Are You Ready to Thrive?

Beyond survival is the land of "thrival" (thanks for the word, Susan Friedman). Learning to live wholeheartedly by prioritizing authenticity and vulnerability helped me finally get to know and love myself (more every day). The changes I've made to my life gave me more time with my dogs, better relationships, and a lot more peace!

I created this course to share the thrival skills that took me decades to learn. It's life's work (or maybe longer), but hopefully this information will complement what you've already been learning. May it help you on your path of joy.

Note: I'm not a therapist, but I'm a human, just like you, and I've found a lot of useful resources over the years that I want to share. I've integrated those resources with what I've learned from professional work with dogs about being a mammal. It's a perspective that many of my students have found helpful, and I hope it helps you, too.

  • Eliminate unhealthy habits in a way that meets your needs.

  • Make more efficient use of your time and do things that nourish your spirit.

  • Build more loving, respectful relationships with yourself and others.

  • Express yourself clearly and compassionately.

  • Find healthy ways to meet your needs that helps (or doesn't interfere) with others meeting theirs.

  • Learn how to switch out of survival mode and back to joy.

  • Get practical skills for mourning that can lighten the pain from the loss of your dog or other loved one and unpack their final gift to you.

  • This webinar and all of the other classes in the school are included with a Diamond Membership All Access Pass. For one low price per month, you get access to all of our emotionally enriching dog courses. See if Diamond is right for you.

  • Already a Diamond? You're already enrolled in this webinar, at no extra charge. Just log in and refresh this page, and you'll see a Start Learning or Resume Learning button on the top.

  • We also have a Library Pass which lets you stream this course and a lot of other pre recorded content. Find out more on the Library Pass Page.

Why Take the How to Human Course?

Because your heart matters. Get all of my favorite tools for wholehearted living.

  • Pass It On!

    The more relaxed you are, the easier it is for your dog and the people you love.

    I'm a work in progress, as we all are, but in this course, I share the most effective ways I've come across to have a healthy, happy nervous system. Please note that this course is not meant to replace work with a professional therapist.

  • Convenient Lessons

    Videos and text lessons to fit into your schedule, plus quick quizzes to help you solidify the material. If you don't like reading, even just watching the videos will be useful.

    Course takes approximately 6-12 weeks. Return as often as you'd like.

    This course has 6 IAABC CEUs

  • Community Support

    The How to Human discussion group is extremely supportive. It goes through quiet phases, but you can wake it up by posting.

    You are definitely not the only dog lover who is on a path to thrival. We have dog trainers and others from all over the world in H2H.

At your own pace

This is your path, but you don't have to walk it alone.

I taught this course with live videos in the past. You'll get to see all of those videos and all of the written material, but better yet, you'll also be in great company! Students from previous classes are in the private discussion group. Our community is growing and we look forward to meeting you.

What does this course cover?

A lot! We also have a discussion group and some live support meetings.

  • 1

    Welcome to How to Human!

    • A Message from Grisha

    • How to Use this Course

    • Course Plan

    • This Course isn't Therapy

    • Live Interaction & Community

    • Let's Get Inspired!

  • 2

    Section 1: Changing Habits Efficiently

    • Section Overview Video

    • Which Habits Do You Want? Do Your Habits Serve You?

    • The Power of Habits

    • Thoughts are Behavior, Too

    • You Don't Always Have to Be Positive! Be Authentic.

    • Sweet Dreams! Tips for Sleep

    • Check Your Understanding

    • Pause to Practice

  • 3

    Section 2: Feelings, Needs, Strategies, and Boundaries

    • Section Overview Video

    • Let Yes Mean Yes, and No mean No

    • Essentialism: Saying Yes to What Nourishes You (Less but Better)

    • Resolving conflict and building empathy with Nonviolent Communication (NVC)

    • Boundaries. Noncompliance is not Rejection

    • Anger is not Aggression

    • How to Apologize

    • Check Your Understanding

    • Pause to Practice

  • 4

    Section 3: The Border Collie in Your Head

    • Section Overview Video

    • How Our Brains Work

    • Negativity Bias and Other Brain ‘Fun’ Facts

    • Assumptions (part 1): Labels and Cognitive Dissonance

    • Assumptions (part 2): Cognitive Distortions

    • Assumptions (part 3): Fundamental Attribution Error

    • Gratitude Can Change Your Brain Chemistry

    • Gratitude, Privilege, and Making a Difference

    • History is the Cultural Version of Antecedent Arrangements for Behavior

    • Other Ways to Change Brain Chemistry

    • You Aren't at the Mercy of Your Emotions

    • Check Your Understanding

    • Pause to Practice

  • 5

    Section 4: Being Present

    • Section Overview Video

    • Be Here Now

    • Taking in the Good

    • Mindfulness

    • Meditation Introduction for Trauma: Roland Bal

    • What is Meditation? Trauma Guided Meditation by Roland Bal

    • Mindfulness Exercises Guide Me Home

    • Everyday Mindfulness

    • Building a Mindfulness Practice

    • Dog Breath Meditation

      FREE PREVIEW
    • Building Compassion: Your Inner Puppy

    • Wholehearted Living and Badassery

    • Check Your Understanding

    • 5 Ways to Use Your Senses to Ease Anxiety

    • Pause to Practice

  • 6

    Section 5: Stillness and Unconditional Love

    • Section Overview Video

    • Compassion is the Key to Happiness

    • Compassion and Unconditional Love

    • Lovingkindness Meditation (Metta)

    • Meditation on the Move

    • Relationship Audits: Does This Relationship Meet My Needs?

    • Check Your Understanding

    • Pause to Practice

  • 7

    Section 6: Impermanence, Groundlessness, and Letting Be

    • Section Overview Video

    • Helpful Ways to See This Precious Life

    • 3 Ways to Listen Mindfully

    • What are Transitions?

    • What is Mourning and How is It Different From Grief?

    • The Relationship isn't Gone, It's Different

    • Acceptance and Joy in the Midst of Loss

    • Keep Talking About It

    • Emotional Approach to Retirement Planning

    • Pause to Practice

    • How Do You Help a Grieving Friend?

  • 8

    Next Steps

    • Thank you!

  • 9

    References and Other Resources

    • Books I Love!

    • Online Resources

Instructor

The more you know about how to be human, the better life gets.

Get the this course free, individually or with a membership.

  • $99.00

    $99.00How to Human: Thrival Skills for People Who Love Dogs

    One-time payment to add this recording to your library of courses. Your access will not expire.
    Buy Now
  • $49.00

    $49.00How to Human: Thrival Skills for People Who Love Dogs

    Discounted Rate.

    For those who cannot afford the standard contribution. One-time payment to add this recording to your library of courses. Your access will not expire. If you also can't afford this rate, notice that How to Human is part of our Diamond membership. Or if even that is too much, consider applying for our Diamond scholarship.
    Buy Now
  • $39.99 / month

    $39.99 / monthDiamond Membership All Access Pass

    Great value! Access to ALL live and on-demand streaming content on the site, including this course.

    Diamonds are also part of a thriving, supportive community that loves to dig into every aspect of dog behavior. You'll get help from well over 100 emotionally intelligent dog training and animal behavior classes, taught by my favorite experts from around the world. Diamonds also get special events, student coupons, and other perks. [Learn more].
    Go Diamond
  • $444.00 / year

    $444.00 / yearDiamond Membership All Access Pass

    All the perks of the Monthly Plan, but even better value. Buy 12 months and get one free!
    Buy Now
  • $19.99 / month

    $19.99 / monthGSA Library Pass

    A great value option for dog lovers who want to watch webinars on demand, but don't need the full benefits and community of a Diamond Membership.

    Access pre recorded content and Grisha's eBooks for one low price per month. [Learn more]."
    Go Library