David J. Kurlander’s Debut Book, Through the Eyes of a Canine
David J. Kurlander, has been a Wild and Domestic Animal Behavior Specialist, wild animal researcher, professional wild animal trainer and professional dog trainer for over twenty-five years.
Decades of research, working with more than 150K dogs and observing wild canines, has led to real-world examples, practical suggestions, exercises. “It does not matter how much time you spend with the wolf; it is within the capacity of your mind to open and become the wolf.” What does this quote mean to you?
From the very moment I became aware of the path that my life was predestined to lead, I have met challenges. I have heard everything from whispers in my ear that told me I wasn’t good enough or that I was “only fooling myself by challenging the authorities in the field” — after all, how can you possibly conduct research without the funding and support of influential and powerful institutions? But, everything I discovered in this industry seemed to just fall short, leaving me with so many questions — questions about life and reality itself. Questions such as, why does it feel like these observations and research projects read much like a soap-opera? I felt like I was hearing the observer’s story and not the actual story of the animal we were observing. I knew that this negativity was derived from personal skepticism, resentfulness from a competitive foundation. I only saw this as motivation for me to find more to life, and here we are today.
My love and dedication to animals has opened my mind to see beyond the prescribed social norms, to leave behind the obstacles that stifle thinking on a deeper level. I deafened my ears to these petty whispers and I repeated to myself that it does not matter how much time you spend with the wolf; it is within the capacity of your mind to open and become the wolf. This means that no matter how much time you spend in the field, educational institutions or observing the observer, you will soon find out that your eyes have been closed the entire time. This statement is not meant to knock these prestigious institutions or discredit the professional. Actually , it’s quite the opposite. Our forefathers have created a foundation for all of us to expand upon. What I simply mean is that we are not restrained by the confines of what society has set for us. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Once you accept that, you will have only scratched the surface of infinite possibilities. You will truly achieve the sight to see reality and begin your journey of knowledge. A person can dedicate their life to following behind the “professional” or chose to walk along side of them to bring a different prospective. If you truly wish to learn the life of another, you must learn to let go of yourself and see through their eyes and become the wolf!
“Upon meeting David, his passion for animals and devotion to his four-legged students was immediately evident, and it was one of the many reasons I fell in love with him…I have witnessed him leave the house at two o’clock in the morning and head to a shelter to help a dog. His dedication never ceases to amaze me.” –Tammy Kurlander. Your love of animals started at age four when you developed a deep bond with your family’s Siberian Husky, Brandy. Can you share a favorite memory of Brandy?
Brandy was a Siberian Husky to the core. A loving companion and a fearless protector. On summer nights, I would open the window above my bed, close my eyes and just listen to Brandy as he sat on the backyard deck and howled, singing the song of his ancestors and drowning out the chaotic sounds of the Bronx streets. His song resonated with my soul, which lead me to the most magical of dreams.
I would spend as much time as I could with him and my memories always seem to reflect the clearest communication — as if we could understand every single thing. I will never forget him and his dedication to me. He was the first and most influential figure in my life, which lead me down the path that I am on today. I never thought of him as a dog. He was my brother and always will be.
Over 25 years as a Wild and Domestic Animal Behavior Specialist, Researcher, Trainer. Influenced by Jane Goodall, having worked with primates through research and observation as a Wild Animal Keeper for the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York City. What is the keystone to protecting endangered species?
Issues such as poaching, mass environmental destruction and pollution are just simply results of bad management of local governing agencies through weak protection laws and mismanagement of funds.
The keystone to protecting endangered species is education. I truly feel that the more knowledge people achieve about these amazing beings and their contributions to our lives and the vitality of this planet, the more compassion and motivation people will have toward preserving them and their habitat. This is one of the most important opportunities a zoo can provide to an individual. The ability to see firsthand the beauty of other life and to hear their story is invaluable.
I have found that ignorance will only lead to hate and violence. Most animals, for example, wolves and snakes, have an undeserved negative stigma behind them. This destructive thought process is even present in our childhood nursery rhymes, lullabies and popular movies. These truly vital beings are often depicted as villains. Implanting such falsity early in the minds of children simply leads to an ingrained prejudice towards these species. They are often blamed for the destruction of livestock or the endangerment of hikers and so on. However, at the end of the day, there is little to no evidence of their involvement at all. Of course we must have a healthy respect for these animals when encountered in the wild as they can be dangerous if provoked. We also must consider having harvesting management plans in effect in the event of an over population or ecosystem balance issue. This is why hunting is so important.
“Imagine a world where no one speaks your language or understands who you are. Pretty scary, right?” Founder, Steady Wind LLC. “My methods are about as natural as they come. Over my career I have developed unique techniques to implement proper canine structure, safety, crystal-clear communication and trust between you and your best friend. All without using a single food reward or painful device. The best way to describe a dog’s method of communication is that they speak through a mix of emotion and their instinctive sensory abilities such as sight, sound, and smell. What’s most important is understanding your dog’s uniqueness and being aware of how your dog reacts to his or her environment.” You work with dogs and their families to implement proper structure, communication and create a deep bond within the “pack.” Recently added virtual training sessions. You love to cook — do you ever make your dogs’ food? Can you also share which foods are good, which ones bad, for dogs?
Unfortunately, the domestic canine diet is somewhat of a mystery. There is an ever expanding plethora of breeds and breed mixes requiring specific diets. If that is not enough, we also must consider your dog’s activity levels, for example, does your dog’s life consist on three walks and house confinement for the remainder of the day or are you running them nonstop in a hunting field for 5 hours? Hydration, recovery, nutrition and supplements all must be considered. The next question is how is your dog’s current health status? Does your dog require a specific diet like hydrolyzed protein or limited ingredients due to allergies?
With all things concerned, I personally like to feed a raw diet. This diet choice offers a balance of hydration, intact vitamins, essential digestive enzymes and are free of preservatives and harmful fillers.
There are some downfalls though. First, you must make sure you are feeding a whole diet -not just raw meat. A raw diet should be complex and require many ingredients to meet all of your dog daily dietary needs. Also, a raw diet can be quite expensive to maintain. This is why many people opt into a half dry and half raw mix to cut the cost and still maintain a balanced nutrition. And of course, a mishandled product could be dangerous to your dog’s health. This absolutely can be said for dry food as well. Be sure to do your research first. Search for a reliable and local source to acquire your food and ingredients, or for dry food, look to see if ingredients are being source outside of the country. Some companies will do this to cut their costs at the expense of the dog’s life.
There are websites that keep track of recalls and incidences from companies. I recommend searching through them before making a decision. As far as a dry kibble is concerned, there are so many fantastic food brands available these days. Just make sure to consider your dog’s individual needs and select the correct nutritional makeup for your dog.
Creator of The Pack Animal Podcast, whose mission is “to deepen the understanding of the true and natural way that dogs perceive the world.” Singer Bucky Covington has been a guest. Which other music artists would you like to have on the podcast?
Country music and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly. So many artists, such as Bucky, hold their fondest memories with their best friend and companion. I would love a lineup of interviews with artist such as Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Billy Currington, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Brett Eldredge — just to name a few. I would love to hear their stories and talk about how their furry companions have influenced them.
Podcast producer, actress Melissa Leo. The Oscar winner portrays Francine, a woman obsessed with animals, in the title role 2012 drama. With little dialogue, the movie focuses on her unique connections with animals and her own animal-like behaviors. How did you connect with her to work together on the podcast?
I first met Melissa when she reached out to me with a few concerns about her dog, Buddy. We worked locally for a while and then I spent some time traveling with her to California while she was on set for the Showtime comedy-drama series, I’m Dying Up Here. Buddy is slightly larger sized Pomeranian mix with a very doggy-dog personality and a heart of absolute gold. Over the years, Buddy has spent months at a time with me and my family when Melissa travels out of the country for work.
Melissa is one the greatest people I have ever met, to say the least. Her support and involvement with the podcast is invaluable, but most of all, her belief in me is heartwarming. Her love and devotion to Buddy goes above and beyond the stars. My family and I consider her pack.
Debut book, “Through the Eyes of a Canine,” tells the human-canine story from the dog’s perspective. In Chapter 1, “Home is Where the Heart is,” it states, “Dogs have a profound impact on our emotional and physical lives — they can reduce our fear and anxiety levels, lower blood pressure and heart rate, help us live longer and reduce our number of visits to the doctor. Having a furry companion in our life also helps us become more trusting, social and happy.” As a Certified Practical Animal Behavior Specialist (focusing on aggression, fear, and anxiety), how are dogs able to pick up on their owners’ anxiety?
Dogs rely on the confidence and health of the pack. In my years of research, in both wild and domestic feral packs, I have observed on occasion a distressed member. Whether it be an injury after an intense hunt or a war wound from an encounter with another formidable predator. In such events, the pack will appear to focus on this individual and care for them in a variety of ways, but one most notable way is by becoming more defensive and protective. Typically, they will lay together, assist in grooming, and smooth each other’s stress by simply being there for one another. The love and devotion of a dog goes far beyond the surface of physical observation. So essentially, when the owner is feeling a degree of anxiety, the dog will see this as an instability in the structure of the pack and do whatever they can to quell this to regain safety for all. These instances are more likely with a specific individual personality trait of the domesticated dog. If your dog has a natural dominate personality, he or she would most likely become more aggressive in the event of an anxiety episode. Whereas, if the dogs personality is that of a gentle follower, the natural response would be more soothing to help the owner through an event. Regardless of how we look at it, their responses are a result of fear. This topic has been a massive undertaking and I wrote in-depth about this in my book.
I firmly believe that they have a spiritual connection to each other and to us. So much so that the very act of resting their head on your lap can remove the sting of a hard day.
A canine must have the safety and provisions of their pack. They literally need each other to survive. As humans, we choose our relationships and have the ability to leave them whenever we choose without natural consequence. We can absolutely survive on our own by growing our food, building shelter and yes, even thoroughly cleaning ourselves. Sounds crazy, but a lone wolf would not be able to clean his or her own ears without the assistance of another. So, in my research, I have concluded that their ”need” for pack — for us -give us a sense of worth. This can be a very powerful thing when life seems grim. So essentially, their therapeutic like presence can be life-changing and lifesaving.
You can follow Kurlander on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Through the Eyes of a Canine is now available for purchase on Amazon.