Bringing home a new dog is such an exciting milestone—but it can also feel overwhelming for them. That’s where the 3-3-3 Rule comes in: the first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months give you a simple framework for what your pup might be going through as they settle in. From those first uncertain days, to building routines, to finally feeling safe and bonded, it’s all part of the journey. With patience, structure, and compassion, you’ll be laying the foundation for a lifelong connection.

Raising Enzo: A Second Chance Done Differently
Bringing Enzo home wasn’t just about adding a new pup to the pack—it was a chance to begin again, with clarity and intention shaped by past experience. After the emotional challenges of raising Beau, I knew this time had to be different. With Enzo, I’m focused on building emotional stability before obedience, teaching neutrality instead of overexcitement, and using structure—not control—to raise a well-rounded dog. From purposeful crate time and enrichment-based feeding to slow, thoughtful socialization, every step is intentional. This isn’t just training—it’s relationship-building, designed to create a calm, confident dog who thrives in the real world.

Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is knowing when to pause.
The past year has brought deep loss, honest lessons, and more than a few moments of burnout. From saying goodbye to my firecracker Pip, to making the painful but right decision to rehome Beau, I’ve had to face my limits as a handler and as a human. I’ve learned—through experience, reflection, and failure—that loving dogs isn’t always enough. Genetics matter. Structure matters. And space to breathe matters, too.

This season, I’m choosing to slow down. To step back from formal rescue work, refocus on my pack, and return to the parts of this journey that truly ground me. I’m still here, still learning, and still committed to making the dog world better—just with a little more balance, intention, and heart.

My journey as a trainer began not in a classroom, but on the floor next to a kennel—comforting a dog who needed more than just commands. She needed understanding. Over the years, I’ve lived the reality of raising medically complex, behaviorally challenging dogs. I’ve learned how to adapt training to meet real-life struggles, not just ideal scenarios. My "why" has always been dogs—but more than that, it’s about helping people feel supported when things get hard. I’m here to pass on what I’ve learned, to be the support I once needed, and to help both dogs and their people build lives rooted in resilience, trust, and lasting connection.