Mindful Dog co. KW

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Kitchener, ON
Mindful Dog co. KW

Training, walking and support for people and pets in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

05/05/2026

I’ll be hanging out at the Modern Paw this Saturday for free chats about dog training!

There’s no catch here, other than enjoying some snack treats, potential prizes and supporting dog moms (dads welcome too lol)

I think it can be hard to tell for newer dog owners if you need a trainer or not, and while I’ll never say it’s a bad idea, I’m also not in the business of gatekeeping simple advice that can save you time, stress and money.

I really love working with the team at The Modern Paw am excited to help connect local dog owners with quality food, supplies and resources:)

04/22/2026

The Tuesday doodle pack has been going through some growing pains.

Believe it or not I did use to be a chaotic dog walker where they’d all drift in front of me and pull and I’d be constantly frustrated and leash manners would rarely improve. Now instead I’m prioritizing quality over quantity which means:

- we never “just get the walk done” or “power through” if a dog is struggling
- we slow tf down and shift the environmental circumstances (sticking to concrete bs grass) when things start to feel too tough
- avoid yanking on leashes or ever moving forward with taut leashes. Which is why I stand by the use of slip leashes, prongs, e-collars and transitional/figure 8
- prioritizing sensitivity and connection over obedience and perfection
- each dog staying in the lane that I put them in until they no longer need reminders
- cued and designated p*e and p**p breaks when one dog starts to signal for it, otherwise there’s no marking allowed and only passing sniffs, we don’t get stuck on sniffs
- foster respectful friendships between dogs and relationships with me founded in trust, like a mama bear

And much more, but honestly I care a lot about maintaining a high standard of skill and so do alll my clients. Having a dog that can pack walk like this is really such a joy.

Dm for more info about how to get here.

04/14/2026

I’ll be hosting some fun workshops into the spring and summer! More to come but for now here are some details:

- I still have 1 free spot for a dog in foster/rescue care in each workshop, so please share this post and tag any rescues that might be interested!
- The puppy play workshop is intended for dogs under a year old and will help new puppy parents read dog body language and communication better
- also has some cool events coming up so keep an eye out!

New and existing clients welcome! Dm with any questions and I look forward to seeing you there:)

03/21/2026

More info on the Mindfuldog co website linked below!

https://mindfuldog.co/caitlin-stever

Not sure which package could be right for you and your dog? Shoot me a message with any questions, I’m always happy to chat:)

03/10/2026

The doodle crew is thriving!

I really prioritized leash skills and social manners for this gang and they impressed me today. After weeks of working them in pairs and 3s, the 4pack finally nailed a very structured pack walk today.

No one pulled or detoured for far off sniffs
No one tried to play mid walk
Minimal rolling around and goofing
And other than Willow and Gunner who are soulmates greetings were very polite.

Pack walks don’t need to be the gold standard of dog behaviour but all these doods can be super playful so asking them to compose themselves and follow along is an invaluable skill.

You can hit me up if you want your dog to join a squad like this. (They don’t have to be a doodle, all breeds are accepted lol)

03/09/2026

!!date change!!

I’m back at it with a flexi (retractable) leash workshop on Saturday April 11th at 11am at Kiwanis community fields in Waterloo!

This workshop is accessible for novice dog handlers and pros alike. You could bring your new puppy or reactive, old, teenage, nervous dog. This really is a versatile tool to have in your arsenal.

Folks are welcome to take this course multiple times, I can help you level up each time. Same goes for any of my current clients:)

03/02/2026

Introducing - Me!

Hi, my name is Caitlin. I’ve recently introduced most of my clients on here so figured I’d share a bit about myself too.

I started Mindful Dog Co. KW with the support of around this time last year, after moving to Kitchener from Montreal where I was living the past 10 years. I’ve been working with dogs professionally for the past five years, mostly as a pack walker but pet sitting, boarding and as a kennel attendant as well. I shifted more training in the past 2 years.

We all know dog training is just as much if not more about the human side of things. Clear communication, relationships of trust and mutual respect and a commitment to empathy and education are my guiding principles. Like so many professions and fields I think having a diverse background and life experiences contribute to a higher quality of work.

Some cool facts I want to share:

- I have a Bachelor or Fine Arts in Performance Creation (theatre school) from Concordia. It has clearly lead me down a straight and narrow career path
- I love naps a lot
- I live with 2 grumpy old men pets: a spicy doodle named a Romy and an arrogant cat named Ashur
- in the past 10 years I’ve been an NYC tour guide, a nanny and ECE, an art and ESL teacher and a waitress
- I’ve recently gotten into riding a bike that goes nowhere in the dark like it’s a rave(.spinstudio)
- I love winter and am a Capricorn ♑️
- Hawaiian pizza (gluten free) is the perfect combo of sweet and salty and I’ll die on that hill
- my mom is an expert in conflict resolution so you can imagine how that influenced sibling disputes when I was a kid

Feel free to reach out, I’m always happy to talk dog. 🐶❤️

Address

Kitchener, ON
N2A TO N2R

Telephone

+16138548362

Website

https://mindfuldog.co/

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