"Karuna" is a Sanskrit word meaning an action taken to diminish the suffering of others, or a compassionate act. At Karuna k9 we approach training from this place of compassion. Our goal is to help dogs and their guardians live their best lives possible together by building strong relationships based on communication and trust. We use only positive training methods that are free from coercion, fear, and punishment. Not only are positive methods extremely effective in teaching and maintaining behaviors, but they also avoid the potential for unintended effects such as anxiety, fear, and aggression often associated with more traditional and aversive training methods. We use these methods, combined with training games, to create real-world training solutions that are safe, effective, and rewarding for everyone involved.