Pure Canine Training

07/19/2025

Your Dog’s Not the One Who Needs Fixing

Your dog isn’t a bad dog.
Your dog is a predator trying to survive in a human world.

We get upset when they jump, bite, chase, bark.
We say, “he knows better.”
But why would he know better—if you’ve never clearly shown him what to do instead?

Just because we’ve domesticated dogs doesn’t mean their instincts go away.
They’re still wired to protect, to chase, to react.
In nature, those responses either make sense or they’re unnecessary.

But in our world, those same behaviors get labeled “bad.”

This doesn’t mean we excuse the behavior.
A bite is still a bite. A reaction still needs to be addressed.
But blaming the dog won’t fix it.

You can’t expect a dog to navigate our human rules if no one ever taught them what those rules are—in a way they understand.

Dogs don’t speak English.
They don’t reason like humans.
They respond to patterns. Energy. Tone. Clarity.

If we’re going to bring dogs into our homes…
If we’re going to ask them to live beside us, our kids, our guests—and integrate into our lifestyle—

Then we have a responsibility.
An obligation to understand what they are, respect their boundaries, and to show them how to live in this world without losing who they are.

That doesn’t happen through control.
It happens through calm, consistent partnership. Through connection. Through clarity.

You can’t just command your way to understanding.
You have to reach the dog.
You have to build it—with your dog.

And if you’re ready to do that—I can help.
🐾 purecaninetraining.com

—

My mentor, Nelson Hodges, and the Canine-Human Relationship Institute have deeply shaped how I view and connect with dogs.
If you truly want to understand dogs on a deeper level—and we all really need to—I highly recommend CHRI’s Course 1: Chrinsititute.com

07/17/2025

Maverick wasn’t a fan of leash tension.

Which is really common in puppies. The second he felt even a little bit of it, he threw a fit.

So we had to back up. Slow down. Take smaller steps.

We gave him proper introductions to different tools — harnesses, flat collars, martingales. He wasn’t a fan of the slip lead (not uncommon), but his owner stayed consistent and kept working through it all.

And honestly? Maverick did great on everything else. He picked up sit, down, and place super fast. He loved his crate.

The one area we had to be patient with was leash tension. So we started with dragging the leash during play, slowly built up his tolerance, and by the end he was much more comfortable in a martingale.

One thing that stood out? His owner.

He was really attuned to what Maverick needed. Most of the time, I recommend traditional wire crates for structure — but Maverick responded better to a travel crate. And his owner picked up on that. He followed his dog’s lead and made the right call.

That’s what it’s about.

Leadership, yes — but also listening.

Training only works when the human is willing to learn too. And this team? They’re off to a great start.

07/16/2025

07/15/2025

🎉 Big congratulations to Cielo for completing her Confident Canine Program! 🐾

When I first met this sweet girl, her family had just welcomed a new baby—and they were understandably nervous. Cielo had shown some guarding tendencies and wasn’t quite sure how to handle the big changes in the home.

We focused on structure, communication, and clear boundaries to help her feel more secure—and now, just a few months later, she’s doing beautifully.

💛 She adores the baby.
💛 The baby adores her.
💛 And the whole family is thriving with calm, respectful interactions and a much deeper understanding of what Cielo needs to feel safe.

This is what relationship-based training is all about: not just control, but trust—developed through structured, intentional work that honors the dog’s needs and the family’s goals.

Way to go, Cielo. You’ve come a long way. 🎓🐶

—
📍Private, relationship-based dog training in West Covina & surrounding cities
🗓️ Booking consultations for August – message me or visit the link in bio

07/11/2025

to baby Bruce 🐾
I met this little bulldog back in 2019, and from the moment he popped around the car during our consult, I knew he was going to be a character. 😄

Bruce was adorable—and also had the stamina of a sleepy potato. We quickly realized traditional hour-long sessions weren’t the right fit. So instead of four full-length lessons, we split things into shorter, more manageable sessions that worked better for him.

Training isn’t one-size-fits-all. Bruce reminded me that some dogs need a little more flexibility—and that’s completely okay. 💛

He may have taken things at his own pace, but he learned, he grew, and he made all of us smile. Still one of the best little personalities I’ve had the joy of working with.

Pretty sure is still charming the internet these days… some dogs are just unforgettable. 🐶✨

07/09/2025

Some of the best walks aren’t perfect — they’re connected.

Maybe the leash isn’t perfectly loose the whole time.
Maybe the dog checks in, then gets distracted, then checks in again.

But what matters most is how we show up.
Calm. Clear. Consistent.

Leadership isn’t about micromanaging — it’s about offering direction your dog can trust.

Just a little reminder for anyone in the thick of it right now. It doesn’t have to be flashy. It just has to be real.

If you’re working on this too, I see you. Keep going. 💪🏻

07/08/2025

Something has shifted—
not because the dog is suddenly perfect, but because her human is finally learning to understand her.

She’s calmer.
More confident.
More connected.

And Mika is responding.

We’re not rushing this.
We’re building a foundation.
Real change takes time—but it lasts.

And once the relationship starts to repair,
everything else begins to follow.

And that’s where the real change begins.

07/05/2025

This work is more than dog training.

Sometimes I forget just how much this work holds.

It starts with leash manners or barking or jumping…
But somewhere along the way, I get to witness people’s lives change.

I see couples welcome babies. I see healing happen — in the dog, in the human, sometimes both.
I’ve seen people fall in love, grieve, move, start over…

And somehow, I’m there — because of a dog.

This work is about more than obedience.
It’s about presence. Partnership. The quiet moments that hold meaning.

I’m honored to walk alongside every dog and human who invites me into their story.

07/04/2025

This photo was taken at the San Dimas Heroes Memorial—a place that honors those who served. 🇺🇸

As we celebrate today, may we all remember the value of quiet leadership, calm presence, and the relationships that keep us anchored.

Dogs remind us daily what loyalty, trust, and connection look like. Let’s return the favor tonight.

Wishing you and your pup a safe, calm, and connected 4th of July. 💚🐾

07/03/2025

🎆 Fireworks Tip You Don’t Hear Enough: Don’t Comfort Your Dog.

I know it’s tempting. The loud boom hits, and your dog runs to you wide-eyed — and our instinct is to scoop them up, baby-talk them, pet them, reassure them.

But here’s the thing: dogs learn through example, not our words. When we “comfort” a fearful dog with softness and attention, we’re often reinforcing the exact mindset we want to shift.
You’re unintentionally saying: “Yes, you’re right to be scared.”

Instead, show them there’s nothing to worry about — by example. Stay calm. Stay neutral. Don’t coddle or feed into the fear. Provide structure, direction, and a quiet space. If they need the crate, use it — not as punishment, but as a safe den.

Dogs don’t need pity. They need our confidence.

– Stephanie @ Pure Canine Training
Certified Relationship-Based Trainer | West Covina

07/03/2025

✨

Otis was one of those puppies you never forget—driven, sensitive, and full of potential. We laid the foundation together in his early stages and built a relationship based on communication, guidance, and a whole lot of sniffing. 🐾

He and his family have since relocated, but I still love peeking in on their updates and seeing how far he’s come.

Puppy training isn’t about perfection—it’s about giving them the tools to grow into balanced adults. Grateful I got to be part of his early journey. 💚