Connected Canine

09/30/2026

I get a lot of questions about whether the Small Dog Social Club is a good fit, so here's how to tell. But first, a little about who's running it.

Before I became a certified dog trainer (CPDT-KA), I spent years working as a professional dog walker and a dog daycare supervisor. Both jobs meant I spent hours every day observing dog play behaviour. Not just watching dogs have fun, but studying how they communicate, how different play styles fit together, and how play can shift from healthy to too much.

That's where I learned to spot the small signals most people miss. The quick pause, the look away, the dog who keeps moving closer to their person. Those are the moments a dog is asking for a break, and catching them early is what keeps play safe and fun for everyone.

I've been working with dogs for over a decade, and every social I run is built on that experience.

This is a great fit if your dog:

1. Is curious about other small dogs and wants to say hello on walks
2. Enjoys playing but you don't have a safe place for them to do it
3. Is a little unsure at first but warms up with time and space
4. Can be around new people without reacting

This isn't the right fit if your dog:

1. Has a history of reactivity toward other dogs, like barking, lunging, or growling
2. Has a history of reactivity or aggression toward people
3. Has a history of biting

Here's why. When a dog is truly reactive, putting them in a room full of dogs and people doesn't help them get used to it. It can make things harder. A dog who is that on edge can't relax enough to enjoy play or learn from it.

If your dog falls into that 2nd group, you haven't done anything wrong, and there's still a lot I can do to help. Private training lets us work at your dog's pace so they can feel safe first.

Every registration includes a short questionnaire so I can make sure each group is a good match.

If your dog sounds like they belong in that first group, registration is open for Wednesday, October 28 in Elmvale, and there are still spots available. I'd love to meet you both. The link to register is below.

Not sure where your dog fits? You can send me a message here, or text me on WhatsApp at 705-302-5858.

www.connectedcanine.co

Registration:
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=39128305&appointmentType=98274691

09/26/2026

I honestly could not be happier with our Community Connection Dog Walk this morning in Tay on the Trustle Trail!

Thank you to all human and fur attendees for connecting with your dog, other people and nature and helping us raise funds for Outrun rescue!

We also showed off some of our dogs skills on our outing and this group did so well! 👏

If you missed out this time on the walk, we will be meeting again at the end of October for a spooky themed outing.

🐾 🍂 ❤️🧡💛

09/25/2026

Great advice!

MEETING METHODS MATTER

When two dogs meet, it’s not just about meeting each other.

Dogs are also experiencing the physical environment, unfamiliar scents and sounds, available space, resources, people, leash restriction, previous experiences, the other dog's body language as well as their current emotional state and level of arousal.

Where and how an introduction happens can influence the success of an initial meeting.

This is why meeting somewhere neutral that neither dog considers home is the recommended method. There are fewer established resources and fewer reasons for either dog to feel that their personal space is being invaded.

A successful introduction is about creating conditions where dogs can feel safe enough to decide what they think about each other.

Dogs don’t need to say hello to each other to have a successful encounter.

It’s not about trying to force an immediate friendship or acceptance.

Walking parallel, sniffing, looking at each other, looking away, exploring, moving further apart or gradually decreasing distance is all an important part of building a relationship and helping each dog feel safe.

Maybe they will become friends, maybe just comfortable companions or maybe just mostly ignore each other - all of these outcomes are still successful.

Successful introductions aren’t about forcing dogs be friends - it's about giving dogs enough choices to make their own decisions about how close they want to be.

For more detailed info on this subject, here is a link to an article by Claire Grobbelaar of Canine Concepts®
https://www.canineconcepts.co.za/articles/introducing-a-new-dog-to-a-resident-dog

and from Little Doggy Rescue - A Practical Guide to Dog Introductions
https://littledoggyrescue.co.za/introduce-a-new-dog-to-your-resident-dog

09/24/2026

They say that social media is dying and well...

I'm not really mad about that.

What I am mad about is that I do not get to see as many pictures of you and your dog!

Tell me what you will miss and what you won't miss when social media finally dies or even better...

Share a selfie with me in the comments with you and your fur senior or senorita!

I love to see you with your dogs!

😎 🐕

09/24/2026

Location details for this the Community Connection Dog Walk have been emailed out!
See you Saturday! 🐶🍁😊

09/22/2026

⚠️ DOMINANCE THEORY RUINS RELATIONSHIPS ⚠️

The number of dog owners and clients I still run into who subscribe to "be the alpha" in 2026 is exhausting.

Believing you're not the alpha is just as harmful as believing you are. Subscribing to the dominance theory belief blocks authentic connection and a healthy relationship, not just with your dog, with anyone.

If your dog isn't listening to you, here's what's actually happening:

1. Only learned the cue in one place
2. Untrained duration, distance, distraction
3. Nervous system too aroused to think
4. Cue lost its meaning and value
5. Environment pays better right now
6. Pain, hearing, vision, or fatigue

None of this is about dominance or needing your dog to be submissive.

If your dog isn't listening, let's connect and figure out why.

I promise there will be no growling, no alpha rolls, and no me pretending to be a wolf in your living room! 😉 🐺

09/19/2026

Congratulations to Arlo and his family on completing The Connected Puppy, our private puppy foundations training program!

This sweet pup and his people put in the work, session after session, and the results speak for themselves.

So proud of how far he's come. ♡

This is exactly why I always recommend starting private training as early as possible, ideally the moment your puppy comes home.

Those first few weeks matter more than people realize.

A puppy's brain is doing so much development in that window, and how they experience separation, new sounds, new people and new environments during that time shapes who they become.

Waiting until problem behaviours show up means you're managing something that's already taken root, instead of building the foundation that prevents it in the first place.

I help families do that early groundwork, things like teaching a puppy to settle and self soothe rather than panic when left alone, and using those early fear periods to build confidence instead of accidentally reinforcing anxiety.

It's the piece group class alone doesn't cover, which is why I always recommend the two go together.

If you've just brought home a new puppy or you're getting ready to, let's connect!

Send me a message on WhatsApp and tell me about your new puppy and the life you'd like to create with them. 🐾

(705) 302-5858

09/15/2026

I have to be honest, I did not expect this!

I opened registration for Small Dog Social Club on Saturday, and by Tuesday afternoon, every single spot was gone! That's a month out!

So I'm so thrilled to be able to add a second date. If you were on the fence last time, I wouldn't wait on this one either, the first one sold out in three days and this group only gets more people talking about it each time.

Small dogs have always had a special place in my heart, even back to my dog walker days, and clearly I'm not the only one who's been wanting something built just for them.

If you've ever hesitated to let your small dog play at a regular dog park because of the size difference, this is built for exactly that. Small dogs playing with dogs their own size, trainer supervised, so you're not spending the whole time worrying about your dog getting overwhelmed or hurt.

Play is like therapy for dogs. A dog only truly plays when he feels relaxed and safe, so every session is a step toward more confidence in everyday life, and in situations where he may have reacted with fear before, you'll often see that fade too.

Alongside the play, you'll come away understanding your dog's body language better, what healthy play looks like, and when he needs a break, tools you'll use well beyond this event.

This is your event too, not just a drop off. It's also a good chance to connect with other small dog owners in the area!

Where: Raw4Dogs, 2830 Old Second Rd N, Elmvale
When: Wednesday, October 28
Time: 6:30pm, 40 minutes
Cost: $34 + HST
Who: Small dogs under 25lbs, capped at 6 spots

Register here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=39128305&appointmentType=98274691

09/12/2026

I've had a hard time keeping this one quiet...

Small Dog Social Club starts this October, and I'm excited to finally share it!

Small dogs have always held a special place in my heart, even back to my dog walker days. They make up a big part of who I work with now, and this is something I've wanted to build for a while.

If you've ever hesitated to let your small dog play at a regular dog park because of the size difference, you're not alone. This is a space built specifically for small dogs to play with dogs their own size, trainer supervised, so you don't have to worry about your dog getting overwhelmed or hurt.

Play is like therapy for dogs. A dog only truly plays when he feels relaxed and safe, so every session is a step toward more confidence in everyday life, and in situations where he may have reacted with fear before, you'll often see that fade too.

Alongside the play, you'll come away understanding your dog's body language better, what healthy play looks like, and when he needs a break, tools you'll use well beyond this event.

This is your event too, not just a drop off. And it's a good chance to connect with other small dog owners in the area.

Where: Raw4Dogs 2830 Old Second Rd N, Elmvale
When: Tuesday, October 13
Time: 6:30pm, 40 minutes
Cost: $34 + HST
Who: Small dogs under 25lbs, capped at 6 spots

Register here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=39128305&appointmentType=98212853