North Star Canine Connection

01/01/2026

Group Dog Training Classes Starting Soon: January 10th in Dalton, NH

Two positive, fun, and effective group dog training classes are now open for registration. Classes begin Saturday, January 10th and are open to dogs over 6 months of age.

Location: Dalton Municipal Building

Adolescent / Adult 101
For dogs with little to moderate training experience. This class focuses on foundational skills such as down, stay, release cues, recall, leash manners, and impulse control.

Obedience Unleashed
For dogs with an existing training foundation who are ready to proof their skills and improve reliability around real-world distractions using training games.

Both classes use positive reinforcement and practical training methods that translate to everyday life.

Classes start soon and spots are limited.
Register here:
https://www.northstarcanineconnection.com/groupclass

Questions about which class is the best fit? Message me anytime.

12/31/2025

I had a blast working with Draco for a few hours. We worked on place training, socialization with other people and dogs, and learning to dry his muzzle after taking a drink. I have NEVER seen a dog who turns water into slime like this handsome fellow! 😂

12/31/2025

I don’t always share training videos because good training is rarely flashy. There are no instant long-lasting results, no big dramatic moments, just consistent work and real learning happening over time. But this progress is worth sharing. These two bulldogs have a history of fighting over attention, and after only two sessions they are already independently choosing to go to their designated beds. They’re beginning to understand that calm behavior and self-control are what bring the attention they’re seeking.

12/30/2025

Big changes coming for the new year!

North Star Canine Connection is growing! We’re excited to share that we’ll be offering limited pet sitting services and new classes, thanks to a couple of wonderful new additions to the team.

Kim Germain joins us as an AKC Evaluator and Alliance of Therapy Dogs Tester/Observer, specializing in therapy dog training, service dog foundations, and real-world obedience. She works alongside her certified therapy dog Sawyer, who regularly supports schools and medical settings. Kim will be teaching a game-based obedience class and a foundations training class beginning January 10th.

Orla Doherty has been mentoring with us since 2024 and is working toward IAABC certification. She assists with classes, observes private sessions, and brings valuable pet-sitting experience. Her calm presence and kind, patient approach make her especially skilled with fearful and sensitive dogs.

It’s going to be a busy year!

12/20/2025

Good morning! A couple tips for this morning’s bandana class. Entrance is in the back of the building. And I have no cell reception there so if you call after 11:00 I probably won’t receive it. See you soon!

12/19/2025

Bandana class is on for tomorrow at 11:15! It looks like it will be busy so please be sure to let us know if you’re coming. We’re using a bigger room (Dalton municipal building) to accommodate dogs who require more space. Not many dogs are wearing their bandanas in this video because SOMEONE (ahem Ollie) likes to pull them off his friends. 😂

12/16/2025

Life has been chaotic lately, but Obie has been a great reminder of why I do what I do.

Whether I’m working with a dog or a horse, my philosophy stays the same:

• Autonomy matters: We don't need to control every aspect of our animal’s lives.

• Stay curious: Treat behavior as information to be decoded rather than defiance to be suppressed.

• Be fair: Are my expectations realistic for this species?

I actually adopted Obie without even a test ride, fully prepared for a massive training project. He’s been nothing short of wonderful (though I’m still waiting for him to truly test my skills! 😂).
I appreciate your patience while I balance life and training. More dog content coming soon.

12/10/2025

Group class updates for January:
A second Adolescent / Adult 101 class has been added!

There is still space in Obedience Unleashed and Puppy Essentials.

12/06/2025

Don’t mind my goofy smile or the shaky camera work. I’m just so happy spending time with this special boy. Tonight we hung out in the arena, playing in the snow and enjoying each other’s company. It was the first time he was totally relaxed without any horse friends nearby. He seemed perfectly content to just be with me, and I definitely appreciated him keeping me warm in the 6-degree weather! I am very grateful to be working with horses again!

12/05/2025

Question for you all. I’m finalizing my January offerings and would appreciate your feedback.
My Adolescent/Adult 101 class filled very quickly, so I’m debating whether to open a second section or run my Trick Dog class as planned.
If you’re interested in either class, please let me know so I can set the schedule accordingly! Class dates and descriptions can be found on my website. The 101 class will say “full” but I can reopen it and replace the Trick Class with 101 if I know there is interest.
Thank you!

Group Class Registration Obedience Unleashed: Game-Driven Training *Winter Registration is OPEN $199.00 Puppy Essentials *Winter Registration is OPEN $199.00 Trick Dog *Winter registration is OPEN $199.00 Your Goals, Your Pace: Saturday Semi-Drop in Training (The Bandana Class!) *Bi-weekly classes r...

12/03/2025

We’re excited to try out a larger space for our bandana class! Join us this Saturday at 11:15 AM at the Dalton Municipal Building. You and your dog can practice whatever skills you’d like alongside other dogs, with no commitment to attend every class. (Classes are now offered the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.)

Colored bandanas will be provided based on the distance you would like from others.
Green dogs will also have the opportunity for some supervised free play.

Please sign up on our website, or if you’re an established client, feel free to register by text or email.

11/26/2025

One of the best things about adopting Obie - It is forcing me to have some “me” time. My life can be rather busy to say the least and working with Obie helps to slow things down. I wasn’t planning to hop in him in this video. I was just doing some groundwork, and then decided - what the heck? Worse thing that could happen is he bucks me off. I threw a bridle over his halter and he was amazing.