Canine Functional Characters

Dogs! 

We love them! 

We want to do what is best for them. 

We want to know all that we can to provide them with a happy, long and healthy life.

But what if seeing a dog as just a "dog" rather than an individual prevents a dog from being fully able to express itself and feel good? What if this actually limits your interaction, relationship and connection with your dog?

What if each dog IS an individual, part of the consciousness of life where its uniqueness can include a dog's Functional Character...?


Hey, friend!

I'm Dr Isla Fishburn and I have dedicated my life so far to learning, exploring, teaching and combining all of my skills and knowledge to make life better for you, for your dog(s) and for all of life. I am a scientist and shamanic practitioner and I combine science with indigenous wisdom and Earth based teachings to better the life for our canine friends, as well as yourself! I combine my passions to expand your knowledge and connection to the intricacies of a dog's world and just how our own wellness can influence how our dog feels and respond! I am passionate about our dogs living happy and healthy lives, which by default, means I am passionate about you living a life you love and on a planet that is also healthy and happy. You see, the wellness of your dog is SO MUCH more than just focusing on him/her; it's about deepening our focus to the wider consciousness and intelligence of all life that you and your dog are and are a part of. 


Please note, this course has been directly taken from my more comprehensive course, "Complete Canine Wellness." This is why you will hear me refer to subjects that are not part of the this functional character course but, rather, intended for the full complete canine wellness course.    

When it comes to providing the best life for a dog, my deepest passion and application is to always consider and appreciate a dog as an ecosystem and a whole system that is part of the collective consciousness and intelligence of life. There are many parts to making a dog whole. Each part is not mutually exclusive, nor independent, from all other parts. Each part, in fact, can be influenced by or influence other parts and all have the ability to determine a dog's life.  

A dog's functional character is just one of these parts! It does not stand alone in explaining how a dog responds, interacts or learns, as well as what the dog needs, expects and can accept in our modern day world.  

Just like humans, dogs are genetically ancient beings that live in a modern day world. Part of this ancient blueprint allows dogs to continue to function as social group animals. The social group part of a dog includes their functional character. For dogs to live and co-exist socially and for social living to be solid, enhanced and in harmony, it wouldn't make sense for all dogs to all have the same functional purpose.  

No, just like other social group animals, the group composition we create for a dog can be one that promotes harmony, balance, peace, reassurance and confidence or one that creates chaos, disharmony and conflict.  

Likewise, the functional character of a dog can mean some individuals are better suited to certain environments, certain working roles we place a dog in to our society or easier to learn a new task or skill than others. Once you learn about canine functional characters and apply this subject to your dog or canine business, you will begin to observe a dog in whole new and diverse way.    

I always say there is no such thing as a text book dog, unless we wrote a text book for every dog in existence! Canine functional characters is just one example of why there is no such thing as a text book dog. The speed at which a dog learns, the size of a dog's social network, feeding for a dog's functional character, population dynamics, confidence levels, social acceptance and interactions, social group conflict, creating harmonious groups and why a dog might naturally be aloof, independent, nervous or shy can in part be explained by a dog's functional character.  

Once you come to recognise functional characters in dogs your consideration, understating, acceptance and relationship with our canine friends will be transformed.  

From the dog that learns so quickly yet looses interest just as quick, the dog that will happily lie around almost all day, to the dog that you just don't understand and is making you tear your hair out...all will become clearer once you learn about a dog's functional character, what you can expect and how best to support them. Also, how to introduce a dog to others correctly and when putting dog's together in a group might lead to conflict.  

This course has it all.    

The course is broken down in to easy to follow lessons that give you all you need to explore your dog's functional character and what this may mean for your co-existence with your canine friend.  

I can't wait for you to get started and to explore the world of canine functional characters.

Let's go!


Begin now!

and identify YOUR dog's functional character TODAY!

I care about you AND your dog!

Co-existing with a dog is about a partnership, a co-creative way of living and having complete trust with each other. I want this to be the same for you and me.

Your investment is important to me and I value your commitment and feel you’re on the fence, finger poised over the enroll button. I want you to have FULL TRUST in me and what value I can bring to you, your dog and the work you do. I want you to feel 100% certain that my teachings are going to change your life and the way you interact, live, understand and love your dog.

Remember, you get lifetime access to this incredible content and this community. You can watch the lessons as often and as much as you like, wherever you like, in whatever you like – onesie, speedo’s, PJs, butt naked, in a full evening gown!

This is a game changer for you! This is a life changer for your dog. This is your time to EXPAND in every way – your knowledge, your teachings, your life, your relationship with your dog and so much more! This is TRANSFORMATIONAL! This is JUST the beginning!

I want my course to INSPIRE you to take ACTION and become the best you can be, not only for your dog but also for yourself. You see, whilst the course heavily focuses on canine wellness, a huge part of this includes your own wellness and living a life that YOU truly love!

Trust me!

You will see dogs in a totally different light

Who is the course for?

For canine professionals whether you are just starting out or are established
For ANYONE who is a dog guardian and lives with a dog  
For ANYONE in the canine industry - vets, vet nurses, behaviourists, trainers, groomers, dog walkers, dog rescues, assistance dogs
For ANYONE who is heart centred, compassionate and cares about making a difference for dogs, themselves and the earth!
For ANYONE ready to make a change in how they co-exist and relate to dogs
For ANYONE who feels there is so much MORE to learn about canine wellness than what they are currently being offered
For ANYONE who is ready to EXPAND in their awareness, appreciation and consciousness  
For ANYONE who wants to step fully in to their power, confidence and discernment and acknowledge their ability
For ANYONE who is ready to explore the wider consciousness and intelligence of life
For ANYONE who wants to become part of a tribe where your wellness is just as important

This is not for you if:

You are expecting a quick fix or magic manual to get solutions
You have a restricted mindset and are not yet open to new approaches  
Your belief is that training and training alone is all that is required for a dog to be happy and healthy
You consider yourself separate and superior to other forms of life
You are content in seeing life from simply a mind-led approach 

What have people got to say?

"The most thought provoking, informative course I have ever done. Not only taking a dog back to its indigenous past, but back to the actual cells where everything begins. So easy to understand in Isla’s wonderful, relaxed delivery. I have been waiting all my life for a course like this. At long last, I am beginning to truly understand my dogs, and I love them even more"

"The online course is completely rocking my world. Fills in gap of knowledge for me and completes links that I had seen probable but are deemed possible. For me it is canine holistic therapy, neurological development, and working with identity of dogs and self. Working with primal knowledge and natural understandings that have nearly been lost. Canine PROFESSIONAL OF 15 YEARS AND I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM THE ONE INVESTMENT into continuing my professional development. If you're on the edge of purchasing, don't put it off! Just go for it! My house has never been so contented" “I’m so impressed with the online course Isla. I expected it to be good but it’s way beyond good. It’s full of heart, enlightening and packed full with unique learning and empathy for our dogs in our world. Thank you!"

"This course will change the way you view your dog and help deepen your understanding of who they truly are. Its fascinating, eye opening & set out in an easy and simple way to work through. I'm now always considering functional characters when chatting to people about their dogs. They are amazed when a dogs behaviours are re-framed. We all do our best until we know better. And this course makes it better"

"Well, I'm 3/4 the way through your course and absolutely loving it! You are such a brilliant speaker, and you teach it in such a wonderful and enthusiastic manner. I've been telling my vet nurses and vets about you too. I'm hoping to finish the course this weekend, in amongst the 'ah ha' moments I'm having when recognising my past and present dogs functional characters! Just brilliant! [The course] should be taught in vet school"

'I am loving every minute of it. I have learnt so much already. I look at my own dogs in a different light, appreciate them even more. This course is so thought provoking and makes you take a step back and look at you, how you interact with your dog. If you are thinking about commencing this course, just do it. I am so glad I did."

"Just bloody get on it! Stop dithering! Best investment I've made in my canine career! Just to add I've never met Dr. Isla Fishburn, but after going through the course, you get a feel for her honesty, humour (team huffle puff) and unreserved, open style of teaching. Getting to the root of genetically ancient canines in our modern canine crisis (I work In rescues) I've devoured most commercial courses/ as well as specialist trauma courses, and Ive learned more in this canine wellness course then all of them put together. So dive in!"

Buy now

Your dog will thank you

Frequently Asked Questions

Twenty four hours! I am JOKING!! Man! There is so much material for you that I think FOREVER is a reasonable offer to your much appreciated investment! Once you've enrolled and paid, you'll have access to the course material for as long as you need. So drink it up, bathe in it, dance with it all in one weekend (you'll get brain ache for sure!) or soak it up in your own time. It's your choice!

Nope, nada, none! Whether you are a first time dog guardian, just starting your canine business or are a canine professional - this course is for everyone that lives, breaths and LOVES dogs (as well as life itself)!

I have put so much energy in to this course, ensuring it is almost perfect (cos' nothing ever is totally perfect or we would have no room for learning and growing, right), so I would be interested to learn why you were not loving the course and feeling its vibe! However, by committing to pay and access the course is an investment that I am certain you won't be disappointed in and refunds are not given as an exchange.

I want you to be absolutely certain that this course is for you (I mean, why would it not be!) and I am grateful for your interest. Your investment is important to me so I want to make sure we have dotted the i's and crossed the t's before you commit - we'll have no fear patterns here! Send me an email at islafishburn@kachinacanine.com and I'd be happy to answer your question(s).

Course Curriculum

Buy now

to explore canine functional characters

Isla Fishburn