Loving Leader Dog Training

Loving Leader Dog Training Loving Leader Dog Training

11/11/2025

Eight years ago today we lost my older brother in a tragic accident. One of the funniest people, Jason always knew how to make you laugh- even when he was poking fun at you. He was a son, brother, husband, father and friend.

Today I have been reflecting over how my life has changed these past eight years.
I have prioritized friendships
I have established new hobbies
I got a horse
I have moved back to London to be with family
Entered relationships
Left relationships
Lived on my own for the first time as an adult
Later moved into a dream property in the country
Started Dog Training just as a hobby on the side
Started Dog Training as my full-time job
Started boarding dogs
Started fostering dogs
Brought two more of my own dogs into my pack
Fostered more dogs
Fostered puppies
Said I would never foster puppies again
And then welped fostered more puppies
Bought a motorcycle (who saw this one coming?)

The past eight years, I have realized that tomorrow is not promised. I realize that I am the only one who can or who will prioritize my happiness. I have intentionally created the life of my dreams. I continue to chase happiness and laughter and joy.

If you showed me this life eight years ago, I would not have believed it true or possible.

I am grateful every day for what I get to do.

The intentional way in which I lived my life now is how I honor, my brother.

11/08/2025

Do I want to cuddle up with Major and give him kisses because he looks so stinking cute? Absolutely! I’m human too.

But let’s break down what his body language is actually saying in this video - spoiler alert… it’s not “you kiss me and I kiss you back because I love you”.

Major isn’t feeling very comfortable with this interaction. We can tell because he’s showing signs like…

🐾 Whale eye
🐾 Kiss to dismiss
🐾 Lip licking
🐾 Stress yawn
🐾 Displacement grooming

Context, however, is extremely important. Dogs yawn when they’re tired, groom casually, and lick their lips after eating. But when these things align while I’m invading his space, we can assume he’s not comfortable

Could this maybe escalate from here? Maybe, maybe not. We don’t know for sure. What we do know is that he’s uncomfortable. And why would I want to do something that makes my dog uncomfortable?

Reading body language isn’t just to prevent aggression, it’s also about respecting communication and having interactions that your dog actually enjoys and is not just tolerating.



State of mind > Position I dont care if the down is pretty or the sit is square.What matters is the state of mind behind...
11/07/2025

State of mind > Position

I dont care if the down is pretty or the sit is square.
What matters is the state of mind behind it

A controlled position gives the dog space to reset. Learned to settle. Learn to relax. Learn to have patience and impulse control. It sets them up to be successful and allows us step in when they’re not making the best choices and instead it gives us the opportunity to redirect them to a calmer option.

Obedience is just a tool towards the mindset we want to help create.



11/06/2025

What scares you the most?
🐍 Snakes?
🕷️ Spiders?
🪜 Heights?

Now imagine you’re face-to-face with that thing.

STOP. NO. DON’T. LEAVE IT! SIT!!!
…did that change how you feel?
Probably not. You still want to get yourself out of there.

Dogs are the exact same way.

Reactivity isn’t about not listening or obedience, it’s about how they feel.
Strict obedience or yelling “stop/no/leave it!!!!” doesn’t change their emotional response to a trigger, it just pushes it down.

To create real change, we have to:
✨ Understand what motivates them
✨ Give them an alternate option
✨ Work under threshold (where they can still think)
✨ Help them form a new emotional association with that trigger

Massey has been working so hard during his board and train on this.
We’ve been practicing staying under threshold, making better choices, and being exposed to triggers in a way that feels safe and manageable for him.

We are incredibly proud of the progress Massey has made, and cannot wait to continue working with his owner to help him succeed.



Meet Duke 🐾This handsome guy was in foster for over a year before his forever home fell in love with him and took him ho...
11/03/2025

Meet Duke 🐾

This handsome guy was in foster for over a year before his forever home fell in love with him and took him home. Since then we have worked on private lessons - he has been working hard on his training to become the best version of himself. Since he was here for boarding, we figured why not make it a board & train too?

We’re focusing on:
✨ Reliable recall
✨ Playing more appropriately with other dogs
✨ Door manners
✨ Not jumping
✨ Basic obedience
✨ Not barking during frustrating and exciting situations

Duke has participated private lessons as well as my agility/rally classes and excelled. We have a solid foundation to start from to work towards these goals!



What is board and train? Board and train is when your dog comes to stay with a professional dog trainer, to work on obed...
11/01/2025

What is board and train?

Board and train is when your dog comes to stay with a professional dog trainer, to work on obedience or behavioral issues. For me, all the dogs are staying in the house. They are not kenneled or crated in a separate building, they are treated like one of my dogs. I also include private lessons so you can learn what your dog has learned!

When might you consider boarding train?

📌 If you are dealing with severe or serious behavioral issues. This might include dog to dog aggression, dog to human aggression, resource guarding etc.

📌 If you have tried working on issues yourself and have been unable to be successful.
One of my favorite board and trains is with puppies! If you are struggling with crate training, potty training, working on their nipping and jumping behavior, or just want to get a Headstart on their obedience- this could be a great option for you.

📌 If you do not have the time or ability to do the training yourself

📌 Or simply because you were going away on vacation and you want to use your dog time in boarding to address, behavioral or obedience goals

If you are wondering if board and train might be right for you, send me a message!



10/31/2025

Practicing Reactivity

Dogs get better at what they repeat: good or bad.

If your dog spends their day perched at the window, waiting for something to bark at, they’re rehearsing reactivity. The longer it goes on, the stronger the habit becomes.

The goal is simple: stop the rehearsal before it becomes the performance.

Dm me for some strategies to avoid practicing reactivity!



How have we failed our dogs?It’s not about the perfect position, it’s about the decisions that they make when you’re not...
10/29/2025

How have we failed our dogs?

It’s not about the perfect position, it’s about the decisions that they make when you’re not telling them what to do. what I want my dog to do when they’re making the wrong choice.

Training gives us alternatives:
Instead of jumping on the trampoline, I want you to down stay
Instead of dragging on the leash, I want you to walk with me
Instead of barking at the fence, I want you to come inside

Life changes happen, and it’s our responsibility to prepare our dogs with a solid foundation.

We don’t teach obedience for the command itself, we teach them so we can guide our dogs back on track when life presents challenges.

Does your dog know nothing yet?Or can they sit in your living room with a cookie, but lose focus the second something mo...
10/27/2025

Does your dog know nothing yet?

Or can they sit in your living room with a cookie, but lose focus the second something more exciting shows up?

Maybe they’ll work for food, but only if the distraction isn’t too big.

Or have you put in the time consistently, so now they can respond anywhere, anytime -regardless of what’s going on around them?

Training is a journey. Knowing where you’re at helps you know what the next step should be. ✨



Working breeds:Working dogs were designed with a specific job in mind such as Siberian Huskies and pulling sleds, Newfou...
10/27/2025

Working breeds:

Working dogs were designed with a specific job in mind such as Siberian Huskies and pulling sleds, Newfoundlands were bred for hauling fishing nets and to lifeguard, and Saint Bernards who were bred to save travelers buried by avalanches.

Working breeds includes a broad range of skills in dogs, but they are powerful, driven, and thrive with purpose.

Pros: strong, determined, and capable of incredible tasks

Cons: Without outlets they may appear stubborn, destructive, or too much for the average household

Meeting their needs at home: The needs of each breed in this category can vary greatly, but each one needs clear direction. Huskies can run, bike, or learn to pull safely in harness sports. Giant breeds like Bernards thrive with calm structure, steady walks, and clear boundaries. For most working breeds, a balance of mental work and structured exercise keeps them happy.



10/25/2025

An Ode to Gaia 🌿

After years of fostering, Gaia was a first for me. I had never whelped a litter before, so I hit the books, asked my friends, and used every resource available to prepare myself. From the start, she was calm and friendly as an expectant mom. She never strayed far and quickly earned off-leash privileges, she just wanted to be near me. She had her pups right in my front room, and handled it like a champ.

When her puppies arrived, she was a good mama. Attentive, gentle, and patient. She cared for them with ease, always cleaning her babies. She would go out for a quick p*e and run right back to them, not letting them out of her sight for long.

Once her puppies were old enough, she could finally be a puppy again too. She turned into this playful girl, racing around with Major and making friends with anybody she could. This girl is truly a social butterfly.

Gaia taught me so much. About whelping, about raising puppies from day 1, about the way growth and youth exist all at once. It feels like we raised those puppies together, an experience not many people get to have. She was a mom, but she was also still just a puppy herself.

Watching her go off to her forever home feels bittersweet, but mostly it feels right. She’s loved, safe, and getting to live the carefree life she deserves.



10/24/2025

Meet Massey 👋

Massey is here for a Board and Train. I am working on his reactivity, leash pulling, jumping and overall manners. Massey tends to get overstimulated on walks and can react to other dogs or excitement around him. I’ll be focusing on building confidence, engagement, and neutrality.

Helping Massey feel more confident and focused in challenging environments will give him the tools he needs to succeed when he goes home.



Address

London, ON

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Loving Leader Dog Training posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Loving Leader Dog Training:

Shortcuts

Share

Category