Amy Merrill

Member Feature: Jennifer Berg – Helping Shape the Future of CAPDT’s Flagship Publication

CAPDT Community, CAPDT Updates / Amy Merrill

Behind every great professional association is a dedicated group of volunteers who generously share their time and expertise. This month, we’d like to shine a spotlight on one of those exceptional members—Jennifer Berg, CPDT-KA, CDBC. Many CAPDT members know Jennifer as the editor behind our annual digital publication, FORUM, but her contributions to our profession extend […]

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Working Dogs: Seeing Through Scent

Dog Training, Working Dogs / Amy Merrill

A simple walk outside for us humans is much more complex for a dog. It’s filled with information; what animals have passed through, where food may have been and even what’s changed since their last visit. They can tell all this through scents. Dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell to gather information about

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Member Feature: Donna Ashley

CAPDT Community / Amy Merrill

“Whether you are training a new puppy, or facing behaviour challenges with your older dog, I’ll guide you towards your goals while prioritizing both your education and your dog’s well-being. I hope to help you embrace the life-long journey of learning and an ever-growing connection with your beloved canine!” As a CPDT, CBATI, ‘Fear Free’

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Member Feature: Sylvia Currie

CAPDT Community / Amy Merrill

Over the years as a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT), I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable growth of this organization and its potential to drive the change so greatly needed in dog training across Canada. Like many members, I initially joined for practical benefits, such as discounts on essential services like dog training

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Origin of the Prong Collar

Dog Training / Amy Merrill

By Nanette Lai, MA, CPDT-KA This is a revised excerpt of the author’s blog post “It’s 2025. Do Not Do As The [Ancient] Romans Do” published January 20, 2025. The prong/pinch collar has been described as a medieval torture device. That’s inaccurate. Because the design occurred far earlier. A wall painting located in the Etruscan

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A Dog’s Senior Years

Dog Training / Amy Merrill

by Donna Hill, B.Sc. (Zool) B.Ed. ServiceDogTrainingInstitute.online Living with a senior dog is a journey filled with love, challenges, and profound moments, much like caring for an elderly parent or relative. As our canine companions age, they require special attention and care, which can significantly impact our daily lives and routines. Over the years we

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Member Feature: Sylvia Koczerzuk

CAPDT Community / Amy Merrill

As a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant, Trainer, Fear Free Professional, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, Certified Dynamic Dog Practitioner, Victoria Stillwell Academy Advisor and the founder of Walkabout Canine Consulting in Kingsville, Ontario, I help dog guardians navigate either 1-2-1 , virtually or though online course/membership everything from reactivity to resource guarding and do so with

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Beyond the Cookie: Establishing Boundaries Through Positive Reinforcement Training

Dog Training / Amy Merrill

Positive reinforcement training, often humorously termed “cookie pushing”, is frequently misunderstood within the pet dog training community. Some may view it as overly permissive, lacking the discipline required to effectively train dogs. This perspective, however, is far from the truth. In reality, positive reinforcement is a method that establishes clear and firm boundaries through non-coercive

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Make Your Membership Count: The Power of Displaying the CAPDT Insignia

CAPDT Members / Amy Merrill

As a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT), you are part of a respected community that champions ethical, science-based, and humane dog training. Your membership is not just a professional credential—it’s a public declaration of your values, credibility, and commitment to excellence in the field of dog training and behaviour. Why

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Dog shaking its paw with a dog trainer - fostering the concept of dog-friendly and humane training techniques across Canada.

Upholding Our Standards and Moving Forward Together

CAPDT Updates / Amy Merrill

Dear Members, As many of you know, CAPDT introduced the STOP List in 2019 in response to feedback from our membership. This initiative marked a significant moment for our organization, as we elevated our Code of Ethics and became one of the first professional associations to take a firm stance against the use of aversive

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Member Feature: Jennifer Berg – Helping Shape the Future of CAPDT’s Flagship Publication

Working Dogs: Seeing Through Scent

Member Feature: Donna Ashley

Member Feature: Sylvia Currie

Origin of the Prong Collar

A Dog’s Senior Years

Member Feature: Sylvia Koczerzuk

Beyond the Cookie: Establishing Boundaries Through Positive Reinforcement Training

Make Your Membership Count: The Power of Displaying the CAPDT Insignia

Upholding Our Standards and Moving Forward Together

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