by Kate LaSala | Sep 29, 2025 | Dog Training, Puppy Training, Rescue Dogs
Because I work primarily with fearful dogs, I see a lot of people who describe their dog’s fear as a “problem” that needs “fixing.” But fear is not disobedience. The more I thought about this, the more I realized it highlights a bigger issue in dog training....
by Kate LaSala | Sep 15, 2025 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Puppy Training, Rescue Dogs
Much like the lack of transparency in dog training, there’s also a lack of transparency in sheltering and rescue organizations. In 2018 eight prominent animal welfare organizations and foundations released a joint mission statement regarding...
by Kate LaSala | Sep 8, 2025 | Pet Loss & Grieving
The loss of a beloved pet can be devastating. Our companion animals often play a constant role in our lives, offering comfort, companionship, emotional support and unconditional love. When they’re gone, the change in your daily routine, the lack of caretaking...
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 | 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 | Jun 23, 2025 | Dog Training, Puppy Training, Rescue Dogs, Separation Anxiety
The problem Do you live in a place where people leave their dogs in the yard all the time and all you hear is dogs barking? Sadly, in many places in the country, this is the norm and animal welfare being what it is, in most places if the dog has water and some...
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 | 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...
by Kate LaSala | May 26, 2025 | Dog Training, Dog Training Regulation, Puppy Training, Rescue Dogs
I often hear from potential clients who are torn between hiring a private trainer like me or sending their dog to a “boot camp.” Let me be clear: boot camp is not the answer. The term itself conjures images of military-style training—pre-dawn wake-ups, yelling, rigid...
