E-mail Today At:
shaggydogtraining@gmail.com
Creating Positive Relationships Two Barks and One Meow At A Time!
343-453-1400
Obedience & Manners
Expert Dog & Puppy Training in Kingston, Ontario & Surrounding Areas
Living with an unruly dog or a brand-new puppy can quickly turn daily life into a source of frustration. Whether you’re navigating the busy streets of downtown Kingston or walking local trails, you need a dog who can respond reliably in real-world situations.
​
Our private obedience training programs in Kingston support dogs at every life stage, from building strong foundations in young puppies to refining behaviour in adolescent or adult dogs who need clearer structure.
​
Training focuses on practical skills that transfer beyond the living room. Through structured, reward-based methods grounded in behaviour science, we build calm behaviour, clear communication, and consistency so you can handle everyday challenges with confidence, whether that means a crowded patio, visitors at the door, or unexpected distractions on a walk.
​
Training May Include:
Puppy Foundations:
Early socialisation, house-training structure, bite inhibition, and preventing common puppy behaviours from becoming long-term habits.
​
Loose Leash Walking
Teaching your dog to walk without pulling so you can move comfortably through Kingston neighbourhoods and public spaces.
​
Distraction Management
Helping your dog stay responsive around other dogs, cyclists, pedestrians, and environmental stimuli.
​
Reliable Manners at Home
Addressing jumping, counter-surfing, door rushing, and impulse control in household settings.
​
Recall Development
Building a dependable come-when-called response to increase safety and off-leash reliability where appropriate.
Separation Anxiety
Separation Anxiety Training for Dogs in Kingston & Across Canada
Is your dog howling, pacing, barking, or becoming destructive when left alone?
Are you rearranging your life around daycare, pet sitters, or constant supervision just to prevent panic episodes?
​
Separation anxiety is a clinically recognised panic disorder. It is not stubbornness or a lack of training. Dogs experiencing separation anxiety are in genuine distress, and the condition can significantly affect the entire household.
​
Shaggy Dog provides structured, evidence-based separation anxiety training for clients in Kingston and across Canada. As a certified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer (SAPT), Victoria follows proven, force-free protocols specifically designed for this condition.
​
Because separation anxiety occurs when a dog is left alone, sessions are conducted remotely so training takes place in your dog’s real home environment, where the behaviour actually happens. This allows for accurate threshold assessment and carefully measured progress.
​
Each program is tailored to your dog’s individual starting point and includes clear guidance, progress tracking, and ongoing adjustments. The goal is emotional stability, not temporary management.
​
With consistency and a properly structured plan, many dogs can learn to remain calm and relaxed when left home alone, allowing you to regain flexibility while improving your dog’s overall wellbeing.
Behaviour Modification
Behaviour Modification for Reactive, Fearful, or Aggressive Dogs in Kingston & Surrounding Areas
When behaviour moves beyond basic manners, daily life can start to feel tense or unpredictable. Walks through Kingston neighbourhoods may involve barking or lunging. Visitors entering the home may trigger growling or avoidance. Some households begin managing the environment constantly to prevent conflict.
​
These behaviours are not simply training gaps. They are emotional responses shaped by stress, fear, frustration, or repeated rehearsal.
​
Shaggy Dog Training provides structured behaviour modification services in Kingston and surrounding communities for dogs displaying reactivity, fear-based aggression, resource guarding, handling sensitivity, and other stress-driven behaviours. The goal is not suppression. The goal is to improve emotional stability so behaviour becomes more predictable and manageable in real-world settings.
​
Each case begins with a comprehensive assessment to identify triggers, thresholds, arousal patterns, environmental factors, and reinforcement history. From there, a tailored plan is developed to address both management and skill-building within the dog’s everyday environment.
Behaviour modification programs may include work related to:
​
Leash reactivity toward dogs or people
Fear-based or defensive aggression
Resource guarding involving food, toys, or resting areas
Handling sensitivity or grooming stress
Multi-dog household tension
High-arousal behaviours that escalate quickly
​
Training is systematic and progressive. Clients receive clear strategies to reduce rehearsal of unwanted behaviours along with structured exercises designed to build regulation and resilience over time.
​
With consistency and appropriate guidance, many dogs in Kingston and surrounding areas are able to develop calmer responses and greater reliability in everyday situations.
Cat Training
Cat Behaviour Consulting in Kingston, Ontario & Across Canada
Living with unresolved cat behaviour concerns can quietly erode household harmony. Tension between cats, persistent scratching, litter box avoidance, or sudden stress behaviours often leave owners unsure where to begin.
Feline behaviour is governed by territory, security, resource access, and environmental predictability. When those elements are disrupted, behavioural changes frequently follow. These concerns are rarely about disobedience. They are usually indicators of unmet environmental or emotional needs.
​
Shaggy Dog Training provides structured cat behaviour consulting tailored specifically to feline behavioural science. Work begins with a detailed history and an assessment of the home environment, including resource distribution, vertical space, litter box management, and inter-cat dynamics where applicable.
​
Because many feline issues are closely tied to anxiety and stress, consultations are conducted virtually to prevent stress in your cat (but in-home sessions are possible in the Kingston area). This allows for practical, room-by-room evaluation and clear guidance that can be implemented immediately.
Support may address:
​
Inter-cat conflict or avoidance patterns
Litter box inconsistency or elimination concerns
Furniture scratching and territory marking
Handling sensitivity or overstimulation
Stress behaviours following environmental change
​
Intervention plans focus on environmental modification, predictable routines, appropriate enrichment, and positive reinforcement strategies. Aversive tools are not used, as punishment-based approaches are linked to increased stress and may exacerbate elimination or avoidance behaviours.
With appropriate adjustments and structured guidance, many households see meaningful improvements in stability and coexistence.
QuickStart
Structured Online Behaviour Guidance for Dog Owners in Kingston, Ontario & Across Canada
Not every concern requires a full training package, but many situations benefit from early professional guidance. QuickStart provides structured online support for dog owners in Kingston and across Canada who want clear direction without committing to ongoing sessions.
​
This service is designed for both emerging behaviour concerns and foundational obedience questions. Whether a puppy is struggling with house-training, an adolescent dog is beginning to show reactivity, or a household routine feels inconsistent, QuickStart offers targeted clarity before patterns become entrenched.
​
The process begins with a detailed behavioural and lifestyle questionnaire, along with a structured video submission. Daily routines, reinforcement patterns, trigger exposure, and environmental setup are reviewed carefully. From there, a written plan is developed specific to the dog’s current stage and challenges.
​
QuickStart may be appropriate for:
​
Puppy house-training or potty training structure
Early reactivity patterns
Mild resource guarding
Clarifying next steps when progress has plateaued
Household management adjustments
​
Clients receive a tailored written plan outlining management strategies, structured training exercises, and clear next steps. Recommendations are designed to be practical and measurable within the dog’s everyday environment.
​
QuickStart is not intended for complex or high-risk aggression cases requiring in-person behaviour modification. It is a strategic starting point for owners who want professional insight, preventative guidance, and structured direction.
​
Early, informed intervention often reduces long-term intensity and supports steadier progress in both obedience and behaviour goals.
Online Courses
Professional Online Dog Training Courses in Kingston, Ontario & Across Canada
Shaggy Dog Training offers structured online dog training courses for owners who prefer a self-paced, educational format. These programs are designed to build confidence, clarity, and consistency through organised instruction that can be completed from home.
​
Online courses are suitable for dog owners in Kingston, Ontario and across Canada who want to strengthen their understanding of training mechanics and apply those principles across everyday obedience and behaviour work.
​
Current Courses:
​
Clicker Training & Learning Theory
​
This course provides a structured introduction to clicker training and the core principles of canine learning theory. Owners learn how reinforcement functions, how timing influences behaviour, and how to build new skills with clear, consistent communication.
​
The material supports practical application across obedience training, behaviour modification, and cooperative care. By understanding the underlying mechanics of training, owners are better equipped to implement guidance effectively within any program.
​
Additional online dog training courses will be added as new structured programs are developed. Check back for later updates and course launches.
Child Safety with Dogs
Child and Dog Safety Consulting in Kingston, Ontario & Surrounding Area
Preparing a household for safe interactions between dogs and children requires structure, supervision, and proactive planning. Even well-loved family dogs can struggle with the unpredictability of infants and toddlers without clear guidance.
​
Shaggy Dog Training provides private child safety consultations for families in Kingston and surrounding area who want to reduce risk and build safer routines within the home. The focus is prevention, early stress-signal recognition, environmental management, and practical strategies that support both child safety and canine welfare.
​
Consultations may address:
​
Preparing a dog for the arrival of a new baby
Managing interactions with toddlers and young children
Recognising early warning signs of stress
Creating safer household set-ups
Teaching structured games that promote calm behaviour
​
Services are offered privately for families who want tailored guidance specific to their home environment.
