by Kate LaSala | Aug 11, 2025 | Pet Loss & Grieving
When someone you know is grieving the loss of a beloved pet, it can be hard to know what to say, even if you’ve lost a pet before. You may feel nervous about saying the wrong thing, or unsure how to offer comfort to them…and maybe you just think staying...
by Kate LaSala | Aug 4, 2025 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs, Resource Guarding
Behavior Suppression Is Not Behavior Modification. What do I mean by that? Here’s an analogy I often share with clients: If you break your arm and start crying, I might be able to slap you around enough to get you to stop crying. Just stopping those outward signs is...
by Kate LaSala | Jul 21, 2025 | Dog Training, Puppy Training, Separation Anxiety
It can be confusing for new puppy parents to know if their puppy is experiencing separation anxiety or normal “puppy stuff” since there can be a lot of crossover between the two. Puppies inherently have separation anxiety – vocalizing to reunite with mom...
by Kate LaSala | Jul 14, 2025 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Pet Loss & Grieving, Rescue Dogs
Recently I submitted my one year grief update to The Pet Loss Companion podcast, because they had graciously shared my story about BooBoo shortly after she passed away, and I wanted to give them an update. My Lessons and Gratitude in Grief One Year in was...
by Kate LaSala | Jul 7, 2025 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Resource Guarding, Separation Anxiety
Let me first start this post with my standard disclaimer: I AM NOT A VET. As a trainer who specializes in fear, aggression, reactivity and separation anxiety, I always ask clients about their dog’s medical history and I’m always scanning for red...
by Kate LaSala | Jun 30, 2025 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Resource Guarding
One of the most common things I hear from new clients—either on their intake forms or during our first consult—is this: “I think my dog is trying to protect me.” Often, this belief comes up when a dog barks, growls, or even snaps at strangers or when...
by Kate LaSala | Jun 16, 2025 | Pet Loss & Grieving
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest decisions you’ll ever face. It’s emotional, painful, and deeply personal. That’s why I created “When Is It Time To Say Goodbye?”, a free downloadable guide designed to help you navigate this heartbreaking time with...
by Kate LaSala | Jun 9, 2025 | Dog Training, Separation Anxiety
When your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, it’s completely natural to want to do everything in your power to help them feel better. A quick internet search will turn up countless suggestions that promise fast results. But for dogs with true separation...
by Kate LaSala | Jun 2, 2025 | Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
Last week, I was a guest on The Pet Loss Companion podcast (Episode #212) where I shared how fostering became an important part of my grief journey after losing Boo. I also talked about my self-paced course, Fostering 101: Fundamentals to Being a Successful...
by Kate LaSala | May 30, 2025 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Pet Loss & Grieving, Rescue Dogs
I was recently honored to be a guest on the The Pet Loss Companion podcast, episode #212, talking about fostering, how fostering helped with my grief journey with BooBoo, and my self-paced course, Fostering 101: Fundamentals to Being a Successful...