Our Story - How it all evolved
Cynologist Bart de Gols with his 6 German Shepherds
Our journey is not just a story of dog training.
It is a story of transformation, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of deeper understanding.
In 2010, Cynologist Bart de Gols immigrated to the United States with a dream: to bring a different kind of understanding to the canine world. One that went beyond surface obedience, trophies, or mechanical drills — one rooted in respect for the mind, emotions, and spirit of the dog. Nestled in the lush Pacific Northwest, he founded the Innovative Sport Dog Community (ISDC) in Tenino, Washington.
The ISDC initially focused on training and coaching competitive teams in disciplines like Schutzhund, French Ring Sport, and other high-level working dog arenas. Success came quickly. Yet with each passing year, a deeper truth emerged:
True excellence with dogs is not built on control — it is built on connection.
Bart began noticing something others overlooked: In moments of real pressure, it wasn’t the most “obedient” dog who thrived — it was the dog whose mind state was calm, confident, and cognitively engaged.
Likewise, dogs suffering from aggression, anxiety, or reactivity weren’t “disobedient” — they were trapped in mind states of stress, fear, or survival. This insight sparked an evolution. Over the next decade, ISDC slowly shifted away from the traditional sport dog model toward something far more profound: Teaching humans to understand the mind state of the dog — not just how to control behaviors, but how to influence the emotional and cognitive processes that create those behaviors.
It was during this period that Bart developed the now-signature approach known as "From Tyrant to Teacher." : a relationship-based system grounded in neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and compassionate leadership.
This system rejected outdated dominance methods, mechanical reward systems, and forceful corrections, focusing instead on building a relationship through:
Emotional regulation
Cognitive engagement
Predictability and structure
Trust and clear communication
The Birth of Canine Evolutions:
In January 2022, Canine Evolutions was born — a new chapter, a new home, and a renewed mission a new philosophy. Now based in the serene foothills of Mount Saint Helens and Mount Rainier, Canine Evolutions is the culmination of this journey — a place where cutting-edge science and timeless relationship wisdom come together to help dogs and humans live in harmony, health, and mutual respect.
Our specialization today reflects everything we have learned along the way:
Mind State First: We train by influencing the emotional and cognitive state of the dog first — understanding that behavior is simply an external reflection of internal processes.
Neuroscience-Based Methods: All of our techniques are grounded in modern research on canine brain function, stress physiology, and cognitive behaviorism.
Behavioral Rehabilitation: We focus extensively on helping dogs with aggression, reactivity, anxiety, fear, phobias, and behavioral shutdown — not through force, but through healing the underlying mind state.
Human Education: More than anything, we are here to teach humans — giving dog owners the knowledge, tools, and mindset needed to foster lifelong relationships based on clarity, empathy, and leadership.
Our Promise:
At Canine Evolutions, we don’t just help you train a dog. We help you understand a dog. We teach you how to create calm where there is chaos, confidence where there is fear, and connection where there is confusion. Because when you change the mind, you change the world you share together.