The WoofPack

The WoofPack Relationship Based Dog Training and Socialization.

So I did a 6 week board and train with my own dog and here’s what I got out of it 👇🏼
06/02/2026

So I did a 6 week board and train with my own dog and here’s what I got out of it 👇🏼

This week Shenzi celebrated her 5th birthday and Debbie celebrated her 3rd birthday. Our sweet angel Kloi would have bee...
05/27/2026

This week Shenzi celebrated her 5th birthday and Debbie celebrated her 3rd birthday. Our sweet angel Kloi would have been 14 this week 🥹

I don’t hide at all that bullies are definitely my type of dog, so the herders can sometimes drive me a little crazy and throw me for a loop (especially the cattle dog whose brain isn’t exactly wired right 🤪) but they truly are such a gift to me. They always are teaching me so much. Their energy and ability to enthusiastically work for hours is truly something to marvel at (again, not always my speed, but I can still appreciate it 😆).

Happy Birthday girls 🤍

Shenzi — you challenge me more than any dog I’ve ever owned. You force me to think deeper, be better, and stay honest with myself. You are brilliant, frustrating, complicated but impossible to quit on. I love you, even on the days I don’t particularly like you 😆

Debbie — our Lil’ Debbie Cakes. Sweet, goofy, sensitive, suspicious of literally everything, and somehow convinced barking is a full-time job. You bring so much laughter and softness into our lives. You are pure joy in dog form.

And Koko, the one who started it all. The pioneer. Such a simple, steady, easy soul. Thank you for loving us in the uncomplicated way only dogs can. We miss you so much.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the WoofPack moms 🤍One thing I’ve learned over the years is that WoofPack moms aren’t your ave...
05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the WoofPack moms 🤍

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that WoofPack moms aren’t your average dog moms. They are deeply invested, wildly dedicated, and willing to put in the work to truly understand and support their dogs. They advocate for them, challenge them, stay consistent for them, and love them through every stage of growth.

Your dogs are incredibly lucky to have you.

And to my own pack… thank you for teaching me how to be a mom long before I became one to Nellie. Thank you for growing with me and for standing by me while I navigate motherhood in a whole new way. Every one of you has shaped me in ways I could never fully explain, and I feel so lucky to do/have done (🥺)life alongside you 🐾

(AND yes, Tyne makes the cut as one of my own dogs, duh!! )

05/04/2026

and yes it kills me every time 😅

04/23/2026

Day 1 & 2 are done and we did a lot of diagnostics.

I took Shenzi on walks using a retractable leash so I could see what decisions she’d make on her own and honestly, I get it now.

Her prey drive is very high and her impulse control (when left up to her) is basically nonexistent.
She’s chasing, scanning, trying to climb trees-constantly in a hunting state. This has been heavily managed in the past with reward-based protocols but here’s the problem:

She never actually learned how to regulate herself around prey. She’s been suppressing behavior, not resolving it. Which explains the whining, panting, and overall spike in arousal before the walk even starts.

Same thing with dogs. She’s stressed walking by them but not always reactive. Instead, she’ll choose to come into a heel and whine.This tells me an important thing-the obedience is there but it’s a conditioned response, not a regulated state of mind.So that’s another gap we need to address.

Inside the house, she’s been tethered, on place, or crated and honestly, doing really well. Historically she’s been pacey, panty, and whiny but with structure, she’s mostly choosing to sleep.

She’ll still get a little unsettled when the other dogs’ energy spikes, and it takes her about 15–20 minutes to fully come down after outings (panting, circling, restless). But overall—huge improvement in that environment.

Obedience-wise, she looks great. Fast, driven, responsive. But for her, that is NOT the priority. I’m actually going to focus on slowing her obedience down and prioritizing calm. Because for Shenzi, state of mind > flashy obedience

We’ve gathered a lot in the first 2 days. Next step: keep collecting data then start building a plan that actually addresses what’s underneath all of this.

Before starting any board & train, I look at the full picture. What does the dog do well and where do they struggle. Sh...
04/22/2026

Before starting any board & train, I look at the full picture. What does the dog do well and where do they struggle. Shenzi is no exception.

She has a high level of training and a lot of ability. But she also has just as many struggles. This is the reality of many “well-trained” dogs. It’s not a skill issue-it’s a regulation issue. Now I need to figure out what she actually needs: The balance between free choice and being under command and exercise/fulfillment vs. downtime and decompression.

Hopefully over the next few weeks, we can gather some really good information. Let’s see what actually changes😅

04/21/2026

Yep, you heard that right. I’m doing a board and train on my own dog and pretending she’s not mine.

Erasing any bias, history, or anxieties I have with her and approaching it like it’s my first time working with her. Because the truth is, we’ve had a rocky relationship and hit a plateau. And I want to know…

How will this go?
Was I missing things because of the emotional relationship I have with her? Will this give us the reset we actually need?
Or will she just end up being the same anxious cattle dog I’ve always known her to be 😅

Follow along and we’ll find out.

Better to bend than break.A dog that is too rigid falls apart the moment something changes-a new environment, a distract...
03/04/2026

Better to bend than break.

A dog that is too rigid falls apart the moment something changes-a new environment, a distraction, a little pressure. But a dog that learns how to bend can adapt, think, and stay connected.

The same is true for the handler.

Training isn’t about forcing perfection. It’s about learning when to adjust, soften, and guide your dog through the moment. And how to adjust your expectations to support not only your dog but yourself.

The best teams aren’t rigid, they’re flexible together🫶🏼

02/06/2026

Board & train shouldn’t mean constant kennels, chaos, or overstimulation.

If your dog can’t truly rest, decompress, and feel safe… something’s missing.

Rest matters.
Quiet matters.
Real-life living matters.

This is the environment I would choose for my own dog.
And that’s the standard I build my program around.

A unique opening this spring!!I’m opening my schedule for one 2-4 week Board & Train in March or April (length of time d...
02/06/2026

A unique opening this spring!!

I’m opening my schedule for one 2-4 week Board & Train in March or April (length of time depends on what the goals are).

I don’t offer board and trains often, they’re very intentional and my calendar typically only allows them on a case-by-case basis. SO, this is a special availability.

Priority will be given to current WP clients, but this is open to everyone.

This program is ideal for dogs who:
• are reactive
• feel overwhelmed socially or shut down
• struggle in new environments
• need help generalizing skills outside of the home
• have a solid foundation but are ready for advanced reliability (off-leash, high-distraction obedience)
• have hit a plateau in training

(Not all of these need to apply.)

If you’ve been feeling stuck, this may be the reset you’ve been needing.

Reach out via email or Instagram if you’re interested.
📧 [email protected]

WP clients — this is a powerful way to move through the challenges we just can’t seem to break through (I have a few of you in mind 🥰).

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Cornelius, NC
28031

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