It's almost November and 2027 will be here before we know it. Going back through my camera roll, I realized what a whirlwind 2026 has been. When there was downtime, I seemed to create chaos to keep my brain busy. Along with the sad, there was a lot of good chaos. We lost Jubilee. We gained puppy Runa. I retired Caly and started riding Zephyr. Camping trips, work events, family. But then I wondered why I had so little energy left for training. Human or canine, brains love having a job, and if...
about 21 hours agoย โขย 1 min read
The days are shorter, wetter, colder. Mornings are darker and the couch is looking pretty good right now. If you're like me, this time of year is perfect for walks in the woods then hibernating. I'd be embarrassed to tell you just how much hot chocolate I've had in the last month ... I find it hard to get motivated this time of the year. So if you do too, you're not alone. A lot of us feel that seasonal slump. But because a lot of people are spending more time indoors - this is the best time...
1 day agoย โขย 1 min read
Do you ever spend more time reading or watching videos about dog training than actually training your dog? There's always one more video to watch, one more article to read, and one more expert who says the opposite of the last one. Before you know it, all that "preparing" has turned into staying stuck. In this week's episode of Dogs with Big Feelings, I talk about decision paralysis and why you don't have to know every step before you start. You only need to know the next one or two. Then...
3 days agoย โขย 1 min read
The number of people I have had crying during a lesson is a lot higher than you might think. Dogs with behaviour challenges are HARD! Even puppies are HARD! It's ok to feel burned out and exhausted. If you are feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, you aren't alone. What if, instead of asking you to do more, I told you that you would get further with your pooch if you actually did less? Most people are doing way too much, trying way too hard, and putting their time and energy into things that...
4 days agoย โขย 1 min read
Have you seen people running or biking or sledding with their dog out in front pulling and having a blast? Did you know there's also a hiking version of this sport? I had questions!! And Erin answered =) Have a listen. ๐ง Listen on Apple ๐ง Listen on Spotify P.S. My free training and live Q&A is on WEDNESDAY! Bring your questions about your dog! ๐ Sign-up -- Christina 2738 Holden Corso Rd, Nanaimo, BC v9x 1n5Unsubscribe ยท Preferences
5 days agoย โขย 1 min read
"Stranger danger! Don't touch me. Get out of my house!" Can you hear your dog in any of those sentences? Maybe you've given strangers treats or a ball to help win your dog over? You've asked people to avoid eye contact, move slowly, turn away, not talk to your dog. You know how sweet your dog is when they are with people they trust, and you wish everyone could see that dog. you want your dog to be friends with your friends, family, neighbours. There's a step that most people miss. Before our...
5 days agoย โขย 1 min read
Have you been told never to tell your dog "no"? That you should always tell them what to do instead? Maybe you've heard that positive trainers don't say "no" at all? Have you caught your dog doing something naughty and wondered, "How do I stop this without being harsh?" I had a chat with Denise Fenzi, a trainer I've admired for more than a decade and whose work has shaped a lot of how I train. We talked about something many of us feel unsure about: saying no to our dogs. Ideally we set up our...
9 days agoย โขย 1 min read
A well trained dog is a way of life, not just a training game ๐ Does your dog pull like mad when you head to the lake, or to the dog park, or where the bunnies live? Does your dog loose their cool when they know you are driving to one of their favourite places? You probably learned self-control games in one of your training classes, yet your dog still struggles to keep it together. Games are a great way to learn, but the real benefit comes when you use those skills in everyday life. Here's an...
13 days agoย โขย 1 min read
I'm a lazy trainer. Runa wanted to visit a person on the beach. I wanted her to stay with me. Recall training is pretty important right now. I also would like to build enthusiastic heeling foundations. As always, we are practicing the skill increasing and lowering arousal. I can do all of this at once! When we understand how and when arousal helps or hinders, and we have the skills to increase or decrease arousal, a single training session can work on many things at once. In the above...
15 days agoย โขย 1 min read