The WoofPack, Cornelius, NC (2025)

04/18/2025

Multi-dog household people, this one’s for you!!

Fulfilling and caring for multiple dogs can be quite the task and most people with more than one dog often deal with the difficulty of navigating making things fair for each dog.

Most likely each dog in your house NEEDS something different. My young dogs need more training and activity than my old dogs. My herding dogs need more physical activity than the rest. My pitbulls need more impulse control training than the rest. Some of my dogs need more boundaries to thrive (like no furniture privileges and regular crate time) while some of my dogs don’t need that, so they get different freedoms.

People really struggle with this. They think it all must be equal. If they take one dog for a walk, they must take the other one too. It’s unfair to not let one dog in the furniture if the other(s) are. And the list goes on and on.

In any of these scenarios, the assumption is that both/all dogs needs, likes, capabilities and desires are exactly the same. What they fail to consider is each dog as an individual.

Now let’s revisit the previous examples. Sherman is a puppy and does really need a walk a day, this is imperative for his development, exposure and physical fulfillment. Brayden is 12 and would much rather be sleeping on the couch. Sure Brayden still needs walks but he most certainly doesn’t need one every day. Taking Sherman for a walk everyday and not Brayden is totally fair!

My dogs are allowed on furniture with permission, except Bindi. All my other dogs show no negative behaviors by being allowed this privilege. Bindi has a history of getting in fights when she’s allowed on the furniture. This is unsafe first of all. More importantly though, if I know this privilege leads to this behavior, it would be very unfair of me to put Bindi and my other dogs in that situation. Letting my others dogs on furniture with permission but not Bindi is fair!!

Another consideration is what a dog enjoys. If Debbie LOVES going to a good patio dinner with us but Shenzi HATES doing that, fair means respecting their likes and dislikes.

Fair does not mean equal. Fair means everyone gets what they NEED!!

02/28/2025

📢WOOFPACK GROUP CLASSES📢

We are excited to announce our upcoming line up of WP group classes! We have our tried and true classics (that everyone loves)- WP in the Wild and Back to Basics. We are also offering two new classes- WP Off-Leash and Play All Day.

We have limited spots for each class so don’t wait to sign up! Currently these classes are only open to WP clients (anyone who has done training/day training with us). Message us if you want to enroll🐾

02/19/2025

Swipe to see how Peep feels about still being on activity restriction😂

How we have survived what has felt like a lifetime of activity restriction with Peep for her injuries and recovery:

1️⃣ The crate is our best friend. Crating is the number one way we keep Peep quiet and safe. Peep spends 8 hours of her day and sleeps in her crate. I can already hear some of you saying “HOW HORRIBLE”. What would be more horrible though would be me allowing her to injure herself further or end up elongating her already excessive activity restriction. Additionally, Peep loves her crate and it’s her safe place.

2️⃣ Tethering. Tethering her (which is basically having her on a leash attached to me or something to hold her in place) has been our second best friend. Naturally Peep has a lot of energy built up and, if left to her own devices, would be sprinting out of her crate and around my house (which is obviously not allowed). So, the leash helps keep her safe while allowing her to spend time with us.

3️⃣ Training- while what she is allowed to do is VERY limited, we do whatever we can. Practicing eye contact, working on impulse control, PT exercises (guided by a rehab specialist), and holding stationary positions have been the bulk of our trianing. Because she can’t be fulfilled physically, giving her some mental fulfillment is a necessity for her sanity.

4️⃣ Controlled walks. HUGE EMPHASIS ON CONTROLLED. With a high drive power house like Peep (with reactive tendencies) all of our walk training has set us up for success with this. While she would love to go sprint around the yard, short walks are better than nothing.

5️⃣ Patience. No matter what, I will not be able to fulfill Peeps needs during her recovery. Peep is a very high drive dog who goes crazy mentally when she doesn’t get some good fulfillment. She doesn’t require anything excessive but some run time, some active training, some agility and tug every week has been the key to a good Peep. Without this, we sometimes get naughty Peep (think demand barking, shoe chewing, lack of impulse control). While it’s tempting to get frustrated because she “knows” better, I have to remind myself she’s doing her best🫶🏼

01/29/2025

What an incredible weekend of learning, playing and exploring with the team!!!

I firmly believe in the quote “When you stop learning, you stop growing”. Always learning is one of my life mantras and this obviously applies to dog training and all things WoofPack. We owe it to every single person who invests their time, money and trust in us to continue our education as dog trainers and handlers and to always be learning better ways to do things. This weekend we learned from some of the greats. We are so grateful to and for all the knowledge and wisdom they shared with us this weekend!!

We not only got specific advice to help work through some issues with our own dogs but we also got some incredible and in depth knowledge and understanding of new ways we can help every single dog we train. I hope to carry the motivation and excitement I left this weekend with through every single day of my dog training career.

Debbie and I got some great feedback on how to get her spooky barking fully under control and on our play. (Check out the video for a good laugh-ft the WP team’s reactions 😂). Rumor and Kayla were coached to finally get some good play in a room full of distractions, which is something they have struggled with. Seeing the smile on Kayla’s face as Rumor launched herself at her toy was everything! And lastly, Eden and Clem tackled their biggest challenge as a team so far and they ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED IT. Saying I was proud of that team would be a wild understatement. (And shout out to Hannah for surviving 6 days with us and still enjoying our company 😂).

We ended our weekend with a trip to the St. Louis zoo where we got to see Ginger the baby orangutan(if anyone knows any reputable orangutan breeders- let a girl know😂😂). This weekend was exactly what our team needed and we are coming back as a better and stronger version of The WoofPack!! 🫶🏼💪🏽🐾

01/27/2025

Peep is now 6 weeks post op from her surgery on her elbows. (In case you missed it, Peep had a fragmented medial coronoid process in her right leg and a fissured one in her left leg which they broke off and removed). We’re not even halfway to the end point yet but Peep is making tremendous progress in her recovery!

This road has been so hard for many reasons. But thanks to our training-the limited activity, physical therapy and vet visits have not been a source of difficulty. Peep has been an absolute rockstar through it all. I hate that Peep has to go through this after having 2 separate TPLO’s in the past few years but let me tell you something- I’m grateful that she’s the one that I have to tackle this with. Peeps physical and mental resilience is truly unrivaled. Every single thing I have asked her to do in her recovery, she has given 200% (in typical Peep fashion)!! I say jump, she says how high, how long, how fast!! She’s truly a magnificent creature in that way.

The hard parts have been the unknown. From months of not knowing what exactly was wrong with her to the now months of slow recovery, waiting to find out what Peeps future holds (as far as allowed activities long term). I dream of getting her back out on the agility field. I dream of balls to the wall games of tug. I dream of looking at her in the eyes and giving her permission to do all out, but tucked, psycho zoomies.

But my worst nightmare would be causing her more pain, more injuries, and breaking down her already compromised physical structure(highlighting the importance of good genetics which physically- Peep has horrible genes 😅). She could be cleared to do it all but right now we just don’t know. And that sits with me everyday!!

I’ll prepare for my heart to be broken and to be told that everyone’s favorite agility hippo can’t run anymore while also hoping to be cleared to hit that start line with her again and see her run those little leggies off! But until then, we will continue to chip away at her physical therapy and limit her activity as much as necessary❤️

01/23/2025

Just a friendly reminder to our WoofPack fam that we will be closed for ALL services starting tomorrow (Thursday 1/23) until next Tuesday (1/28). We will reopening on Wednesday 1/29!

See you all next week!!

01/14/2025

Somehow time has slipped through my fingers and this black muzzled, bad, biting pup has turned into a 7 year old salt speckled muzzle, mature agility superstar.

Happy Birthday Bimini cricket. I love you so much…despite you pushing me to my wits end and making me question every life decision that led me to adopting you. There was no mistake when the universe paired you with me. You’re the worst Bin-dog there ever was but the best Bindi I could ever ask for!!

TLDR: don’t give up on the dog that’s making you cry and pull your hair out. Work for the miracle, it will come!!!

01/02/2025

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE WOOFPACKS FAVORITE FRENCHIE!!!

We love you so so so much Eglantyne. Thank you for bringing us so much joy, sass and stubbornness. We would smother you with hugs and kisses but we know how embarrassed you’d be 😂 6. Years. Old. Time please slow down!!

Enjoy some Bday pics of Tyne over the years…and the last picture of a baby Egg🥹🥰❤️

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from our pack to yours!!🎄

We got these pictures done before we had to say goodbye to Scrappi. While I’m so grateful that she was included this year, it’s a painful reminder of how much I miss her. Our first Christmas in 8 years without her. And I know next years Christmas pictures, without her, will be even more painful.

Luckily, I am surrounded by 8 other incredible dogs and so much love to get me through. I’m hugging them extra tight this Christmas (sorry Sheldon😂).

On a lighter note, scroll to the last photo to see a fit throwing human puppy😂

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from The WoofPack team (that I am thankful for today and every single day🥰).

I am immensely grateful for my team, my clients, and this unbelievable WoofPack community. Not a day goes by that I don’t reflect on my gratitude for all of you but today, I am especially grateful and thankful. 🧡💛🤎

And as always, I am very thankful for for tolerating our shenanigans and pose ideas during our photo shoots 😂

11/17/2024

Nellie’s “Find the One” adoption event is tomorrow🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 (Sunday, 11/17) at from 12-2!!!! There will be adoptable dogs(from ), puppies, a photo booth, and of course the infamous Nellie!!!

We are so excited for this event and the collaboration between us, and . We look forward to seeing you all there🤗🤗

11/09/2024

‼️RARE OPPORTUNITY ALERT‼️

We have one spot for a board and train open for 12/16/24-1/6/25!!! If you’ve been considering getting your dog some training, here is your chance! This board and train is especially perfect if you have a busy holiday season or have a lot of travel planned for the holidays. You can rest easy knowing your dog is in a safe home environment for their stay while also getting the training they need.

Our board and trains teach basic obedience(sit, down, stay, place, come), crate training, neutrality/calm training, leash skills and can be tailored to additional skills that your dog may need to work on (including but not limited too-reactivity, fear, anxiety, and working on dog-dog social skills).

We don’t offer board and trains regularly, so don’t miss this incredible opportunity 🤗 Message or email us ([email protected]) if you are interested or would like more information. A virtual or in person consult will be done prior to the stay.

11/05/2024

Dream Team🤩

The WoofPack team is here to be your people. We will support you through every step of the training, bring you results and make the process something you can feel good about.

The WoofPack has grown in many ways over the past few years and one of my proudest accomplishments is this team. Kayla, Eden, Hannah and I all bring tremendous skill, work ethic and individual strengths to the table; making The WoofPack team solid and well rounded. This is the team you want to be relying on to train your dog. Hands down, no question. How do I know this? Because they are phenomenal dog trainers but even more importantly, they are good people with remarkable character.

10/17/2024

For Nellie’s 1st Birthday, she is hosting a dog adoption event! Come check out some adoptable buddies and “Find the ONE”. Also come meet/hang out with Nellie and help her celebrate her birthday!! Adoptable dogs from will be there to meet!

What: Dog Adoption Event ()
Where:
When: Sunday November 17th from 12pm-2pm

Mark your calendars, Nellie would love to see you all there!!

10/08/2024

Yesterday we made a supply drop to some hard hit areas in WNC.

As we entered the mountain area, I could feel the hurt in the air. The pain was palpable. The destruction was apocalyptic. But there was also so much help. I saw convoys of disaster relief teams, trucks and trailers full of supplies, and utility vehicles driving to the towns in need. There were so many signs for places to get free supplies and aid. The hurt was strong but so was the help and even more importantly, the hope.

We delivered a van full of animal supplies to , a suv full of livestock feed to a local farm who was sorting it to be distributed to farms in need, and a handful of human supplies to a local church. These people are struggling but there were so many smiles and hugs going around.

Thank you all for all your donations, we are going to hold off on supply runs for now and wait for word on needs as the weeks progress and supplies dwindle. If you still want to donate, you can, we will get the supplies and monetary donations to those who need it most. I posted a call for help and you guys delivered. This WoofPack community is nothing short of amazing. You guys rock!!

Also huge shout out to Stephanie who runs (the rescue we partner with). She headed and planned all the donation runs and rescue missions. Yesterday was her birthday and she spent it delivering supplies to those in need. She is an angel walking amongst us and I’m beyond honored to know her and to be able to call her a friend. HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!! 🥳

10/05/2024

Look at everything that has been donated in the past 24 hours alone 🥹 and we have raised $2000 in the past 24 hours for additional supplies.

This doesn’t include the van full of donated supplies(and $800 worth of purchased supplies from donations) that we delivered yesteday.

You guys are all amazing. I will continue to get these supplies to those who need it most and 🫶🏼

10/01/2024

With so much devastation in the mountains, I can’t help to think about all the dogs that are affected. Farm dogs, family dogs, shelter dogs, foster dogs… So in effort to try to help, WoofPack will be hosting a dog food drive. Any and all unopened dog food will be accepted. We will also happily take donations of beds, blankets, cat food, and cat litter.I have a giant 12 passenger van, LETS FILL IT UP. WP clients, we hope we don’t see you show up empty handed when we see you next 😉We are located in Cornelius, but we can possibly coordinate drop off locations in charlotte!!

The WoofPack