We Specialize in Rescue Dog Rehabilitation

We Specialize in
Rescue Dog Rehabilitation

Helping rescue dogs and street dogs integrate with their new families.

Why is training for rescue dogs and street dogs so specific?

Most rescue dogs come with baggage that causes them to have some behavioural issues. It is common that these dogs need specific rescue dog rehabilitation.

Sometimes it can be difficult to know what your getting when you adopt a rescue. Oftentimes it takes at least 3-4 weeks before a dog will start to come out of their shell and show their true colours. This period is called the “decompression period”.

During this time, most dogs will not test the boundaries as readily, as they are just getting to know you and their new environment.

It is absolutely crucial to start working on your relationship and leadership / protector skills with them from day one.

Many new rescue dog adopters are shocked when their new rescue dog starts exhibiting new unwanted behaviours at the 3-4 week mark. (Some of the more fearful rescues can take longer than this since their decompression period is usually elongated). This is why it is absolutely crucial to start working on your relationship and leadership / protector skills with them from day one.

If you start your relationship off with them on the right foot, many of these behaviors may not even surface. If they do, it will be much easier for you to nip some of these unwanted behaviours in the bud.

The Science Behind Leadership In Dogs

Learn more about the science behind the importance of leadership with dogs.

Due to the common backgrounds of rescue dogs (shelter dogs and street dogs), there are common behavioural issues that tend to pop up when these dogs are integrating with their new families. Some of the common unwanted behaviours we see in rescue dogs include:

Leash reactivity or aggression
Reactivity due to prey drive
Nervousness and Fear
Destructive chewing
Fear of the ouside
Socialization problems with other pets in the home

People Reactive / Aggressive
Resource guarding (food, object or space possessiveness and / or aggression)
Separation anxiety
Over excitement / hyperactivity
Counter surfing or garbage picking
Barking / growling at visitors in the home

Having personally adopted and fostered my own rescues (before I became a dog trainer), I have experienced going through extreme difficulties with behavioural issues and feeling completely lost and hopeless. Because of my personal experiences, I not only have the knowledge, but the understanding of what it's like to be going through difficulties like these. This helps me provide new rescue dog parents with the help and compassion they need to succeed with their rescue dog rehabilitation.

Kristina Rapson

The Hairy Dogmother

Check Out More of Kristina's Personal Experiences...

Kristina is very knowledgeable and takes her time to get to the root of the dogs behavioural issues. My dog has become a lot less reactive to on walks since the two sessions we have had with her. Very much enjoyed the sessions and listening to the philosophies of how she approaches dog behaviourial issues. Very helpful in helping me understand my dog better too.

Aimee Yoo
Kristina is super knowledgeable and has helped our Benny immensely! He's amazing and so sweet but was initially very reactive to dogs and humans alike. Kristina takes the time to work with you to establish a better relationship with your dog, and gives you homework so that you have things to work on independently between sessions! Benny no longer pulls on walks and is so calm around other pups. Thanks Kristina!!

VANRIP
After just one session I noticed a huge improvement in Lima and her reactivity and behavioural issues. Kristina provides detailed feedback after each session and helpful tips tailored to your dog’s needs. Without Kristina’s observation and guidance I would not have been able to identity all the things that could be causing the behavioural issues. Super happy with the sessions. Would definitely recommend!

Sandra Santi-Espi
I was so grateful when I received a referral to Kristina after we adopted our sweet pup from Redemption Paws. It has been so wonderful to work with Kristina throughout our pups training journey. Kristina is clear in her communication and instructions. Everything was always explained clearly which helped me to understand my dogs behaviors. After each session Kristina would send a summary and homework for us to practice. It really helped me to be able to reference back to these emails throughout the training process. I've contacted Kristina anytime a new concern or behavior comes up, and each time she has supported me to quickly address it. I feel empowered and prepared to deal with any challenge that may arise in the future with my pup. Thank you Kristina, you have helped me to become a confident dog owner! If you have found Kristina don't hesitate to book- I know you will also feel grateful you found her!

Courtney Nunn
I have a super reactive dog that has so greatly improved through working with Kristina! Now we are able to pass other dogs where she does not react (except for the very few times, but we’re still working on those lol). So happy to have found Kristina to help me and the family have a much more happy and fulfilling life with our love Muffy ????

Said Saffarini
Kristina has been a constant resource in my now two-year old puppy's life - both my pup and I love working with her. She's patient, kind, and always willing to go beyond your session to offer advice or help. I've enjoyed working with her and will continue to use her help whenever there is something that needs adjusting. Thank you Kristina from all of us!! 🙂

Corine Hiebert
Our rescue stray dog had a lot of behavioral issues when we first started training with Kristina, but after just one class, we already noticed an improvement. She provided us with practical tips and techniques that were easy to follow and made a big difference in our dog's behavior. Kristina often checked in on us to see how things were going and offered additional guidance and support whenever we needed it (and we needed quite a lot of it!). The homework assignments she provided were also very helpful in reinforcing the training we received in class.

Ina Z.
Kristina is knowledgable and a hands-on trainer. She was attuned with my dog and created a very safe and supportive environment that promotes learning. I highly recommend her.

Christine Kim
We got a rescue dog a little while back and we were having some minor behavioural issues with him and he seemed to have no training as well. Kristina was very professional and patient with not only our dog Willi but also with us, she helped us notice behaviours and explained why he had them and set up an easy to follow training routine for him. Willi has come a long way in the short time we had him. I will continue to use Kristina’s services and I and Willi think she’s great.

Sabrina Romero
Kristina is a wealth of knowledge, her experience with dog psychology (especially rescue dog) is immense and she provides a lot of detailed homework between sessions to keep everyone on track and get the most from your sessions. Highly reccomend!

Kendra Nicholson