About
Hero and I four years later, enjoying some calm energy!
It all started with a dog named Hero…
In 2016, a friend of mine began fostering a dog for a Toronto rescue. What was meant to be an easy, rewarding experience quickly revealed itself to be much more complicated. Hero was a former stray with little socialization, and serious aggression. He was especially vicious towards men. For whatever reason, I was touched by this troubled dog and wanted to help him. So, Hero and I went to work - together. I had already been walking dogs for a few years, but once I met Hero, I began to study dog behaviour in hopes of finding a way to help him.
As people in Hero’s community began to notice the positive changes in Hero, they, too, began to reach out to me to help with their difficult dogs. Before long, I was walking packs of formerly reactive dogs together on calm and relaxed pack walks, often to the amazement of their owners.
Enjoying a walk with one of my great packs!
The Dog Hero Approach
After a few years of hands-on experience walking and fostering difficult dogs, I began to study canine behaviour in more academic settings. With certification from the Karen Pryor Academy and Michael Shikashio, I’ve developed my approach to training, which is a balanced approach. I always begin with the use of positive reinforcement training, but when necessary, am open to the safe and proper use of tools like the slip leash. I do not apply punishment, but I do believe in the vital importance of firm and clear boundaries and I discourage unwanted behaviour while positively reinforcing good behaviour. Then, I focus on working with the human beings, finding unique and practical ways to help people become the heroes their dogs need them to be, by way of effective communication, and the practice of consistency.
Today, with Hero still by my side as a regular walking and boarding client, I continue to look for opportunities to assist difficult dogs and their frustrated people. There’s almost always a foster dog in my home - usually one who is out of all other options- who comes for rehabilitation, and to learn how to be a good canine citizen.
It’s my ultimate goal to create a nation of calm, confident dog owners, with well-mannered, well-behaved dogs, no matter how unlikely success may look before a dog comes into my training program. I believe that anybody can become a dog’s hero with the right training, coaching and skillset, and that’s what I aim to teach my clients. If you’re ready to start making the changes necessary to become your dog’s hero, contact me today!