Dog Training Services
I have been training dogs professionally for over 20 years.
I offer coaching services for people and their dogs to help build the skills needed to create a successful canine and handler partnership for competitive dogsports, as well as in every day life.
I enjoy creating driven dogs who seek out their handlers and love their “work”. I want the dog to develop the skills it needs in a dynamic and play-based fashion that encourages the dog to think, and stay engaged with their handlers. I also want to give the handlers the skills they need to communicate effectively with their dogs, and bring out the best in them.
I focus on both elements of the canine/handler dynamic to ensure that both ends of the leash are doing their parts correctly. I have competed to the National Level in two different sports, and have titled many different breeds to multiple titles in Agility, Competitive Obedience, IGP, Dock Diving, and Rally, and have won multiple High in Trials in obedience, and Rally.
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I also offer consultations on many common behavioural and/or household and every day life issues such as reactivity to dogs or people, digging, chewing and pulling on leash. I have worked with many dogs over the years who’s owners had just about lost hope that their dogs would ever be able to have happy and normal lives, and I was able to help give them the tools needed to achieve just that.
In some special cases, I do provide board & train options for dogs who would benefit from some extensive one on one training to help them build the skills they need in order to get them on track for further training with their handlers. Handlers must commit to 4 private lessons before beginning the board & train packages. This provides the handler a better idea of where their dog is really at, and allows me to to be able to determine the specific areas of communication breakdown between the dog and handler.
Initial Private Dog Training Consultation $160/hour
Follow Up Private Training Sessions $120/hour
Small Group Dog Training Sessions $65/hour (per dog and handler pair).
Board & Train (will be available only in select situations) $180/day with a 2 week minimum and 4 private lessons before the dog begins their stay at the Den.
Small-group Classes to be announced when available! Keep checking back, or email me at;
Competitive Successes
I have trained multiple breeds in Competitive Obedience, and have won multiple High in Trials with Delilah. She recently earned her IGP3 title, and was High IGP3 in trial. At almost 7 years of age, she continues to train and trial in IGP, and we compete occasionally in agility. She is also a much loved member of the SuperDogs and has performed at events across the GTA including The CNE, and The Royal Winter Fair. Almost all of the IGP or Competitive Obedience judges who have ever given commentary on Delilah’s performances make note of her happy demeanour and the love of her work. This to me is of the utmost importance to me when I am training and trialing with my dogs.
I have gone to the AAC Agility Nationals 3 times, and had top ten finishes each time with a Rottweiler!
I bred, trained and trialed the #1 Rottweiler in Canada (RCC) Overall in Combined Obedience and Conformation in 2011.
I had the #1 German Shepherd in Big Air for DockDogs dock diving in 2021.
I have had High In Trials with my past Rottweiler, Ely in CARO Rally Obedience.
My own dogs have worked in the film industry for over 20 years and have been in many commercials, tv shows and movies. I have given seminars and presentations on teaching animals for film also.
Zeus, my favourite success story.
DockDogs Medal Winners, Delilah & Zeus.
Zeus is a rescue dog who came to me as a shut down and very fearful Rottweiler puppy at just under 5 months of age. At that tender age, Zeus already had some very serious fear reactions to strangers, especially men, and he had a full blown panic reaction to crates and being touched anywhere in proximity to a crate.
Zeus’s confidence has blossomed through patience and by providing him with a consistent and structured environment. In three years, Zeus has overcome most of his fears and has become friendly, and outgoing, he LOVES to be groomed and touched, and most of all, he LOVES his crates now.
Zeus has been able to function and successfully compete at the Nationals for DockDogs the past two years, and made the finals in 2021 and placed 3rd in his Division. This is a massive success for a boy who used to freeze in the presence of too many people.
Zeus has taught me the power of patience and creativity in my training, and always being aware of the dogs mental state in all situations on any given day. Just because it was fine yesterday, we always need to be aware of whether or not it’s fine today and give our dogs the option to slow down. My philosophy when training any dog, is to work with the dog in front of you, and to learn to be open to their needs to be successful on any given day in order for them to thrive and to be successful competitors in the long run.
Delilah's Den of Zen 