Kari Solberg - Canine Behavior & Consulting

04/24/2025

There’s a kind of knowing that lives in our bones.
Not the loud, logical kind—
but the quiet truth that hums beneath the surface.
That gut feeling. That instinct. That inner yes or no.

Dogs don’t second-guess it.
They don’t perform. They don’t pretend.
They just are.

And if we let them,
they’ll remind us how to do the same.

Episode 8 of Life Lessons from Dog is about authenticity—
how our dogs model it effortlessly,
and what it looks like to trust our gut and show up as we really are.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts
🔗 Or tap the link here: https://pod.link/1792032288

🐾 Episode 8: On Trusting Your Gut

—

Save this one if you’ve ever needed a reminder:
You don’t have to perform to belong.
You just have to be real.

04/23/2025

Obedience isn’t about control, it’s about communication.

My Obedience Foundations course is designed for dogs who are ready to build on the basics or who need a refresher with more structure and focus. Whether you're starting fresh or getting back on track, this class gives you the tools to create a responsive, confident companion.

We cover:
✔️ Core positions (sit, down, stand, heel, front, target)
✔️ Movement-based skills (heeling, finishes, transitions)
✔️ Engagement and attention-building
✔️ Proofing exercises to help your dog perform in real life
✔️ Clear marker systems and timing to support learning

🐾 This is a 4-week course in a small group setting with hands-on guidance throughout.

📍 Location: South Broadway Christian Church
📅 Start Date: Tuesday, May 6th
⏰ Time: 5pm
🎓 Ideal for dogs 5 months and older

📌 Space is limited—grab your spot before it fills.
👉 Link to register is in the comments!👉🏼

04/22/2025

Not all treats are created equal—and neither are training sessions. 🍗➡️🐶

If you’re asking your dog to focus in a distracting environment, respond to a tough cue, or overcome a fear… dry kibble probably won’t cut it.

🧠 Use the good stuff when it matters:
✔️ New skills
✔️ Big breakthroughs
✔️ High-stress or high-distraction settings

Training is communication. And good pay = good performance.

🐾 What’s your dog’s favorite high-value treat?

04/22/2025

Behind the scenes of life with Malamutes... 🧼🐺
People see the polished obedience, the beautiful hikes, the structured classes—but this? This is the real work.

Grooming my Malamutes is a multi-day affair. And yes, it's as intense as it looks.
But there's something kind of meditative about it too—like brushing away the week while reconnecting with these floofy, dramatic, wonderful creatures who always have something to say.

It’s not always training sessions and structured plans. Sometimes it’s brushing, drying, detangling, and woo-woo-wooing through it all.

📹 CapCut made it cute, but my arms say otherwise. 😆💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪💪🏼

04/21/2025

Listening to your dog doesn’t always mean giving them what they want.
Sometimes it just means slowing down, observing, and understanding what they need.
⠀
Whether it’s a bark, a sigh, a shift in body language, or the way they look at you—
there’s always something being communicated.
⠀
If you’ve been feeling a disconnect, start here: pause, breathe, and listen.
⠀
🐾 What’s something your dog is trying to tell you lately?

04/19/2025

🐶 Puppy Parents—This One’s for You!
New Puppy Foundations class kicks off May 6th in Denver!

This 4-week course is designed to set your puppy up for a lifetime of success—because the habits they build now really do shape everything later.

We’ll cover:
✔️ Confidence-building through positive, food-based training
✔️ Core skills like engagement, free shaping, food lures, and more
✔️ Socialization strategies that actually work
✔️ How to navigate the wild ride of puppyhood with clarity and calm

Whether you’re a first-time puppy owner or just want to do it differently this time, this class gives you the tools (and support) you need.

📍Location: South Broadway Christian Church
📅 Starts: Tuesday, May 6th
⏰ Time: 6pm
🐾 Small group setting with hands-on guidance

👉🏼 Link to register is in the comments!
Space is limited—grab your spot before it fills!

04/16/2025

🚨Beginning Tuesday May 6th🚨

Group Class options in the heart of DENVER!

👃12pm Nosework Foundations - Trained Final Response method of nosework geared towards trialing. 4 weeks

🐕2pm Conformation Drop-In - Get in gear for the season to be in full swing in June!

🐕‍🦺🚶‍♀️4pm Languages of the Leash - Perfect for dogs struggling with leash manners and any other adolescent-type behaviors around the home. 4 weeks

🦺5pm Obedience Foundations - Defining Obedience positions (sit, down, stand, front, heel-in-motion, target, and finishes) and instilling Say it Once, Make it Happen. Geared towards sport, but great for pet obedience as well. 4 weeks

🐾6pm Puppy Foundations - The ultimate puppy class focused on socialization, engagement, food lures, free shaping, and everything puppy. Graduate with a Trick Dog Novice title! 4 weeks

4 week classes limited to 6 dogs, $200
Drop-In classes limited to 12 dogs, $20
Private Lessons Available (DM to request)

✏️Registration open NOW and the link is in the comments!

04/12/2025

MYTH: You’re either a “positive-only” trainer… or a harsh one.

TRUTH: Training isn’t binary.

Somewhere between cookies-only and compulsion lies a messy, honest middle ground:
👉 where clarity and compassion live
👉 where boundaries don’t cancel out connection
👉 where your dog can be held accountable and deeply understood

That’s the space I work in.
And it’s not always clean or comfortable.

Sometimes the dog doesn’t listen.
Sometimes the human is exhausted.
Sometimes we cry and then laugh 20 minutes later.

Balanced training isn’t about obedience at all costs.
It’s about teaching your dog how to live in the world—and teaching you how to guide them through it.

It’s not about forcing a dog to comply.
And it’s not about ignoring behaviors and hoping they disappear.

It’s about leadership that’s rooted in love.
It’s about showing up as someone your dog wants to follow.

It’s both.
It’s always been both.

04/09/2025

A year ago, this moment felt impossible.

When I first met Sammi, she was a whirlwind of Gordon Setter energy—sweet, loving, and a lot.

Her exuberance was too much for the other dog in the home. Cohabiting wasn’t just tense… it was exhausting.

We started with a home visit. No quick fixes, no pressure—just an honest look at the dynamic, and a plan to help Sammi learn how to share space peacefully.

It wasn’t about shutting her down. It was about teaching her how to be in the world—and with him.

A year later… this.
Two dogs, curled up on the same couch.
A home that feels calm.
A relationship that was once strained, now grounded in trust.

This is why I do what I do. Because sometimes, the most meaningful progress doesn’t look like obedience—it looks like peace.

04/09/2025

04/09/2025

Training Tip Tuesday 🐾

Don’t start with distractions.
Start with clarity.

One of the biggest mistakes I see?
People expect their dog to listen in chaos… before they’ve taught them how to listen in calm.

Whether you’re using an e-collar or not, the process is the same:
→ Create structure
→ Build communication
→ Then layer in real-world challenge

This is how we move from “my dog knows it at home” to “my dog listens anywhere.”

And that’s what real freedom looks like.

Curious how this plays out in our training programs?
Let’s talk about what’s possible for you and your dog.

04/08/2025

Motivational Monday ✨

Off-leash freedom isn’t just about distance—it’s about trust.

Trust that your dog will listen…
Trust that you can lead…
Trust that you're growing together, even when the road feels messy.

Here’s the thing most people miss:
True freedom starts with intention.

That’s why I don’t believe in sending dogs away for weeks and hoping something sticks.
I believe in showing up—with clarity, with presence, and with purpose.

Because your dog isn’t just learning commands.
They’re learning you.

03/27/2025

We’re already on the cusp of a new month (can’t believe it!) That means new drop-in options ready to register for!
4pm Rally Drop-In
5pm Rally Drop-In
7pm Conformation Drop-In

Plenty of space in all of them through the month of April, be sure to secure your spot before they go! Register here:

Set your puppy up for a lifetime of success with this four-week course designed to build confidence and strengthen your bond using positive, food-based training methods. Through fun and rewarding exercises, you’ll teach your puppy essential skills while fostering trust and focus. This class is per...

03/20/2025

Did you catch the new Life Lessons from Dog episode yet?

Podcast Episode · Life Lessons from Dog · 03/20/2025 · 12m

03/15/2025

Let’s talk about something we all deal with but rarely handle well: conflict.

If you’ve ever watched dogs interact, you know they don’t avoid confrontation. They handle it directly—without resentment, passive aggression, or endless overthinking. They set boundaries, express discomfort, and move on. Meanwhile, we humans? We stress, we replay arguments in our heads, we avoid difficult conversations until they explode.

This week on Life Lessons from Dog, I’m digging into what dogs can teach us about facing conflict with confidence. No, I’m not saying you should growl at your neighbor when they steal your parking spot—but I am saying that maybe, just maybe, we can take a page from our dogs’ book and learn to address things head-on.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧👇

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-lessons-from-dog/id1792032288?i=1000698061494

Let me know—do you handle conflict like a dog, or do you avoid it like a cat sneaking under the bed? 🐶😅 Drop a comment! ⬇️

Join Kari Solberg, a dedicated dog trainer with over 12 years of experience and a deep passion for the life lessons our dogs can teach us. Each episode dives into Kari's journey--from fostering rescue dogs to owning a boarding, training, and daycare facility--and explores the profound connections be...

03/12/2025

Puppy Class Starts TOMORROW! 🐾✨

If you’ve got a puppy and want to build a solid foundation of engagement, relationship, and training—all while having fun—this class is for you. We focus on food-based training methods that set your pup up for success in real-life skills and tricks. Because let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a puppy that can show off?

Graduates of this class will qualify for their Trick Dog Novice Title—which means your pup gets official recognition for their skills (and you get bragging rights).

Class starts tomorrow, so if you’ve been thinking about it, now’s the time! Register here: https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/kari-solberg-canine or drop a comment or DM me to snag a spot. Let’s train some puppies! 🐶🎉

03/10/2025

Wednesday class updates! NEW Puppy class starts this week 3/12 !

We’ve added a 4pm rally class to accommodate everyone that wants to attend. If you can make the 4pm class, consider choosing that option first for those that can only make a 5pm option. If you’re able to switch but already registered for upcoming 5pm, let me know and I’ll adjust it for you!

Register Here: https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/kari-solberg-canine

Questions?? Leave them in the comments!