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Should You Teach Your Dog to “Look” at You?
Why One Viral Trainer Got It Wrong—and What Real Dog Owners Actually Need Have you seen that viral clip? A well-known trainer opens with, “If there’s one thing I would NEVER teach a dog, it’s to focus on me.” Then he tosses a ball for his Malinois on a beach, moves...
Teaching the Place Command: A Real-Life Guide for Real-Life Dogs
Are You Actually Teaching "Place" — Or Just Hoping Your Dog Stays Put? Karen here. Let me ask you something straight up: when you tell your dog to go to their "place," do they go there, stay there, and know what that even means? Or is it more of a hopeful suggestion...
Adopting Dogs: 5 Big Mistakes New Owners Make
Are you thinking about adopting a dog? Maybe you've already brought home your rescue pup and are wondering, "Why isn't this going as smoothly as I thought?" You're not alone. Post-pandemic, shelters are bursting at the seams, and thousands of well-meaning people are...
Heat Pet Safety: What Every Dog Owner Needs to Know
Ever wonder if it’s really "too hot" to walk your dog, or if you’re just being overly cautious? I get asked that a lot. The truth is—if you’re wondering, you’re probably right to pause. Dogs can get into serious trouble in the heat, and they won’t stop themselves...
National Pet Fire Safety Day: A Lesson I Learned the Hard Way
Ever come back inside to something that makes your heart stop? I have. Years ago, I was relaxing in the evening, candles lit, dogs settled, house calm. You know the vibe—dim lighting, flickering flames, a chance to breathe after a long day. I took one of my dogs out...
How to Calm a Dog During Fireworks
Have you ever watched your dog tremble, pant, or bolt under the couch when fireworks start exploding outside? You’re not alone. Fireworks might be fun for us—but to your dog, they’re a terrifying, unpredictable war zone. And every year, around holidays like Canada Day...
RV Life for Dog Owners: Travel, Work, and Camp With My Dog
Ever wonder what it’s really like to live out of an RV while running a business and bringing your dog along for the ride? Well, I’ll show you. I’m Karen Laws, the Ontario Dog Trainer—and this June (which happens to be National Camping Month, who knew?), I hit...
How I Set Up a Safe and Comfy RV Trip With My Dog
Thinking of taking your dog along for the ride? Here’s how I prep my RV trip so that my co-pilot—Pippy the Papillon—is safe, calm, and ready to roll. Whether it’s your first RV trip with a dog or you’re a seasoned traveler looking to fine-tune your setup, this post...
Mentorship Matters: How Women in Dog Training Build Each Other
What happens when you bring together a powerhouse group of women in dog training for four days of hands-on learning, real talk, and deep connection? You get breakthroughs, belly laughs, confidence boosts, and a renewed sense of purpose. You also get tired dogs, full...
$10K for Local Startups : Rotary’s Environmental Innovation Awards
What would happen if more small, local startups got the support they needed to make a real environmental impact? That’s the question we asked again this year at REIF—the Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund. And this year, five powerful answers came in the form of...
What Is Reactivity in Dog? It’s Not Aggression but It Can Fool You
Have you ever walked your dog down the street only to find yourself suddenly yanked toward a squirrel, a passing dog, or a guy carrying a pizza box? Ever wonder why your sweet pup turns into a barking, lunging mess the second a trigger shows up? If that sounds...
Dog Enrichment Ideas: Why Every Dog Needs a Job
Have you ever looked at your dog and thought, "Why are you like this?" Maybe they’re bouncing off the walls, chewing the corner of your couch, or barking at the wind. Before you blame it on a lack of exercise, ask yourself something else: Does your dog actually have a...
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