Training with Karen

Karen was such a find! Treated my dog like her own and kept me updated all along the way with pictures, videos. This is not your typical board and train. It felt tailored, personalized and structured to the dog. Karen has given me excellent guidance and my dog knows all his basic commands through her puppy foundations training. We’re looking forward to having Karen have our dog back for boards—he truly loves her! Excellent!

Karen’s Puppy Foundations program completely transformed our lives with our Great Dane puppy Lakota! Before starting Puppy Foundations with Karen, Lakota was a sweet baby who had no idea how to self-regulate. She’s still very much a baby, but now she understands so many commands, has real impulse control, and can calm herself down, something that’s made her integration into our lives so much smoother. That growth is entirely thanks to Karen’s guidance. One thing Karen emphasizes from the start is that training isn’t just about the dog it’s about the owners learning how to lead with structure, clear communication, and purpose. She’s the kind of trainer who explains the “why”, which makes every lesson stick. Throughout the program, she taught both us and Lakota valuable skills we now use every single day. The biggest one has been confidence building. Helping Lakota try new experiences, letting her figure things out, and always encouraging calm curiosity instead of chaos. Simple outings like car rides or trips to Petco are now opportunities for real world training. We use practical commands like sit and come to help her stay engaged instead of getting overly excited or distracted. I appreciated most how Karen’s puppy program is so hands on. She leads with clear examples, gives thoughtful critiques when needed, and genuinely wants you to succeed. I can’t emphasize enough the level of care she brings. It is rare and extremely hard to find that in people nowadays. From day one, she sets you and your dog up with practical, everyday skills from leash skills and learning good household manners to understanding how to balance positive but balanced training so you can raise a dog that is calm, centered, and still fully themselves. Before working with Karen, my communication with Lakota honestly wasn’t great. Learning how to communicate positively and clearly transformed everything. It boosted my confidence, Lakota’s confidence, and lowered the overall stress of raising a puppy. She helped us understand not just what to do, but why it matters, and how dogs develop from puppyhood into adulthood. Her knowledge of breeds, stages, and behaviors runs deep, and she’s completely honest about what to expect along the way. Whether you’re dealing with puppy challenges or issues with an adult dog, I would recommend Karen to anyone. She truly is incredible and she’s local Sussex County Delaware which was amazing for us! Karen will absolutely set you on the right path so long as you’re willing to put in the work and stay consistent she’s there for you 100%, and she makes sure you reach your goals. I was sad that our program ended but we will for sure be using her again come spring time to further our development and learning! Thank you so much Karen!

Karen, the trainer we hired after looking at many options for Annabel, was absolutely AMAZING! Her attention to detail, consistency with communication with us as she was training our Chihuahua, Annabel, and the end result when she returned her home was an undeniable difference in how Annabel was when she left us and when was returned to us! Annabel is so confident, socializes with other dogs and people now without fear, listens to and obeys commands, she isn’t fearful anymore and she is like a new dog! 🐕 we are so greatful and thankful for Karen! If you need training for your fur baby, Karen will not disappoint and she is absolutely fantastic with the animals! We are ever so greatful for her! Thank you Karen! Your AMAZING! 🤩

Training with Karen did so much for my pup and for me! I have a 3 year old rescued pittie mix, and Karen taught me how to effectively give commands while also showing my dog that I’ll keep her safe and she can trust me. Every lesson gave me such insight into my communication with my pup, and there were step by step practice techniques to keep progressing the training between lessons. Karen was professional, with excellent communication and helpful follow up. She had easy to understand suggestions for how to use the leash, treats, and even the collar to help further my relationship with my pup. I feel like I understand my dog better now, and have the tools to keep growing with her. Thank you, Karen!