Canine Karma Training

Hey there from Pennsylvania! I started following both Isabela & Dave on Instagram a few years ago and really enjoyed their content and felt like they had an excellent approach toward training. I have a 6yo GSD, who is an absolute sweetheart with people and dogs she knows, but incredibly reactive and aggressive with those that she doesn't, and her reactivity is only made worse in settings that she isn't overly familiar with (like the vet's!). I reached out to them once I was finally done with grad school and had the time and money to train my girl (and me!) right. I think I only did 2-3 sessions with Isabela but IT MADE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. She and Dave focus on your relationship with your dog & fixing that to fix issues such as reactivity. Before working with Isabela, Ellie required trazodone, Xanax, & gabapentin to get through her vet appointments without any issues. And I used to have to lock Ellie and myself in her crate while someone else dangled treats through the top of it to just cut her toenails. ABSOLUTE INSANITY. Ever since working with Isabela, I'm able to cut Ellie's toenails while she's relaxing in her bed & she only needs the occasional treat for bribery. But I saw the biggest change when I took her to the vet this past week. I reached out to Isabela immediately after to let her know what a changed girl Ellie has become. She only required trazodone, as opposed to 3 different medications, and never barked at a single person or dog. She even went as far as to approach strangers and asking them to pet her. The vet gave Ellie a treat to get reacquainted and then allowed Ellie to sniff her hand, and Ellie immediately gave the vet her paw! She was super laidback while they gave her all the necessary vaccines and an allergy shot and drew blood. The vet & all of the techs and receptionists commented on what a changed dog she was, and I told them that I had to give all the credit to her trainer. I would recommend Isabela & Dave & Canine Karma Training to absolutely anyone. My life & Ellie's are so much less stress now and we are a much happier duo :)
Oct 24th, 2023

Last summer we sent our dog Terra to 30 days board and train after a big dog fight and unable to figure out how to manage. With Isabella and Davids hands on work, help, and continued guidance we are able to say that Terra exceeded all our expectations. Like children, there are bumps in the road, but learning what *I* needed to change as an owner to provide her with the resources and care she needed for us to be a family. Though our other dog passed unexpectedly 8 months months later, we were able to navigate that too with David and Isabellaa help. Terra was able to participate in our wedding ceremony with all the hard work and dedication.
Oct 23rd, 2023

David came into my home, acted unprofessionally, and improperly operated an educator e-collar resulting in the harm of my dog Shelby.
Oct 14th, 2023

My dog is training to be a mobility and cardiac alert service dog. I spent almost a year training her on my own, but we had a couple problems I could not work through. She was great with tasks, but had insecurities about random stuff like indoor stairs, plastic/enclosed crates, cars, bridges and other random stuff. Basically, she was deeply freaked out by random surfaces. She would NOT step onto any of these, no amount of food or praise worked and she would just shut down. I worked on these things daily, always positively because I was afraid of making her insecurities worse if I pressured her. As she got older it only got worse. I got used to avoiding a lot of things. I consulted a few trainers, but never felt confident about their methods and their advice didnt really work. I was told by one trainer to just avoid those things forever, which is not possible for a service dog and had I listened I probably wouldve ended up washing her. I had to lift her into the car because she wouldnt jump in. She wouldnt do the stairs in my house so Id have to carry her. My mobility is often questionable, and this was just not possible to keep up long term. So I called up Canine Karma. I talked Isabellas ear off for like an hour and asked a ton of questions. I was looking for something very specific and she checked all the boxes. I sent my dog for a 4 week behavior modification board and train. Im very protective of my dog, this was not a decision I came to lightly. It was hard to send her off for a month and I was really anxious, but I trusted Isabella. At that point I honestly just wanted her to be able to do stairs and jump in the car, I wasnt even thinking about anything else anymore because I had gotten so used to avoiding everything she struggled with. Throughout the month I was sent pictures and video updates and I was SHOCKED. I think thats when I actually realized how bad her insecurities were, because in the videos she was confident and jumping in the car, a ball pit, sitting in a wheelchair while being pushed around, a wheel barrel, etc. And I realized wow. she NEVER wouldve done that before. On pickup day Isabella spent hours teaching me how to work her through her fears, and provided continued support after the board and train. She even met me at a mall like a hr away from them for a training session because my dog was having a hard time with the stairs at that specific mall and I needed help working her through it. Since shes been back, the difference is unbelievable. She now happily and confidently will run up and down the stairs in my house, jump into her car kennel, go over bridges when hiking, run up this weird tall metal staircase at work that she never would even touch before, place on pretty much anything, and I dont have to worry about taking her places. To this day, every time I see her run down the stairs Im still shocked, I spent like 10 straight months trying to get her to do that and never could. Isabella taught me how to work her through her fears so that as we continue to experience new things, I can set her up for success. Her service training is ongoing as shes only 14 months, but we no longer have these barriers and shes been progressing much better. While at the board and train, they also cleaned up her heel, worked on her people excitement in the house, and even did a public access outing with another service dog that way she could practice working around another service dog. Im so so glad I found Canine Karma, it sounds cheesy but my dog is actually happier as well. Getting in the car used to be stressful for both of us and a daily struggle, not anymore! My dog loves her job, and now she can do it without all those barriers. Win-win
Oct 13th, 2023

I have been following Canine Karma Training and Isabelas Instagram account for a few years and knew I wanted a nutrition consult with her in regards to my doberman, Lux. My girl has always been a picky eater and I also learned the hard way how sensitive her stomach is. I finally decided it was time to reach out last April after Lux lost a lot of weight from being really sick. Isabela was so helpful in answering all my questions and educating me on canine nutrition. Comparing photos from April to now is night and day. Luxs coat is much healthier, she doesnt have so much dandruff like she used to, and her energy level increased as well. One of the perks is that she does not have terrible gas anymore! She came from hardly finishing her kibble meals (or skipping them completely) to never skipping a raw meal! I highly recommend doing a consult with Isabela to anyone, especially for those who have never done a raw diet. If doing raw isnt in your budget, she also provides recommendations on kibble as well. Its obvious that she is passionate about it and cares for each individual dog. Thank you so much for your help! Lux and I really appreciate it, especially Lux since shes loving this dietary upgrade!
Jul 21st, 2023