Training Philosophy and Methods
Real-World Training Built on Understanding
- Customized Training Plans
- Positive Reinforcement Foundation
- Species-Appropriate Nutrition Guidance
- Relationship-Centered Approach
10+
Years Experience
Canine Praxis is rooted in behavioural science and canine ethology, while always being informed by human reality. I strongly believe that training should be enjoyable, effective, and sustainable.
In practice, many dog training approaches struggle to strike this balance. Some systems are so complex and time-intensive that they are difficult for owners to maintain, while others focus too heavily on suppression at the expense of the dog’s emotional well-being and the quality of the human-canine relationship. Both can overlook the needs, abilities, and limitations of the dogs and the people living with them, turning training into a frustrating experience for everyone involved.
My approach is designed to bridge this gap. Every training plan is customized to the individual dog and household. Since I work directly in clients’ homes and communities, training is designed around the dog’s real environment, lifestyle, and daily challenges. I take a holistic,bottom-up approach that prioritizes biological fulfillment, relationship, and clear communication as the foundation for reliable behaviour. Behaviour modification plans focus on changing emotional state and perception alongside behaviour itself, creating a happier, more balanced household.
I teach behaviours using positive reinforcement, while initially structuring the environment to prevent unwanted habits from developing. Although reliable obedience is important, I place a strong emphasis on helping dogs learn to make good decisions without micromanagement. I do this by providing clear feedback for the dog’s own choices and by teaching emotional regulation. Over time, behaviours are maintained through a combination of positive and negative consequences, with corrections used to provide guidance, reduce unwanted behaviours, and improve clarity of communication.
As a certified canine nutritionist, I incorporate species-appropriate nutrition into training plans. Physical health, emotional regulation, and learning capacity are deeply interconnected, and supporting the whole dog often leads to more effective and sustainable training outcomes.
Meet The Trainer
Meet the dedicated professional committed to helping you and your dog thrive together.
Daria Rylkova, BSc, CPCN
Lead Trainer & Founder
A Lifelong Relationship With Dogs I was born in Moscow, and grew up in Toronto. I grew up loving all animals, from the pigs and chickens at my grandparents’ farm, to the budgees and guineapigs we had as pets. When I was 5 years old, I begged my dad for a dog. A few days later we picked out a Russo-European Laika (related to the Karelian Bear dog) puppy at the local market, who I named Touman (Fog in English). Touman, not only inspired my love of dogs, but also my passion for outdoor adventures. In the summer, we would go camping on the White Sea near the arctic circle, for weeks at a time (pictured left). Touman was incredibly loyal, intuitive and always up for adventure.
Science Meets Practice My interest in animals and behavior led me to study neuroscience, doing research on addiction and brain reward systems as an undergraduate at the University of Florida and sensorimotor learning and memory in rats as a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University. I started learning about different dog training systems after adopting my first dog (Misha) and subsequently fostering dogs, who had different behavioral problems (eg fear aggression, resource guarding). I soon realized that I find the application of learning theory and behavioral analysis to dog training as well as having the ability to directly help people have more enjoyable lives with their dogs, incredibly rewarding and decided to switch careers.
Learning Never Stops Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to studying the most effective and humane approaches to training and behaviour modification. In general, I’m a huge dog nerd! I enjoy learning everything I can about topics ranging from the history of dog training, to canine ethology, psychology, nutrition and physiology.
My Dogs
Mya
Husky x Malamute Mix
12/2020
I began fostering Mya in 2024 and officially adopted her a year later.
Today, she assists in reactivity and socialization work. Mya has a natural ability to help fearful dogs feel safe around new people. She genuinely loves meeting humans and is famous for her full-body “hugs.” Her warmth and confidence are contagious.
When Mya first came to me, she struggled with severe resource guarding and dog-directed aggression. Our progress wasn’t about tightening control — it was about building trust and clearly communicating which behaviours were unacceptable while giving her abundant freedom to express herself appropriately.
The result is a dog who can run far and wide in the forest, play rough with Ivan, demand affection with dramatic enthusiasm, and still coexist peacefully and cooperatively.
Mya continues to remind me that lasting behaviour change comes not from restriction, but from clarity, trust, and meaningful outlets.
Ivan
German Shepherd
5/2022
I adopted Ivan from a client after it became clear that he required far more mental and physical stimulation than they were prepared to provide.
Ivan and I train in the sport of IGP (Schutzhund), which includes tracking, obedience, and protection. Everything he does is marked by intensity and enthusiasm. He is a dog who genuinely loves to learn.
As my first truly high-drive working dog, Ivan reshaped my understanding of training. He taught me patience — not in slowing him down, but in appreciating his temperament rather than trying to manufacture calm. Through him, I learned how to build and channel arousal productively, how to shift emotional states in training, and how clarity can coexist with intensity.
Outside of sport, Ivan contributes to client training through demonstration and play. His temperament and social confidence made him a key part of Mya’s behavioural rehabilitation.
Ivan also presented with significant chronic skin issues early on, which led me to pursue advanced education in canine nutrition. Addressing his health challenges deepened my understanding of the relationship between physiology, behaviour, and performance — knowledge that now informs my work with clients.
Spotty
Husky
12/2010-3/2026
I began fostering and later adopted Spotty when he was 10 years old. Until then, he had lived exclusively outdoors, so bringing him into a home environment felt, at first, a bit like adopting a zoo animal.
Spotty initially struggled to relax in general. Even outdoors, if we stopped walking, he would begin howling. If I started cooking, he would howl. He had difficulty settling in a crate, experienced significant separation anxiety, and was sensitive to handling. Early on, I came home to find he had broken out of his crate, opened the dishwasher, and was calmly lying on a place cot chewing the handle of a knife — a moment I will never forget.
Much of our work centered around helping him regulate, build trust around handling, and learn how to truly rest.
Now mostly retired, Spotty has long been exceptional with other dogs — especially fearful dogs and young puppies. He is confident and tolerant, yet clear and appropriate in his communication. That steady balance has made him an invaluable helper over the years.
Although he remains the biggest foodie I’ve ever met, Spotty now spends most of his time lounging comfortably, enjoying massages, and simply being at ease.
Ella
Husky x German Shepherd mix
1/2017-11/2023
I adopted Ella at three months old. From the very beginning, she was an adventurer with a lifelong passion for squirrels.
Ella was the first dog I raised from puppyhood, and she fundamentally shaped the trainer I would become. Through her, I developed a deep interest in play — not just as recreation, but as a meaningful tool for communication, biological fulfillment, and relationship-building. She taught me the value of reliable off-leash training, environmental rewards, and giving a dog room to fully express who they are.
Ella naturally drew nervous dogs toward her, combining confidence with softness.
In 2023, Ella lost a difficult year-long battle with Lyme nephritis. Supporting her through that illness deepened my interest in herbalism and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Integrating these approaches improved her quality of life and gave her more time to do what she loved most: running freely and chasing squirrels.
Through her, my training philosophy took shape.
Misha
Husky x German Shepherd mix
1/2010-2/2019
Misha was my first personal dog — the one who changed my life and career path forever. He was my heart dog.
I will never forget the first time we met. He was being transported from South Carolina by Lucky Dog Rescue. The moment he stepped out of the van and I was handed his leash, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and responsibility.
At the time, I knew very little about training or living with a dog. Remembering who I was then — how much I didn’t know — gives me deep empathy when working with clients. I understand what it feels like to want to do right by your dog while still figuring things out.
Misha was naturally steady, intuitive, and easy to live with — the kind of dog who made people who “weren’t dog people” reconsider. He offered quiet stability to foster and client dogs and helped raise Ella, providing calm guidance as she grew. His presence set the tone for the dogs who followed.
Through him, I began applying the neuroscience I had studied to understanding behaviour and training. He marked the beginning of my exploration into what shapes behaviour biologically, emotionally, and relationally.
Touman
Russo-European Laika
1990-2001
When I was five years old, I begged my dad for a dog. Bringing Touman home from the market ignited what would become a lifelong love of dogs.
Some of my fondest childhood memories are with him — camping for weeks at a time in the wilderness, being dragged down the street on leash, or lying beside me in bed when I was sick. He was my constant companion during my earliest years, long before I understood training, behaviour, or responsibility in any structured way.
When I later adopted Misha, I remember feeling an unexpected sense of guilt — wondering whether it was possible, or even fair, to bond with another dog. Losing Touman, and later Misha and Ella, taught me something profound: no dog and no connection can ever be replaced. But it is possible to form a different attachment — one that honors the ones who came before.
Touman was the beginning.