Working with a lot of rescue dogs, I currently do the training for the dogs with behavioural problems in foster care from Save Our Scruff . I also offer webinars to help train their fosters to set their foster dogs up for success. Trainer for foster and adopted dogs at Chenny’s Happy Tails – 12/2023 – present Trainer for fosters at Save Our Scruff – 03/2021 – Present Trainer for foster dogs at New Collar Collective – 06/2020 – Present Trainer for foster dogs at Redemption Paws – 11/2018 – 07/2020 Animal Care Attendant at Dharamsala Animal Rescue , Dharamsala, India – 2012 Shelter Dog Walker at SOS Animal Shelter , Gex, France – 2008

About Kristina – Hairy Tales Training

Kristina is proud to be serving the GTA as

One Of Toronto's Top Dog Trainers

A Little Bit About Me...

Hi! It’s so great to meet you! I am a professional dog trainer with the IACP as well as a certified dog trainer with the National K-9 Dog Trainers Association. I am a certified Person-Centered Dog Trainer with over 100 five star reviews on Google and have been listed as Toronto’s top 5 dog trainers on 5 different lists!

My approach to training is holistic and relationship based. This means is that I take a look at the entire picture (both you and your dogs history) as well as your current way of interacting together. This is how I can see what might be causing your dog to act the way they do. This helps me give you the skills you need to start to help improve your relationship with your dog. Improving your relationship with your dog is the first most important step to helping them be the best dog they can be.

My goal through training is to help as many dogs as I can live a balanced and tranquil life, full of love, and happiness. I believe that with the right methods, any dog can be rehabilitated. No dog is too emotionally damaged to make loyal and loving family members.

Kristina Takes a Holistic & Relationship Based Approach To Dog Training -------

Learn more about Kristina's Dog Training Philosophy, Certifications and Experience.

Kristina's Dog Training Philosophy

I believe that there is a difference between dog training and “doggie manners”, but both are required for a happy and balanced dog. Urban dogs live in a human world, therefore, they need to understand how to socialize appropriately in this human environment. Raising a happy and well mannered dog involves teaching them what is, and is not appropriate behavior in our world.

It’s important to understand that in order for dog training to work, it is a group effort between you and I in order for training to be successful. You can find out more about Kristina’s training philosophy here.

Completed Courses & Exams

I believe that dog training is a never ending journey of learning. The best dog trainers out there are always trying to be better and learn more (any dog trainer who is not doing continuing education regularly should be questioned, as NO ONE knows everything and can always learn more and continue to improve). This is why I continue to stay up to date with my knowledge and am constantly continuing to learn and increase my knowledge and skills to be able to help you and your dog better. Below are the courses, certificates and exams I have completed:

Jay Jack – Play Is The Way
Jaclyn Dagampat – Virtual NePoPo® Course
Chad Mackin – Advanced Socialization Solutions for Difficult Dogs
Robert Cabral – The Hard Truth About Successful Dog Training
Victoria Warfel – Puppy Development: How to grow the ultimate service dog
Robin MacFarlane – May the Force be With you: A Jedi’s path to creating cohesion in the face of conflict
Steven R. Lindsay – Cynopraxis / Principles of LIMA Certification – CYNX-L Certified
Jay Jack, Larry Krohn & Joel Silverman – Dog Training Workshop
Dogs Playing For Life – Playgroups Part 1 & 2
Dogs Playing For Life – Fancy Footwork: Practical Handling and Training Solutions for the Entire Shelter
Pat Stuart – Pressure: Before, During and After
Steven Lindsay – Avoidance Training Is Unavoidable – Why it is needed and how it works
Jas Whiting – Being Consistently Inconsistent: The Why, When & How
Robert Cabral – Canine Behaviour: Understanding and Modification
Janet Dooley Edwards – Enhancing Your Training Capabilities
Valerie Ann Erwin – Creating and Training: Good Judgement and Civil Disobedience in Service Dogs
Tobias Gustavsson – Detection Training: From the first exercise to the final response
Nino Drowaert – Puppy University
Aimee Sadler – Making a Difference: Creating mutually beneficial relationships with shelters

Handlers & Humans – Certified Person Centered Dog Train er
IACP – Herm Sprenger Prong Collar Knowledge Assessed
TBTE – Level 1
Tyler Muto – Consider The Dog – Mastering The Remote Collar
National K-9 – Professional Obedience and Behaviour
Pet Tech – Pet First Aid and CPR
Anindita Bhadra, PhD – Behavior Of Free Ranging Dogs In In di a
Dr. Ian Dunbar – SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy
Dr. Ian Dunbar – Growl Class – A Workshop Demo for Reactive Dogs
Dr. Ian Dunbar – Treatment & Prevention of Dog Aggression: Biting & Fighting
Deena Speaks Dog – Agility Level 1
Dog Guru – Dog Daycare Specialty & Practical 201D
North York Obedience Club – Levels 1 & 2
Puppy People – Puppy Manners and Socialization

Hands On Experience

Working with a lot of rescue dogs, I currently do the training for the dogs with behavioural problems in foster care from Save Our Scruff. I also offer webinars to help train their fosters to set their foster dogs up for success.

Trainer for foster and adopted dogs at Chenny’s Happy Tails – 12/2023 – present
Trainer for fosters at Save Our Scruff – 03/2021 – Present
Trainer for foster dogs at New Collar Collective – 06/2020 – Present
Trainer for foster dogs at Redemption Paws – 11/2018 – 07/2020
Animal Care Attendant at Dharamsala Animal Rescue, Dharamsala, India – 2012
Shelter Dog Walker at SOS Animal Shelter, Gex, France – 2008

How Did Kristina Come to Be a Dog Trainer?

When I was a little girl, I loved dogs more than anything else in the world. I didn’t have the blessing of growing up with a dog, but I managed to successfully convince my parents to get me one.

On my 12th birthday, Tuffy, a miniature poodle puppy, was the greatest gift I have ever received. Unfortunately, this little dog came with a host of health and behavioral issues. After the first year, his behavioural issues became so unmanageable, that my parents were going to give him away.

I was determined to help my little dog get better, so I asked my parents to enroll Tuffy and I in obedience classes. At the age of 13, I started working with a handful of different trainers to help with Tuffy’s behavioural issues. This was during a time when there were no real “dog behaviourists”, and only regular obedience classes.

Thankfully, with a lot of determination and work, Tuffy got better, both mentally and physically. He lived out his remaining days of old age with my family and I.

My 1st official job with animals was in high school, when I did a co-op placement at a pet shop. I have been working in the pet industry ever since.

While Living Abroad

In France, I volunteered as a dog walker at SOS Animal Shelter. There, I learnt to deal with a lot of difficult dogs, and trained many of them how to behave on and off leash. This was helpful in getting them adopted.

In 2012, I moved to India for 4 months to dedicate my time to help the street dogs at Dharamsala Animal Rescue. Emotionally, it was a very difficult trip, but I learnt so much about how dogs interact in an undomesticated environment. The insight on dog behavior, communication, and body language I received during this time was groundbreaking to my understanding of dogs.

It was during this trip that I unexpectedly came back to Canada with a very traumatized street pup I named Batuk.

Batuk

Batuk’s past is one that has left him with chronic C-PTSD (canine post traumatic stress disorder). This brought me some tough challenges with regards to his rehabilitation. Batuk has also taught me so much on helping traumatized and damaged dogs live happily ever after. You can read more about Batuk’s story here.