Paws And Profits With Karen Laws

Bringing a dog home is exciting, and our first instinct is usually to shower them with affection, soft voices, cuddles and reassurance. But that may not be what the dog needs most. In this episode, Karen Laws explains why the first hours and days after bringing a dog home can set the tone for your future relationship. Whether you're bringing home a new puppy, an adult dog, or welcoming your own do...

Bringing home a puppy is exciting. It’s also messy, exhausting, occasionally ridiculous and one of the most important stages in shaping the dog you’ll live with for years to come. But good puppy training isn’t about how many commands your puppy can perform. In this episode of the Paws & Profits Podcast, professional dog trainer Karen Laws breaks down the three things that matter most in the fi...

What does calm, assertive leadership actually look like on a walk? In this episode, I break down the difference between simply holding the leash and actually leading your dog with clarity, purpose, and consistency. If your walks feel messy, reactive, frustrating, or like your dog has appointed themselves head of security, this episode is for you. I explain what calm, assertive leadership looks lik...

Growing a dog training business requires more than knowing how to train dogs. You also need to communicate what you do, show up consistently, attract the right clients, and somehow avoid burning yourself out in the process. In this episode of Paws & Profits, Karen Laws speaks with AI marketing strategist and entrepreneur Molly Mahoney about using artificial intelligence, video, and authentic c...

When your dog barks, lunges, or reacts on leash, it can feel embarrassing, frustrating, and sometimes personal. But your dog is not trying to ruin your walk, make you look bad, or publicly announce that you have failed as a dog owner. Lovely thought, but no. In this episode, Karen Laws explains why leash reactions are communication, not defiance. Your dog may be overwhelmed, worried, excited, frus...

Rescue dogs often come with a history we do not fully know. Some have lived on the street, defended themselves, learned to avoid pressure, or reacted because reacting worked. In this episode, Karen talks about what rescue dogs really need when they struggle with fear, reactivity, uncertainty, or difficult behaviour in the home. Love matters, of course. But love without structure can leave both the...

Crate training is one of the most misunderstood parts of raising a puppy. Too many owners think the crate is either a punishment, a magic puppy container, or something their dog should instantly love because they bought the nice one. Sadly, puppies do not read the product description. In this episode, Karen explains how to use crate training as a practical life skill that helps your puppy learn ho...

In this episode of Paws and Profits, Karen sits down with Tyler for a practical conversation about what it really takes to grow in the dog training industry. They discuss the mindset, consistency, and real world experience needed to build confidence as a trainer and business owner. This episode is for aspiring and newer dog trainers who want more than theory. They want honest guidance, useful pers...

What your dog eats may be affecting far more than their digestion. In this episode of Paws and Profits, Karen Laws welcomes Dr. Judy Morgan, an integrative veterinarian, author, speaker, and founder of Naturally Healthy Pets, for a fascinating conversation about the connection between diet, gut health, behaviour, and long-term wellness in dogs. Karen and Dr. Judy discuss: • How diet can influence...

You found a tick on your dog. Now what? In this episode of Paws and Profits, we walk through what dog owners should do after finding a tick, without panic, guesswork, or questionable backyard remedies. Because yes, the internet has opinions, and not all of them should be trusted near your dog. We’ll cover how to remove a tick safely, what not to put on it, why timing matters, how to dispose of it...

Tick prevention used to feel simple. Now, not so much. Ticks are showing up earlier, staying active longer, and becoming a concern in more areas across Ontario and Canada. That leaves many dog owners stuck between two strong opinions: use commercial veterinary products, or go the natural route. In this episode of Paws and Profits, Karen breaks down the practical side of natural versus commercial t...

What do you do when your dog reacts before you even have time to prepare? In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most frustrating parts of living with a reactive dog: those moments when your dog barks, lunges, or explodes before you can step in. You’ll learn why reactions happen so quickly, the subtle warning signs most owners miss, and how to shift your focus from “fixing” the reaction t...

Whether you're a dog owner questioning your skills, a professional walker shaken after a tough client walk, or just starting out and wondering if this is really for you — this episode is your reset button. We talk through what actually causes walks to go wrong, how to stop the confidence bleed, and why the best walkers aren't the ones who never struggle — they're the ones who know how to bounce ba...

Dog bites aren’t random—and they’re definitely not just about “aggressive dogs.”In this episode, we break down the real reasons dog bites happen, from misunderstood body language to the subtle warning signs most people completely miss. Whether you’re a dog owner, a parent, or someone who simply spends time around dogs, this conversation could change how you interact with them forever. You’ll disco...

You see it happening—the stare, the tension, the moment right before your dog lunges… and suddenly, it’s too late. So what do you actually do next? In this episode, we break down real-life scenarios with squirrels, cats, other dogs, and unexpected distractions and give you practical leadership strategies to handle those “too late” moments safely and effectively. If your walks ever feel unpredictab...

When another dog shows up on a walk, things can go sideways fast. One minute your dog is fine, the next they’re locked in, pulling, barking, or acting like they’ve completely forgotten you exist.   In this episode, I’m talking about how to handle an approaching dog on a walk without losing your mind or your dog’s focus. I break down the mistakes most owners make, what to do when you see trouble co...

If your daily walk has turned into a tug-of-war, this episode is for you. This week, we're taking a deep dive into one of the most frustrating habits dog owners deal with — leash pulling — and breaking down exactly what you can do to stop it for good. We're talking about why your dog pulls, what signals you might be sending without realizing it, and the simple, practical techniques that will trans...

Your dog is constantly asking one silent question: “Are you someone I should follow?” Not with words… but with every look, hesitation, and choice they make. In this episode, we explore the hidden leadership test dogs give their humans every day—and why so many well-meaning owners accidentally answer it the wrong way. If you’ve ever felt like you need treats, bribery, or constant repetition just to...

If you think loose leash walking starts at the end of your driveway, you are already behind. It starts inside your house. In this episode, I walk you through the mindset shift that changes everything. Stop trying to control your dog with the leash. Start becoming someone your dog wants to follow. Dogs are wired to resist restraint. The more pressure we use, the more they lean. So when we rely on t...

Inclement weather is throwing routines off everywhere. Bitter cold. Relentless rain. Wildfire smoke. Heat waves. And suddenly your dog is “bouncing off the walls” and you are questioning your life choices. I hear it constantly: “He has no off switch.” “She just will not settle.” “I’m losing my mind.” Here is the truth most people do not expect. The problem is usually not a lack of exercise. It is...

How often do you actually look at your dog’s teeth? Not glance. Not assume. Really look. In this episode, I share a hard lesson from my own dog, Jozee. One year after losing 21 teeth due to advanced dental disease, I can say this with complete clarity, dental health is not cosmetic. It is not optional. And it absolutely belongs in a behaviour conversation. For years, I’ve taught structure, clarity...

Your dog jumps. You push them off. You tell them “off.”And somehow… nothing changes. If that sounds familiar, this episode will likely hit home. In this podcast, I break down why pushing your dog off doesn’t stop jumping, and how that very reaction often reinforces the behaviour instead of fixing it. Most dog owners are not doing anything wrong. They are simply responding in ways that make sense t...

If your dog feels busy, unsettled, reactive, or hard to live with, this episode is your reality check. Most behavior issues do not come from stubbornness, dominance, or a lack of training. They come from a daily life that does not make sense to the dog living it. In this episode, I break down the Fulfillment Formula and why it matters far more than most people realize. Not as a concept. Not as a t...

Barking is one of the most common reasons dog owners reach out for help. It is also one of the most misunderstood behaviours. Most people want the barking to stop. Very few stop to ask why it is happening in the first place. In this episode, I break down barking for what it actually is, communication. Not defiance. Not stubbornness. Not a dog trying to drive you crazy. We talk about:• Why barking...