Jenn Stellbrink

01/10/2026

I didn’t plan to teach Oban to differentiate between using his paw versus his nose on a verbal cue quite yet. But while working on other exercises with him I kept thinking how much clearer my communication would be if I could just tell him when I wanted him to touch something with his nose or with his paw so we backed up and worked on that. Once he learned to differentiate the cues, we started generalizing to other targets to make it more useful for other exercises.

12/24/2025

We look forward to the holidays — the lights, the visitors, the traditions, the excitement. But our dogs don’t understand any of that. To them, it’s just a sudden change in routine, environment, and energy… and that can feel overwhelming, confusing, or simply too much.

It’s completely normal if your dog becomes extra excited, extra sensitive, or decides they’d rather skip the festivities altogether. Dogs don’t share the same context we do, and they can’t automatically adjust just because it’s a special time of year.

This is especially true for dogs who already navigate the world with fear or anxiety. The holidays add layers of novelty, noise, movement, and unpredictability — things that can make even confident dogs feel off balance.

Preparing ahead of time isn’t about creating a “perfectly behaved” holiday dog. It’s about giving them support before the season gets busy, so they can cope in ways that feel safe and comfortable for them.

If you’re not sure how to help your dog through the holiday rush, we’re here to walk you through it with compassion and a plan that actually fits your dog’s needs. 💛🐾

12/22/2025

Most people think changing a dog’s behavior is just about giving treats or teaching tricks. In reality, it’s so much more than that.

It’s about cultivating a deeper understanding of your dog but also yourself.

It’s about meeting everyone’s needs.

It’s about reading stress signals and body language.

It’s about creating trust, breaking old cycles, and building a relationship where both you and your dog feel understood and confident.

And just so much more.

Behavior work isn’t a quick fix, it’s a partnership.

If you’re ready to take the next step and get support for your dog’s behavior, our team of experienced dog trainers and behavior consultants is here to help. Together, we’ll create a plan that meets both your needs and your dog’s, so you can build a happier, more harmonious household!

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Our prices will be increasing on January 1, 2026. Book a consultation now to lock in our current rates and secure your spot before the change! We offer behavior consultations virtually worldwide or training in the Chicago Suburbs! Link in bio for more details.

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12/19/2025

Oban working on some front paw targeting. I’ve used paw targets to teach a dog new behaviours as well as to have them voluntarily move somewhere that may otherwise be challenging for them, such as towards or into a vehicle, up the path to the vet clinic, or into a bath tub.

12/11/2025

Does your dog have 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥?

Our 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐦 & 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 helps young dogs build real-world coping skills using science-based pattern games.

📅 Jan 13 – Feb 10
🕢 Tuesdays at 7:30 PM
📍 Indoors at 95 Lewes Blvd
💲 $275 | 5 weeks | Max 6 dogs

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: Teams must have completed Basic Manners or Private Lessons.
𝐎𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 — please email [email protected] first to be sure the class is the right fit.

Register online now — spots are limited!
https://go.wisecanine.ca/calm-focused-teenage-dogs

12/08/2025

Walking and jogging a dog have become so normalized that they are often the first activities that come to mind when we think about exercising a dog.

These forms of exercise are widely accepted as the "standard," to the point that some pet parents feel judged or criticized if they don't walk their dog every single day.

There's often an unspoken expectation that if you live with a dog, daily walks or jogs are non-negotiable. However, this mindset doesn't take into account that walks and jogs aren't always feasible for every dog or their person.

For some dogs, walks may not even be physically possible, especially for older dogs, dogs with mobility issues, or those suffering from physical disabilities.

Weather conditions such as extreme heat, cold, or rain can make outdoor walks unsafe or uncomfortable.

Some dogs have allergies that make outdoor activity challenging, or they may become overwhelmed by certain environmental stimuli such as noise, traffic, or other dogs.

And let's not forget that some dogs may have mental health concerns, like anxiety or fear, which can make walks a stressful experience for them rather than a fun outing.

Fortunately, there are a wide range of alternative activities that can offer both physical and mental stimulation, allowing dogs to burn off energy and stay healthy, without the need for daily walks or jogs.

Let’s focus on expanding our definition of what constitutes "exercise" for dogs so that we can create a more inclusive and understanding environment for pet parents, recognizing that every dog has unique needs and capabilities.

At the end of the day, it's about finding what works best for your dog and ensuring they stay happy, healthy, and mentally stimulated - whether that involves daily walks, or a mix of alternative activities!

We wrote an entire book about this called Canine Enrichment For The Real World. If you need ideas, you can get this book off Dogwise, Amazon, or Audible!

12/07/2025

Looks like a fun little trick… but this is actually the foundation for so much more! ✨
Here, trainer Jenn Stellbrink is teaching her dog to nose-target a simple sticky note on a cabinet. That tiny target becomes a powerful foundation—once a dog understands how to purposefully touch a target, we can shape it into closing drawers and doors, pushing buttons, ringing bells, and so much more.

Great training is all about building small skills that unlock big possibilities! 🐾

12/05/2025

Oban working on some nose targets to a sticky note. It’s one of the things I train not so much for the behaviour itself but for the training possibilities it opens up.

12/04/2025

12/03/2025

For humans, "No" is often understood as "don’t do that," but this doesn't provide clear direction for our pets.

Dogs don’t always understand the reasoning behind "No," and it doesn't guide them toward an alternative behavior.

Instead of simply telling them what not to do, we should focus on teaching them what to do instead.

This approach is key because it helps dogs learn desired behaviors and make good choices independently in the future.

Imagine rewarding good behavior so consistently that your dog begins to choose those behaviors without needing your instruction. Over time, this creates a dog who can make decisions based on positive habits, even when you're not there to guide them!

What’s one undesirable behavior your dog exhibits, and what could you say instead of "No" to redirect it?

11/01/2025

Our Basic Manners classes have been so popular, we’ve added an extra session to meet demand!

📅 Dates: November 18 – December 16
🕓 When: Tuesdays at 4:30 PM
📍 Where: Wise Canine Training & Behaviour — 95 Lewes Blvd, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 3J4
👩‍🏫 Trainer: Jenn
💰 Cost: $275 (includes a clicker, emailed homework, and 5 weekly group classes)

This class is perfect for older puppies, teens, and adult dogs who need to learn (or brush up on) the basics. You’ll work on foundation skills like focus, targeting, recalls, leave-it, polite walking, and settle — while learning how to observe and reinforce the behaviours you want to see more of.

Each class is small (max 6 dogs!) and designed to help you build a bond based on fun, trust, and positive reinforcement. 💛

⚠ Important: For friendly dogs over 4 months of age. If your dog is fearful, reactive, or aggressive toward people or other dogs, private coaching will be a better fit — please reach out before registering to find the best option for your pup.

👉 Register now at https://go.wisecanine.ca/sign-up-basic-manners
— spots fill fast!

08/19/2025

This is a very boring photo of a behaviour that makes me very happy. Oban and I are staying in a hotel and his routine and environment have completely changed. But when he needed to go outside he laid down and waited in front of the door. It’s not a behaviour I trained and with the way our routine works at home, it’s not a behaviour he’s used there either. But he figured out how to ask for something he needed in a way that I consider polite - and in a hotel especially, not barking or pawing is important to me!