FirstBark
Working with Karissa has been one of the best investments I've made for both myself and my Malinois pup. Anyone who owns a high-drive working dog knows that it's more than a hobby, it's practically a second job. These dogs need an outlet, purpose, and consistent engagement to tru…Read full reviewClose full review
Working with Karissa has been one of the best investments I've made for both myself and my Malinois pup. Anyone who owns a high-drive working dog knows that it's more than a hobby, it's practically a second job. These dogs need an outlet, purpose, and consistent engagement to truly thrive, and Karissa understands that better than any trainer I've worked with. I've worked with several trainers over the years, but Karissa's approach was a game changer. She didn't just teach my dog; she taught me how to become a better handler. Whether we were using tug play to build engagement and channel drive, improving impulse control, or refining our heeling and focus work, every exercise had a clear purpose and directly supported our goals. Her ability to break down concepts, tailor training to the individual dog, and bring out the best in both dog and handler is truly impressive. Every session left me feeling more confident about my approach with my girl. One of the biggest things she helped me learn was how to safely fulfill my dog's needs while also keeping myself safe. High-drive dogs can be incredibly powerful, intense, and demanding, and it's easy to accidentally create situations where either the handler or the dog can become frustrated, overwhelmed, or even injured. Karissa showed me how to appropriately channel my pup's drive through structured training, tug work, engagement exercises, and clear communication so my dog could get the physical and mental fulfillment she needs without creating unnecessary risk. Her guidance helped me build confidence in handling a powerful working dog while avoiding mistakes that could lead to injury for either of us. As someone involved in competitive dog sports, I especially appreciate her ability to adapt training strategies when aversive tools aren't an option. She is incredibly knowledgeable about building reliability, engagement, and performance using techniques that align with competition requirements without sacrificing results. Her creativity and problem-solving skills allow her to develop solutions that fit the individual dog and handler rather than forcing them into a predetermined training method. If you're looking for someone who truly understands high-drive working dogs and can help you safely channel that drive into a productive, rewarding partnership, I wholeheartedly recommend Karissa.