E-mail Today At:
shaggydogtraining@gmail.com
Creating Positive Relationships Two Barks and One Meow At A Time!
343-453-1400
Science-Based, Force-Free Behaviour Support for Dogs and Cats
Professional guidance focused on welfare, safety, and lasting change for animals and their families in Kingston & surrounding areas.
What Pet Parents Say
Victoria was very compassionate when listening to my concerns about my cat Apricot and her new housemates. Victoria has always told us 100% of the truth and been very realistic with our training.
I really appreciated her teaching us(the humans) what we needed to know to improve our animals lives while maintaining their natural behaviours. Apricot got the best cat highway of her life and we are always striving to create enriching experiences for her.
Victoria was very fair with us and flexible when it came to our timings of training and when we needed to pay - overall she has had excellent quality training and was extremely professional.
We are so thankful to Victoria for all her help and guidance with our dog Sami, who suffered from severe separation anxiety. We tried to work with him on our own, however, when we left him alone, he became destructive to the point where we had to take him to the emergency vet. He would cry and or howl the entire time we were gone.
When we reached out to Victoria, it was really as a last resort, thinking that there was nothing that could be done. We are happy to say that after a few months, we are now able to leave him alone for short periods of time and have the knowledge to continue with his training.
Victoria's knowledge and patience have made a significant difference for both our dog and us. While we realize there is still work ahead, she has laid a solid foundation for our continued progress.
We cannot say enough about what Victoria has done to help us.
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!
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!
Expertise You Can Trust
Meet Victoria Blondin
(MSc, BSc, Cert. SAPT)
Victoria Blondin is the founder of Shaggy Dog Pet Training and a science-based canine and feline behaviour consultant serving Kingston and Eastern Ontario. She believes every pet is a family member first, and that behaviour change should be built on understanding, trust, and evidence-based practice.
Her journey began in high school, retraining neglected horses, which sparked a lifelong focus on behaviour, welfare, and humane training. Victoria later earned a Master of Science in Animal Welfare and Behaviour from the University of Guelph, as well as a veterinary degree. She now works exclusively in the field of behaviour and does not provide veterinary medical services.
Rather than simply “training dogs,” she helps guardians understand their pet’s communication, emotional state, and needs, using force-free, science-based methods rather than fear or punishment.
Why Science-Based Training?
With over 20 years of experience working with dogs, cats, and other companion animals, Victoria stays current with modern behaviour science so clients do not have to guess what works. Her approach focuses on welfare, safety, and long-term outcomes, whether addressing separation anxiety, fear and reactivity, puppy foundations, or cat behaviour concerns. The goal is always the same: to reduce stress, improve communication, and restore calm and confidence in the home.
Learn more about Victoria and Shaggy Dog Training here.
The Winston Connection
Victoria’s Old English Sheepdog, Winston, is a daily reminder that training should be engaging and enjoyable. While he began in formal obedience, his true passion turned out to be trick training, reinforcing an important lesson: when we listen to animals and work with their preferences, learning becomes both effective and joyful. That philosophy carries through every consultation at Shaggy Dog Training.
Behaviour & Training Services
Clear, science-based support for dogs and cats, from everyday training to complex behaviour concerns.
Practical training focused on real life, not drills, helping dogs succeed in everyday situations.
Careful, evidence-based support for dogs who struggle when left alone, with a focus on welfare and emotional safety.
Structured behaviour work for fear, reactivity, anxiety, and stress-related concerns, without force or quick fixes.
Clear guidance and professional direction for clients who need answers without committing to ongoing sessions.
Behaviour support for cats that looks beyond surface symptoms and addresses the underlying cause.
Independent learning options built on the same science-based principles used in live consultations.