How to Choose A Dog Trainer Like Your Dog’s Life Depends On It
As pet guardians we’ve heard too many horror stories to take choosing a trainer lightly. Those who think all trainers are created equal are setting themselves up for disappointment. Our hope is to awaken other pet guardians, particularly first timers, to some of the red flags that show a trainer may be incompetent and compassionately challenged. Article Here
Good Trainers: How To Identify One And Why This Is Important To Your Practice Of Veterinary Medicine
Produced by the Advanced Behavior Course at the North American Veterinary Conference, Post Graduate Institute
Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2006) 1, 47-52
Accredited Proffessional Academy Trainer Registry
Transparency in Dog Training from Jean Donaldson on Vimeo.
Humane * Skilled * Respectful * Bully-Free
The Alberta Force Free Alliance
The Alberta Force Free Alliance is an association of competency tested certified dog trainers in Alberta Canada who have each taken a pledge committing to force and pain free training and pet care. Their dedication to science based training methods ensures the dogs in their care are treated humanely, with skill and compassion.
AnimalKind is the BC SPCA’s animal welfare accreditation and referral program for animal-related businesses. When looking for a dog trainer, ask questions, look for credentials in positive-reinforcement training, inquire about their methods and training philosophy.
Find AnimalKind humane dog trainers here
APBC - Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (UK)
The APBC is an international network of experienced and qualified pet behaviour counsellors who work on referral from veterinary surgeons to treat behaviour problems in dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, horses and other pets.
Find an APBC member here: APBC - Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (UK)
A global network of world-class positive reinforcement dog trainers
INTERNATIONAL CANINE BEHAVIOURISTS(ICB)
ICB prides itself on having members who have an abundance of ‘hands on’ experience, theoretical knowledge and academic qualifications, and who are committed to using force-free scientifically proven methods of behaviour modification. All our members pledge never to use any approach that may harm a dog’s physical and mental wellbeing and abide by our motto, “Welfare never compromised”.
Find an ICB Behaviourists Here: https://icbglobal.net/icb-members/
MORE Pain-Free Trainers
We are happy to add trainers to this page who do NOT use shock, prong, choke or any cruel treatment that would be emotionally, psychologically or physically harmful to the wellbeing of an animal. To be listed on this page trainers must share this same pain-free philosophy and be transparent about their training methods to potential clients. We believe trainers should only take on clients requiring services within their skill level. Our advice to pet owners is never leave your dog to be trained without you until you are 100% convinced your trainer is safe, trustworthy and transparent. When you take on the responsibility of caring lovingly for an animal part of that responsibility is to make sure the people you choose to care for your pet have the same respect for them as you do.
If your training style fits the description above, please contact us to be added to the list.
CANADA
Aces High Dog Training
Headley Hillier
www.aceshighdogtraining.com
headley@aceshighdogtraining.com
Toronto Ontario
Alison Solski
Hearts and Hounds Dog Training
www.heartsandhounds.ca
alison@heartsandhounds.ca
604.727.8595
Vancouver B.C
‘Empathic training for your dog’
All About Dogs Inc.
Renee deVilliers
renee@allaboutdogs.ca
Bring out the best in your dog,
so your dog can bring out the best in you.
www.allaboutdogs.ca
Toronto, Ontario
Alpha Dog Training
Nina Houghton
info@alpha-dogtraining.ca
604 802 8251
www.alpha-dogtraining.ca
Vancouver B.C.
A Better Dog Training Company
Andrew Thomas
www.TrainingYourDog.ca
604.866.0405
aBetterDogTrainingCompany@gmail.com
Langley, Surrey & White Rock B.C. areas
Bravo Dog Training & Behaviour Consulting
Renée Erdman
www.bravodog.ca
hello@bravodog.ca
North Vancouver B.C.
Bravo Fido
Jennifer Gailis and Sebastien Larabee
www.bravofido.com
info@bravofido.com
514-312-3435
Montreal, Quebec
Bren Axon
Woofers
Treating your dog with kindness & respect
www.woofers.ca
woofersdogs@shaw.ca
778 426 0000
Victoria B.C. & surrounding areas
Canine Spirit
Pamela Murray
www.caninespirit.com
cell 604 723 7097
Vancouver B.C.
Carolark - The Canine Learning Centre
Nicky Barham CPDT-KSA, KPA-CTP
www.carolark.com
613 591 3277
nicky.carolark@gmail.com
Stittsville Ontario
Gail Radtke
Cedar Valley K9
cedarvalleyk9.ca
cedarvalleyk9@shaw.ca
604-465-7248
Pitt Meadows BC
Bev Maahs KPA CTP
Chemainus Dog Training
www.chemainusdogtraining.com
bevmaahs@chemainusdogtraining.com
250-857-7958
Chemainus, BC (Mobile service)
Confident Canines Companion Training
Lynda O'Neill
"Specializing in Puppy Classes"
226-889-1014
www.confidentcanines.ca
59 Orchard Lane
Brussels, Ontario, Canada
N0G 1H0
Cowichan Canine Behavior & Training Ltd.
Lisbeth Plant KPACTP
First, Do No Harm
250 743 7648
www.cowichancanine.ca
info@cowichancanine.ca
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, B.C.
Definitely Dogs
Domena Diesing CPDT-KA
domena@definitelydogs.ca
www.definitelydogs.ca
Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, B.C.
Dog Friendship Inc.
Helen Prinold
info@dogfriendship.com
226 500 3647
www.dogfriendship.com
Guelph, Ontario
Dogma Training & Pet Services Inc.
Megan Armstrong, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA
Owner/Director
403.452.5400
www.dogmatraining.com
515 - 70 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2V 0P5
DOGSMART TRAINING
Alice Fisher CPDT-KA
Tel: 604-267-9500
info@dogsmart.ca
www.dogsmart.ca
100 - 8206 Ontario Street
Vancouver, BC. V5X 3E3
Dogs of Distinction Canine Training Inc.
Jane Bowers BA, CPDT-KA, CABC, Di. Vet. Hom.
604-989-3647 (989-DOGS)
jane@dogsofdistinction.com
www.dogsofdistinction.com
Vancouver, BC
Fearless Fido
Bethany Coles - CPDT-KA
(902) 388 - 1665
www.fearlessfido.ca
beth@fearlessfido.ca
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
CANADA
Gentle Puppy Training Sanctuary & Boarding Resort
Monique Charbonnier CPDT-KA
"The Gentle and Fun Approach for puppies and dogs too!"
604-607-6564
www.gentlepuppytraining.ca
gentlepuppytraining@gmail.com
Abbotsford. B.C.
Fairy Dog Mother Training & Pet Care
Jenn Hauta
250 619 9284
fairy_dogmother@live.ca
www.fairydogmother.me
Nanaimo B.C.
Jollytails Doggy Daycare
Tristan Flynn, CPDT-KA
3484 Intercolonial St, Halifax NS
www.jollytails.ca
(902) 469-4738
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Loose Leashed
Graham Horne
http://www.looseleashed.com
416 509 9481
ghorne84@hotmail.com
Ajax, Ontario
Lisa Kerley BSc, KPA-CTP
Dog Days | Training for Life
dogdayscompany@telus.net
http://dogdays.company/
https://www.facebook.com/dogdaystrainingforlife/
Like and Follow Us on Facebook
Modern Canine Training
Kris Crestejo, CDBC, ABCDT
www.ModernCanineTraining.com
ModernCanineTraining@Gmail.com
604-866-8999
Langley, BC
Dog Partners Professional Training
Valerie Barry, KPA-CTP
Dog Partners - Certified and Accredited
dogpartners.ca
604-868-5145
Like and Follow us on FB and Instagram: @dogpartnerstraining
"Training is something to do with your dog, not to your dog.”
Nancy Tucker, CPDT-KA
819-580-1583
woof@nancytucker.ca
www.nancytucker.ca
Sherbrooke, Quebec
No Dog Left Behind
Derek Snow CPDT
Training and Behavior Consulting
info@ndlb.ca
www.ndlb.ca
306-630-5801
Please "LIKE" our facebook
page at www.facebook.com/NDLBMJ.
Moose Jaw, SK, Canada
Oh My Dog!
Simone Ritter
Behaviour Training CPDT
www.ohmydog-training.com
604.537.6855
Vancouver B.C.
Marilyn Aston, CPDT-KA
Owner, One Leg Up Canine Company
(519) 820-4683
www.onelegupcanineco.com
Like us on F/B : www.facebook.com/OneLegUpCanineCo
Follow us on Twitter : @OneLegUpCanine
Guelph, Ontario
Pawlished Dogs
Jonelle Warren Owner
604 612 4789
pawlisheddogs@gmail.com
www.pawlisheddogs.com
Burnaby, BC Canada
Pawsitive Connection Dog Training & Services
Erin Taylor
778-881-1539
info@pawsitiveconnection.ca
www.pawsitiveconnection.ca
1125 − 11871 Horseshoe Way,
Richmond, BC V7A 5H5
Pawsitively Canine Dog Training Services
Lisa Davies, KPA-CTP
(604) 836-5948
www.pawsitivelycanine.ca
12076 Webster Street,
Maple Ridge, BC, Canada, V4R 1A6
'We make training fun for you AND your dog!!'
Pet Me Please
Silke Le Messurier
613-398-0314
info@petmeplease.ca
www.petmeplease.ca
Trenton Ontario
P.R.DOGz Training
Coral Atnikov
(306) 216-5575
dogz@sasktel.net
www.DOGztore.ca
www.prdogz.com
Regina Sk
Jodi Beedell BA, CTC, CPDT-KA, CTDI
Raising Fido Canine Behaviour & Training Centre
www.raisingfido.com
info@raisingfido.com
587 534 0736
4301 9th St. SE
Calgary, Alberta
Saro Boghozian
Saro Dog Training & Jonah’s Ark Doggie Daycare Centre
www.saroboghozian.com
info@saroboghozian.com
604-990-1642
1611 Welch St. North Vancouver,
BC, Canada
Scratch and Sniff Canine Services
Emily Fisher, CPDT-KA
226-486-124437
www.scratchandsniff.ca
info@scratchandsniff.ca
Chapel Lane. Guelph,
Ontario
"Effective, compassionate training for manners and problem behaviours"
Take the Lead Dog Training
Catherine Adams
www.taketheleaddogtraining.ca
Catherine@taketheleaddogtraining.ca
250 808 4122
Kelowna to Summerland B.C
Voice 4 Dogs
Silvia Jay
902-843-2182
silvia4dogs@gmail.com
www.silvia4dogs.com
Blogs: http://silvia4dogs.blogspot.ca
Force-free Solutions for Every Behavior Problem
Nova Scotia
Walkabout Canine Consulting
Sylvia Koczerzuk, CPDT, CDBC
226-348-3948
walkaboutcanine@aol.com
www.walkaboutcanine.com
853 Lawndale Ave
Kingsville Ontario
'Fun Concepts, Real Results’
When Hounds Fly
Andre Yeu
www.whenhoundsfly.com
andre@whenhoundsfly.com
647 993 2275
1108 Dundas Street West,
Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1X2
WiggleBums Training
April Lott
403-923-2888
www.wigglebumstraining.com
Calgary, AB, Canada
Yaletown Dog Training
Sarah Pennington
www.yaletowndogtraining.com
www.facebook.com/yaletowndogtraining
604 683 3318
Vancouver B.C.
USA
A Clever Canine
Anne Pantall CPDT-KA
http://www.aclevercanine.com/
pbgvtrax@yahoo.com
772-812-0222
Stuart, Florida
Anne Springer, B.A., PCT-A, CTDI
PAWS FOR PRAISE
Positive Training for a Great Dog!
119 Liberty St., 2nd Floor
Danvers, MA 01923
978-356-3286
www.pawsforpraise.com
Believe In Dog, LLC
Lauri Vaccare, ABCDT, Member PPG
Truly Dog Friendly Member
270-393-2398
BelieveInDog@usa.com
http://believeindog.weebly.com
Alvaton, Kentucky
Betty's TLC Dog & Puppy Training C.D.B.C., C.D.B.C.
Betty Laurin
"Aquidneck Island's Most Respected Dog Trainer for Over 40 Years!"
www.bettystlcdogtraining.com
401-841-0857
Rhode Island, USA
Canine Connection LLC
Cindy Ludwig
"Click with your dog!"
Canine Connection Positively Trained Therapy Dog Program
www.clicker.solutions
lucindamludwig@gmail.com
Waynesville, Missouri
Dale's Dog Training Academy LLC
Dale Ward
Tel: 757 389 5359
https://daleward.positively.com/contact/
Chesapeake, VA
Debbie Winkler CABC; CPDT
Humane Domain
www.humanedomain.net
deb@humanedomain.net
410-549-1135
6833 White Rock Road
Sykesville, MD 21784 USA
"Kindness is a choice-you can always choose kindness"
Dog Star Training
Judy Luther, CPDT-KA, VSPDT, CSMT, KPACTP
314-422-2700
Judy@DogStars.biz
www.DogStars.biz
St. Louis, MO and surrounding areas, Branson, MO, Springfield, MO
Friends for Life; Holistic Pet Training
Natalie Hawkins
www.friendsforlifeco.com
Dogtrainingffl@gmail.com
720-272-1668
Pine, Colorado
House of Dog Training
A Force Free Facility / Certified Trainers
www.houseofdogtraining.com
(719) 646-1422
trainers@houseofdogtraining.com
Colorado Springs, CO
Jane Miller, LISW, CDBC, AABP-CDBT,
Executive Director, Healing Companions, Inc.
Author of, “Healing Companions: Ordinary Dogs and Their Extraordinary Power To Transform Lives.”
www.healing-companions.org
Oberlin, Ohio
jmiller@oberlin.net
800-457-0345
Kathrine Breeden
Tel: 972 345 7955
www.bekindtodogs.com
Chandler, Arizona
"Teach Your Dog Good Behavior For Life"
Linda Michaels, MA, Victoria Stilwell Dog Training
Linda Michaels
Tel: 858-259-9663
LindaPositively@gmail.com
DogPsychologistOnCall.com
Del Mar, California
Laura Brody, CPDT-KA
Dog Behavior Specialist
Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer
goodfamilydog.com
laura@goodfamilydog.com
720-289-7498
Denver, Colorado
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should
Get Pawsitive Dog Training
Sarah Surritt
www.getpawsitive.com
Sarah@getpawsitive.com
858.336.3590
Ca. USA
MsBehaving
Francine Miller
www.callmsbehaving.com
Francine@callmsbehaving.com
858-248-1410
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Pawz For Health In Home Dog Training
Janet Oquendo CPDT-KA
"We Train Without Pain"
www.pawzforhealth.net/
janet@pawzforhealth.net
Tel: 410 299 1013
Maryland & DC metro area
USA
'We are Changing the lives of dogs'
Reward That Puppy Inc.
Ada Simms
585 314 7663
www.rewardthatpuppy.com
5517 East River Rd.
West Henrietta
NY, USA 14586
Ren Volpe • Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant
(CTBC) Certificate in Training and Behavior Consultation
(CBCC-KA) Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed
(CSAT) Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer
Fear Free Certified Professional
DogTec Certified Dog Walker
Pet Professional Guild and Shock-Free Coalition Member
4083 24th St. #316 • San Francisco, CA 94114
GoDogPro.com ‣ Because Your Dog Deserves a Professional
Raising Your Pets Naturally
Tonya Wilheim
Specializing in puppy development & canine anxiety
www.raisingyourpetsnaturally.com
Tel 419 699 7785
Toledo, OH
"Serving the world via online & live feed"
Top Dog Canine Counseling
Katherine Novak - APDT
www.topdogcaninecounseling.com
Tel 410 207-6163
Baltimore, Maryland 21228
USA
“Better Training Through Education"
The Dog Chick Dog Training & Behavior Modification
Charlene Sorrentino - CPDT-KA, CCBC
www.thedogchick.com
dogtraining123@yahoo.com
631 423 9690
260 Evergreen Ave.,
So. Huntington NY 11746
"Motivation is the key to success"
Unleash the Pawsitive
Laura Clawson, ABCDT, VSPDT, ANWI
Tel 770 871 8656
www.unleashthepawsitive.com
Carrollton, GA
Big Tail Waggin Dog Training
Roseann Burrets-Baars
www.bigtailwaggin.com
info@bigtailwaggin.com
732-741-3444
New Jersey, USA
When hiring a trainer keep in mind:
Certification for dog training can come from excellent schools and schools with lower standards. Unless a certifying organization, independent of the training school that issues the certificate assesses a student and determines they have meet a certain standard, the certificate alone is no guarantee of knowledge.
The pet training industry is not regulated. What makes a great trainer is not easily definable but two elements are crucial, respect for the sentience of animals and gentle training methods. In some cases, a Certified Animal Behaviorist with a doctorate degree may be required for complex problems.
You will want to ask a trainer about their background, education, experience, affiliations, methods of training and personal philosophy. A trainer with nothing to hide will be happy to answer your questions. Although it is our own opinion, not shared by everyone, we recommend you do not leave your pet to be trained without you.
Please note: There are trainers who advertise they use positive methods, describe themselves as balanced trainers, but conveniently leave out they will also use shock, prong and choke collars in addition to other harsh treatment. There are also trainers who do not use shock, prong or choke collars but still engage in harsh methods.
Together we can protect the most vulnerable among us by banning outright the sale and use of shock collars on all animals throughout the world. Please sign the on-line Global Petition
If you witness animal abuse with or without the use of a shock device, please do not delay in calling the police or an animal organization in your area. If by reporting the abuse you feel your safety is at risk tell the authorities you wish to remain anonymous