In a recent video commentary calling me out – mainstream trainer Dale McCluskey put forward a classic, tired industry trope: he claimed that when a dog “gains control in a relationship,” their stress levels and cortisol shoot up. His solution? Reject what he sneeringly labels as “drugging dogs”—specifically targeting biological and botanical supports like CBD—and rely instead on his proprietary relationship structures.
It’s a seductive narrative for an uncritical audience, but beneath the surface lies a desperate defensive maneuver designed to protect a business model, not the welfare of your dog. Let’s debunk the absolute pseudoscience behind this claim and look at why the training industry is actually terrified of cannabis.
1. The Dominance Delusion in Disguise
Claiming that a dog’s cortisol redlines because they “won” a control struggle is simply old-school dominance theory wrapped in modern, pseudo-biological language. It shifts the entire blame for a complex behavioral issue onto the dog’s alleged internal desire for structural authority.
By framing anxiety and reactivity as a mentalistic “respect” or “control” issue, McCluskey conveniently bypasses actual environmental stimuli, genetic predispositions, neurological imbalances, or physical pain. It allows him to position himself as the ultimate arbiter of “energy” and “communication,” rather than what he actually is: a mechanical technician manipulating basic conditioning levers.
2. The Multi-Faceted Power of Cannabis (It’s Science, Not “Drugging”)
To dismiss CBD and the broader cannabis plant as merely “drugging a dog” is to confess a total ignorance of mammalian physiology. Dogs, like humans, possess an Endocannabinoid System (ECS), a vast receptor network tasked with maintaining systemic homeostasis.
When you introduce high-quality CBD and the hundred-plus other cannabinoids found in the plant, you aren’t sedating an animal; you are target-firing biological systems:
- The Pain-Aggression Link: A massive percentage of dogs labeled “reactive,” “grumpy,” or “dominant” are actually dealing with low-grade, chronic physical discomfort or joint inflammation. CBD is a potent, scientifically validated anti-inflammatory and analgesic. When you remove the underlying pain, the defensive, reactive behavior frequently evaporates.
- The Sleep Deprivation Cycle: A stressed, hyper-vigilant dog does not sleep well. Just like humans, sleep deprivation destroys emotional regulation. Cannabis regimens that promote restorative REM sleep completely reset a dog’s baseline threshold for reactivity.
3. Biology is Bad for the Training Wallet
Why does the mainstream training space weaponize the word “drugging” against benign, supportive supplements? Because physiology is bad for the training wallet.
If an owner can spend a fraction of a training fee on a high-quality supplement to alleviate pain, restore sleep, and dramatically reduce reactivity, the trainer’s multi-thousand-dollar behavioral modification package becomes completely obsolete.
When a botanical compound successfully alters a dog’s behavior, it exposes a terrifying truth for relationship-based purists: behavior is deeply rooted in biology, not willpower, leadership, or respect.
The Bottom Line
By shaming owners into believing that using biological tools is a “lazy cop-out,” trainers trap desperate owners in a cycle of endless mechanical adjustments and leash pressure. They force the animal to endure an unmediated neurological or physical storm just to protect a training philosophy.
True behavioral analysis doesn’t ignore biology to protect a brand. If a dog’s cortisol is redlined, attacking the safe, natural tools that can lower that baseline isn’t following “nature’s path”—it’s denying an animal medical relief to sustain an industry myth.
