Dog Training

Dog and Puppy Training – now available!

Our training philosophy is centered on positive, balanced, reward-based methods and professional expertise to bring out the best in your dog.

Joanne George (Training the Canine Way) is our lead trainer and we are so happy someone with this level of skill and expertise is part of our team. Joanne has been training dogs professionally since 1998, starting after training her dog for a role in a stage production. Since her apprenticeship in 1999, Joanne has worked for several different trainers, learning various approaches, until 2004. By then, Joanne devised her own methods and ways she wanted to train dogs and the families who owned them. Additionally, Joanne worked as a vet tech for 23 years, is certified by the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Trainers (since 2003), and volunteers as a therapy dog evaluator for St. John’s Ambulance. Read all about Joanne’s journey training her blind therapy dog, Smiley.

What kind of dog training do you offer?

Joanne George offers Level 1 and Level 2 training classes in our indoor facility at PAWS @ Killara Station.

Level 1: Real Life Skills for Dogs

In a Level 1 course, the focus is on everyday manners, safety, and clear communication. These are the seven core commands. We practice in class with a field trip the second last class to put your training to use.

1. Sit
   The cornerstone of polite behaviour. It’s often used to ask for calm before greetings, meals, doors, or leashes go on.
2. Down
   Encourages relaxation and impulse control. A great “settle your body” cue in busy or exciting environments.
3. Stay
   Teaches patience and self-control. Starts with very short durations and builds gradually.
4. Come (Recall)
   One of the most important safety commands. The goal at Level One is reliability in low-distraction environments.
5. Leave It
   A life-skill command. Helps prevent dogs from grabbing unsafe objects, food, or getting into trouble.
6. Loose Leash Walk / Heel
   Introduces walking politely without pulling. At this level, it’s about awareness and position—not perfection.
7. Place / Settle (sometimes substituted with “Wait”)
   Teaches the dog to relax on a mat, bed, or designated spot—excellent for household manners and calm focus.

Level 1 isn’t about robotic obedience. It’s about building trust, clarity, and confidence—for both dog and human. Progress over perfection every time

Level 2: Reliability, Focus and Real-World Skills

Level 2 is where things get fun—and a little more polished. Think real-world reliability, better focus, and taking those basics out of the living room and into life with a field trip the second week of class.

Level 2 builds naturally from Level 1:

1. Extended Stay (Sit & Down)
   Duration, distance, and distractions are added. Your dog learns that stay still means stay still, even when life happens.
2. Recall with Distractions
   “Come” is practiced around movement, other dogs, people, and outdoor environments—still controlled, but much more realistic.
3. Loose Leash Walking in Motion
   Walking past dogs, people, bikes, smells, and excitement without pulling. Focus comes back to the handler.
4. Leave It → Automatic Disengage
   The dog learns to choose not to engage with food, wildlife, or distractions—without being reminded every time.
5. Place / Settle with Duration
   Longer calm periods on a mat or bed while activity happens around them. This is gold for home and public spaces.
6. Wait (Doors, Gates, Vehicles)
   Adds impulse control and safety. The dog learns to pause and check in before moving forward.
7. Handling & Body Awareness
   Calm acceptance of paws, ears, collars, harnesses, grooming, vet-style handling, and confidence over small obstacles.

What Level Two Really Builds

• Better impulse control
• Stronger handler engagement
• Calm behaviour around distractions
• Confidence in new environments
• Trust and communication over control

Both our Level 1 group class and Level 2 group class (7 weeks long) are $210 each.

Expect a supportive, results-driven approach that keeps your dog motivated and happy to learn.

We also offer:

• • Board and Train: Packages available – please inquire
  • Daycare and Train: Packages available – please inquire

Do you offer one on one training?

For more individualized help, we also provide one-on-one training with either Joanne George or Susan Peel, the owner of Killara Station, who has 40+ years of experience in animal training and behavior. In private sessions, these talented trainers will tailor the training to your specific goals – whether it’s improving leash walking, recall, or working on problem behaviors – all using patient, positive reinforcement techniques. Our goal is to build a better relationship between you and your dog through training, so we make sure each lesson is effective, kind, and engaging for both ends of the leash.

Private training lessons with our trainers are available at $120 per hour.  Joanne George will do private training in your own home for this rate plus a mileage fee.

Whether in group classes or private lessons, you can expect a supportive, results-driven approach that keeps your dog motivated and happy to learn.

Agility Field

Trainers and dog handlers may book the agility field by appointment @ $15 per hour. This fee is for use of the field only.

If you require training/coaching in agility, this can be provided at $60 per half hour.

Call 705-854-0055 or email paws@killarastation.com.