Welcome
What is Freedom from the Doghouse?
Freedom from the Doghouse is a company that provides in-home dog training and behaviour modification in the Pickering, Scarborough and Durham Region. Training is done in a positive and friendly environment – your own home!
Why Bother Training Your Dog?
According to Nicholas Dodman, Program Director of Animal Behaviour at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in Massachusetts, about half of all dogs born in the U.S. will not live to see a second birthday. They won’t succumb to disease or accident - they will be put down because of bad behaviour.
Although there isn’t a similar statistic available in Canada, the trend is likely comparable.
This is a sad commentary on our lives with our canine companions and best friends and the main reason I started Freedom from the Doghouse. While you can’t change a dog’s genetics, the teaching of appropriate manners is in our hands. Providing your dog with correct training and opportunities to learn is an invaluable investment in having a happy future with your dog.
Please contact Freedom from the Doghouse to start training your way to a healthy and happy future with your dog.
About the Trainer
I am a Certified Dog Trainer and Canine Behaviour Specialist and a Certified Aggression Consultant. I use only positive methods and lure and reward techniques.
I am a member of the International Positive Dog Training Association (IPDTA) , the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers (CAPPDT), and Doggone Safe - an educational program dedicated to child safety around dogs and dog bite prevention. I am also a Be a Tree presenter – a dog bite prevention seminar program for elementary school aged children. In addition, I am listed as a Truly Dog Friendly trainer.
Over the past 35 years I have been a dog owner and lover and have always endeavored to have well trained dogs. I have taken my dogs to different dog training and behaviour modification classes and, although I was happy with what I learned, I felt something was missing.
I had a specific behaviour problem with one of my dogs that I wanted addressed and the classes didn’t allow for time to discuss them. The answers were always ”Someone will get back to you” or “You can sign up for the intermediate class or the advanced class and that should help your problem”. This did not help my dog. It was nice that my dog knew some obedience and manners but what about his behaviour issue? My dog was still barking uncontrollably and making a nuisance of himself when he saw another dog. How was the training I received going to help his behaviour? This was extremely frustrating for me and my dog.
In Canada, the dog behaviour business is completely unregulated. I wanted what was best for my dogs and others just like them. I took the time to get a proper education and certification in canine training and behaviour and have worked successfully in helping dogs become treasured family pets. Yours can become one too.
A final thought…
One of the greatest myths of owning a dog is that once your puppy is housetrained and has graduated from training school, an owner’s work is done… it is just the beginning!
Kelly Helliwell
Owner, Trainer and In-Home Consultant
Freedom from the Doghouse
Contact Freedom from the Doghouse at info@doghousefreedom.com or call (905) 706-6028.