by Kate LaSala | Jan 12, 2026 | Dog Training, Rescue Dogs, Separation Anxiety
Many of my separation anxiety clients live in urban environments, so this is a topic I deal with often. If you live in an apartment, the first sign that your dog is struggling with being alone may not come from your dog at all, but from a note slipped under...
by Kate LaSala | Dec 29, 2025 | Dog Training, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs, Separation Anxiety
Happy New Year! With the start of the new year, I thought it would be a good reminder to help get you started off with some things to implement for 2026 to set your dog (and you!) up for success. Stop using punishment based methods and aversive tools like...
by Kate LaSala | Nov 10, 2025 | Dog Training, Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety in dogs is a tough and often misunderstood condition. Unfortunately, there are many myths that confuse dog parents and sometimes lead them down the wrong path. Let’s clear up three common misconceptions. Myth 1: If your dog has separation anxiety,...
by Kate LaSala | Nov 3, 2025 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs, Resource Guarding, Separation Anxiety
Sometimes when potential clients reach out they ask why they need both me and a vet or a veterinary behaviorist. It’s confusing! I get it! It can be hard for consumers to decode and understand all the letters and professional certificates out there. My post here...
by Kate LaSala | Oct 27, 2025 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Rescue Dogs
Occasionally I’ll get inquiries about a family wanting to get a protection dog. It’s natural to want to keep your family safe. In a world where news headlines can make us feel vulnerable, the idea of bringing home a trained “protection dog” may sound appealing....
by Kate LaSala | Oct 6, 2025 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Puppy Training, Rescue Dogs, Resource Guarding, Separation Anxiety
Today I want to take a closer look at the fallout effects of aversive training tools such as prong collars, shock collars, bark collars, electric fences, and noise aversives. These methods all have one thing in common: they rely on fear, pain, or intimidation...
by Kate LaSala | Sep 22, 2025 | Dog Training, Dogs and Babies and Kids, Fear, Aggression and Reactivity, Puppy Training, Rescue Dogs
Today I’m thrilled to share that my new self-paced course, Home Sweet Home: Helping Your New Dog Thrive from Day One is now available! Bringing home a new puppy or rescue dog is one of the most joyful experiences but it can also feel overwhelming. From...
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 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...