Dog training for real life in Niagara
We train where life actually happens — busy sidewalks, stores, kids, other dogs — so the skills hold up outside the classroom. All ages and breeds are welcome.
Board & Train
Your dog stays with Mandy for focused, one-on-one training tailored to your goals.
Board & Train is built around your dog’s specific needs and what you’d like worked on — from basic manners and impulse control to show-ring etiquette for conformation dogs. Stays are tailored to the dog, from about a week to a month.
We train in every situation we can find so your dog gets used to new smells, sounds, people, lights and kids — from a morning walk along a busy road to field trips into pet-friendly stores.
- Basic manners and impulse control (waiting at doors and crates, polite greetings)
- Loose-leash walking, heeling and reliable recall
- Confidence in public places and around distractions
- Show-ring manners and handling practice for conformation dogs
Board & Train is not a quick fix. It takes many hours, patience and realistic expectations — and when your dog comes home, the training continues with you.
Ask about availabilityPuppy & Obedience Classes
Small group classes for puppies and adult dogs, held in Fenwick.
Novice puppy classes and obedience classes at all levels cover the skills that make everyday life easier — coming when called, walking nicely on leash, sit, down, stay and “leave it.”
- Novice puppy class — a great first step for new puppy families
- Obedience classes for every level, starting with Level 1
- Recall that works — no more “catch me if you can”
- Practical manners for life with kids, school buses and busy driveways
Trick Training
Fun, brain-busy training that earns recognized trick titles.
Seven-week, one-hour courses for all ages, sizes and breeds. Purebred dogs can earn titles recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club, and every dog — mixed breeds included — can title through Do More With Your Dog. The Novice title requires 15 tricks.
- Novice, Intermediate and Advanced trick titles
- Keeps dogs mentally and physically busy — great for high-energy Labs
- Builds focus and a stronger bond with your dog
Our own Tonka holds Novice, Intermediate and Advanced trick titles, and one young student earned all three before he was six months old.
Sign up for tricksTrained, certified and insured
- Graduate of Dave McMahon’s Dog Training Academy (2008) — obedience, scent detection and personal protection
- Certified Trick Dog Instructor, Do More With Your Dog (2023)
- Canadian Kennel Club Canine Good Neighbour evaluator (2024)
- Veterinary Assistant, Northern College (2010, with honours)
- Insured through PROfur, insurance for pet care professionals
Training FAQ
Do you train breeds other than Labradors?
Yes. Classes and Board & Train are open to dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds, including mixed breeds.
Where are classes held?
Group classes are held in Fenwick, and we have also run sessions with partner facilities in Welland. Contact us for the location and start date of the next class.
How long is Board & Train?
It depends on your dog and your goals. Past stays have ranged from one week to four weeks. We’ll recommend a length after we learn about your dog.
Will my dog stay trained after Board & Train?
Board & Train isn’t a quick fix. When your dog comes home, the training continues with you — dogs that don’t keep practising slip back into old habits. We’ll make sure you know what your dog has learned so you can keep it going.
How much does training cost?
Pricing depends on the program. Please get in touch for current rates and class dates.
Serving dogs and their families across the Niagara Region, including Fonthill, Fenwick, Pelham, Welland, St. Catharines, Thorold, Port Colborne, Niagara Falls, Grimsby, Lincoln, Wainfleet, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Ready to start training?
Tell us about your dog and what you’d like to work on, and we’ll recommend the right program.