Train and Simple Dog Behaviour Consulting

Train and Simple Dog Behaviour Consulting Kate Woods, IAABC-ADT

08/21/2026

I absolutely love this.

I do occasionally critique specific trends or statements. I almost never show the original post or video with my commentary. This isn’t intentional “vaguebooking.” It’s actually a statement in itself. If something is so stirring that I feel the need to post a counter to it, it’s probably not an argument I want to present as equal to or deserving the same space as the one I feel, and have evidence to believe, is ethically obvious.

What’s in your doggy first-aid kit? For us, it’s a dog-safe medication to manage allergic reactions in a pinch!! If your...
08/19/2026

What’s in your doggy first-aid kit?

For us, it’s a dog-safe medication to manage allergic reactions in a pinch!! If your dog eats bees or other stinging insects, they might get stung. Allergies are tough to predict, so even though my dog hasn’t had a serious allergic reaction before, I know I need to be prepared in case that changes.

Even without a major reaction, stings tend to cause swelling and itching. A swollen, itchy throat or mouth can cause problems with breathing. It’s also just uncomfortable!

There are certain antihistamine medications that can help in a pinch. You should talk to your vet and your pharmacist about which type and dose could be best for your pet. Not all over-the-counter medications are safe. Once you’ve found a good option, keep some on hand when you go out! It could make a big difference if you’re far from help.

Rory’s not as intent on eating bees now as she was when she was a baby, but I still keep allergy medication on hand just in case. It’s wasp season, anyway!

Image: Kate’s hand-drawn scribble of a pointy dog stalking a bee.

AI changed the way I run my business ⤵️ As a disabled small biz owner, I can’t always make content quickly enough to pay...
08/05/2026

AI changed the way I run my business ⤵️

As a disabled small biz owner, I can’t always make content quickly enough to pay my bills. Not by myself. This means that I often lean on technology to help me stay afloat. I don’t feel bad about that.

Lately, it’s felt impossible to avoid genAI without falling behind. If I want to stay relevant, then I can’t just reject it. I need to understand it.

Using tech responsibly allows me to help more people and dogs all over the world. It’s worth it. I have to admit that AI has changed the way I do my work… and this could be true for you, too.

Here’s an example: This year, my email service provider made genAI a core feature. I cringed. Of course, my first reaction to the idea of using genAI to “brainstorm” or “edit” creative work was to judge. At first, all I could do was complain. Then, I decided to get more info. I needed to reflect on my values.

I value clear, simple, and honest business choices. Please understand that will always be true.

It’s been a few months now, and I’m satisfied I made the right decision:

I switched email providers. Now I’m updating my other business tools to prioritize student privacy and intellectual integrity, too. Instead of compromising my values, I’m reaffirming them! This is a chance to find a better fit for my business.

I know this for sure: Clear, simple, and honest work in my field does not make use of generative AI. I may not always have answers, and I’ll only give answers I can explain. You can always ask. Always.

I value life and this planet. That means when I need help, I reach out to real people with real skills. You see, I don’t run my business alone. I leverage tech like video calls, email, and digital art software. Through these tech tools, I can connect with my wide community of friends, students, and colleagues.

All this is to say: Even though it’s been a huge pain and I’ve had to learn and grow to keep up…

I do not use generative AI in any capacity, whether personally or as a dog pro, writer, artist, and creator.

Images: Each slide features a nosy cartoon Rory the terrier having a dialogue with the author. Dialogue will be posted in the comments.

Your dog’s diagnosis doesn’t matter. Ok, hold up: Let’s look at the bigger context. Caring for a chronically ill dog is ...
07/31/2026

Your dog’s diagnosis doesn’t matter.

Ok, hold up: Let’s look at the bigger context.

Caring for a chronically ill dog is lonely, expensive, and full of pressures you didn’t sign up for. I get it: Your dog’s medical journey has been a huge part of your lives together.

It’s not that you shouldn’t need help as you work through all the different problems it brings. It’s not even that I don’t want to hear about your dog. Of course I do! I’m literally a dog trainer. In fact, I need to know what they can and can’t safely do so I can tailor lessons to fit their needs. Your dog’s diagnosis doesn’t matter because I will just believe you when you advocate for them.

I’m not a vet. I can’t advise on diagnosis or treatment. I’m a trainer, so I look at all of this through behaviour. Most signs that we can observe in a dog training context are non-specific, meaning their causes aren’t obvious. So, we work at your dog’s pace! Small steps forward means small steps back, when needed.

If you’re here because you value the way I’ve talked about chronic pain and behaviour over the years… then trust me when I tell you that as a trainer, whether your dog has lumbosacral syndrome, hip dysplasia, luxating patella, or whatever… I’m going to treat them with the same care and attention I give all the other dogs in my care.

I guess what I mean is, your dog’s diagnosis isn’t a secret password… it doesn’t unlock a new level. Inclusion is for everyone (except for jerks). Your dog won’t get any more or less care because they have one condition and not another. Not here at Train + Simple.

Image description: A series of slides with cartoon Rory the terrier’s dialogue with the author. The dialogue will be posted in a comment below.

I asked for fair, honest reviews. I didn’t expect my students to make me cry. It’s so vulnerable to ask for reviews, and...
07/21/2026

I asked for fair, honest reviews. I didn’t expect my students to make me cry.

It’s so vulnerable to ask for reviews, and sometimes reading them can be pretty intense. I’m all about transparency, so here’s what my students have been saying…

P.S. You can check out the full text of each review on our Trustpilot page! Link in my bio.

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Britt says: “100% beginner friendly

I’m always highly impressed with their advocacy and professionalism […] having Kate on his team has been the biggest blessing.”

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Jane says: “Very clear and accessible

Kate has really set up this class to be about paying close attention to how your dog is feeling […] and explanations are clear and simple.”

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Candace says: “Surprised by the accessibility

The course helped me intuit my dog’s worldview better because [it] provides great visual feedback on how a dog interacts with the world.”

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Emily says: “I would recommend

As someone with a medically unwell dog, I appreciate that welfare and health are addressed at all points and aren’t an after thought.”

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Paula says: “Great support

They were one of the first people to point out something was weird [with my dog.] I always thought I was just not being good enough.”

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Sophie says: “Amazing muzzle course!

We kept failing […] but this course broke it down in small, easy steps for us […] Highly recommend this trainer for any cooperative care need.”

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Jacki says: “Grateful for the community

Kate really goes out of their way to answer questions, offer suggestions, troubleshoot, and is just such a kind (and funny!) person.”

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Mary Beth says: “Five stars isn’t enough

Kate is kind, compassionate, and goes above and beyond for each and every student […] Kate brings a wealth of knowledge […] to share.”

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Judith says: “Kate goes above and beyond

Kate is also good at creating challenges and puzzles that are fair and fun for the dog to work out without compromising on safety.”

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Alecia says: “Kate knows their stuff

So helpful […] Thanks Kate for the work you put into your courses and content, you approach dogs and behaviour with a sense of humour that is super relatable.”

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An anonymous reviewer says: “Absolutely fantastic

Scent Skills class that was scent skills and so much more! Amazing to learn from such a pain-informed person. Thank you!!!”

Physical examination is not a validated pain assessment tool. This doesn’t mean that it can’t be useful! It just means t...
07/16/2026

Physical examination is not a validated pain assessment tool. This doesn’t mean that it can’t be useful! It just means that if two different experts assess the same dog, they might get different results, and the same vet assessing two similar dogs might get different results. It’s not a very repeatable or reliable test.

Thankfully, pain management trials can help investigate pain, even or especially when you don’t know if it’s there. If meds aren’t appropriate, activity management/weight management (though that one is not as simple as it sounds!) and environmental changes are first-line pain management options. While it’s ideal to try to eliminate pain, reducing it can still provide relief. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of better.

I’m not a vet, so here are some veterinary expert resources you can look up. I’ll pop the links in my stories:

World Small Animal Veterinary Association
2022 WSAVA Guidelines for the recognition, assessment, and treatment of pain

American Animal Hospital Association
2022 AAHA Pain management guidelines for dogs and cats

American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
Position paper on the treatment of pain in animals

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Meme: Three main characters from the movie Office Space gather in a field to destroy an office printer. Their faces are covered by logos for the World Small Animal Veterinary Association; the American Animal Hospital Association; and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia

Text: This, but it’s the idea that pain can be ruled out in any animal

Rory definitely wants to go to this “youth-encouraged” play at The Bus Stop Theatre Co-op!! Looks like Rat Play runs fro...
07/13/2026

Rory definitely wants to go to this “youth-encouraged” play at The Bus Stop Theatre Co-op!! Looks like Rat Play runs from July 16–18, and youth get in free with supervision. We stumbled upon this, so I don’t know what the show is, but it looks so fun. Support your local arts!!

“Wait and see” doesn’t make sense if you’ve already seen it. X-rays don’t reveal your dog’s experience. You don’t get to...
07/11/2026

“Wait and see” doesn’t make sense if you’ve already seen it. X-rays don’t reveal your dog’s experience. You don’t get to decide if they’re painful. They’re already telling you.

Any behaviour may be related to pain, even if it’s not a problematic behaviour. This is especially true if it’s new, changing, or different from most other dogs.

In particular, try to notice behaviours that happen most often when your dog is:

• Surprised
• Touched or handled
• Frustrated
• Disturbed while asleep or at rest
• Trying to settle for sleep or rest
• Moving over slippery or uneven footing
• Sitting, standing, or lying still (can they even stay still?)
• Exposed to noisy, crowded, or unpredictable environments
• Recovering from activity

These situations can increase body tension or cause fatigue. Body tension and fatigue can cause pain or make it feel more intense.

Tell your vet and your trainer exactly what you’re seeing. Take video or photos if it’s safe to do that. It’s normal to try to explain it, but do your best just to describe it. Pretend you’re trying to help someone else draw a picture of what you’ve seen and they haven’t!

If your dog is acting painful, then you have good reason to believe they’d painful. What would make you think otherwise?

Image description: Rory the terrier looks skeptical. “If the dog is acting painful… then the dog is painful. It doesn’t matter what the diagnostics say. Change my mind.”

Note: I am not a veterinarian. This is an opinion and an invitation for discussion.

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