Loving Leader Dog Training

Loving Leader Dog Training Loving Leader Dog Training

11/26/2025

Every trip I take, there is hours of food preparation. Whistler, Tinpa, and Major all need meals packed to come with me (and we’ve discussed how extra I am about their food). When I went camping in september I had Gaia, Lola, the puppies, and Angie who all needed meals prepped too!

Being a responsible dog owner doesn’t stop when you leave the house. Trips, vacations, and weekends away all mean extra preparation, especially when it comes to food.

Packing meals for multiple dogs isn’t glamorous. It takes hours of portioning,  adding supplements and medication, labeling, and double-checking. Raw, kibble, supplements - everything has to be measured out and stored properly so routines aren’t disrupted and stomachs stay happy.

Owning a dog isn’t just about the fun parts like the walks, the cuddles, the adventures. It’s about the behind-the-scenes effort that makes those moments possible. Responsible ownership means thinking ahead, planning for their needs, and making sure they’re set up for success whether you’re at home or on the road.

Because at the end of the day, they rely on us for everything... and they’re worth the work.



The holidays are coming, and suddenly we’re all running around with a mental checklist that never seems to end.You might...
11/26/2025

The holidays are coming, and suddenly we’re all running around with a mental checklist that never seems to end.
You might notice your dog acting a little different right now, maybe they’re extra clingy, extra barky, extra “hey… pay attention to me.”

Here’s the thing: dogs can smell when we’re stressed.
But more importantly, they notice the little shifts in our routine. The rushing, the change in voice, the quicker movements, the lack of calm moments together.

So if your dog’s behaviour feels “off,” it might not be misbehaving.
It might just be them reacting to the chaos around them.

A small reminder: before you dive into the holiday to-do list, take a moment to meet your dog’s needs. A slow sniff walk, a few minutes of connection, a predictable routine, some training, or enrichment activities/ chews.
It helps them settle…
and honestly, it helps you settle too.

Peaceful dog, peaceful home, peaceful holidays.



11/25/2025

“My dog listens to me but not my partner!”

Well... does your partner train the dog too? Or do you do all the training? Dogs don’t automatically generalize information. They form relationships through consistency in training. If you do all of the training with them, they are learning to listen to you... if all of your family members put some reps in then your dog understands expectations!

Send this to you partner... let me settle that household argument for you!



Emoji time:Describe your dog using ONLY emojis… and let’s see who’s living with the real 😈 or the 😇! 😂👇 ...
11/23/2025

Emoji time:
Describe your dog using ONLY emojis… and let’s see who’s living with the real 😈 or the 😇! 😂👇



11/20/2025

Meet Rocky 🐶
Rocky is here for my puppy board & train program!

His family was struggling with house training, so that’s our main focus these weeks. Helping him learn a consistent routine, understand where to go, and build good bathroom habits in the home. Alongside that, we’re working on:

• Learning to settle
• Proper dog-to-dog interactions
• Basic obedience foundations
• Leash manners and not defaulting to pulling
• Handling & grooming desensitization… especially important with his doodle coat!
• General confidence building in new environments

He’s such a sweet boy with a curious little personality, and he’s already making great progress. Excited to share his updates!



Puppies are cute until they’re zooming around the house with a sock.. and you’re getting your cardio in 😂. What’s your m...
11/18/2025

Puppies are cute until they’re zooming around the house with a sock.. and you’re getting your cardio in 😂. What’s your most hilarious puppy moment?



11/16/2025

E-collars, when used correctly, offer clear, consistent communication and strengthen trust between dog and handler. When used incorrectly, as any tool, they can be harmful. It is essential to have the guidance of a trusted professional before attempting to e-collar train.



11/13/2025

Who’s walking who? 🐾

If your dog is out front on walks, it obviously means they think they’re the alpha and you’re just… their unpaid assistant. (Okay okay… just kidding! We don’t believe in that nonsense 😅).

But when your dog is way ahead, it does make it harder for them to care about what’s happening behind them. Being behind your dog means less engagement, less teamwork, and more pulling.

When we work on leash manners, we’re really working on relationship. Heel position isn’t about control; it’s about communication and connection. You and your dog should be enjoying the walk, not just surviving it.

Massey used to be a serious puller, but through consistent training we’ve helped him understand loose-leash walking, heel position, and how to check in with his person through changes in direction, pace, and environment. Every walk is now a chance for him to make better choices!



As a trainer, I naturally think about the questions about a dog that most people don’t consider: What does this breed ne...
11/13/2025

As a trainer, I naturally think about the questions about a dog that most people don’t consider: What does this breed need daily? How will this behaviour look in 6 months? What challenges could show up if certain instincts aren’t fulfilled?

As a rescue adoption coordinator, that means I may not look at certain applications for adoption. Not because I want to keep people from adopting, but because I know how quickly an excited “yes” can turned into a discouraged return. Or, in other cases, a life of being unsatisfied for both human and dog!

So often the problem isn’t that someone did something “wrong”. It may be that they didn’t do the research, they didn’t think ahead about the demands of dog ownership, or maybe they just aren’t yet prepared. Often times people also prioritize an aesthetic over breed traits.

That’s where the frustration is. Saying no can feel harsh, but it’s usually to protect both sides: the dog who deserves stability and a full life - and the adopter who doesn’t yet realize what they’re signing up for.

The truth is: love isn’t enough on it’s own. Successful adoptions happen when love meets preparation and education.



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.



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