Dog training insights, packwalking stories, and a little help from AI — straight from the heart of a mom, trainer, and lifelong animal lover.
Hey there! I’m Kayleen, the founder of OC Lucky Dogs, a dog training and packwalking company I started back in 2017 with one big goal: to put canine fulfillment, safety, and clear communication at the center of every dog’s life. I’ve loved dogs (and really, all animals) for as long as I can remember — and that love turned into a career after a few years working in the dog daycare world, where I realized just how often quantity was being prioritized over quality of care.
So I built something different. And for the last 8 years, I’ve been walking packs, helping reactive dogs find their confidence, supporting dog owners who want better relationships with their pets — and doing it all with a deep passion for behavior, structure, and real-life transformation.
So… why a blog now?
These days, I’m not just a trainer. I’m also a mom to the sweetest little boy named Cohen. I’m in my early 30s now, and as much as my love for dogs has only grown deeper, so has my love for being a mom and raising a family. It’s the most important job I’ve ever had. And as you can imagine… time is tight. Nap schedules, snack negotiations, packwalks, training sessions, and voice memos on the go — that’s where this blog comes in.
This blog is powered by:
📱 Me, talking into my phone while on the move
🤖 ChatGPT, helping me turn those rambles into readable posts
🐾 Years of real-world dog experience
💛 A love for my family and a need to make my time stretch further
Everything you’ll read here starts with my experience. My thoughts, my stories, my behavior observations from working with hundreds of dogs over the years. But instead of waiting for a quiet moment to sit down and write (spoiler alert: toddler life = no such thing), I let AI help me polish up my ideas and turn them into something I can actually share with you.
What you’ll find on Pack Mentality:
Reflections on dog behavior, psychology, and training
Real packwalking insights — what works, what doesn’t, and why
Guest perspectives from fellow trainers and industry pros (past and present)
A place where honesty, humor, and heart all have room to run off-leash
Why it matters
Whether you’re a client, fellow trainer, or just a dog lover trying to understand your pup a little better, I hope this blog becomes a space where you feel seen, supported, and inspired.
I may not always have time to write long newsletters or create fancy tutorials — but I can keep sharing the stories, lessons, and lightbulb moments that continue to shape my work, my business, and my life.
Thanks for being here. Thanks for trusting me with your dogs. And thanks for giving me the space to keep growing — both as a trainer and as a mom who’s figuring it all out one walk at a time. Happy Reading!
With so much love (and probably a little dog hair on my clothes),
Kayleen 🐾