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  • Home
  • About
    • About Kristina
    • Training Philosophy
    • Testimonials & Awards
    • Certifications
    • Pricing
    • Payment Options
  • Services
    • Training Services
    • Behaviour Issues
    • Leash Reactivity / Aggression
    • Rescue Dog Rehabilitation
    • Hyperactivity & Over-Excitment
    • E-Collar Training
    • Gift Cards
    • Payment Options
    • Seminars, Webinars & Workshops
  • FAQ
    • General FAQ
    • Pricing
    • Cancellation/Refund Policy
  • Resources
    • All Categories
    • Training Tips
    • Behavioural Issues
    • Recommended Products
    • Kristina’s Stories
    • Educational Videos
    • News & Events
  • Contact
    • Get In Touch
    • Charity Work
    • Press
  • Book Now
Kristina is proud to be serving the GTA as

One Of Toronto's Top Dog Trainers

Mary Dean & Certificate

A Little Bit About Me...

Hi! It’s so great to meet you! I am a professional dog trainer with the IACP as well as a certified dog trainer with the National K-9 Dog Trainers Association. I am a certified Person-Centered Dog Trainer with over 90 five star reviews on Google and have been listed as Toronto’s top 5 dog trainers on 5 different lists!

My approach to training is holistic and relationship based. This means is that I take a look at the entire picture (both you and your dogs history) as well as your current way of interacting together. This is how I can see what might be causing your dog to act the way they do. This helps me give you the skills you need to start to help improve your relationship with your dog. Improving your relationship with your dog is the first most important step to helping them be the best dog they can be.

My goal through training is to help as many dogs as I can live a balanced and tranquil life, full of love, and happiness. I believe that with the right methods, any dog can be rehabilitated. No dog is too emotionally damaged to make loyal and loving family members.

Kristina's Takes a Holistic & Relationship Based Approach To Dog Training -------

Learn more about Kristina's Dog Training Philosophy, Certifications and Experience.

Kristina's Dog Training Philosophy

I take a relationship based, holistic, approach to dog training by taking a step back and looking at the entire picture. There are many different reasons why your dog is behaving the way they do.

It’s important to understand that in order for dog training to work, it is a group effort between you and I in order for training to be successful. You can find out more about Kristina’s training philosophy here.

Completed Courses & Exams

I believe that dog training is a never ending journey of learning. The best dog trainers out there are always trying to be better and learn more (any dog trainer who is not doing continuing education regularly should be questioned, as NO ONE knows everything and can always learn more and continue to improve).  This is why I continue to stay up to date with my knowledge and am constantly  continuing to learn and increase my knowledge and skills to be able to help you and your dog better.  Below are the courses, certificates and exams I have completed:

  • Steven R. Lindsay – Cynopraxis / Principles of LIMA Certification – CYNX-L Certified
  • Jay Jack, Larry Krohn & Joel Silverman – Dog Training Workshop
  • Dogs Playing For Life – Playgroups Part 1 & 2
  • Dogs Playing For Life – Fancy Footwork: Practical Handling and Training Solutions for the Entire Shelter
  • Pat Stuart – Pressure: Before, During and After
  • Steven Lindsay – Avoidance Training Is Unavoidable – Why it is needed and how it works
  • Jas Whiting – Being Consistently Inconsistent: The Why, When & How
  • Robert Cabral – Canine Behaviour: Understanding and Modification
  • Janet Dooley Edwards – Enhancing Your Training Capabilities
  • Valerie Ann Erwin – Creating and Training: Good Judgement and Civil Disobedience in Service Dogs
  • Tobias Gustavsson – Detection Training: From the first exercise to the final response
  • Nino Drowaert – Puppy University
  • Aimee Sadler – Making a Difference: Creating mutually beneficial relationships with shelters
  • Handlers & Humans – Certified Person Centered Dog Trainer
  • IACP –  Herm Sprenger Prong Collar Knowledge Assessed
  • TBTE – Level 1
  • Tyler Muto – Consider The Dog – Mastering The Remote Collar
  • National K-9 – Professional Obedience and Behaviour
  • Pet Tech – Pet First Aid and CPR
  • Anindita Bhadra, PhD – Behavior Of Free Ranging Dogs In India
  • Dr. Ian Dunbar – SIRIUS Dog Trainer Academy
  • Dr. Ian Dunbar – Growl Class – A Workshop Demo for Reactive Dogs
  • Dr. Ian Dunbar – Treatment & Prevention of Dog Aggression: Biting & Fighting
  • Deena Speaks Dog – Agility Level 1
  • Dog Guru – Dog Daycare Specialty & Practical 201D 
  • North York Obedience Club – Levels 1 & 2
  • Puppy People – Puppy Manners and Socialization
Hands On Experience

Working with a lot of rescue dogs, I currently do the training for the dogs with behavioural problems in foster care from Save Our Scruff. I also offer webinars to help train their fosters to set their foster dogs up for success. 

  • Trainer for fosters at Save Our Scruff – 03/2021 – Present

  • Trainer for foster dogs at New Collar Collective – 06/2020 – Present

  • Trainer for foster dogs at Redemption Paws – 11/2018 – 07/2020

  • Animal Care Attendant at Dharamsala Animal Rescue, Dharamsala, India – 2012

  • Shelter Dog Walker at SOS Animal Shelter, Gex, France – 2008

How Did Kristina Come to Be a Dog Trainer?

When I was a little girl, I loved dogs more than anything else in the world. I didn’t have the blessing of growing up with a dog, but I managed to successfully convince my parents to get me one.

On my 12th birthday, Tuffy, a miniature poodle puppy, was the greatest gift I have ever received. Unfortunately, this little dog came with a host of health and behavioral issues. After the first year, his behavioural issues became so unmanageable, that my parents were going to give him away.

I was determined to help my little dog get better, so I asked my parents to enroll Tuffy and I in obedience classes. At the age of 13, I started working with a handful of different trainers to help with Tuffy’s behavioural issues. This was during a time when there were no real “dog behaviourists”, and only regular obedience classes.

About Kristina

Thankfully, with a lot of determination and work, Tuffy got better, both mentally and physically. He lived out his remaining days of old age with my family and I.

My 1st official job with animals was in high school, when I did a co-op placement at a pet shop. I have been working in the pet industry ever since.

While Living Abroad

Kristina_with_street_dogs_india

In France, I volunteered as a dog walker at SOS Animal Shelter.  There, I learnt to deal with a lot of difficult dogs, and trained many of them how to behave on and off leash. This was helpful in getting them adopted.

In 2012, I moved to India for 4 months to dedicate my time to help the street dogs at Dharamsala Animal Rescue. Emotionally, it was a very difficult trip, but I learnt so much about how dogs interact in an undomesticated environment. The insight on dog behavior, communication, and body language I received during this time was groundbreaking to my understanding of dogs.

It was during this trip that I unexpectedly came back to Canada with a very traumatized street pup I named Batuk.

Batuk

Batuk’s past is one that has left him with chronic C-PTSD (canine post traumatic stress disorder). This brought me some tough challenges with regards to his rehabilitation. Batuk has also taught me so much on helping traumatized and damaged dogs live happily ever after.  You can read more about Batuk’s story here.

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416.320.8710
168 Erskine Ave.
Toronto, Canada
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