Hi Reader, October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month—a time to celebrate new beginnings! But let’s be honest: those first days and weeks with a newly adopted dog can feel overwhelming... In my latest blog, I’m sharing my best tips to help your dog settle in with confidence, from creating a safe home base to building trust and starting training at the right pace. 👉 Read the Full Post With patience, structure, and a little nose-work magic, your new best friend will feel right at home. With...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month—a time to celebrate new beginnings! But let’s be honest: those first days and weeks with a newly adopted dog can feel overwhelming... In my latest blog, I’m sharing my best tips to help your dog settle in with confidence, from creating a safe home base to building trust and starting training at the right pace. 👉 Read the Full Post With patience, structure, and a little nose-work magic, your new best friend will feel right at home. With...
7 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s be honest: punishment works. Shock collars, prong collars, and leash pops can stop a dog in their tracks. But here’s the catch—they work by creating fear, not by teaching our dogs what we do want them to do. In my latest blog, I’m pulling back the curtain on why I don’t use punishment in my training—and what I do instead to create lasting, positive behavior change. 👉 Read: Punishment Works, But Here’s Why I Don’t Use It Because your dog deserves training built on trust, not...
8 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s go beyond just “burning energy.” I’m excited to introduce a brand-new service now available for Honolulu families: 🌿 Enrichment Walks: Skill-Building Training on the Go 🌿 These are structured, purposeful outings that combine: 🐾 Leash skill coaching 🐾 Decompression & sniff time 🐾 Confidence-building exposures 🐾 Relaxation work Perfect for dogs who: ✨ Need better leash skills ✨ Struggle with reactivity ✨ Get easily overstimulated on busy walks ✨ Thrive with structured...
9 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, As many of you know, I’m planting new roots here in Honolulu — and along with that, I’m building collaborations with local professionals who care deeply about dog welfare. That’s where I’d love your help. 💛 Do you know a: ✔ Vet clinic staff member? ✔ Rescue organization or foster coordinator? ✔ Dog sitter, walker, or daycare provider? If so, would you be willing to pass along my information? Here’s what I specialize in: 🧠 Big Feels (fear, reactivity & anxiety) 🐕 Puppy foundations &...
9 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Just a quick update from me to you: starting this month, I’ll be moving my blog posts from weekly to monthly. Why the change? With my slow expansion to Honolulu (and lots of exciting new projects brewing 🐾), I want to make sure every post I send you is thoughtful, helpful, and worth your time. This shift gives me the space to create more depth — and also practice what I preach about balance and sustainability. Don’t worry, you’ll still get the same nerdy dog training insights and...
9 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Confession: I went to Target for “just a few things.”Target: hold my cart. 🛒🌸 As I settle into Honolulu, I’ve been building not just a new home but also a new practice. And apparently… buying everything in aisle 7. 😅 It’s a little overwhelming, but also really exciting — kind of like training can feel for our dogs. One step at a time, with patience (and plenty of snacks), we’ll get there. Thanks for being here with me through the chaos, the joy, and the journey. Big things are...
9 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This move isn’t just a change of zip code. It’s the start of a new chapter — both in my work and in my life. Earlier this year, I came out as gay. It was scary, uncertain, and full of unknowns. But it was also freeing. My move to Honolulu is part of choosing to live authentically — to expand my world, to be braver, and to honor who I truly am. And just like the work I do with dogs, this journey is about trust, empathy, and choice. It’s about creating a life — and a practice — where...
9 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I have some exciting news to share with you… Dog’s Choice is slowly expanding to Honolulu! That means I’ll now be offering force-free, relationship-based training, enrichment walks (a new service — more info coming soon!), and behavior consults in Honolulu. 🌺 Whether you’re looking for help with a pup who pulls, a rescue with big feelings, or simply want to strengthen your bond through enrichment and training, I’m here to support you with kindness, science, and collaboration. ✨...
9 months ago • 1 min read
