Author page: Kimberlee Tolentino

Q Proin There is a profound difference between a dog who isn't pulling on the leash and a dog who is actively heeling. One is an absence of a problem; the other is the presence of a beautiful, focused partnership. A true heel is a conversation without words, a dance where you are the lead…

Q Proin The sight is both mesmerizing and terrifying: your dog, a coiled spring of intensity, locks onto a squirrel. Their body trembles, their whine is piercing, and in that moment, it feels like they’ve forgotten you exist. For many owners, this raw, primal energy is a "problem" to be managed, suppressed, or apologized for.…

Q P The Pacific Northwest winter is a unique kind of beautiful. The evergreens are a deeper, more profound shade of green, the air is crisp, and a quiet hush often falls over our forests in Kent and the surrounding valleys. But for dog owners, this season also brings a familiar challenge: the relentless, bone-chilling…

Q Proin You’ve identified the problem. Maybe it’s the heart-pounding lunging on walks, the frantic barking at the doorbell, or the anxious destruction when left alone. You know something has to change. You’ve tried a tip from a friend, a YouTube tutorial, or just raising your voice, but the behavior persists, or even worsens. This…

Q Proin As an AKC Certified Evaluator, I hold a stack of paperwork, a pen, and a clipboard. On that clipboard is a checklist—a series of tasks that a dog and handler must perform to earn a title. From the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) to its urban and community variations, and through the ranks of…