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 specific tasks to help mitigate […]
A Day in the Life of a Service Dog: Supporting Work and Well-Being Read More »
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 United States and Canada some
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly about Dog Parks Read More »
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 call themselves a dog trainer
The CVMA Supports Developing a National Certifying Body Read More »
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 stay, and in others there
Understanding Associative Conditioning In Behaviour Work Read More »
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 also fosters trust and strengthens
Understanding and Honouring Canine Consent in Training and Behaviour Work Read More »
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 and the national standards now
Becoming a Dog Trainer in Canada Read More »
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 chance. The trip was the
India Dog Field Study Tour 2025: One pet dog trainer’s experience Read More »
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
Origin of the Prong Collar Read More »
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 that the way wind turbines
Saving Bats and Birds At Risk, One Sniff at a Time Read More »
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
A Dog’s Senior Years Read More »