From Ruff To Love

From Ruff To Love Training the dog’s way: respectful, science-based, and built on trust. From reactivity to everyday struggles, we help you and your dog thrive together.

Certified Family Dog Mediator | Certified Dog Trainer (PACE Graduate)
Training isn’t just about commands and obedience - it is about building trust, resilience, and love. Your dog will be happy to chose your way if you take the time to fulfill their needs. I create customized plans that meet your dog where they are, so you both thrive together. Let’s talk about what your pup really needs!

05/23/2026

There's a small training mistake in this clip, and it's one I see all the time.

Watch closely and tell me: what did I do that made my verbal cue less effective?

Bonus points if you can explain why Pearl turned when he did. 👀

Drop your guesses below!

05/22/2026

Murphy is not letting his age define him. 🥰

When you challenge your senior pets, you will discover that they do still want to work and GUARANTEED they will surprise you how much more life in them they have left. ❤️

DM us to discuss enrichment sessions for your pups!

05/20/2026

Are you missing training opportunities in everyday life?

Dogs learn best in short bursts. In fact, long training sessions can often lead to frustration, disengagement, or simply too much pressure.

Instead of trying to *fit* training into your routine, start noticing the small moments already happening throughout your day. Those little interactions matter more than most people realize.

One of the easiest places to start?
Notice when your dog checks in with you.

A glance in your direction.
A pause beside you.
A moment of uncertainty where they silently ask, “What do we do here?”

These are all opportunities.

Reinforce those check-ins, but also pay attention to *why* your dog is looking at you. Sometimes they are looking for information, support, or reassurance. When we consistently respond, our dogs learn that communication works and that we are worth paying attention to.

Training is not just teaching cues.
It is building a relationship where your dog feels seen, heard, and safe enough to engage with you.

Small moments repeated consistently become trust.

05/11/2026

Want to help your dog with reactivity?
Play movement & shaping games.

Reactivity, especially when on leash or behinf a barrier, often stems from frustration.

While basic training focuses on teaching our dogs WHAT to do around triggers, we also need teach them HOW to move through those feelings of frustration and return to learning.

That is where the games come in.

By combining shaping and movement, we help dogs practice emotional regulation, problem solving, and flexibility in a way that feels safe and fun.

And because it’s game-based, the learning itself becomes reinforcing. Even challenging moments get paired with success, connection, and positive emotions.

Once your dog understands the game, you can begin playing around triggers. Not only does this help create more positive associations, but it also strengthens your dog’s ability to self-regulate in real life situations.

And that means your overall training process often moves faster, because your dog isn’t just learning behaviours, they’re learning emotional skills too.

Interested in learning more about Shaping and Reactivity? Reach out to book a consult.

05/09/2026

Murphy is the poster dog for how weekly enrichment can boost your senior dog's mental and physical energy. ❤️

Murphy has been enjoying remembering old skills and learning new ones. Don't worry about removing lures "on time" or "perfecting" a trick.

Perfection is not the goal. Engagement of the brain is!

05/09/2026

I love how she's willing to try new skills even when it feels uncomfortable. When there is trust, there is buy-in and that is when you can work on behaviour change. Little Steps will lead to Big Wins.

05/07/2026

When training new skills, it is easy to fall into the trap of focusing on correcting unwanted behaviour, because we feel that is how we prevent our dogs from failing and teach them to succeed.

However, True behaviour change happens when dogs are given safe opportunities to make Choices and discover that the better choice is Worth it.

He *could* have barged through the gate, but instead, he chose to return on his own. That choice matters! ❤️

True choice builds confidence, self-regulation, and lasting behaviour change.

05/07/2026

BOTH!

Does your dog love to bark? Instead of constantly trying to stop the behaviour, have fun putting it on cue. Using a cue that fits your dog’s personality can help shift your own emotional response around barking while also giving your dog an appropriate outlet for that natural behaviour.

For Molly, “Argue” felt pretty fitting. 😂

IMPORTANT: Always teach a Quiet cue alongside your Speak cue. That way, if your dog starts barking on their own and you need them to stop, you already have a behaviour they understand and can successfully respond to.

04/28/2026

Play is still powerful at 18!

With our senior pups, it’s not about doing less. It’s about doing things differently. We adapt the game so they can still feel the thrill, while keeping frustration and physical strain at a level that supports them, not overwhelms them.

If you’re navigating life with a senior dog and wondering how to keep them engaged without overdoing it, you’re not alone and I am happy to help you find that balance.

Positive Reinforcement isn't just about using food. Find what Your dog finds enjoyable and reinforcing. Certainly food i...
12/10/2025

Positive Reinforcement isn't just about using food. Find what Your dog finds enjoyable and reinforcing. Certainly food is often easier to use and can be a powerful primary reinforcer. But it's never the only thing. Only your dog knows what is truly reinforcing to them, so pay attention and don't assume that your pets or your cookies today are what's going to do the trick. Sometimes, it's just a dog and his favourite toy and tug time. 🥰

What does your dog love to do? Share how you reward your pup for the good choices they make.

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Calgary, AB

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