There's Always More to the Story

I Lived with The Elephant aka Lessons from the Dog Who Changed How I See the Whole System

In May of 2011, when I rescued my late dog Mouse from the Bow Valley SPCA in Canmore, Alberta, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Mouse had spent the better part of his first two years in the shelter after being found on a “walkabout” near the Trans-Canada Highway.

Within a very short time of bringing Mouse home, I found myself facing an elephant in the room that I did not yet have a name for. There was a constant tension between who Mouse was and who I wanted him to be. His behaviour challenges, including separation anxiety, aggression, jumpy-mouthy behaviours, and generalized anxiety, quickly became a source of overwhelm, helplessness, disappointment, and heartbreak.

Despite being a professional trainer and my best efforts, we kept getting stuck, back in the same place, or facing a new problem behaviour on an endless laundry list. It always felt like we were just treading water. I was drowning.

That same tension followed me into my professional work. Theory clashed with the messy reality of working with dogs and people. I thought it was me. I was not skilled enough. I did not know the science well enough. I needed more education. I almost left the industry.

And then Something Shifted

Desperate for answers, I started down the proverbial rabbit trail. I humbled myself, put aside everything I thought I knew about dogs, training, and behaviour, and said to Mouse, “I see you.” He responded, “I am here.” From this crisis, I began to see the system. I started to see Mouse’s behaviours not as problems to fix, but as part of a living, breathing system.

I started to see the web of relationships, the invisible threads connecting everything, and the constant ebb and flow: excitement and calm, approach and retreat, peace and conflict.

I paused. I listened. I started to see Mouse. To work with the system in real-time, not against it.

Over time, I realized something that changed everything. 

The solution is not outside the system. It emerges from within the system.

Introducing Pooch Peacebuilding

Pooch Peacebuilding is a living philosophy and daily practice that helps dogs and people live peacefully together. Born from my experience with Mouse and grounded in systems theory, peace and conflict studies, and system’s research methodology, Pooch Peacebuilding is both deeply scientific and highly practical.

This framework gives dog professionals the tools to:

  • See the dog, family, and behaviour in context
  • Work with the natural dynamics and ebbs and flows of the system
  • Understand the universal logic that underlies all systems (life cheat code!!)
  • Implement daily disciplines to become generative peacebuilders
  • Think and problem-solve in ways that mirror the system itself 
  • Support dogs and people so growth emerges from within the system (no more burnout)
  • Co-create emergent training plans inspired by the dogs and people you work with (no more client compliance issues)
  • Integrate your education, experience, and intuition into a cohesive, flowing practice
  • Face the elephants in the room and turn them into catalysts for growth

Pooch Peacebuilding helps you carve a path to transformation through the complexity of life with dogs and people. It gives you the freedom to work beyond the boxes while still applying proven approaches.

Join the Founders Cohort

This is a one-time live (via Zoom) experience designed to give you the full Pooch Peacebuilding experience:

  • Learn directly in community with me and a small group of dog pros
  • Participate in weekly live sessions for 10 weeks, combining teaching, reflection, mentorship, and real-world application
  • Be part of the continuing story of Pooch Peacebuilding
  • Shape the course for future learners and leave your mark on the framework
  • Receive a Pooch Peacebuilding Professional Certificate upon completion, demonstrating your expertise in this transformative approach 

Founders Tuition: $500 CAD (approximately $350 USD) This is the lowest rate this course will ever be offered at. After this cohort, the course becomes self-paced, evergreen, and tuition increases to $1200 CAD.

Attend Live, Get the Full Experience

Live (online) sessions give you real-time feedback, interactive exercises, and peer connection. These are things a recording cannot replicate. Recordings are available only if you must miss a session, as a safety net. The full impact of Pooch Peacebuilding comes when you show up and engage live.

Nov 13, 2025 - Feb 12, 2026

Weekly Sessions: Thursday's at 1:00 – 2:30 PM MST

Cohort Schedule


  • Week 1 (Orientation): Thursday, November 13
  • Week 2 (Framework): Thursday, November 20
  • Week 3 (Map I): Thursday, November 27
  • Week 4 (Map II): Thursday, December 4
  • Week 5 (Dynamics): Thursday, December 11
  • Week 6: (Cycle) Thursday, January 15, 2026
  • Week 7 (Pillars I) : Thursday, January 22, 2026
  • Week 8 (Pillars II) Thursday, January 29, 2026
  • Week 9: (Universal Logic) Thursday, February 5, 2026
  • Week 10 (Wrap Up): Thursday, February 12, 2026

One-time Founders tuition secures your spot at the lowest rate this course will ever be offered. After this cohort, the course becomes self-paced, evergreen, and tuition increases.

Step Into the Story

Join the Founders Cohort and experience Pooch Peacebuilding live. See dogs, people, and your work in a whole new way. Explore the terrain, face the elephants, and leave with clarity, tools, and practices that transform your approach and your life.

  • Navigate conflict with confidence

  • Create lasting, sustainable change

  • Train with science & intuition

  • Set yourself apart from the crowd

Testimonials

“Behavior is incredibly complex, and as professionals working with clients and their dogs, Pooch Peacekeeping breaks down this complexity, providing a clear framework to navigate the layers and considerations involved. It supports positive growth and connection by empowering natural, organic solutions. Each layer of the course uncovers new insights, patterns, and moments of alignment, connecting real-world experiences with deeper understanding. It explains the systems that shape us, our dogs, and the world around us, offering practical ‘maps’ or ‘guardrails’ to see more deeply and expansively. The course teaches us to observe interactions through multiple lenses and reflect on our observations. These ‘maps’ help us navigate the complexities of behavior, giving us room to grow both personally and professionally. This growth, in turn, enables us to support our clients (both human and dog) in their own development. By integrating systems thinking into our work, the course empowers us to provide natural solutions for the challenges clients face, fostering harmony in their relationships rather than relying on traditional, non-organic interventions that often lead to dependence and roadblocks. ”

“"This course has been so life-changing, not only professionally but personally. It's truly been beyond my wildest imagination. This course has not only solidified and revolutionized my already deep understanding of dog behavior, but it's also been absolutely life-changing in my personal life—a ripple effect I did not see coming! There is so much of this course that has felt like a soothing balm on all of the things that once confused me or overwhelmed me when it came to thinking about, talking about, and learning about conflict, motivation, and behavior—in humans and dogs! Cat's incredible breadth of knowledge and her ability to connect the dots on such a large scale has been wonderfully insightful and inspiring. This course is fueling, for me, a long career in the dog behavior consulting and dog training industry and a deeper understanding of the intricacies of life itself. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this! I am so grateful to have found this course. You will not regret diving into this work!"”

“It’s a brilliant course, truly a game-changer and a must-have for all dog professionals.”