CAPDT Blog & Updates
Member Feature: Krisztina Harasztosi
What Are “Shake-Offs”—and What Are Dogs Telling Us? By Krisztina Harasztosi, MSc, CDBC, ADT-IAABC, CSAP-BC Have you ever noticed a dog shake from nose to tail after greeting another dog, walking away from a stressful situation, or finishing an exciting activity? These “shake-offs” are often dismissed as simply drying
Livestock Dogs for Pet Dog Trainers: What Their Original Jobs Can Teach Us
By Anne Poirer As pet dog trainers, we often meet dogs whose breed histories were shaped by livestock work, even when those dogs are now living on sofas, walking in neighbourhoods, and attending group classes. When we understand the differences among herding dogs, livestock guardian dogs, and multipurpose farm dogs,
Why CAPDT’s New Professional Pathways Are Good News for Trainers
If you’ve spent years building your knowledge, helping dogs and their families, and growing the profession through ethical, humane training, you may be wondering what CAPDT’s new National Curriculum Standard and professional pathways mean for you. The short answer? Good things. These initiatives are not about starting over. They’re about
A Day in the Life of a Service Dog: Supporting Work and Well-Being
When people think about service dogs, they often picture a highly trained dog accompanying their handler through daily life. While that image is certainly accurate, it only tells part of the story. A service dog (also called an assistance dog in some countries) is a specially trained dog that performs
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly about Dog Parks
By Sylvia Koczerzuk There are lot of good and bad perceptions about dog parks. This article is intended as an educational source to address some of the most common myths and perceptions about dog parks as well as to highlight their positive aspects. I have visited many dog parks throughout the
Annual General Meeting 2026
Our Annual General Meeting brought together 76 attendees from across the country for an evening filled with updates, progress, and excitement for the future of CAPDT. Members received a comprehensive recap of the work accomplished over the past year, including updates to the complaint process based directly on feedback shared
The CVMA Supports Developing a National Certifying Body
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has taken a strong and clear position on dog training in Canada. They support the development of a national certifying body to establish consistent standards for dog trainers—standards based on humane, evidence-based, reward-based methods. Source Why is this important? Currently in Canada, anyone can
Member Feature: Kelly Crawford DEIB
Welcoming Our New DEIB Committee Chair The Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers is pleased to introduce Kelly Crawford (she/they) as the new Chair of the DEIB Committee (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging). Kelly brings a deep commitment to both animal welfare and community support, with a training philosophy
Member Feature: Donna Ashley
“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
Understanding Associative Conditioning In Behaviour Work
by Andrew Perkins Best Friends Training In a week of dog walks, I probably see two or three different people trying to get their hyper-aroused dogs to hold a stay or a “watch-me” while an unfamiliar dog is walked past on the sidewalk. In some cases the dog holds the
Understanding and Honouring Canine Consent in Training and Behaviour Work
by Jaime Knowles, CPDT-KA, FFCP (Trainer), Dip. CSBT www.GoodDog-Academy.com In recent years, the concept of consent has become a growing area of focus in the professional dog training community. Rooted in compassion and evidence-based practice, consent-based training not only respects the emotional and physical well-being of our canine companions but
Becoming a Dog Trainer in Canada
Dog training is a skilled profession grounded in science, ethics, and animal welfare. It requires far more than a love of dogs — it requires education, practical skill, and accountability. If you are considering dog training as a career, it is important to understand both the current landscape in Canada
Member Feature: Nina Munckhof
Nina Munckhof is an eclectic mix of Veterinary pro, behaviour, training, and holistic health! I have been a Registered Veterinary Technologist since 2002, passionate about nutrition and behavior while working in-clinic! Once I had my own litter of twins in 2015, I shifted to at home nail trims, training, and
Member Feature: Shannon Noonan
This month, we’re excited to highlight the work of of member, Shannon Noonan, a trainer whose compassion-first approach is making a meaningful impact in the lives of dogs and their humans. Shannon’s insights below offer a thoughtful look into her philosophy, her work with complex behaviour cases, and what professional
Member Feature: Jessica Eden O’Neill
I have dedicated my career to canine behaviour and the emotional well-being of dogs and their guardians. As the founder of Pet Intel & Emotional Well-Being, I specialize in behaviour consulting, rehabilitation, and training programs tailored for dogs with complex needs, from reactivity and aggression to service and therapy dog preparation.
India Dog Field Study Tour 2025: One pet dog trainer’s experience
By Sheelah Gullion, CPDT-KA, CFDM, CSAT, BCSPCA AnimalKind As a professional dog trainer, combining business and pleasure is not unfamiliar, so when the opportunity to join a group of dog pros on a visit to India to learn about the street dogs—or “Indies”—there, I won’t deny I jumped at the
Member Feature: Sylvia Currie
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
Origin of the Prong Collar
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
Saving Bats and Birds At Risk, One Sniff at a Time
By Dr. Carla Simon Hunter’s Heart Scent Detection Training Wouldn’t it be monumental if we could harness cleaner energy sources, curtail environmental damage and support conservation efforts? Wind energy is one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy sources and can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. However, research estimates
A Dog’s Senior Years
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
Member Feature: Sylvia Koczerzuk
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
Beyond the Cookie: Establishing Boundaries Through Positive Reinforcement Training
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
Make Your Membership Count: The Power of Displaying the CAPDT Insignia
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
Upholding Our Standards and Moving Forward Together
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
