Walks with Jess - Dog Walking & Training

10/11/2026

🦃 🍂 Happy Thanksgiving! 🎃 🍁

Thank you 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐰 for keeping my girl well fed and for the amazing pictures!

10/02/2026

The benefits of a dog trainer with an open mind 🧠

An open mindset is a willingness to consider new ideas, information and perspectives, even if it doesn’t match your current beliefs. As a dog trainer, having cognitive flexibility means you are:

* Intellectually open to new experiences
* Curious about new techniques and strategies
* Likely to seek help from mentors/peers for difficult cases
* Less likely to judge or stereotype others
* Willing to be impartial and unbiased
* Unlikely to criticize other trainers, training methods, tools and the people who use them
* Keen to listen to clients input and concerns, and switch gears if necessary
* Capable of honestly reflecting on their own mistakes and shortcomings as a trainer
* Able to adjust their methods to suit the dog (and client)

In an industry full of egos, ideology and impressive Instagram, it’s easy for the consumer to become overwhelmed with choices. When you are searching for a trainer, intellectual flexibility should be high on your list of criteria to ensure you and your dog have all training options available. Do you have questions about what training might look like for your dog? DM for a free evaluation, I’d love to chat ☺️

10/01/2026

The eyeroll though 😅 🫶

09/30/2026

Two antidepressants that don’t require a prescription… Dogs + Nature 🌲 🐕 ⛰️ 🌳

09/27/2026

Be the reason another woman feels inspired 💖

09/26/2026

The importance of bonding with your dog 💜

This week, Sega and I visited six provincial parks in six days. We started our adventure travelling south to Long Point and finished it with two nights in stunning Northern Algonquin Backcountry.

For three days, my dog enjoyed complete off-leash freedom, wearing a bear bell for safety and nothing else. The only “obedience” I asked of her was to hold her place command while I set up the tent or cooked dinner, but mostly she was free to just be a dog. She swam, she played, she rescued a million sticks from the lake 😂 We even got up to watch our first sunrise together. My heart was so happy to see her living her very best life.

I treasure this time with her, as our time with dogs is so short and things can change in an instant. Some of my best memories are of the adventures I take with my dogs. With each new experience, our bond becomes stronger and our relationship grows 💕 I truly believe spending quality time in nature is one of the best things for your dog’s mental health (and yours!)

Even if an Algonquin park trip isn’t feasible for your schedule, try to get out and enjoy some of the amazing Muskoka fall colours and bring your pooch along with you. Even a drive or walk to a local park. You will both be thankful you did 🥰 🍁 🍂 🍃

09/18/2026

Now accepting new clients! Customized in-home lessons, free evaluations. DM to get started

✨Try-Before-You-Buy ✨ Two hour intro session for $120 plus HST with an additional 10% off a new program.

Custom designed programs tailored to you and your dog, work on what you want, where you want. Puppy classes, off leash training, basic obedience, sport coaching, behavioural modification and more!

New programs have being added including Group classes, Beginner and Intermediate Sport classes, Canine Good Neighbour Preparation and Board and Train.

With almost two decades of experience in both the pet and sport world, glowing reviews and thousands of happy customers. I offer free evaluations and discounted intro sessions to ensure you find the training that works for you.

Reach out today to get started on a whole new life for you and your dog! 🐕

09/06/2026

Our favourite training rewards! 🍪

Nope, we don’t get paid by Smack Pet Food to promote their product but we would be TOTALLY open to the idea! Why? Because Sega and I both love using freeze dried or dehydrated food as treats for training.

Liver treats are usually a favourite for training rewards, but did you know they aren’t meant to be fed more than a few treats a day? My training is very heavily positive reinforcement so that doesn’t help me! Organ meats are nutrient dense and can cause stomach upset in many dogs. Most treats are loaded with sugars, dyes and binders. Dogs don’t even like them.

Freeze dried food is just (fancy) food. It costs the same as a bag of treats, it’s very palatable and arguably healthier than most traditional treats. It also comes in a convenient training size and your dog can eat tons of it during training without worry as it’s just food.

There’s a few brands on the market you can try, but so far Smack Pet Food is our favourite, especially because Gravenhurst Petvalu has a frequent buyer deal with a free bag after every eight bags! AND it’s on sale right now for 15% off, so we had to stock up!! To my clients who train with me, this is definitely a “thousand dollar reward” 😉

Have you tried Smack for training?? What’s your dogs favourite flavour? 😍😍😍