Kristina Rapson

Providing The Best Dog Training in Toronto

Kristina is an award winning dog trainer and behaviourist in Toronto who recently won best dog trainer for the Canadian Choice Awards 2024 & 2025. She is also on the finalist list for 2026. She has also been listed in the top 5 on 6 different lists, and has over 140 five star Google reviews. With a specialty in behavioural issues and rescue dogs, her methods are different than most other trainers with a focus first and foremost on improving the human / dog relationship and communication. If you think you’ve tried everything, it’s likely that Kristina has some new methods that will help you get you and your dog to where you want to be.

For more information on Kristina’s background, philosophies and services, please navigate through the menu

We Specialize in Behaviour Modification

Having some trouble with your dog's behaviour?
We can help with anything including but not limited to:

Obedience Training

Dog obedience training is the process of teaching a dog to follow basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and heel. While it’s a valuable tool for managing behavior in specific situations, obedience training doesn’t always address the root causes of behavioral issues.

Kristina is professionally trained in obedience training at the National K9 Learning Center and takes a well-rounded approach to dog behavior.

Find Out More

Puppy Training

Not all puppy classes teach you how to stop bad behaviour. Most puppy parents struggle with potty training, destructive chewing and nipping and biting.

We focus on the most important aspects of raising a puppy that unfortunately most puppy classes don't teach: proper socialization, people / house manners & potty training.

Find Out More

OFF LEASH RECALL

Training your dog to have a reliable off-leash recall is not just about obedience; it’s about ensuring their safety and allowing them the freedom to explore the world responsibly.

Kristina teaches the two most effective methods for achieving a reliable recall: traditional long line method and e-collar training.

Find Out More

Leash Reactivity & Aggression

Does your dog react by lunging, barking and growling towards people, dogs, small animals or fast moving objects on or off leash?

Reactivity and aggression are extremely stressful to deal with. Hairy Tales specializes in helping reactive and aggressive dogs become calm and confident companions.

Find Out More

RESOURCE GUARDING

Resource guarding refers to when a dog displays protective or aggressive behaviour in order to defend or control access to a particular resource. This resource can be food, toys, treats, bones, beds, furniture, people or any item the dog perceives as valuable.

Since resource guarding is almost always a relationship problem, the first most important step to any dog training, is improving the relationship with your dog.

Find Out More

Over-Excitment / Hyperactivity

Does your dog have a tendency to be hyperactive or over-excited? Are they constantly jumping up on people, pulling on the leash and barking or whining?

The vast majority of dogs that appear to be hyperactive are actually not like that naturally. This behaviour is almost always created by attention and affection at the wrong time. Hairy Tales can help!

Find Out More

Fear & Anxiety

Does your dog have anxiety or fear towards people, environments or stimuli? Does your dog need some major confidence boosting?

Confidence building can only begin once a dog has learned that they can trust you to be their leader protector.

Find Out More

RESCUE DOGS

Rescue dogs often come with some baggage and specific behaviour issues that need to be addressed. Oftentimes, these behaviours will not show themselves until about 3-4 weeks after arriving in the home.

Some common behaviors that we see in rescue dogs included but are not limited to : reactivity, aggression, fear / low confidence etc. We specialize in rehabilitating rescue dogs and street dogs.

Find Out More

E-COLLAR TRAINING

E-collar training can be an invaluable tool for specific behaviour modification or obedience training. It is DEFINITELY NOT an abusive tool when used correctly.

If used correctly, e-collar training can be an extremely gentle and effective. I have rehabilitated even some of the most traumatized and fearful rescues using e-collars.

Find Out More

Trusted & Certified

See what people are saying...

I am so happy with Kristina. My previous dog trainer retired and found Kristina by Google reviews. The Google reviews are correct - Kristina is excellent and perfect energy for us. Supportive, kind and fantastic at explaining things. We are making huge progress with Gwenny already. Highly recommend Kristina

Rossi Ayres
Kristina was amazing in helping us with our dogs' sudden fights for attention. Our lives are now back to normal and we can happily cuddle with both of our girls once again. Consistency is key. Thank you!!

Anel M.
Our experience with Kristina was awesome. Within minutes of meeting us and our dog, for an in-studio consultation session, she was able to provide such valuable insights on his personality and tendencies. She later gave us the proper training approach and techniques to correct an issue we were having and we've have already started to see a difference in his behaviour in such a short period time. We look forward to continuing to work with her.

Tim Ritcey
We rescued an anxious possessive hound mix. We knew we were out of our depths and needed help. We turned to Kristina and have not regreted. Kristina is very knowledgeable and pragmatic in her advice. She listens well and tailors solutions. She is available to us between sessions. I have hope that we can train our dog to be a great dog

Anne Hayes
We recently adopted our rescue 6 year old West Highland Terrier and needed some guidance on her challenges with small children. Kristina met with me for a 90 minute session and gave me a list of training methods that I have been implementing. Her knowledge and understanding of dogs is extraordinary and I look forward to the next session with her. I can, with confidence, highly recommend Kristina - a very inspirational person.

Vicki Griffiths
We've been working with Kristina for about one month now and completed two sessions. After our first session, we've seen so much improvement in our little rescue's confidence and obedience. Dobby is really reactive to other dogs and people outside, it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage him when we had to take him out for walks because he would bark or try to lunge at dogs or people even if they were across the street. He was also barking and protective of the home. Kristina has been really helpful with providing us with the tools to help us succeed and build a stronger relationship with our dog. She is really knowledgeable in dog behaviour and not only provides you with the training tools, she explains why the dog is behaving or reacting a particular way. Our relationship with our dog has become so much stronger since we've started, he really is much happier and less anxious. Kristina also provides detailed homework that you can refer back because there are so many things you need to remember. I highly recommend her! She is our second trainer we've worked with and we probably learned more in one session than we did in our previous 3 sessions with our last trainer. We plan to work with Kristina for as long as we can. Thank you!

Tiffany
Kristina has been so helpful with tips and practice to get Kloe more comfortable and less reactive/afraid for her 'people' at the swimming pool. She has taught us useful techniques and made the experience a combination of instructive and really fun and playful. We hope the progress we've seen so far continues. We feel much more confident working with Kristina on this and look forward to calmer summer days poolside in future.

Iris Jacobson
Kristina saved our dog Gigi’s life. Being a first time dog owner we were very overwhelmed with our dog’s aggressive behaviour. Kristina gave us the skills and tools we needed to work through the behavioural issues. Through our training sessions we learned how to care for Gigi so that the aggressive behaviour was avoided. Thank you Kristina for all your help and professional advice. We cannot thank you enough!

Joe Avarino
Kristina has been a huge help with both our dogs, including our rescue who has a lot of anxiety and trust issues. We’ve only had a few sessions with her and by implementing her advice have already seen some remarkable changes. She really understands the psychology of dogs. Always responsive and professional, as well. Can’t recommend her enough.

Francine
Our little girl was a rescue with a lot of fear based aggression. Working with Hairy Tales has given our girl the confidence that she’s needed to go on walks, feel safe when visitors come, and allowed us to understand her needs to make her feel safe. We are SO excited to see this change in our Natty. Thank you so much Hairy Tales. Kristina knew exactly what was going on with our girl and helped us every step of the way!!

Alyssa Deluca