Hairy Tales Training

Hairy Tales Training Kristina offers private and semi private dog training sessions that are fun and educational.
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🏝️ Hairy Tales is away on vacation completely off grid until August 20th. ⚠️Kristina will not be able to respond to text...
08/12/2024

🏝️ Hairy Tales is away on vacation completely off grid until August 20th.
⚠️Kristina will not be able to respond to text, phone calls, DM's or email messages while she's away, but her lovely assistant Milly will respond to any emails they can while she's away.

Foxy and I had such a lovely weekend  women's working dog seminar. There were many first experiences for Foxy and even f...
07/29/2024

Foxy and I had such a lovely weekend women's working dog seminar.

There were many first experiences for Foxy and even for myself. We both learned so much and are so grateful to have gone.

Foxy started scent detection, which I think we are really both going to enjoy.

⛺Foxy slept in a tent for the first time as well and did fantastic.

Foxy also made friends with MANY animals on the farm. She learned to be respectful and cautious of them and tried really hard not to chase the smaller ones (still working on that). The animals she met for the first time were: 🐇🐐🐖🐓🐔🐸

I was able to take a bite with a bite sleeve from a retired working dog, which was very cool.

Foxy is such an amazing dog that is constantly showing me how resilient, smart and adaptable she can be. I am so lucky to have her ❤️.

More videos of this weekend to come in the next reel post.

🐾 Leash Reactivity Workshop - Tuesday, July 23rd from 6:30pm to 8pm! 🐾⁠📍 Sherwood Park - (Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton) - $...
07/16/2024

🐾 Leash Reactivity Workshop - Tuesday, July 23rd from 6:30pm to 8pm! 🐾⁠

📍 Sherwood Park - (Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton) - $75 + HST

⚠️Attention all current clients who are struggling with reactivity towards people, dogs or both (also those who have worked with specific trainers (listed in sign-up))! 🗓️🐕⁠

👋Join us for our next workshop that offers a fantastic opportunity to address leash reactivity in a controlled and supportive environment. This workshop is designed to help you work on your dog's reactivity around other dogs and people, surrounded by like-minded individuals who truly understand your dog's need for space.⁠

ℹ️ What to Expect During This Workshop: Our primary focus is to continue improving your dog's reactivity through various exercises, all under the guidance of a professional trainer. This safe and non-judgmental environment provides an excellent opportunity to connect with other dog owners facing similar challenges. Together, we'll navigate through your dog's reactivity and support each other throughout the process.⁠

Workshop exercises will be tailored to the group dynamics and each dog's capabilities and triggers. ⁠

↪️Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now and continue your dog's journey towards positive behaviour.

📝To sign up or for more information, please reach out to us directly via DM or visit the link in our bio. We can't wait to see you and your lovely companions on July 23rd! 🌟

🐕Enjoying these dog days of summer 🌿🔥 I know it's hot but I love it ❤️            🐾
06/23/2024

🐕Enjoying these dog days of summer 🌿

🔥 I know it's hot but I love it ❤️

🐾

🐾 Leash Reactivity Workshop - Wednesday, June 26th from 6:30pm to 8pm! 🐾⁠📍 Sherwood Park - (Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton) -...
06/19/2024

🐾 Leash Reactivity Workshop - Wednesday, June 26th from 6:30pm to 8pm! 🐾⁠

📍 Sherwood Park - (Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton) - $75 + HST

⚠️Attention all current clients who are struggling with reactivity towards people, dogs or both (also those who have worked with specific trainers (listed in sign-up))! 🗓️🐕⁠

👋Join us for our next workshop that offers a fantastic opportunity to address leash reactivity in a controlled and supportive environment. This workshop is designed to help you work on your dog's reactivity around other dogs and people, surrounded by like-minded individuals who truly understand your dog's need for space.⁠

ℹ️ What to Expect During This Workshop: Our primary focus is to continue improving your dog's reactivity through various exercises, all under the guidance of a professional trainer. This safe and non-judgmental environment provides an excellent opportunity to connect with other dog owners facing similar challenges. Together, we'll navigate through your dog's reactivity and support each other throughout the process.⁠

Workshop exercises will be tailored to the group dynamics and each dog's capabilities and triggers. ⁠

↪️Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now and continue your dog's journey towards positive behaviour.

📝To sign up or for more information, please reach out to us directly via DM or visit the link in our bio. We can't wait to see you and your lovely companions on June 26th! 🌟

06/05/2024

🐾👍How to be able to take your dog EVERYWHERE with you.

❓In situations like picnics, barbeques and patios, are you able to get your dog to hang out and just chill out? Many people say no to this question. It is a common issue dog owners have and you can help solve the issue with an exercise you can do at home to start. 🐾

🐶"Sit on your dog" involves you attaching your dogs leash to whatever object your are sitting on (or sitting on the leash) and leaving your dog about a foot of length which should only allow them to stand up, turn around and sit back down.

⏰⏳Set a timer for 15 minutes, and any time your dog barks, paws or does anything other than settling, you get them back into a down and restart the timer.☝️

🔑This can be a frustrating experience for hyperactive dog owners, but the key hear is consistentsy. If you have to start with lower time increments (like 5 minutes) you can. At the end the goal is to make sure that YOU are releasing your dog from the settling position (not your dog choosing to get up). For example you could say "break" to let your dog know that the exercise is finished.

If you have any questions leave them in the comments or feel free to DM me.

A fantastic article with many insightful and progressive ideas. Dog trainers and dog parents alike should take a read!
05/25/2024

A fantastic article with many insightful and progressive ideas. Dog trainers and dog parents alike should take a read!

Dear Friends and Colleagues in the Dog Training Community,Today, I reach out to you as fellow trainers, regardless of whether you lean towards positive reinforcement or balanced methodologies. As hard as it can be to understand one another, believe it or not, we are all united by a common passion: i...

05/14/2024

Let's dive into the differences between an off-leash dog park and an off-leash trail. 🐾

An off-leash dog trail, like Sherwood Park, offers a scenic loop through a forest where your dog can roam freely off-leash. On the other hand, off-leash dog parks are often enclosed squares that may not provide enough space for dogs to roam. However, Sunnybrook Off-Leash dog park stands out as a spacious exception, giving dogs room to roam and distance themselves if needed.

Most dog experts steer clear of traditional off-leash dog parks due to potential conflicts and the feeling of confinement for dogs. In contrast, off-leash trails offer a more natural and spacious environment for exercise.

Toronto boasts only three off-leash dog trails—Sherwood Park in Midtown, High Park in the West End, and Cherry Beach. Keep in mind that off-leash trails require a reliable recall from your dog since they aren't fully fenced, leaving room for potential escapes.

If you're fortunate enough to live near one of these parks, opt for off-leash trails for a safer and more enjoyable experience. If your pup's recall needs work, consider working with a trainer before hitting the trails. Your dog's safety always comes first! 🌳🐶

🚨(NEW CLIENTS) Leash Reactivity Group Class | 6 Session Course📍Starts Sunday May 26th at 12:30pm @ Hairy Tales Training ...
05/09/2024

🚨(NEW CLIENTS) Leash Reactivity Group Class | 6 Session Course

📍Starts Sunday May 26th at 12:30pm @ Hairy Tales Training Studio (Mt. Pleasant & Eglinton)

What you will learn what in this class:
✔ How to improve your communication and relationship with your dog.
✔ Techniques and tools to help you manage your dogs reactivity.
✔ Loose leash walking skills.
✔ How to set your dog up for success in the future when it comes to leashed greetings with dogs and/or humans.

This is a great opportunity to work on improving your dogs leash reactivity around other dogs and people in a controlled environment.

This class is a small class of up to 5 dogs so you can still get the one on one help you need.

🗓️Class Dates:
• START DATE - Sunday, May 26th, 2024-12:30pm- 2pm - FIRST CLASS - HUMANS ONLY - NO DOGS

• Sunday, June 2nd - 12:30-1:30pm

• Sunday, June 9th - 12:30-1:30pm

• ***NO CLASS ***JUNE 16th

• Sunday, June 23rd - 12:30-1:30pm

• Last 2 classes are drop in workshops (dates TBD) (larger scale classes to work on polishing up your skills)

📝Link in Bio to sign up

🐾 Leash Reactivity Workshop - Sunday, May 4th from 12pm-1:30pm! 🐾⁠📍 Sherwood Park - (Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton) - $75 + ...
04/23/2024

🐾 Leash Reactivity Workshop - Sunday, May 4th from 12pm-1:30pm! 🐾⁠

📍 Sherwood Park - (Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton) - $75 + HST

⚠️Attention all current clients who are struggling with reactivity towards people, dogs or both (also those who have worked with specific trainers (listed in sign-up))! 🗓️🐕⁠

👋Join us for our next workshop that offers a fantastic opportunity to address leash reactivity in a controlled and supportive environment. This workshop is designed to help you work on your dog's reactivity around other dogs and people, surrounded by like-minded individuals who truly understand your dog's need for space.⁠

ℹ️ What to Expect During This Workshop: Our primary focus is to continue improving your dog's reactivity through various exercises, all under the guidance of a professional trainer. This safe and non-judgmental environment provides an excellent opportunity to connect with other dog owners facing similar challenges. Together, we'll navigate through your dog's reactivity and support each other throughout the process.⁠

Workshop exercises will be tailored to the group dynamics and each dog's capabilities and triggers. ⁠

↪️Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now and continue your dog's journey towards positive behaviour.

📝To sign up or for more information, please reach out to us directly via DM or visit the link in our bio. We can't wait to see you and your lovely companions on May 4th! 🌟

🍻 It's Patio Season - Is Your Dog Ready?🍺🐾 Dreaming of enjoying a relaxing patio hangout with your furry friend, but str...
04/18/2024

🍻 It's Patio Season - Is Your Dog Ready?🍺
🐾 Dreaming of enjoying a relaxing patio hangout with your furry friend, but struggling with their restlessness or reactivity? You're not alone.
🌟 Some dogs find it challenging to stay calm and collected in social settings, whether it's staying still or reacting to passersby. But fear not, there's hope!
💫 With tailored exercises, you can teach your pup the art of relaxation, making them the perfect patio companion.
🍹 And if reactivity is a concern, don't hesitate to seek help from a professional trainer experienced in handling such behavior.
🔍 Check out my previous post on "how to find a trainer" for invaluable guidance on your journey to your dog's best behavior. 🐾

04/16/2024

⚠️Not all dog trainers are made alike. It's important that you do your research before picking the dog trainer to suit you and your dog's needs. Otherwise, you could end up spending thousands of dollars and not getting anywhere with your dog's training.
👀 I personally like to use Google reviews to find any service that I'm going to use, as it is my experience that other review sites have a tendency to filter out reviews depending on whether that business has paid them for advertising or not. Google doesn't do this, and they don't hide reviews either, so you're going to get a clear picture of the positive and negative reviews on that business.
🔍A lot of people don't realize that there is a word search within the review section that will specifically allow you to search for the keywords in the reviews to see if you can find more information on your specific interests.
🤷 If the dog trainer in question doesn't have any reviews about behaviour modification but has lots of lovely reviews about how great they are at teaching basic obedience and recall, it is fairly likely that they may not have helped that many people with behaviour modification. It's also likely that they either don't have a lot of experience or just are not that successful doing it.
👍If you use this tool in the future to find any service, I promise that you'll likely have much more success in getting what you need.

03/21/2024

While controversial, E-Collar training is a useful tool. Despite common misconceptions, when utilized correctly with trusted brands like and , it can be a gentle tool for communication.

It's the same technology as a TENS machine or electrode stimulator used in physiotherapy – it's about a subtle sensation, not pain or stress. The goal is for your dog to feel something without stress or discomfort.

E-collars can help clear up communication with your dog in situations like recalling from a distance or addressing behaviour issues. By understanding your dog's intensity and adjusting stimulation levels accordingly, it's possible to maintain effective communication without causing harm. When used responsibly, e-collar training can offer both freedom and safety for your dogs,

It's not about control but enabling your dog to enjoy off-leash freedom while ensuring their well-being and safety.

03/19/2024

🔑Proper socialization for puppies (before 4 months old) lays the foundation for a well-behaved adult dog. Striking the right balance between under and over-socialization is crucial to prevent behavioral issues down the road. 🐾

⭐Under-socialization can lead to reactivity due to fear of the things the dog never got exposed to enough or in a positive way.

Over-socialization can cause over excitment and stimulation with every single person or dog they come across on the street.⭐

🐾Introduce your puppy to a variety of experiences, including interactions with known people and dogs, new environments, and grooming practices before the 4 month mark. After 4 months, the process of desensitizing becomes more challenging and time consuming.🐾

If you're not really sure what to do, you can always message me, or you can book an appointment, and we can go over it together.

🐻‍❄️Meet Polar🐾 Polar is here. Working on the usual puppy stuff 🐕🌨️ How ironic that I got to work with this guy in the m...
02/15/2024

🐻‍❄️Meet Polar
🐾 Polar is here. Working on the usual puppy stuff 🐕
🌨️ How ironic that I got to work with this guy in the middle of our snowstorm today!grooming I'm of course sending him your way ❤️

🐾 Leash Reactivity Workshop - Sunday, Feb 4th from 1:15pm-2:45pm! 🐾⁠📍 Manor Road United Church (Mt. Pleasant and Eglinto...
01/16/2024

🐾 Leash Reactivity Workshop - Sunday, Feb 4th from 1:15pm-2:45pm! 🐾⁠

📍 Manor Road United Church (Mt.
Pleasant and Eglinton - $75 + HST

⚠️Attention all current clients who are struggling with reactivity towards people, dogs or both (also those who have worked with specific trainers (listed in sign-up))! 🗓️🐕⁠

👋Join us for our next workshop that offers a fantastic opportunity to address leash reactivity in a controlled and supportive environment. This workshop is designed to help you work on your dog's reactivity around other dogs and people, surrounded by like-minded individuals who truly understand your dog's need for space.⁠

ℹ️What to Expect During This Workshop: Our primary focus is to continue improving your dog's reactivity through various exercises, all under the guidance of a professional trainer. This safe and non-judgmental environment provides an excellent opportunity to connect with other dog owners facing similar challenges. Together, we'll navigate through your dog's reactivity and support each other throughout the process.⁠

Workshop exercises will be tailored to the group dynamics and each dog's capabilities and triggers. ⁠

↪️Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now and continue your dog's journey towards positive behavior.

📝To sign up or for more information, please go to https://hairytalestraining.com/leash-reactivity-workshop/

🏆Hairy Tales Wins Best Dog Trainer in the Canadian Choice Awards 2024!!🏆🙏Thank you so much for all your support! We coul...
01/02/2024

🏆Hairy Tales Wins Best Dog Trainer in the Canadian Choice Awards 2024!!🏆

🙏Thank you so much for all your support! We couldn't have done it without all of our supportive clients.

🎄A Christmas Family Portrait of two besties and their dogs. 🥂A toast to 23 Christmases with my brother from another moth...
12/18/2023

🎄A Christmas Family Portrait of two besties and their dogs.

🥂A toast to 23 Christmases with my brother from another mother.

🍷And an additional toast to my first Christmas with Miss Foxy Cleopatra who officially joined our family a couple days ago.

🗓️ Kristina will be away spending time with family from December 24th to Jan 5th.

🎅Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and to all a happy new year!!

🎄Look what I'm getting from Santa Paws for Christmas.🎁🎅 🥳Princess Foxie Cleopatra is officially part of the Hairy Tales ...
12/14/2023

🎄Look what I'm getting from Santa Paws for Christmas.🎁🎅

🥳Princess Foxie Cleopatra is officially part of the Hairy Tales family today and will be spending her first Christmas loved by her very own family.

🎁One of the greatest gifts I can ever receive is a dog. Foxie is a ray of sunshine in our lives and for everyone she meets. She brings us so much joy.

🙏THANK YOU so much Nisa for taking our requests and finding a dog that fits so incredibly well with our family.

🙏Thank you to for saving Foxie from euthanasia and sending her to Canada.

💔It's been a rough year.🪦This year Batuk has lost the three of the most important dog friends in his life: Xela (his ado...
12/13/2023

💔It's been a rough year.

🪦This year Batuk has lost the three of the most important dog friends in his life: Xela (his adopted sister), Paisley (his girlfriend) and Theo (his bestist friend). He misses all three of them dearly. RIP Xela, Paisley and Theo. Sending our condolences to their pet parents and healing thoughts. Hopefully they are all together over the rainbow bridge.

🐾We've noticed that over the last couple months he's been seeking more and more interactions with other dogs on our walks. Unfortunately, because he struggles so much to trust, he rarely ends up making any new friends to play with.

💡This is why we've started fostering, in hopes that he'll manage to trust the dog we bring into our home and it might bring him some more joy in life. Keeping our fingers crossed he'll find trust, joy and friendship again.

🏆THANK YOU! We are in the finals! BUT we still need your help!🏆🏅Hairy Tales is now in the finals for the Canadian choice...
12/12/2023

🏆THANK YOU! We are in the finals! BUT we still need your help!🏆

🏅Hairy Tales is now in the finals for the Canadian choice awards for best dog trainer. We could not have done it without all your support. Now they are asking for one last thing to make a decision on the winners. It is up to you to help us achieve this award by filling out the feedback form.

📝 Filling out the feedback form would be the greatest holiday present that Kristina could ever ask for. You can fill it out here:

https://canadianchoiceaward.ca/nominator-feedback/?BusinessName=Hairy%20Tales&utm_source=sendfox&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=congratulations-your-business-is-a-finalist-for-canadian-choice-award-2024

💤☺️Sleeping with a smile.🌞Foxie is just thriving with us and is a ray of sunshine to everyone she meets. She really is j...
12/07/2023

💤☺️Sleeping with a smile.

🌞Foxie is just thriving with us and is a ray of sunshine to everyone she meets. She really is just a bundle of joy.

😍Cuddle time with Princess Foxie Cleopatra.
11/30/2023

😍Cuddle time with Princess Foxie Cleopatra.

11/29/2023

✨ Foxie working on some confidence building exercises ❤️


🐕 We're only in day 3 of having Foxie and she's doing really amazing. While she's a brave girl, she is very cautious about trying new things without some coaxing.


👍Encouraging dogs to jump onto new things can help them build confidence in themselves and trust in you.


👏 As you can see here, when she does finally get the courage to try something and gets it, she gets very excited, which is completely adorable. 😍


😒 Unfortunately, she is still not loving her walks, and likely it's because we are struggling with finding appropriately fitting winter wear. Her current jacket is chaffing the poor munchkins legs. So it's understandable she doesn't love her walks yet.

❓Does anyone in the GTA have a size 14-16 dog jacket they don't need that they could donate to Foxie? She would really appreciate it. 🙏

😇Sweet baby angel!💤Afternoon nappy after Foxie's first big walkie!🥳Foxie did amazing on her first day with us yesterday!...
11/28/2023

😇Sweet baby angel!

💤Afternoon nappy after Foxie's first big walkie!

🥳Foxie did amazing on her first day with us yesterday! She's been eating 3 big meals a day (trying to help her gain weight), playing with us inside and even made some new doggy friends on her walk!

😍She's incredibly playful and affectionate. The only one who's not already on love is Batuk 😒 (not surprising of cooking). But I think she'll manage to win him over in no time. ❤️❤️❤️

🐾 Leash Reactivity Workshop - Dec 2nd, 11am-12:30pm! 🐾⁠📍 Sherwood Park - $75 + HST⁠Sign up here ->https://hairytalestrai...
11/27/2023

🐾 Leash Reactivity Workshop - Dec 2nd, 11am-12:30pm! 🐾⁠

📍 Sherwood Park - $75 + HST

Sign up here ->
https://hairytalestraining.com/leash-reactivity-workshop/

Attention all current clients who are struggling with reactivity towards people, dogs or both (also those who have worked with specific trainers (listed in sign-up))! 🗓️🐕⁠

Join us for an upcoming workshop that offers a fantastic opportunity to address leash reactivity in a controlled and supportive environment. This workshop is designed to help you work on your dog's reactions around other dogs and people, surrounded by like-minded individuals who truly understand your dog's need for space.⁠

What to Expect During This Workshop: 🐶🧡 Our primary focus is to continue improving your dog's reactivity through various exercises, all under the guidance of a professional trainer. This safe and non-judgmental environment provides an excellent opportunity to connect with other dog owners facing similar challenges. Together, we'll navigate through your dog's reactivity and support each other throughout the process.⁠

Workshop exercises will be tailored to the group dynamics and each dog's capabilities and triggers. ⁠

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now and continue your dog's journey towards positive behavior. 🐕💪⁠

To sign up or for more information, please reach out to us directly via DM or visit the link in our bio. We can't wait to see you and your lovely companions on Dec 2nd! 🌟🐾

11/23/2023

⚠️ IMPORTANT message for people struggling with behavior issues with their dog.
🛑 Please stop comparing your dog to other people's dogs. It is detrimental to your relationship with them as well as your training journey.
☝️Sometimes we need to grieve the dog we wish we had in order to accept the dog we have.
Once we are able to do this, we are able to help our dog better because we will be less frustrated and resentful towards them, which in turn will help us give them what they need (which is ultimately our support). It's hard to be supportive of someone if you're frustrated with them.
🙏Please consider this, and really try to accept your dog for who they are. Once you're able to do this, you will find that your training and your relationship with them will only get better.

11/21/2023

🚨ATTENTION - Most "lab mixes" in rescue are not what they say they are.
There are a lot of dog rescue organizations here in Ontario but also in North America that are labeling dogs as "lab mixes", which is causing some major problems for families who are adopting them.
Most of these so called "lab mixes" have no lab in them at all. Most of them are definitely part pitbull or bully mix, and often have other breeds mixed in which can cause a seriously difficult dog because of a mix of genetics that should never have been put together (such as pit bull / heeler, hound, husky).
While pitbulls are not dangerous dogs (no dog is inherently dangerous due to their breed), they are definitely a strong willed dog that need a lot of leadership and structure from their owners in order to be good dogs. In the wrong hands (oftentimes owners who are too soft and lack the ability to provide structure rules and boundaries) these dogs can easily become dangerous.
As a first time dog owner, it is strongly suggested by most dog trainers to stay away from this breed as they often require a more experienced owner. Unfortunately, many of these rescues are not only lying about the breed, but also placing these dogs in first time dog owners homes. These people are most often completely unequipped to handle these dogs. It's an unfair and unfortunate situation for everyone.
Please do your research. If you're not sure, I'm always open to answering questions on my DM of whether or not a dog looks like the breed they are suggesting. Send over a picture or two and I'll let you know what I think!

Address

Toronto, ON

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 7:30pm
Thursday 11am - 8:30pm
Friday 11am - 8:30pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+14163208710

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