Kimberlee Tolentino

66 articles published

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My Top 5 Must-Have Dog Training Books (And What Prompted Me to Write My Own)

books, Books, dog trainingApril 22, 202093Views 0Likes 0Comments

Every master of an art has a library. Its shelves are not filled with perfect, unblemished volumes, but with dog-eared, note-riddled, coffee-stained pages—each one a testament to a lesson learned, a paradigm shifted, or a theory tested in the crucible of real-world experience. Over the last ten year, my journey as a balanced trainer at…

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Beyond YouTube Tutorials: The Benefits of a Structured Online Dog Training Course

courses, dog trainingApril 22, 2020152Views 0Likes 0Comments

The promise is undeniable: world-class dog training knowledge, available for free, instantly. With a few taps, you can watch a celebrity trainer "solve" leash reactivity, a behaviorist teach the perfect "stay," and a trick dog champion roll over and play dead. You fall down a rabbit hole of well-edited clips and charismatic hosts, your head…

Is an Online Dog Training Course Right for You? 5 Questions to Ask Before Taking the Plunge

courses, dog trainingApril 22, 20201KViews 0Likes 0Comments

The advertisement is compelling. A professional trainer promises to solve your exact problem—the barking, the pulling, the chaos—from the comfort of your living room. It offers structure, community, and proven results, all for a fraction of the cost of in-person sessions. The "Enroll Now" button glows with potential. But is it the right path…

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Balanced Dog Training for Primitive Breeds

dog training, primitive dogsApril 22, 20202KViews 4Likes 0Comments

There is a unique quality in the gaze of a primitive breed. This is not the look of a domesticated Labrador Retriever or intense Beligian Malinois. This is the look of the ancient world, of a canine mind that solved problems and survived for millennia without direct human instruction. These breeds—the spitz-types, the pariah dogs,…

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Creating a Service Dog Fitness Regimen for Peak Performance and Longevity

NewsApril 22, 2020986Views 0Likes 0Comments

Keeping your service dog in shape is the key to longevity and health. You’ve invested in your service dog’s training, now make sure their career is long and comfortable with an at-home canine fitness regimen.

Board-and-Train vs. Private Lessons: Which is Right for Your Dog?

MediaApril 21, 20201KViews 4Likes 0Comments

You've made the decision. Your dog needs training. Whether it's frustrating leash pulling, concerning reactivity, or a simple lack of basic manners, you're ready to invest in a solution. Immediately, you're faced with a fundamental choice: the immersive, intensive board-and-train program, or the collaborative, step-by-step journey of private lessons. This decision will shape not only…

How to Find the Right Dog Trainer for You in the Pacific Northwest

dog trainingApril 21, 20201KViews 0Likes 0Comments

The Pacific Northwest is a paradise for dogs and their people. From the rocky shores of the coast to the misty trails of the Cascades and the bustling streets of Seattle, our lifestyle is deeply intertwined with our canine companions. But when behavioral issues arise—the leash pulling that ruins a forest walk, the reactivity that…

What to Expect at Your First Dog Training Lesson

dog trainingApril 21, 20201KViews 0Likes 0Comments

You've made the call. You’ve booked the appointment. The date is circled on your calendar, and as it approaches, a mix of hope and anxiety might be setting in. Will the trainer judge your home? Your skills? Your dog’s “bad” behavior? Will it be a grueling session of endless drills where you’re made to feel…

Why A “One-Size-Fits-All” Training Group Class Might Not Be Right for Your Dog

choosing a trainer, dog trainingApril 21, 20201KViews 0Likes 0Comments

The idea of group classes is simple and appealing: "Six-Week Puppy Kindergarten!" "Beginner Obedience Class!" For a reasonable price, you and your dog can join a group and learn the basics together. It seems like the perfect, structured solution, especially when offered by a familiar, national brand. This is the promise of the one-size-fits-all group…

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Why I Stopped Doing Board-and-Train Programs

choosing a trainerApril 21, 20202KViews 1Like 0Comments

For years, the board-and-train model was presented as the pinnacle of dog training—the ultimate "fix" for busy owners and difficult dogs. The promise was intoxicating: send your canine companion away, and they return a polished, obedient partner weeks later. For a long time, I built a part of my business on this promise. I…

How Canine Fitness Assessments Complement Training

UncategorizedApril 21, 20201KViews 0Likes 0Comments

A dog that barks relentlessly at the mailman. A dog that refuses to recall at the park. A dog that shuts down during training sessions. We are quick to label these as purely behavioral problems: a lack of discipline, insufficient training, or outright defiance. We focus exclusively on the mind, attempting to correct what we…

The Investment: Understanding the Cost of Professional Dog Training in the Seattle Area

choosing a trainerApril 21, 20201KViews 0Likes 0Comments

The numbers can be startling. In the greater Seattle area where I operate, a board-and-train program can run from $3,000 to $8,000. Private lessons can run $200 and up for a single one-hour lesson. The immediate temptation is to see the board-and-train as an "all-inclusive" vacation for your dog's behavior, while private lessons feel like…

Author page: Kimberlee Tolentino

Kimberlee Tolentino