Gerorgia, a strong-willed, loving & intelligent force of nature.
Georgia
Basic Commands
Georgia has been a part of the Wanderpaws crew for roughly 2 years and I am so grateful for Kristy.
Happy dogs, happy humans
WanderPaws is here to help.
We’re a team of passionate dog-lovers based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and we’re on a mission to support you and your dog, so you can get the most out of your life together. Whether you need a trusted dog walker to help meet your dog’s exercise and social needs or you’re looking to teach your dog basic or advanced training techniques, we’ve got you covered. As always, we promise to keep things fun, friendly and engaging, so you and your dog can enjoy the process together and strengthen your bond!
Tailored Training
The WanderPaws Puppy program focuses on taking those early-stage behaviours and shaping them into well-mannered young dogs.
Group Walks
Group walks allow your dog to return to their natural instinct of pack mentality, providing the opportunity to satisfy their drive to explore and play.
Private Sessions
Looking to correct something specific, let’s talk about it and come up with a plan that is catered specifically to your dog’s needs.
Puppy Training
The WanderPaws Puppy program focuses on taking those early-stage behaviours and shaping them into well-mannered young dogs.
No such thing...
as a bad dog.
A born and bred Haligonian, Kristy has always had an innate connection with animals and nature. A veteran Halifax dog walker, leading the pack in group walks for WanderPaws since 2020, Kristy’s journey began even earlier when she got her first dog Zoe. Kristy found herself walking dogs for friends and family and the pack gradually grew in size.
In 2020, Kristy’s passion for dogs and their welfare led her to pursue formal dog training and she obtained an Associate Dog Trainer (ADT) Diploma. Throughout her studies and in-depth mentorships, Kristy developed a comprehensive understanding of canine psychology, canine body language, training methodologies, basic care and nutrition.
At WanderPaws, Kristy and her team are committed to helping dog parents understand their companions better and provide them with the care they need to thrive. The community-centered approach to WanderPaws makes it a reliable and trustworthy source of support for dog owners. Your dog’s health and wellbeing are not just important to you, but important to us and we’re here to help.
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Certifications & Training:
Associate Dog Trainer (CT, USA)
Pet First Aid (CAD)
Learn to Lead Workshop Completion with Cheri Wulff Lucas (CA, USA)
Immersed Mentorship Training with Evan Doggett (CAD)
Faolan loves his pack walks.
Faolan
Group Dynamics
Kristy’s expertise has been invaluable in improving Faolan’s behaviour on walks, and she has been giving us great training tips to work on his leash pulling and recall. We have full confidence in WanderPaws’ services, and we couldn’t recommend them more!
Wonders for my Izzy!
Izzy
One on One
Izzy is so much more socialized, her recall has improved 100% and her leash pulling has diminished.
Wander Blog!
Your dog-training resource
We are here to help answer some of your most pressing dog training questions! Something on the blog you don’t see here, but want to?
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Speaking to your Dog Through Body Language.
News & Events
Dogs are wildly intuitive and pick up on our signals based on our posture, movements, energy and emotions. Be a confident leader for your dog! Dogs look to their owners for guidance on how to behave, react, and navigate the world. By projecting confidence and remaining calm, you can give your dog a sense of security and assurance. This, in turn, will help your dog make good decisions and follow your lead.
If you find yourself in a situation that causes your dog to become distracted, do your best to find calm composure. This will take practice, so don’t beat yourself up if you notice you're tensing up a little bit in situations that didn’t go so great the last time. We recommend taking a few seconds to notice your feet on the ground, take a deep breath and relax your body. If you’re tightening your dog's leash at all, relax it. If you need to turn around and avoid the situation, that's okay too! Being mindful of how you are guiding your dog will not only build a stronger connection with them, but it will improve mindfullness of how your body reacts in stressful vs. relaxing situations.
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Setting Boundaries with your Dog
News & Events
When it comes to dog training, setting boundaries and being consistent will be your greatest tools. Whether it’s not allowing them on the furniture or setting certain areas off-limits, consistency is absolutely crucial. Once you establish these boundaries, make sure to stick to them. No exceptions! Remember, dogs are creatures of habit and it’s up to you to help them form good habits. If there are multiple people in your household or caring for your dog, make sure to take the time to ensure you’re all on the same page when it comes to what you’re showing your dog you expect of them.
Now let’s talk about consistency. Dogs learn through repetition and reinforcement. That means that if you want them to behave a certain way, you need to consistently reward good behavior and correct bad behavior. Use treats, praise, and playtime to reinforce good behavior and let them know they’re doing a good job. On the other hand, if they’re doing something they shouldn’t be, a firm “no” or redirection will help them understand what’s expected of them.
Remember to be patient and have fun with your dog! Training takes time and effort, but it doesn’t have to be so serious and the bond you’ll form with your dog is worth it. Don’t get discouraged if things don’t go perfectly at first,t keep working at it and you’ll see progress. And always remember to celebrate your dog’s successes along the way.
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Off-leash Forest Adventures: benefits of group dog walks
News & Events, WanderPaws
It’s become a very popular dog world out there. You can now find everything from dog hotels to daycares for your dog but we believe our dogs are happiest when they’re in nature with other dogs. Pack walks led by professionals give your dog the option to explore when you’re stuck in the office or out running errands all day. Why are pack walks so great?
1) Let’s take a look at the wolf ancestry of dogs. Wolves are social animals that live in packs, and this pack mentality is deeply ingrained in our domesticated dogs. In a pack, wolves work together to hunt, protect their territory, and care for their young. Similarly, pack walks can provide a sense of community for your dog, allowing them to socialize and interact with other dogs, just as they would in a pack.
2) Off-leash forest adventures give your dog a chance to explore nature’s gifts. Dogs are natural explorers, and they love to sniff out new scents, run through the woods, and play in the great outdoors. Pack walks allow your dog to experience all of these things while being safely guided.
During the walks, your dog will get the chance to meet other dogs who may become their best buds, or they may prefer to stick close to the hike leaders. Some dogs love just doing their own thing, and we encourage all of the above. We want your dog to have the opportunity to explore freely when you’re busy or at work all day.
3) Pack walks can help with your dog’s manners! Our professional walkers work on training and reinforcing good behavior while in our care and keep you up to date with what they’re noticing and any tips they can give you. This means that your dog will not only get the exercise they need, but they will also learn important skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Wander Paws dog walking business takes care of pick up and drop off, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. We are dedicated to providing the best care possible for your fur baby, and we believe that pack walks are an excellent way to achieve this.
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Hi, I’m Kristy!
News & Events, WanderPaws
My friends and family are definitely not surprised that I ended up building a dog focused career. I was always the little kiddo following dogs around and befriending them on every block.
My friends and family are definitely not surprised that I ended up building a dog focused career. I was always following dogs around and befriending them on every block. My first dog Zoe basically trained herself and she led the way to what became an organically grown dog walking business. Then came Finn, a rescue from Texas. Finn came with a bundle of love and a whole lot of challenging behavioral quirks and so I began my pursuit of dog training. I know from experience, being successful at this dog parent thing takes a lot of work! I’ve been in your shoes and I want to help you find a way to balance your busy life while also helping your dogs live their very best lives too. Although training your dog can feel like a daunting task, I’ve created tailored programs that will help you get the best out of your pet while still having fun. I can’t wait for you to join the WanderPaws community and see your dog flourish!
Hi, I'm Kristy!
“WanderPaws was organically founded in 2017 out of my adoration for dogs and my first fur baby, Zoe. We’ve grown quite a bit since then, but the fundamental principle of WanderPaws remains unchanged: we treat your dog with the same level of love and care as we would our own. I am delighted to have you here, and I can’t wait to support you and your dog live more harmoniously.”