New class! Engagement, Resilience, Emotional Regulation Training can be so hard in the winter — classes wrap up, training barns are cold and damp, and … driving at night with the rain, snow, and ice can just plain suck. So this year, instead of taking a December–January break for classes, I’m offering something new! Foundations to Thrive is a 6-week online class (spread over 8 weeks) focused on the skills so many dogs are missing — playful engagement, confidence, resilience, and emotional...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Leash Reactivity? Reactivity can feel overwhelming, embarrassing, and frustrating—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. My new leash reactivity webinar is happening tonight, and today is your last chance to sign up. After more than a year of teaching the Leash Reactivity Deep Dives, I’ve narrowed my training down to the key pieces that consistently helps teams progress. The surprise? The online sessions have often been more productive than in-person, because we can slow down, get curious, and...
7 days ago • 1 min read
5 weeks ’til Christmas! Reactivity can feel overwhelming, embarrassing, and frustrating—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. How are you feeling about visitors this year? I’m curious—how are you planning to handle the holiday chaos? 😫 Will your dog bark, jump on guests, or maybe even nip if things get too exciting? 🥰 Or will they politely greet friends and family, staying calm and friendly? 🍗 Will they counter surf and snatch cookies from the table? Will they drool and beg from everyone?🐾 Or...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Leash Reactivity? Reactivity can feel overwhelming, embarrassing, and frustrating—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. There are 3 stages to addressing Leash Reactivity. The first two steps set us and our dogs up to be able to learn, to have the skills to regulate our arousal and emotions, and give us get-out-of-trouble skills. Stage 3 - Work The Challenges Once we have the skills to get out in the world and have fun, we can go out looking for challenges to train. The basic premise of most...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Leash Reactivity? Reactivity can feel overwhelming, embarrassing, and frustrating—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. There are 3 stages to addressing Leash Reactivity. When we move through each step thoughtfully, both we and our dogs build the skills we need to succeed — setting us up for real change. Stage 2 - Anticipate Surprises Do you know your training isn’t quite ready for everything the world will throw at you and your dog? That’s okay—this is part of the process. To bridge the gap...
11 days ago • 1 min read
Leash Reactivity? Reactivity can feel overwhelming, embarrassing, and frustrating—but it doesn’t have to stay that way. There are 3 stages to addressing Leash Reactivity. If we skip or rush steps. we can become stuck - either we or our dogs can end up facing challenges that set them up for failure because we don't yet have the skills to succeed. Stage 1 - Prepare to Learn Before we can start training the hard stuff, we need to be in the right mindset. Both ends of the leash need to be ready....
23 days ago • 1 min read
Somewhere along the line, we were convinced that setting boundaries is mean. If we limit access to things our dogs want, add structure to their days, or say “no” sometimes, we’re told we’re being controlling. Harsh. Unkind. Our dogs deserve better, right? But boundaries and structure aren’t cruel. They’re kindness. They’re what keep dogs safe, and what help them feel secure. The trick is in how we set them. It’s NOT “no — or else.” It's NOT having a dog live in a crate in a nothing in life is...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Recall, reactivity, and calm behaviours all draw from the same foundations: self-control and arousal management. On the surface, they don't seem the same - recall is fast and high-energy, reactivity is emotionally charged, and settling at a cafe is low-energy and chill. These behaviours all depend on the dog’s ability to regulate their internal state and make choices under stimulation. Different goals, same skillset When you call your dog, they must disengage from distractions and focus on...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi there, Can you see how much fun Riker and Jubilee are having in these videos? That’s what training should look like — joyful, connected, and fun for both you and your dog. Not all training is upbeat and energetic, but it should always feel safe, kind, and connected. A friend sent me a post from a well-known trainer who said their distracted dog needed its mouth held shut and to be flipped on its back. Suddenly the dog follows them everywhere - not surprisingly. Dogs are the most forgiving...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
