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Linda approaches her
instructing from a background based on both hands on and educational training.
At the age of 9, she trained her first Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Linda competed with
her second Pembroke Welsh Corgi in Linda graduated from the University of Guelph with a Specialized Honours Psychology Degree focused on Animal Behaviour. A Graduate Animal Behaviour Course was completed with Honours. Linda designed and completed two thesis in conjunction with the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College under Dr. Donal McKeown (well respected professor of Ethology). One thesis was presented to the American Veternary Association in Washington, D.C. and the second was a published paper evaluating Therapeutic Benefits of the Human/Animal Companion Bond. She completed a research paper in conjunction with the Department of Psychology and Dr McKeown on Stress in Domestic Animals. Linda conducted behaviourial consultation and private obedience instruction with pet owners referred to the Ontario Veterinary College and instructed beginner and advanced Obedience classes at the University of Guelph for seven years. Attendance at seminars conducted by noted behaviour specialists and obedience peers is ongoing. Linda is a lifetime member of the Canadian Kennal Club and member of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Association and Golden Retriever Club of Canada. As a hobby Linda competes in Obedience and Rally O trials and has handled her own dogs to earn Canadian Championship. (see Brags and Titles)
Robert’s love of
dogs was apparent at a very young age, when his favorite game
was walking around the house using a pillow as his puppy and his
Dad’s belt as a leash and collar. Later, he could be found on
the sidewalk outside his home training the family’s Sheltie,
along with his neighbour’s dog, to sit, stay and come, long
before he had heard of obedience. Robert got his first, (very special) Golden Retriever “Kelsey” in 1975 and joined the Lakeshore Dog Training Association (L.D.T.A.) in Pointe Claire, Quebec, the same year. These events would change his life. Kelsey taught Robert about the special bond and trust that can develop between a person and their dog. Robert’s time at L.D.T.A. grew into a passion for training dogs and a desire to help others do the same with their family pet.
During his time at L.D.T.A., Robert served as Training Director and instructed all levels of Obedience. He also served as Obedience Trial Chairman and L.D.T.A. Club President. In 1987, Robert moved to Toronto, met his wife Cathy and together they competed in obedience trials until the 2 footed family members arrived. Robert has owned 6 Golden Retrievers and 1 Rough Collie over the years, including his current Golden Retriever “Cracker”. At 18 months, Cracker has earned both his Companion Dog and Rally Novice titles. Robert and Cracker continue to have fun while competing in Open, Rally Advanced and Agility. It is with a sad and heavy heart that we had to say goodbye to Scully at the age of nine. Scully was Leo's first Australian Shepherd and a demonstration dog at Tri-Mark for five years. It is difficult not seeing her "smiling" face looking out the office window. Known for her ferocious "Aussie grin", she smiled so hard that her whole body shook and she loved nothing more than curling up with the children watching classes.
She is dearly loved and sorely missed!
In June 2008 she enrolled in the Karen Pryor Academy and became a Certified Training Partner in February 2009. Upon completion of the course Duke was a completely different dog. Thanks to this Duke has been able to compete in obedience under the NAMBR circuit for mixed breed dogs and Rally O in the CARO circuit. In his very first obedience trial he came in first place and received the high in trial ribbon. His biggest accomplishment that day however, occurred when a dog broke it’s sit/stay during the group exercise and walked right up to Duke’s face. Duke not only remained calm, he maintained position while the loose dog was gathered! Kayla has studied the works of various trainers and is dedicated in her commitment to expand her knowledge by attending training conferences and seminars. She also offers clicker-training workshops for parrots and their owners. Kayla shares her home with her Senegal Parrot, Cyrus, hertwo lizards Goliath and Moumbassa, and her dog Duke. |
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Ontario and the United States as a Junior Handler and completed several titles.
Kelsey’s
accomplishments were many and included getting his Obedience Trial
Championship before he was 2 years old (22 months to be exact).
Robert, supported by dedicated instructors and friends, earned
Kelsey’s Obedience Championship in style by competing in 19 trials
and earning 6 first,
Kayla
started her journey into the dog-training field when she brought
home her first dog, Duke at 8 weeks old. Unknown to her at the
time Duke would become her biggest teacher. By four months,
despite active socialization efforts, Duke was beginning to
display reactivity to strangers, strange noises, and dogs. She
set out to find a way to help Duke overcome his fears. Along the
way she discovered plenty of advice, some of which helped, some
of which set back their progress, and some of which damaged
their relationship. In 2008 she travelled to Ottawa to attend
the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers
Conference. After attending presentations by some very talented
trainers, she found a renewed determination to help turn Duke
around using the principles of operant and classical
conditioning.