Dog training + petcare in calgary

Feeling frustrated with your dog’s behavior?

Whether he’s barking and lunging or you simply want him to walk nicely beside you instead of pulling on lead, we can help! 

Private Dog Training Lessons

We’ll start with a consult, then develop a customized training plan, specific to your priorities and your dog’s unique needs. 

Group Dog Training Classes

A tired dog is a good dog. Come exercise your dog’s brain to keep him learning even  after he’s mastered basic manners.

In Home Care

Want someone who cares about your pets the way you do to watch them when you can’t? Ask us about our in home care options!

Not local? We offer virtual consultations too!

Ready for that well-mannered pet you’ve always dreamed of?

We offer a number of options, to help you choose the right fit for your dog. We use scientifically-proven methods that rely on the latest behavioral research to teach dogs how to behave in the human world. Our approach applies positive reinforcement effectively to eliminate undesired behaviors by replacing them with carefully chosen alternatives! 

Reducing Reactivity

Whether your dog is barking and lunging at people and dogs or resource guarding, we can help!

Building Lifeskills & Good Manners

Join us for a workshop focused on whatever is most important to you — or get private lessons to learn what you need to know!

Learning Sports Skills

From scent sports to agility fun nights, provide your dog with enrichment while having fun!

Need help determining which option is the best for you and your dog?

We’re happy to chat and recommend the best solution to teach your dog the skills that are most important to you.

No matter where you are in your training — whether you’re looking to help your dog learn better manners or want to continue his learning with fun games for mental enrichment — we’d love to work with you!

Hours of CEU a year

Pets worked with

We’ve Been Working with Dogs For 20 Years.

Founder Donia Roorda is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP) as well as a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She’s also a certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM), certified Fear Free Professional, and certified Trick Dog Trainer!

She really values continuing education and participates in classes, seminars, conferences, workshops, webinars and more on an ongoing basis.

With her own dogs, Donia actively trains and competes in agility, obedience, tricks, rally, and nose work, and dabbles in tracking. 

Call for an appointment now:

(403) 831-1915

Let’s Teach Your Dog Together

Don’t see your question here? We’re also happy to answer questions via email!

Feel free to contact us with your questions and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? Here are a few common questions clients have!

What training methods do you use?

Science has shown that positive reinforcement training is highly effective — so we rely heavily on choice-based training options, that teach our dog what we DO want instead of focusing on what we DON’T want. 

That means our methods focus on rewards (treats, toys, and praise) to teach our dogs new things. 

Above all, we believe the best training is kind to both people and their dogs, so no matter where you are in your training journey, we are happy to work with you!

Do you offer a guarantee for dog training?

No, sorry.

Behavior is always changing — that means that while we can work with you to change your dog’s behavior and maintain those new behaviors, if you don’t maintain those skills your dog may learn bad habits again. 

Where does training take place?

We find that training is most effective when it takes place in the real world, so we’ll work with you to teach your dog the skills he’ll need in the locations where he’ll need them most. 

Our initial consult will happen in your home, so we can see your dog where he is most comfortable; after that, we’re happy to suggest outdoor training locations where we can meet, or meet you wherever your dog is struggling.

What's your service area?

We’re happy to work with clients anywhere via an  online consult, using Skype and/or FaceTime.

In-person lessons and pet care options are available in Calgary and the surrounding area.

Client Testimonials

“Back in Aril 2015 I got a new puppy “Sammie” and was looking to have someone work with me on training. I tried an agility class, but decided first I needed to get all the basic puppy training under control. Whiskers & Wags was recommended to me by an agility classmate. Donia worked with me and Sammie, showing me how to be a better parent to my fur kid.

I started with Puppy Prep private lessons to learn the basics with a new puppy — I think that was the best thing I could of ever done for myself and Sammie! I highly recommend it to anyone who is going to get a puppy. I also put Sammie into Board & Train for his benefit. Donia has spoiled us — there isn’t anyone out there like her!”

— Brenda & Sammie

“Donia was open and personable — she helped us so much and has so much knowledge! We found Donia when we were struggling with our dog Murphy’s fear aggression towards other dogs we met on leash (and sometimes off leash). Her work has given me the tools to work with Murphy and keep up the progress he has made.”

— Wendy & Murphy

“When we got our puppy Maggie, we weren’t sure where to start. We chose to work with Donia because she understood our needs as owners as well as Maggie’s needs as a puppy. She gave us tools to help us understand how Maggie thinks and responds to training, and showed us how to learn from her as well as positively interact with her. Donia’s training, educational and even nutritional advice has made living with our puppy more fun and rewarding for us and our dog.”

— Shirley & Maggie