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!
The WanderPaws Puppy program focuses on taking those early-stage behaviours and shaping them into well-mannered young dogs.
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.
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.
The WanderPaws Puppy program focuses on taking those early-stage behaviours and shaping them into well-mannered young dogs.
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)
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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Dogs are intuitive animals and can pick up on our energy and emotions through our body language. Therefore, it is crucial to pay attention to your posture and movements when interacting with your dog.
If you're nervous or anxious around other dogs, your dog will pick up on that and may react defensively, resulting in aggressive behavior. So, it's essential to remain calm and composed, even when you see other dogs in the distance. If you tense up and pull on the leash, your dog may think there is a threat and become scared or aggressive. Instead, try to project confidence and move calmly in the direction of the other dog.
Being a confident leader for your dog is important. 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 become more confident and well-behaved.
One of the most common problems dog owners face is leash pulling. If your dog pulls on the leash, it's because they've learned that doing so gets them where they want to go. To train your dog to stop pulling on the leash, it's important to establish new rules and be consistent with them. You can start by waiting them out and only moving forward when the leash is slack. If the leash becomes tight, stop and wait for them to calm down before moving again. This may take some patience, but it's a crucial step in training your dog to walk on a leash correctly.
It's also essential to reward your dog for good behavior. Praise and treats can go a long way in reinforcing positive behaviors. When your dog walks calmly on a leash, give them a treat or praise them with a cheerful tone. This will help them understand that good behavior is rewarded.
In conclusion, paying attention to your body language when training your dog is just as important as teaching them commands. Dogs are intuitive and can sense our emotions and energy through our movements and posture. By projecting confidence and remaining calm, you can give your dog a sense of security and assurance, which will help them become better behaved and more confident. So, keep these tips in mind the next time you're training your furry friend!
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. This doesn't mean you have to be harsh or punitive - in fact, positive reinforcement is often the most effective way to train your pup. 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.
Consistency also means that everyone in your household needs to be on the same page when it comes to training your pup. Make sure that everyone is using the same commands and reinforcing good behavior in the same way. If one person is allowing your dog to jump up on them while another person is trying to train them not to, your pup will get confused and won't know what to do. So, get everyone on board with your training plan and stick to it.
Finally, remember to be patient and have fun with your dog! Training takes time and effort, but the bond you'll form with your furry friend is worth it. Don't get discouraged if things don't go perfectly at first. Just keep working at it and you'll see progress. And always remember to celebrate your pup's successes along the way.
Let’s face it, 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? Let me tell you.
First, 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 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.
Off-leash forest adventures also 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.
We understand that some dogs don't fit into the group walking social mold, and that's why we have private walkers and professional training to help with that too. Our goal is to work together with you to make sure your dog is getting the care, exercise, and training they need.
In addition to exercise and socialization, pack walks can also 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.
At our dog walking business, we take care of everything. We do the picking up and dropping off, so you don't have to worry about a thing. We are dedicated to providing the best care possible for your furry friend, and we believe that pack walks are an excellent way to achieve this.
If you're interested in learning more about our pack walks and how they can benefit your dog, please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
As a dog training professional, I want to tell you that it's okay to feel that way. It's normal to have goals for your furry friend, but it's important to remember that training doesn't have to be daunting. In fact, with just 3-5 minutes a few times a day, you can build a stronger connection with your dog and improve their manners.
As a pet parent, you want to give your furry friend the best life possible. But when you're busy with work, family, and other responsibilities, it can be challenging to find the time and energy to train your dog. That's where I come in.
My goal as a dog training professional is to help you clarify your goals and frustrations and set up a plan that will not only feel doable in your busy schedule but also show you results. Together, we can create a training program that fits your lifestyle and meets the unique needs of your furry friend.
Whether you're looking to teach your dog basic commands or advanced tricks, I can help. I specialize in balanced training focusing on positive reinforcement training, which means I focus on rewarding what you want to see more of and letting them know in a gentle way what you do not want. This approach not only builds a stronger bond between you and your dog but also makes training more enjoyable for both of you.
One of the most common frustrations I hear from pet parents is that their dog doesn't listen to them. Maybe your dog jumps on visitors or barks uncontrollably. Whatever the issue, it's important to remember that every dog is different, and some may take longer to learn than others.We want you to feel in control of your fur baby.
With patience and persistence, you can teach your dog new behaviors and correct unwanted ones. And the best part? Training doesn't have to take up a lot of your time. Short, frequent training sessions are more effective than long ones, so just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
I also understand that training can be overwhelming at times, which is why I'm here to offer guidance and support. Whether you have questions about a specific command or need help troubleshooting a behavior problem, I'm here to help. And if you're feeling discouraged or frustrated, I'm here to offer encouragement and keep you motivated.
Being a pet parent can be tough, but with a little bit of training, you can give your furry friend the best life possible. And as a dog training professional, I'm here to help you every step of the way. So if you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to start, don't hesitate to reach out. Together, we can create a training plan that works for you and your furry friend.
My friends and family probably wouldn’t be surprised that I ended up in the pet industry, I was always following dogs around and befriended 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 behavioural 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 a program that helps 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!
Have a reactive pet? Let’s talk about how you could use an E-collar as an off-leash solution.
Each dog and breed is unique and one size doesn’t fit all. 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.
Common issues that we can work to correct are recall, appropriate social pay, any changing behaviours or bad habits.
Adolescents come with pesky behaviours like jumping, barking, nipping, leash pulling etc. Most dogs at this age are testing their boundaries and it’s critical to provide clear guidance to stop these behaviours in their tracks.
The WanderPaws Puppy program focuses on taking those early-stage behaviours and shaping them into well-mannered young dogs. With one-on-one instruction, this program will be tailored to your puppy’s needs.
“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.”