Formally educated and previously working as a Social Worker for over 10 years; has given Yvonne the experience and knowledge to be able to work directly with all persons, regardless of abilities.  Yvonne focuses, not only on the dogs learning, but the handlers learning and development.  Remember: there are two ends of the leash, each just as important as the other. 

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Speaking locally, throughout Ontario and internationally, Yvonne’s ability to infuse fun into dog training is of great importance to both the dogs and owners she assists. Yvonne brings smiles to her student's faces, while helping to build confidence on both ends of the leash. Her passions within the field include scent detection, fear based behaviours and dogs with cognitive and physical disabilities.

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​Highlights & Qualifications

 

• Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge & Skills Assessed from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers

• Scent Detection Judge - Sporting Detection Dogs Association (SDDA)

• Scent Detection Judge - Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)

• Canine Good Neighbour (CGN) Evaluator - Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)

• Certified Trick Dog Instructor - Do More With Your Dog

• Certified Stunt Dog Judge - Do More With Your Dog

• Provincial Court Recognized Expert Witness in Dog Assessment - Behaviour and Training - Requalified in 2022

• All-Star Trainer of the Year x3 - Do More With Your Dog

• Platinum Winner of the 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 Belleville Votes for favorite Dog Trainer

• 2018 OSPCA Chair's Award Honourable Mention (Runner Up) Winner - Presented to an individual who goes above and beyond to make an outstanding contribution to Animal Welfare in the community

• Board of Directors Member for The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers - elected in 2016 - Retired in 2020

• Canine Behaviour Consultant and Course Instructor for Canine Foundations including instruction of courses designed for those working in the canine profession such as Professional Dog Trainers, Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, Animal Control Professionals, Shelter Staff and Canine Attendants. Teaching includes courses at Georgian College in Barrie, ON.

• Instructor for Canine Foundations Training Academy with Georgian College

• Camp Merrywoof Scent Detection Instructor 2022 & 2023

• Instructor at Mr Spot Dog Camp Kingston 2018 & 2019

• Conference Attendee and Round Table Facilitator at the 2018 Association of Professional Dog Trainers Conference - Memphis, TN

• Social Service Worker Diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming College with over 10 years experience in the field

• Trained hundreds of dogs in both group and private classes including Puppy, Trick, Manners, Tracking, Rally Obedience and various different levels of Obedience

• Has worked with hundreds of dogs to complete successful, comprehensive behaviour modification programs

• Specializing in working with dogs with various physical disabilities, fears and phobias

• Volunteer for many different animal organizations throughout Ontario

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• Holds certificates in;

  • Canine Theriogenology from the University of Minnesota

  • Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Edinburgh

  • Animal Behaviour from the University of Melbourne

  • SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy - Dr. Ian Dunbar

  • GROWL Class - for Reactive Dogs - Dr. Ian Dunbar

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• Certificates for the following Georgian College continuing education courses, Barrie;

  • Canine Behaviour 101 – Canine Body Language (Yvonne now teaches this course at Georgian College)

  • Canine Behaviour 102 – Separation Anxiety (Yvonne now teaches this course at Georgian College)

  • Canine Behaviour 103 – Resource Guarding (Yvonne now teaches this course at Georgian College)

  • Canine Behaviour 104 – Territorial Guarding (Yvonne now teaches this course at Georgian College)

  • Canine Behaviour 105 - Canine Assessment (Yvonne now teaches this course at Georgian College)

  • Canine Attendant Training (Yvonne now teaches this course for Canine Foundations)

  • Dog to Dog Aggression (Yvonne now teaches this course at Georgian College)

  • Canine Self Defense (Yvonne is a secondary instructor for this course for Canine Foundations)

  • Canine Emergency First Aid (Yvonne is a secondary instructor for this course for Canine Foundations)

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• Competitive titles and certifications held in;

  • CKC and CARO Rally Obedience titles (Excellent level and multiple placements and high in classes - CKC)

  • SDDA Scent Detection (Master Champion Level - 12th team worldwide to achieve this title, multiple placements and High in Trials and all levels achieved as Gold scores – 96% or higher)

  • 6th Place at the first SDDA Nationals (over 80 teams from across Canada competed) in Campbellville Ontario in October 2019 with a 'borrowed dog' Thunder, Miniature Australian Shepherd

  • CKC Scent Detection - just prior to Wrangler's retirement and just after the launch of the program Yvonne and Wrangler achieved the SDI (Instinct) and SDN (Novice) titles. 

  • Trick Dog Titles including Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert and Champion Trick Dog

  • Herding Instinct Certification

  • Canine Good Neighbour

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• Proud member of;

  • The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers - Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CCPDT - CPDT-KSA)

  • The Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers - Professional Member (CAPDT)

  • The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)

  • Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Rally Obedience (CARO)

  • The Sporting Detection Dogs Association (SDDA) - Registered Participant

  • Do More With Your Dog (DMWYD)

 

Yvonne grew up in the Quinte region and currently lives with her spouse and her 6 year old working line German Shepherd, Raya (Quinte Canine's Ray A Sunshine).  Yvonne takes great pride in living in, giving back to it and being in step with the unique needs of our community. 

 

Yvonne is available for guest speaking, demonstrations, dog training seminars (tricks, detection, behaviour, and all things dog), trick title evaluations and detection judging.  Contact Quinte Canine for more information or to speak about booking!