Obedience Training

Two men are engaged in a training exercise with a large, muscular dog that is pulling against a toy in its mouth. The scene takes place outdoors on a grassy field with trees in the background.

Private lessons

For those interested in 1 on 1 training, we create a training program for your individual dog and YOUR need’s. Private lessons start in home or at a nearby environment.

A person and a dog sitting on a grassy field, facing each other, with trees and buildings in the background on a cloudy day.

Day Training

I will pick your dog up and drop them off, every lesson will be recorded and sent the day of. Perfect for those interested in board and train but are looking for a less costly option.

People and dogs in a backyard on a sunny day, with a blue truck, trees, and a wooden fence.

Board and Train

Drop your dog off for our 3 week minimum board and train program. Guarantee off leash results and a customized program, any command YOU want taught.

GET STARTED NOW

Why train your dog with play?

Training through play isn’t a marketing gimmick — it’s the superior option.
If I had a dollar for every time someone told me, “My dog listens, but… [insert distraction here],” I’d be a millionaire already. Anytime I hear a “but,” it tells me that the moment something interesting happens, the dog tunes their owner out.

This happens because behaviors are paired with the emotional state the dog is in at the time. So when you’re calling your dog and they ignore you for a squirrel, or when they drag you down the street to chase something, it’s because what you’re offering them isn’t of equal value.

Training through play means we build a game around what the dog finds more exciting than anything else in the world. This allows us to train when the dog is in their most aroused state — and then we gain control over that state. We’re not trying to get rid of your dog’s desire to chase a squirrel — we’re providing an outlet of equal or greater value, and teaching obedience within that arousal.

That way, when they see a squirrel in the future, it’s no longer a big deal. We train in that state of mind — not by suppressing it, but by using it.


What You Will be Learning:

  • Play is not as simple as just throwing the ball or tugging. I am talking about creating a game with rules, penalties for not following the rules, cooperation and competition. The only way to accomplish this is to create a game around your individual dog’s genetics and create something more motivating than anything in the world. For example, a dog with a high prey drive, what king of prey drive? Chasing, stalking, fighting etc… We will identify exactly what your dog loves and build the motivation as high as we possibly can, then control it.

  • After building the right motivation through play, we shift our focus to obedience. While most trainers start with commands like “sit,” we begin with impulse control, followed by the “drop it” command — where the dog must release whatever is in their mouth.

    “Drop it” becomes our window into teaching any command you personally want. The only mandatory commands in our program are:

    • Recall

    • Leave it

    • Drop it

    Everything else — like a “heel” command — is optional and tailored to your goals.

    • Achieve a calm dog in the home without sacrificing freedom.

    • Proper greeting of guests in the home.

    • Able to be social during walks but only on command.

    • stop barking at anything walking by or just outside in general.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Two golden doodle puppies lying on the grass in front of a large tree.
Screenshot of a Google review for a dog trainer, praising David's passion for animals and effective training methods.
Screenshot of a 5-star review by Sam Whalen for David, praising his training with their 1.5-year-old Bernese Mountain Shepherd.
Screenshot of a 5-star review on a platform, praising David's dog training skills and a picture of a small golden doodle puppy.

Servicing the waterloo region and surround areas.

519-222-8636

kwk9training@gmail.com