 Instinct Canine Training didn’t begin as a business plan. It began as an instinct.
A desire to do better for dogs, and for the people who love them. A quiet but persistent feeling that training could be more thoughtful, more honest, and far more human than what I was seeing. And at the centre of it all was Mia. Mia is my heart and soul dog. The kind of dog who changes how you think, how you listen, and how you show up. She wasn’t easy, and she wasn’t meant to be. She is sensitive, intuitive, deeply aware of energy and environment, and she made it very clear early on that behaviour is never just behaviour. It’s communication. That lesson became the backbone of Instinct Canine Training. The Long Way Into Training (and the Right One) I always wanted to train dogs. That part was never a question. My path just took the long way around. I started in college studying Animal Care, then moved into service dog work, followed by several years working in veterinary clinics. Those experiences shaped how I see behaviour. When you watch dogs in exam rooms, under stress, in pain, or overwhelmed, you quickly learn that behaviour, health, environment, and emotion are deeply intertwined. From there, I worked in pet insurance, a role that provided an immense depth of knowledge about animal health. I gained a deep understanding of the medical conditions dogs face, how they present, how often they’re missed, and how profoundly they can affect behaviour. That experience taught me to always consider health as part of the puzzle. Dogs who don’t feel well don’t act normally. Just like us. That perspective stays with me in every case I work on. Everything shifted after I got Mia. I enrolled in dog training classes as a client, wanting to learn more. Curiosity turned into commitment, and I signed up for a one-year apprenticeship. I was hired within six months. I loved that job. It gave me a strong foundation, real-world experience, and mentorship I will always be grateful for. That first start mattered, and I don’t forget it. When Everything Changed Then COVID hit. Like many parents, I suddenly needed to be home for young children navigating online school. (It was, politely, rough.) Training full-time outside the home wasn’t possible, but dogs and their people still needed support, arguably more than ever. I began taking on clients one at a time. Word of mouth spread. Eventually, I started offering small group classes out of a rented dance studio. COVID was a defining time for dog training. Many people rose quickly as “trainers” during that period. Some meant well. Some had confidence without depth. And over time, most of them disappeared. Dog training is a tough profession. Few people realize how much of it is education, admin, emotional labour, and responsibility. And fewer still have the skills required to create lasting results. That isn’t me being boastful. Far from it. I don’t think I will ever know enough. This field demands humility and continued learning. What I do know is what my clients consistently tell me, they see something different, and it works. I’m not sure what the secret sauce is.But I do know I adore what I’m doing. The 80% You Didn’t Expect Dog training is about 20% dog. The other 80% is people. Every behaviour concern exists inside a real household, with real routines, real stressors, real limitations, and real emotions. If a training plan doesn’t fit your life, it won’t last. And if it doesn’t last, it doesn’t matter how technically correct it is. Somewhere along the way, I realized that being a dog trainer also meant becoming a listener. A guide. Occasionally, a therapist. Behaviour work requires empathy, honesty, and the ability to meet people where they are, not where we think they should be. There’s no judgment here. Only problem-solving, clarity, and support. Mia, My “Good Dog, Bad Dog” Mia is an incredible dog. She is intuitive in ways that still amaze me. When my daughter has an anxiety attack, Mia knows. She stays close, grounds her, and helps bring her back down. She’s affectionate, deeply connected, well trained, and hands down the best cuddler I’ve ever known. She also counter-surfs. If we leave the house without blocking off the kitchen, she will help herself to the garbage. Yes, I know crates prevent that. We chose baby gates. Life is full of compromises. She is also a guard dog. She barks to alert. That took me time to accept. For a long while, I tried to train it out of her, until I realized I was fighting who she is rather than understanding her role. Mia taught me to honour the dog in front of me, not the dog I thought I should have. I carry that with every training session I have with clients. She is my good dog and my bad dog. And she is the reason Instinct Canine Training exists. Why Instinct Canine Training Instinct Canine Training is built on relationships. Dog to human.Human to human.Trust at both ends of the leash. It’s about fulfilment, not perfection. About building a relationship where dogs feel understood and supported, and people feel capable and confident. It’s about learning how to communicate clearly, trust the process, and trust each other. At its core, this work is about honouring the dog in front of you, supporting the human on the other end of the leash, and creating a relationship that feels steady, respectful, and sustainable in real life. With that, you will have a dog who follows you to the ends of the earth. That’s the why. Everything else grows from there. 💜  Building a strong relationship with our dogs is not just about companionship; it forms the foundation for effective training and mutual understanding. Just like in human relationships, setting fair boundaries and expectations is crucial for a harmonious interaction. When we establish a relationship based on trust and respect, we create a framework where our dogs can learn what behaviours are appropriate and which ones are not. Trust Through Fair Boundaries In any relationship, boundaries are essential. They provide a clear structure for interaction and ensure that both parties understand what is expected of them. With our dogs, setting fair boundaries means guiding them gently but firmly towards desirable behaviours. When giving a command, it's important to do so clearly, with confidence. This means you're not asking your dog to do something; you're telling them! A strong bond is built when your dog looks to you for guidance, showing they trust your direction. If your dog doesn't follow the command, guide them into the position you asked for on the first try, ensuring clarity without needing a second attempt or treat. I always encourage clients to communicate with their dogs using the firm, fast, and fair method. By using the 3 F’s—Fast, Firm, and Fair—you can effectively guide your dog, building a strong and trusting bond. The Fast, Firm and Fair Method Fast: Timing is everything. When your dog doesn’t behave the way you want, respond quickly so they know exactly what you're addressing. This is true for both good and bad behaviour—catching the moment ensures your dog connects their actions with your response. If you're slow, they might not understand why you're stepping in. Firm: Communicating with confidence and clarity is key. I don’t negotiate or plead with my dog; I tell them what to do. Being firm means setting expectations, not asking for them. Your dog should know that when you give a command, you mean it. It's about being clear and confident without crossing into harshness—firm doesn’t mean unfair, just no room for confusion. Fair: Fairness is context-dependent. I won’t correct a dog for not following a command they haven’t learned, but if my dog knows "sit" and ignores me, I will follow through and guide them into the position. There’s no option for a second try or treat at that moment. Being fair means balancing the consequence with the situation—like at work, where your boss would correct a small mistake without extreme measures, but a serious offense would lead to more significant action. By keeping things proportionate, you build trust and a healthy relationship with your dog. Correcting Behaviour with Compassion Correcting behaviour is another aspect where a strong relationship comes into play. As a trainer who works with a variety of dogs, it is not my place to correct your dog because there is no established relationship between us. Correction, when necessary, should come from someone the dog trusts and respects—usually the owner. There are exceptions to this rule, particularly in situations where I perceive a danger to others. In such cases, I may step in, but this typically involves dogs that are confident enough to handle the correction without it damaging their trust. It saddens me to hear from clients who have previously worked with trainers who lacked the patience to guide them through the training process and instead resorted to harsh corrections. Often, these corrections are delivered to nervous dogs who are already struggling with anxiety. The result is heartbreaking: a dog who is "shut down," cowering in fear and unwilling to work. This approach not only damages the dog’s trust but also hinders their ability to learn and grow. Play as a Relationship Building and Bonding Tool Play is a powerful tool for building relationships with our dogs. Games like tug-of-war and fetch not only provide physical exercise but also teach important lessons in impulse control and obedience. Before engaging in play, it's beneficial to ensure that our dogs demonstrate self-control and stop when asked. This reinforces their understanding of boundaries and enhances their responsiveness to commands during playtime. Looking Forward: The Importance of Continuous Learning As a dog trainer, I am constantly seeking new knowledge and techniques to improve my relationship with dogs. I am excited to attend a seminar this month focusing on play, where I hope to deepen my understanding of how play can further strengthen the bond between dogs and handlers. I will share my reflections in another post! A Lifelong Partnership By nurturing a strong relationship with our dogs, we cultivate loyalty and cooperation. A well-trained dog who respects boundaries is not only a joy to be around, but also a reliable companion. When dogs trust that we have their best interests at heart and will guide them safely, they are more willing to follow our lead. Ultimately, investing in our relationship with our dogs pays off in loyalty, obedience, and a deep bond that enriches both our lives. Building a relationship with our dogs based on trust, fair boundaries, and constructive play is not just about training; it's about fostering a partnership that lasts a lifetime. Found these tips helpful? Save this article to reference later, or send to someone who may find it useful! |
Meet the authorAnna Marie Stewart, DTTA-CPDT, is the owner and founder of Instinct Canine Training in Burlington, Ontario. Her passion and love of dogs is evident to anyone who works with her, and is an experienced trainer who works with a variety of clients to achieve a well-mannered dog. Categories
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