Wolf Pack Planet

09/17/2025

09/10/2025

18 dogs. 4 humans. One mountain trail completely taken over 😂

On Monday I threw together a little pack hike hangout and it turned into the best kind of chaos. Quinn from Pavlov Dog Training came out (and brought her friend Ashlynn from Rad K9), Kelly from Adventure Pups joined in, and of course my adventure buddy Austin tagged along too. Basically…we had a dream team of handlers and one giant wolf pack charging through the mountains.

The dogs were in heaven!! running, swimming, playing fetch, chewing sticks, making new friends (and hanging with old ones). Somehow, even with nearly 20 dogs, the vibe stayed chill. Organized chaos, but peaceful, fulfilling, and fun for the humans too.

By the end of the hike, every pup was happily tired, every stick was thoroughly chewed, and every human felt just a little bit proud of their leash-handling skills. 🐺✨ Already plotting our next Monday takeover…

08/22/2025

📸🐈💙✨

Happy Birthday to my wild boy, my little siren song, my sweet shadow’s perfect counterpart.

Before I even met him, I knew I wanted a second cat. I knew their name would be Siren. I had no idea just how much that name would suit him.

I found Siren in a Facebook group back home in New York, posted by a farmer who couldn’t reach a litter of kittens trapped under his barn. A stranger and I spent days coaxing them out, and when we finally did, Siren was the only surviving male. I drove over an hour with nothing but a blanket and a name tag and brought him home.

And he hated me. Like, deeply despised me. For six months, he hissed at me, attacked me, refused to play, hid from me—he was the polar opposite of Shadow, who loved me instantly. I felt like I was failing him, so I searched for a new home.

I found the perfect person. An older woman with no pets, ready to give him a peaceful life. I sat on my floor, texting her… and Siren walked over, curled up in my lap for the first time, and looked at me like he was begging me to give him another chance.

I sobbed. Full-on ugly cried. Because I finally understood him. He wasn’t mean—he was afraid. He had lost everything before I even met him. He watched his siblings pass away. He had been through unimaginable horrors in his first few weeks of life. Of course, he didn’t trust me.

So I worked. Every single day, I worked to earn his love. I gave him space. I let him come to me. I spoke to him softly. And slowly, he started to open up. He started to play. He started to meow.

And now? Siren loves me more than the stars in the sky. He clings to me like I’m his whole world. I literally have to pry him off me sometimes.

I almost gave him away. And now I wouldn’t trade him for anything in the universe.

Happy Birthday, my sweet, loving, clingy little siren song. I love you more than words could ever say. 💫🐾💙

08/18/2025

⭐ Why Reviews Matter (and How You Can Help Me Out)

One of the biggest ways to support a small business (besides booking services) is by leaving a review. Reviews are like little gold stars that tell people, “hey, this person is trustworthy, worth your time, and doing good work.”

I’ve been working on building up my Google reviews lately, and I realized something; reviews don’t all have to sound the same. It’s not just about clients saying “my dog is better now” (although those mean the world to me too). What really makes reviews powerful is when they come from different perspectives.

Maybe you’ve worked with me as a fellow small business owner. Maybe I’ve given you advice about your dog, or you’ve come to me for help. Maybe you follow my videos and they’ve made you laugh, taught you something, or inspired you. Maybe you’ve seen me work with my pack in person, or just liked the way I share my journey online.

All of those experiences are valid and all of them help paint a fuller picture of who I am and what I do.

So if you’ve ever thought to yourself, “Kayla’s been helpful” (or funny, or inspiring, or just nice to work with), and you’d like to support me, leaving a quick review would mean the world. It doesn’t have to be long it just helps me show the depth of my work and who I am to future clients, collaborators, and the community.

💌 Here’s the link to leave a review: https://g.page/r/CcPk9ZfCC_y3EBM/review

Thank you so much for supporting me, my dogs, and this little dream of mine. Every single word matters more than you know. ❤️🐾

07/22/2025

📸🐈‍⬛💌✨

Happy Birthday to the love of my life, my first fur baby, my ride-or-die, my Shadow.

I was 18, living in my first apartment, when my roommate brought home a tiny, fluffy black kitten… only to decide she didn’t want her less than an hour later. She knocked on my door, held up Shadow, and without hesitation, I said yes. Best decision of my entire life.

I didn’t even like cats at the time—I was 100% a dog person. But Shadow? She changed everything. She changed me. She saved me in ways I could never put into words.

She was there when I was trapped in an abusive relationship, curling up next to me as I cried, making me feel like I wasn’t alone. She was there when I found the courage to leave, when I packed our bags and ran to Colorado for a fresh start. She was there after every court battle, through every move, through every heartbreak and every moment of healing.

She inspired me to rescue Siren. She made me feel safe when I had nothing else. She stood by me through my lowest lows and accepted Austin with open paws when I was finally ready to trust again.

She is my muse. My best friend. My greatest adventure. My little cheese-loving, talkative, fearless girl.

Shadow, I wish I had forever with you. I wish we had endless days of being best buds, chasing sunsets, and exploring the world side by side. I hope you know just how deeply you are loved—because there is nothing in this universe that could ever compare to you.

Happy Birthday, my sweet, incredible girl. I love you endlessly. 💫🐾💜

06/21/2025

Alright, let’s just say the bar for “favorite hike of the year” has officially been raised. I thought I had seen some wild Colorado views, but today’s spot came out swinging. Imagine the type of place that makes you stop talking mid-sentence, double check that you’re still in Colorado, and then silently hope it never ends up in a hiking guidebook.

We had sun, we had leftover snow, wind that nearly stole Andy’s hat multiple times lmao, and a lake so clear the dogs couldn’t decide if it was for drinking, swimming. I don’t gatekeep much, but this spot? This one might just be sacred.

The pack made the most of every single minute sprinting, splashing, rolling, and occasionally channeling their inner mountain goats on the rocks. Getting here was a little “choose your own adventure,” but huge shoutout to Austin for off-roading us into paradise.

No photo I took even comes close to how good this place felt. If you ever catch me staring off into space this week, just know my head is still up there with the dogs.

If you’re seeing this, congrats you get a peek. But the location? Sorry, that stays in the vault.

🏔️🐾🌞💦❄️

06/18/2025

Let’s talk about pack theory, dominance, and leadership because I think we’ve thrown out the baby with the bathwater.

I get a lot of pushback for using the word “pack” to describe how I train dogs. Some people hear that and assume I’m clinging to outdated dominance theory. But here’s the thing: just because a concept has been misused doesn’t mean it has no value. Language evolves and so does science. It’s on us as professionals to stay curious, not dogmatic.

Yes, we now understand that wolves in the wild don’t operate in rigid alpha hierarchies. Yes, dogs aren’t wolves. But here’s what is true: dogs are social mammals who have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years. We didn’t domesticate them by force they chose to live among us. Why? For safety, comfort, and predictability. That’s not domination. That’s a relationship.

To me, a “pack” isn’t a dictatorship. It’s a family unit a fluid, responsive system where roles shift based on context. Sometimes, I take the lead. Other times, my dog reads the room better than I do. Leadership isn’t about control. It’s about communication, trust, and cooperation.

That’s the entire essence of how I train: we are a unit. A team. I’m not here to overpower the dog I’m here to guide, support, and understand them. I look at their individual strengths. I play to those. I bring structure where it’s needed, and freedom where it’s earned.

What frustrates me in the discourse is how quickly people shut down ideas without thinking critically. Yes, we should respect the science that came before us. But science isn’t a static archive. It’s a conversation. A process of refinement. Once upon a time, we thought the Earth was the center of the universe. Imagine if no one had challenged that.

I believe in using the word pack because I’ve done the research, lived the work, and seen the truth of it in how dogs connect with humans not as subordinates, but as collaborators in survival and thriving.

So yeah, I use the word pack. And I mean it with love, intention, and respect.

06/18/2025

Trail Report | Tuesday, June 17 | Meadow View Loop, O’Fallon Municipal Park

Today was the kind of Colorado morning that feels a little unreal chilly, the kind of thick clouds that make everything look extra green, and the sun peeking out just enough to light up the valley. Saturn, Bode, Bea, Ollie, and Lulu were my crew for Meadow View Loop, and we took full advantage of the cool weather.

We started off winding through shaded trails, picking our way over rocks and muddy patches. Wildflowers are everywhere right now, so I definitely stopped a few too many times for photos. There’s something about a quiet, gloomy trail that just hits different felt like we were on a little adventure in a fantasy novel.

The dogs loved it. We did a little off trail exploring, climbed up some boulders, and worked our way up a few hills you wouldn’t usually tackle on a hot day. Everyone handled the changes in terrain like pros no drama, just curious, steady movement.

Training-wise, I let Saturn off leash for a while and used her as the “test distraction” since she was zooming around doing her own thing. The rest of the pack got a solid leash skills workout and didn’t lose their heads when Saturn darted by. That’s the kind of real-world progress I look for dogs that can hold it together even when things get wild.

We wrapped up by the creek, and even though nobody felt like a full swim (that water was freezing), everyone checked it out. Bode and Bea took their grazing duties very seriously, snacking on grass and minding their own business. Ollie and Lulu chilled near the water, happy to just watch the world go by, and Saturn, as usual, could have kept running for hours.

These are the days I love. No rushing, no expectations, just dogs being dogs and getting to learn, play, and adventure in ways that make sense for them. This is what real training looks like for me messy, fun, and built for real life, not just a perfect “sit” in the backyard.

If you’re curious about what your dog could do on these trails, or want to talk about building practical skills and real-world confidence, let me know. I’m always happy to chat about dogs and what we do at Wolf Pack Planet.

Check out some photos from today below 👇🏾

06/15/2025

Some adventures just need their own spot on the feed, and any time I hit the trails with Kelly from Adventure Pups LLC is one of those. 🏔️✨

This was our third (maybe fourth?) collab hike together, and every time I think I know what to expect, Kelly finds a way to push me just a little further out of my comfort zone usually up a mountain, through something wild, or out on a trail I never would have tackled alone. And even though I might complain in the moment, I always end up loving it. That feeling after a big hike, when you know you just did something you wouldn’t have done by yourself? It sticks with you.

Last week’s adventure at Ring The Peak and Limber Pines was honestly one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done. Pike’s Peak views, blue skies, dogs splashing in the reservoir, and a solid crew of people and pups who just get it. I shared bits and pieces on my story but these adventures with Kelly deserve a permanent spot here.

Kelly, you’re such an incredible hiker and a real friend. You always show up excited for my business, you cheer me on, and you make me feel stronger every single time we get out there together. Having another small business owner in my corner, someone who genuinely gets it, means everything. Shout out to you and your Adventure Pups for bringing so much joy (and just a little chaos) into my world. Can’t wait for our next collab hike you already know you’re going to have me out of breath and laughing the whole way.

Here’s to more trails, more growth, and more friends who lift you up while you’re climbing. See you on the next adventure 🫶🏾😂

06/14/2025

Thursday June 12th was Kaya’s last adventure with the pack for a while and during drop off, as Jillian and I just sat there sobbing, she kept reminding me “this isn’t goodbye it’s see you later.” 🥹

Our story together started two years ago during one of the worst periods of my life. Everything I had built had just come crashing down earthquake level destruction. I was numb, heartbroken, and barely holding it together. And then this woman showed up, anxious about whether I’d want to take on her reactive husky. Not whether I could she never doubted my ability but whether I’d want to.

Kaya was loud. Explosive. Bossy. She bit me. Screamed. Tested me in ways I hadn’t experienced before. And still, I kept showing up. Slowly building trust. Working through the hard stuff. I remember the first day we walked together without a muzzle I cried. Just the two of us in an empty park because for the first time, I felt her genuinely trust me.

Kaya mirrored all the messy, complicated parts of me. I saw myself in her and I quickly fell so deeply in love with this beautifully dramatic, overly opinionated, sensitive husky who just needed someone to listen. To slow down. To stay.

If you ask ANY dog pro to describe their dream client, they’re describing Jillian. She’s loyal. Flexible. Communicative. Curious. Funny. Grounded. Kind. She trusts the process. She respects the work. She sees the growth not just in her dog, but in me too. And she never made me feel like I had to earn that trust by being perfect. She let me learn. She believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Jillian has became more than a client. She became someone I deeply admire. Someone I could laugh with, cry with, and feel completely understood by. Her growth as a dog owner, and as a person, has been incredible to witness. She and Kaya didn’t just help me build my career they helped me heal.

Jillian and Kaya are my family. Not by blood, but by choice, and love, and shared history. They will always be part of this pack, no matter how far they roam.

I love you both more than words can say. Thank you for believing in me and I’m so excited to see what’s next for you!

This isn’t goodbye.
It’s see you Later 🐺🤍

06/06/2025

Camp Wolf Pack Weekly Recap | June 3–6

Adventure season is in full swing and what a week it has been with Camp Wolf Pack. Every single day brought something new, more learning, more teamwork, and a pack that just keeps getting better.

All week, we explored Flying J Ranch with the full crew, hiking through sun, shade, and that perfect Colorado breeze. Our focus was on loose leash walking, pack heel work, pacing, and keeping the group moving smoothly together. Not easy with a big pack, but these dogs are really rising to the challenge.

Here are some of the highlights from our week:

🐾 We started June with a merit badge ceremony, handing out Paw Pioneer patches for May’s leash work. Congrats to Ollie, Lulu, Kaya, Saturn, Lisa, Bode, Bea, and Manchitas. There were lots of proud moments and happy faces.

🐕 Andy, the owner of Krag Dog Training, joined us every Friday this spring and has been helping with private sessions out on the trail. Andy’s dogs, Raven (a returning pack member) and Keena (her first official hike with us this week), brought great energy and fit right in with our crew.

🎓 Andy worked one-on-one with Bode and Bea this week, focusing on leash skills, introducing the figure 8 with a slip lead, and reinforcing basic cues. Both pups really showed off their progress during the big pack hikes.

🌟 Manchitas gets a special shoutout as our “most improved” this week. He was calm, respectful, and really settled in with the other dogs. Everyone noticed how far he has come.

💛 Charlie, my assistant who has been with us since December, had her last hike of the season before heading back to the east coast for summer break. We made sure to celebrate with our biggest hike of the year and some great memories.

🐶 Kenai, my overnight pup, joined us for all the pack hikes this week. She blended in perfectly and made new friends with every outing.

Each day brought its own wins. Dogs held their spots on the trail, checked in on their own, worked as a team, and showed off all the progress they have made since the start of adventure season. There is nothing better than seeing happy, tired pups at the end of a good hike.

Thank you for trusting me with your dogs and for being part of the Wolf Pack Planet family. I love sharing these updates, and I am so proud of every single pup in this group.

That wraps up our week at Flying J Ranch. Next week we start exploring a brand new trail and I cannot wait to see what this crew accomplishes next.

Stay tuned for more photos, updates, and summer adventures. This season is just getting started!

06/06/2025

Flying J Ranch Park with 🔟 dogs 🤯