The Kind Canine

04/14/2025

One of our trainers, Rachelle Hein (CVT, ABCDT), contributed an article to one of the recent special pet issues of ! 👏🏻

One of our favorite things to do is talk about safer and more mindful off leash recreation. Rachelle lays out some fantastic tips in this article, and we highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t already! 🐾

03/28/2025

Trainer Rachelle wrote a fantastic article on how to safely navigate situations with off leash dogs for this issue of The Source Weekly! Have a look! 👀

How do you deal with encounters with off-leash dogs in areas where they aren’t supposed to be?

02/19/2025

Does your pup get anxious around or react strongly to other dogs or people? Our small group reactivity support class can help! ⭐️

We understand how stressful it can be when your dog has difficulty socializing with other dogs and/or humans. That’s why we’re excited to continue offering our group reactivity class to current and previous training clients, designed specifically for dogs (and their humans!) who need a little extra help building confidence and skills around their triggers.

In this class, our goal is to help your dog feel more comfortable, relaxed and safe around other dogs and people. Our trainers will provide personalized guidance and support, and you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other dog owners who are going through the same experience.

Our classes this month will be on Saturday, February 22nd and March 8th at 9am. If you’re interested in signing up, send us a DM! ✉️

01/05/2025

Does your pup get anxious around or react strongly to other dogs or people? Our small group reactivity support class can help! ⭐️

We understand how stressful it can be when your dog has difficulty socializing with other dogs and/or humans. That’s why we’re excited to continue offering our group reactivity class to current and previous training clients, designed specifically for dogs (and their humans!) who need a little extra help building confidence and skills around their triggers.

In this class, our goal is to help your dog feel more comfortable, relaxed and safe around other dogs and people. Our trainers will provide personalized guidance and support, and you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other dog owners who are going through the same experience.

Our classes this month will be on Saturday, January 11th and 25th at 9am. If you’re interested in signing up, send us a DM! ✉️

01/01/2025

2025! Here we go!

May you and your dogs feel safe, happy, and loved in this upcoming year. ♥️

12/16/2024

If you live in Central Oregon, then you know how vital it is to have the right winter gear for training!

As I often tell my clients, I’m very particular about my gear choices when walking my dogs. I like feeling comfortable while handling, because it allows my training mechanics to be fluid and for us all to remain safe.

Here are my top 6 recommendations:

Exo/nano spikes: These small spikes wrap around your boots or shoes, providing excellent traction and stability on snow/ice and reducing the risk of slips and falls during walks with your dog - especially when they take you off guard, as dogs sometimes do!

Ice fishing gloves: I know, it seems weird - but since these particular gloves are designed for high dexterity (handling slippery fish) in frigid conditions, they are PERFECT for still being able to smoothly handle treats in your treat pouch while keeping your hands warm.

Musher’s Secret or booties: As a person with two fluffy-coated dogs, I can tell you - we’re always combating the dreaded snowballs hanging on their fur. These products can keep them from forming between your dog’s toes, which can be incredibly uncomfortable for them.

Squeezeable treats: Reusable silicone baby food pouches are a godsend for the winter season! You can blend so many different things together and fill them up - which is nice, since you can customize according to your dog’s preferences! They’re also much easier to handle with gloves on. Big plus!

Insulated jacket: Does every dog need a jacket in the winter? No. Nia almost never wears one. But if you have a dog who gets cold easily (like my sweet little Chester!), it can be helpful to invest in a high quality, well-fitted insulated jacket.

Biothane drag lines: If your dog is working on their recall, a drag line can be a huge help. It allows you to get a hold of your dog quickly if needed. Because it doesn’t have a handle, it is much less likely to get tangled in the brambles or around their feet. Also, biothane is waterproof and SUPER easy to clean!

If you’d like links to the products that I specifically recommend for each of these, drop a comment below saying “BRING ON THE SNOW!” - and I’ll send them your way via DM! 💌

11/27/2024

Hey everybody! 👋 Welcome to our page!

A little bit about all of us here at TKC:

The Kind Canine is a team of dog trainers and behavior professionals in Central Oregon who provide private, in-home training and coaching services with a kind, welfare-centered and reward-based approach.

If you’d like to reach out and work with us, visit our website (link in bio!) to fill out our dog training intake form or get more information on current puppy class offerings.

Group reactivity support class slots are also available up to twice per month for current or past TKC clients working through leash reactivity concerns - reach out via DM or email for more information! 💌

10/29/2024

Does your pup get anxious around or react strongly to other dogs or people? Our small group reactivity support class can help! ⭐️

We understand how stressful it can be when your dog has difficulty socializing with other dogs and/or humans. That’s why we’re excited to continue offering our group reactivity class to current and previous training clients, designed specifically for dogs (and their humans!) who need a little extra help building confidence and skills around their triggers.

In this class, our goal is to help your dog feel more comfortable, relaxed and safe around other dogs and people. Our trainers will provide personalized guidance and support, and you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other dog owners who are going through the same experience.

Our November classes are Saturday, November 9th and 23rd at 9am. If you’re interested in signing up, send us a DM! ✉️

These will be our last reactivity support classes until the new year - we’d love to see you and your pup!

10/24/2024

If you’re local and your dog finds nail trims to be spooooooky 👻, you should check out this awesome opportunity!

Is nail trim time with your dog a NIGHTMARE?
Does your dog HATE getting their nails trimmed?

The photo in this ad isn’t meant to be a joke, in fact, it’s quite common for dogs to have a negative association with the nail clippers themselves.

But nail trims don’t have to be a nightmare! They don’t have to elicit fear or anxiety, in dogs or humans!

This workshop is designed to empower you with the knowledge to complete a positive nail trim with your dog at home! We will teach you positive reinforcement training techniques that can help change your dog’s emotional response to having their nails done. We’ll discuss techniques like desensitization and counterconditioning that can help your dog feel more comfortable with having their nails trimmed. We will even discuss alternative options for pups who are terrified of the nail clippers, including a dremel or scratchboard.

We only have 7 spots left, so register now to join us THIS SATURDAY for an educational workshop that will benefit you and your canine friend! Registrants will receive a small tasty treat and a complimentary organic, homemade dog treat bag to take home.

Where: Downtown Bend Library, Hutchinson Room (BEND, OR)
When: October 26, 2024 at 12pm
Tickets: $10
To Register: Email [email protected]

10/22/2024

If you have a dog that is extremely stressed by unfamiliar people or children coming to the door (“why are they dressed so weirdly??” 😳), be proactive in mitigating their stress this Halloween.

Take a page from one of my clients, who set this up outside of her house last year so that the kids could come and get some snacks without her fearful dog panicking every three seconds.

I really love the messaging she chose. She gave clear instructions to the kids (direct and to the point!) and also emphasized the importance of extending kindness and compassion towards animals. Seriously, how perfect is that? ❤️

Halloween is once a year, folks - we can make small accommodations for our dogs to make it through safely and comfortably!

What kinds of things are you doing to help your dogs cope with or avoid the added stress of trick or treaters? 👀

Things we will be doing:

⭐️ creating a similar setup as my client

⭐️ appropriate physical exercise and mental stimulation during the day to help them more easily relax later

⭐️ stuffing/freezing a couple of kongs in advance for their dinner

⭐️ having marrow bones/chews on hand

⭐️ having the TV on (horror flicks duh) and a layer of white noise underneath (thank you air purifier)

⭐️ preparing a counterconditioning procedure (high value treats at the ready and nearby) for if the doorbell DOES ring, despite our best efforts

10/15/2024

A “beginner’s mind” is a Buddhist principle that can be defined loosely as letting go of our expectations and preconceived ideas about something, and seeing things with an open mind - with fresh eyes, just like a beginner.

Take a rose, for example. 🌹

Think about that VERY brief moment before your brain says “rose” and throws it into a category, discarding it as “just a rose”. Think about the colors, the swirl of the petals, the texture of each one between your fingers - isn’t it amazing? Aren’t you fascinated by it? It’s as if you’ve seen it for the very first time, and it makes you curious and full of child-like wonder.

We can ALL benefit from intentionally cultivating a beginner’s mind with our dogs, especially with regards to their behavior. For example, instead of seeing a dog who isn’t responding to what you’ve asked of them and immediately labeling it as “stubborn” or “a bad dog”, I propose that we take a moment to step back from those emotionally charged judgments and re-evaluate. When we use a label like that, we are immediately ceasing the thought process. We are labeling them as “stubborn”, moving on with our lives and never giving it a second thought.

I understand why people do it. It’s the easier way out, but it doesn’t get you any closer to solutions and actively drives you away from a deeper relationship with your animal.

Your dog’s behavior doesn’t need a label. They need a “beginner’s mind” - a mind that’s going to be and stay curious, to try to get a deeper understanding of what’s going on. Follow that wonder and see where it takes you! If you get more curious about your dog’s behavior instead of slapping an oversimplified label on it, you can actually learn a lot about them and their behavior as well as possible solutions for the things that you are struggling with. Approaching behavior in this way helps you not only learn more about training strategies, but it also allows you to more deeply connect with them - and helps them to feel seen.

When we are curious, we strive to learn more. When we use an “expert mind”, we limit ourselves to labels and miss out on something so much more grand.

10/03/2024

We love Kora! 😍

Let’s find her forever family! ♥️

Meet Kora! This delightful girl embodies the essence of sweetness. At just over 4 years old and weighing 50 pounds, Kora has a heart as big as her playful spirit. Despite a challenging start in life, Kora is now poised to bring boundless joy to your home. Now, Kora revels in life’s simple pleasures: strolls through the neighborhood, romps at the dog park, and cozy moments with her foster pals. Patient and affectionate, Kora is a social butterfly among her canine companions. With an affinity for the great outdoors, Kora dreams of a family with older children or a devoted best friend with a yard where she can bask in the sun and explore to her heart’s content. House-trained and a lover of long naps, Kora is a model housemate. She walks gracefully on leash, never pulling, and her recall skills are top-notch. Off leash, she’s a shining star. Kora is currently being fostered in Bend, OR, and is excited to start the next chapter of her heartwarming journey with you!