Helping dogs who feel overwhelmed by other dogs & people,
public environments, and everyday walks.
Dog Reactivity & Social Interaction Specialist
If your dog struggles in these situations, you’re in the right place:
• dog reactive to other dogs
• barking or lunging on leash
• stress during walks
• difficulty passing dogs on busy sidewalks or trails
• dogs that feel overwhelmed in busy environments
• new rescue dogs adjusting to home and city life
• reactivity to guests or strangers
BEHAVIOURS I HELP WITH
Most trainers teach dogs commands. I teach people to understand their dogs.
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Understanding your dog changes everything.
Calm behaviour is not something you train. It develops when a dog feels safe,
understood, and able to navigate their social and physical environment.
HOW I WORK
Many behaviour challenges appear when dogs feel overwhelmed by social or environmental pressure.
Rather than focusing on stopping behaviours like barking or lunging, I focus on understanding what the dog is experiencing and how to reduce that pressure before stress escalates.
When dogs feel safer and understood, calm behaviour develops naturally.
Changes underway, please be patient
ABOUT KASIA
Certified Ethical Dog Trainer| Dog Behaviour & Calming Signals Specialist
Focused on dog reactivity, social interactions, body language, and real-world behaviour support.
Active Member
The Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainer
Member and Country Representative for Pet Dog Trainers of Europe
Much of my behaviour experience comes from years of working in rescue. I currently serve as Behavioural Support Manager at Fetch + Releash Rescue, supporting both dogs and the fosters who care for them.
This work has shaped how I approach behaviour. Many dogs are adjusting to new homes, environments, and routines, where behaviour is influenced by stress, uncertainty, and change. My focus is on supporting what the dog is experiencing, not just what the behaviour looks like.
I began my formal education in 2018 through the Karen Pryor Dog Trainer Foundations Immersion Program, building a foundation in reinforcement-based learning. Over time, I chose to deepen my work in behaviour, communication, and emotional regulation rather than obedience-based training.
My continued studies include learning from Turid Rugaas, Dr. Amber Batson, Julia Robertson, and others, with a focus on understanding behaviour through body language, stress, and internal state. I hold many certifications including the following
Dog Behaviour Specialist and Ethical Dog Trainer.
Nordic Education Centre for Ethical Dog Training
Certified Calming Signal Specialist
mentored by Turid Rugaas, globally respected dog trainer, author and founder of
The next step in my continued education will be to complete my
Canine Myotherapy / Canine massage and rehabilitation a Level 3 externally accredited course
Cynthia H
& Charlie
Dog-to-Dog Reactivity
" I cannot recommend Kasia enough! As someone who has worked with many breeds and personalities, I thought I knew dogs—until I met her. She introduced me to a completely different way of seeing and interacting with my dogs—not just as pets but as individuals with unique personalities, instincts, and ways of communicating. Charlie, my 8-year-old Golden Retriever, has always been reactive to other dogs due to multiple attacks when he was younger. On top of that, he was never properly taught how to walk on a leash, making walks stressful and chaotic. Kasia changed everything. She taught me how to truly read Charlie’s body language, even from a far distance, so I can gauge his comfort level before he even reacts. This has allowed me to confidently give him more freedom while still keeping him safe, rather than panicking every time another dog is around. I also learned how to advocate for him in a way that makes him feel secure—giving him control rather than forcing him into uncomfortable situations. Since switching to an extra-long leash and harness, Charlie has completely stopped lunging at other dogs. Walks that used to be filled with stress are now peaceful, and he’s happy to avoid conflicts instead of feeling the need to defend himself. This has been a total game-changer! Kasia also taught me how to communicate with him using body language rather than shouting commands when he gets overexcited, and the difference has been incredible—he actually listens and understands what I want! We are still working on polite leash walking, but the progress has been amazing—the difference is night and day from where we started. Walks feel so much more enjoyable now, and I finally feel like we’re working together rather than battling against each other. With Kasia, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. She focuses on what you and your dog actually need. The changes I’ve seen in Charlie have not only improved his behavior but also strengthened our bond in ways I never imagined. I now feel confident, empowered, and in tune with him like never before. If you’re looking for someone who truly understands dogs and can help you build a better, more fulfilling life with yours—you won’t find anyone better than Kasia!"
Neil G
& Martha
Rescue Dog Adjustment
" I highly recommend working with Kasia. I am a first-time dog owner, I wanted to do everything right when I brought my rescue Martha home. Like any new dog parent, I did what most of us do with a new dog—taking her out frequently to help with potty training and giving her plenty of walks. She seemed to enjoy the outdoors I thought, but soon, she became fearful and more and more hesitant to walk. Within days, she completely shut down—first refusing to walk past the area around my condo, then the building entrance, and eventually, she stopped wanting to go outside at all. I was at a loss. She had been doing so well. That’s when I got support from Kasia, and I can confidently say she changed everything for Martha and me. Kasia focuses on helping me understand why Martha was acting the way she was. She immediately recognized that her withdrawal was a response to stress and overstimulation. She created a structured plan for us and helped us build trust and confidence. making sure we didn’t rush her too quickly into the situations she wasn’t ready for. I really appreciated learning about this more patient approach that fully advocates for the dog. Kasia’s approach is flexible, thoughtful, and rooted in deep knowledge of canine behavior and body language. She adapted our sessions based on what Martha could handle at any given time. The first few weeks, our work was done remotely—through phone calls and online guidance—so that I could learn how to support Martha at home without adding more pressure, as Martha would not leave the front door. Kasia provided me with valuable resources, from books and videos to recommendations on food and equipment, helping me feel prepared for the next steps. When Martha was finally ready to explore the outside world again, Kasia introduced us to her incredible dog, Tater. Tater plays a special role in helping shy and fearful dogs feel more secure, and his calm presence reassured Martha. To make the experience even less stressful, Kasia drove us to a quiet area of High Park where Martha could take in the world at her own pace. With Kasia’s guidance and Tater’s influence, Martha started to regain her confidence, and over time, she became more comfortable exploring new environments. One of the most valuable things I learned from Kasia was how to read Martha’s body language. She taught me how to recognize signs of stress, hesitation, and comfort so that I could respond appropriately. This knowledge changed the way I interact with Martha—not just on walks, but in every part of our daily life. Four months later, the difference is astounding. Martha has gone from a dog who was too afraid to leave the house to one who enjoys long walks, plays with dog friends in High Park, and greets her favorite people with excitement. She still has moments where she needs reassurance, but now, I have the tools and understanding to support her the right way. Kasia didn’t just help Martha—she helped me become a confident, informed, and empathetic dog owner. Her ability to read and respond to canine behavior with precision, patience, and expertise is incredible. If you want to truly understand your dog and build a relationship based on trust, I highly recommend working with Kasia. Thank you for everything, Kasia!"
Luke Roussy &Yara
Stress during Walks
" We first worked with Kasia through her Social Walk services with both of our dogs. One of our dogs, Capri, is highly energetic and needs help regulating herself in high arousal situations. Our other dog Yara can be fearful of strangers and some dogs. We’ve learned so much about spotting dog behaviour signals and what to do to help both of our dogs feel more secure with us, and for how we can support and enable them to regulate themselves in many different situations through Kasia’s Social Walks. Leash handling skills have also been a large part of these events, and we come away having extra confidence and knowledge with how to best manage walks and situations on the leash. We’ve used Kasia’s service for boarding among other things and couldn’t feel more secure about leaving our dog with her. She takes special care to make sure dogs have the environment and attention they need, and her place is very well set up for dogs. With regular video, picture, and voice memo updates, we were able to see how our dog got all the outdoor time she needed and how she was able to settle in just as well as she does at home! Kasia prioritizes forming the best possible relationship with the dogs that she meets, and it makes all the difference especially with boarding. Our little Yara is a very sensitive dog, and Kasia works to give her all the patience and support she needs.
Alison W
& Dogs
Dog-to-Dog Intro
" As a longtime foster, I have cared for so many dogs of different sizes and personalities, each with their own unique challenges. No matter the dog, I know I can count on Kasia for guidance and coaching that actually makes a difference. Her approach isn’t about outdated obedience drills or luring 'good' behavior with treats—it’s about simple-to-follow communication and trust building. She makes it incredibly easy to teach dogs basic good manners at home, like calmly greeting guests or being gentle with children—without scolding or complicated methods. Her tips on preventing jumping up and managing excitement have made a huge difference. Walks used to be stressful for some of my fosters, but Kasia’s methods turn them into calm, connected experiences that everyone can enjoy. She also knows exactly how to help safely introduce rescue dogs to my dogs in a way that supports both, creating a smooth transition. And for the shy, nervous dogs who come through my home, her methods ensure they don’t develop separation anxiety—helping them build confidence while learning to feel secure even when alone. I often recommend Kasia to adopters once my foster dogs are ready for their forever homes because I know even experienced dog owners will walk away with new tools that make life easier for both them and their dogs. I highly recommend Kasia no matter if you are welcoming a new dog or experiencing some bumps with your long-time companion."
Daphné
& Capri
Rescue Integration
" We got help from Kasia from our first meet-and-greet with the dog we have now adopted. Yara, our sweet new family member, had a pretty hard beginning in life. She has gone through physical and emotional abuse, as well as many different homes. Kasia was there to help from the very beginning and to assess wether or not we were suitable adopters for a dog who really needs the right people for her after all this time. Not long after, we did a meet-and-greet for our resident dog to meet our possible new dog and we were all a bit nervous to see how it would turn out. Our resident dog, although so loving and playful, can be quite nervous of stranger dogs that she meets outside. Kasia established a whole plan for the meet-and-greet to go as smoothly as possible and it really did. Everyone was surprised of how went it well! We felt so supported throughout the whole process. Before her move-in with us, Kasia made a very detailed plan of how the first few weeks should be at home which was so helpful to have. Our first week in with Yara, we were going through the motions of 1) getting Yara to decompress and settle into a new home 2) getting the dogs to get used to co-exist and 3) understanding Yara’s mechanisms on outings. Kasia was always available to answer my questions and to read the dog’s body language to make sure that everything was going smoothly. Throughout the whole process, Kasia was such a supportive presence and very knowledgeable resource to have close to us. Thank you Kasia for making sure this transition was successful and really setting the dogs up for a lifetime of comfort together 🥰
Service Area Overview My primary service area covers the west end of the Greater Toronto Area, centered around Mississauga’s lakeside corridor. West Boundary: Southdown Road East Boundary: Kipling Avenue North Boundary: Dundas Street South Boundary: Lake Ontario This region includes Lakeview, Brown's Line, Port Credit, Clarkson, Lorne Park, and surrounding neighborhoods. These areas provide the quiet streets, parks, and open spaces that support decompression walks, social walks and one-on-one coaching. I do support dogs and their caregivers outside of these area, travel charges will apply. If you're unsure whether your address falls within this area, feel free to reach out. I can confirm availability or discuss travel options beyond these boundaries.
WINTER|SRING 2026
DOG 1.0 Communication, Behaviour + Body Language
COMMUNITY OPEN CIRCLE SERIES,
Introducing DOG 1.0: Open Circles on Dog Communication & Relationship — a unique, conversation-based event series focused entirely on the dogs who share our lives.
This is NOT your typical lecture about dog training. It’s an open space for learning, reflecting, and building real, connected relationships with dogs. SEE DETAILS in BEHAVIORAL EVENTS
RESCUE DOG DECOMPRESSION & INTEGRATION WEBINAR SERIES, coming this April
Rescue dogs often suffer from anxiety and fear due to their past experiences. Our rescue dog decompression webinar series will be designed to help you and your new family member adjust to life together.