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 compassion, science-based methods, and a bit of common sense humour along the way. I also support fellow trainers through mentorship and education, because I believe we rise together. I have also recently authored my book Resource Guarding, Understanding with Compassion.
What Does Belonging to a Professional Organization Mean to Me?
I’ve been in the pet dog training industry for a very long time. When I started, there was no such thing as certification, accreditation, or national standards. I began in the veterinary field, where I was designated the client and staff education lead thanks to continuing education opportunities I’d been given.
When I ventured out on my own, I was passionate about doing things professionally. My background in business taught me that belonging to a professional organization signals that you take your work—and your ongoing learning—seriously. It also gives you a space to stay connected to the broader industry.
Over the years, I’ve been a member of a few professional organizations across the pet sector, but CAPDT stood out. It provided trainers like me with access to educational resources, periodicals, and conferences—and most importantly, a growing community of trainers who were moving forward together as the positive training movement expanded across Canada during that time. It was exciting to be part of a group of trainers who were doing better because we were all learning to be better at what we do while taking into consideration our dogs welfare to do no harm. There was so much learning at the time .
Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to be serving as a volunteer on committees and the new Chair of the Membership Committee. The CAPDT has evolved into an even more inclusive, collaborative space for professionals at all stages—whether you’re in private practice, shelter work, rescue, grooming, or another animal-related field.
Our mandate is simple but powerful: To elevate the profession, do no harm, and help dog guardians and their dogs thrive. And I believe that can only happen when we come together to support one another—especially since many of us work in isolation.
My hope is to grow our membership and foster more connection between trainers, behaviour consultants, and other professionals across the country.
Whether you’re just starting out or have decades of experience, I invite you to join us. Let’s build something strong, together. Belonging to the CAPDT reminds me I’m not doing this work alone. I hope some of you will join me on the membership so we can work together at building this great association.
Sylvia Koczerzuk
Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant & Trainer
Founder of Walkabout Canine Consulting
Chair of the CAPDT Membership Committee
www.walkaboutcanineconsulting.org
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