog isolated from the public and most of the staff, essentially living on death row

Goliath had been hit by a car and left to die at the side of the road. He was barely 6 months old then and was somewhat friendly when initially picked up by our ACO’s. After what amounted to basic care at the shelter, followed by emergency care specialist, then, ultimately still losing his leg to gangrene, this pup underwent major physical & psychological changes.

When he returned to the shelter after several months, Goliath was a broken & changed dog.

He had definite trust & fear issues. No one was allowed near him but for a few staffers; he was not available to be adopted and rescues were unwilling to take the risk.

I had heard about Roman from a rescue friend and reached out as a last resort. From time to time, I would see a flash of the trapped puppy in Goliath’s eyes when I tossed biscuits over the kennel gate; I wasn’t sure if he could be saved but I felt we owed him that last effort.

Roman came to the shelter, was fitted into protective gear and left alone in a room with him. (Nerve wracking!) Afterward, he agreed to take him and try to give him a life worth living. Goliath left the shelter behind & became Sigmund (Siggi) that very day. 

Roman & his then partner, started Siggi on a healthy healing diet as Roman & Siggi began the road to being each other’s guides. For the rest of Siggi’s life, he was with Roman through life changes, thick & thin, better or worse. I truly feel that Roman has a gift and a rare affinity for understanding animals. I know that if not for him, Goliath would have died in the shelter and never have had the life he lived as Sigmund."

Wendy Cariello,

formerly with Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter

rescue liaison, event coordinator, adoptions counselor

Run for ever free - August 2017

Your Videos Helped Us Comunicate With Luci

September 9, 2015

Just wanted to let you know that You have been a HUGE asset to us both and Luci!  Your videos have really helped us to understand how to communicate with Luci.  She has picked up on things so quickly once we watched your videos and applied your "wise wisdom." We joke and say that we were the ones that needed the training, and not her.. Have a AWESOME Day!

 Kevin, Denise and Luci. - Jamestown, New York

Luci 2018