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 »
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 at last year’s AGM. We
Annual General Meeting 2026 Read More »
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 centered on empowering pet guardians
Member Feature: Kelly Crawford DEIB 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 »
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 behavior. I am currently a
Member Feature: Nina Munckhof Read More »
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 community truly means to her.
Member Feature: Shannon Noonan Read More »
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
Member Feature: Sylvia Currie Read More »