What Pet Parents Say

Sherry Whitehorne, Kingston

Shaggy Dog Pet Service has shown me that my dogs are highly trainable by ME! In two short sessions Victoria has trained me how to walk my dogs so that they behave without me yelling or them pulling! She has also reliably come to take my dogs out twice a week for a group walk and left me journal notes from my dogs each time with updates on how well they are walking on leash. I have booked Victoria for some in-home dog, cat and fish sitting in the near future and I feel confident that I am leaving my pets and my home in her capable hands. I highly recommend Victoria’s Shaggy Dog Pet Services and it isn’t just because we have the same breed of dogs, it’s because her services are what she says they are - and more!

Erin DiCarlo, Ancaster

Victoria and Winston were tremendous in helping us train our puppy Coco. We started with puppy kindergarten where Coco mastered the sit, stay, leave it and drop it commands. Victoria was very supportive and encouraging through the nipping phases. We learned to recognize triggers and deter the nipping. Puppy obedience class is where we learned how to get Coco off the couch, settle down when visitors were at the door, go to her bed and lay down and more. Victoria and Winston helped us in having a behaved new family member in our home. I would recommend Victoria and her partner Winston to anyone with a new pup in their life.

Sarah Marie, Kingston

Met with Victoria for some assistance with my dog, Bruce, who has a tendency to be fearful and bark at strangers coming into his home or other familiar environments. Victoria was great with Bruce and able to calm him quickly when she came to our home. She educated us on dog behaviour, human behaviour, and what messages can be transferred through these interactions. She gave us a thorough and easy-to-follow training plan and has checked in multiple times since to see how everything is going and if we have any more questions. Would highly recommend Victoria for behaviour training that is based solely on reinforcement and positivity, rather than punishment and negativity. Her prices are also very fair, and it is worth it for Bruce to be more comfortable and for me to be more confident!

Janine K., Niagara Falls

Victoria is an amazing trainer. She worked along side me to train my Sheepie and I'm truly grateful for her support and guidance. We came to Victoria for basic puppy training and am very pleased with her services and knowledge. Aglaea has learned so much from a sit and stay, heel with no pulling her leash when walking, puppy nip control, to greeting with proper manners and completely adores the learning games we learned to satisfy her natural puppy needs. Victoria's lessons and instructions are easy to follow, she readily answers any questions or concerns and I am now constantly complimented on my pup's manners and behavior. We had a lot of fun leaning and absolutely recommend Shaggy Dog Pet Services!

Why Choose Shaggy Dog?

I’m very friendly, open, and non-judgmental.

Communicating effectively with you is essential to training success by ensuring the knowledge I have on animal behaviour and training reaches you and your pet. 

In step with this, there is much flexibility in how the services are offered: online, in-person, flexible times, and scheduling.

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I train through positive reinforcement and have a strict- no fear, pain, or punishment policy. The welfare of your pet and you come first and we work to train through strengthening your bond with your pet.

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There are a large range of services offered here at Shaggy Dog; including: Trick training, separation 

   anxiety training, child safety with dogs training, cat training, and many more.

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I am a professional trainer with 3 advanced degrees, including a veterinary degree, focusing on animal health, behaviour & welfare.

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I also hold additional training in dog aggression toward people, separation anxiety, and more.

I understand how devastating behaviour conditions, such as separation anxiety or fear-aggression, can be on the pets and the entire family. I’ve been through those challenges personally, but also with many other clients, and I can use this experience to help guide your pet and you through this training.

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