At Dog Utopia, our goal is to empower all dog owners. Our training program utilizes only science based methods, and all trainers are highly experienced and committed to continuing education. In addition to Dog Utopia's own training program,
taught by Liza Rader, we are proud to host Sam Cassidy of Gals and Pals Dog Training.
Together, these programs provide for all the training needs of our community.
taught by Liza Rader, we are proud to host Sam Cassidy of Gals and Pals Dog Training.
Together, these programs provide for all the training needs of our community.
Canine Skills level 1
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Canine Skills Level 1 focuses on basic canine life skills such as loose leash walking, sit and down, leave it, and most importantly recall. Handlers learn to understand their dog's body language and to build calm and reliable behaviour. As Canine Skills aims to teach dog training from a relationship based approach, we will touch on handling, feeding, exercise and other foundation behaviours. This class is a fun and positive way to continue on from puppy class or to start training with any dog over 4 months.
This course is 8 weeks and $240 10% off for our regular daycare dogs. Next Sessions Wednesday October 17th at 6:30 |
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Canine Skills Level 2
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Canine Skills Level 2 takes the skills learned in Level 1 and builds on them, adding real life practice scenarios and working through common distractions There are also new behaviours learned and handlers will learn more about solving behavioural problems and interpreting their dog's body language. This course is perfect for any dog who has completed Level 1 or who has a comparable level of positive reinforcement training.
This course is 8 weeks long and $240. 10% off for our regular daycare dogs. Next Session TBA |
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puppy socials
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Puppy play time is very important for your new family member.
During our Puppy Socials, we have puppies come in with their owners and give them time to play in a safe and structured environment, so that you can see how your dog plays with others and when you might need to interrupt or let them continue to play and interact. We also introduce them to different objects and environmental stimulus to help desensitize them to things like umbrellas, strollers, grooming supplies and much more. |
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cooperative care
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All dogs must go to the vet, get their nails trimmed, be groomed either at home or the salon, and be handled by people they don't know. We have a choice, let these experiences be stressful and frightening, or proactively train cooperative care behaviours.
This six week course covers everything from safe nail care to vaccinations and other vet procedures. Using methods developed for animals that cannot be subjected to force, such as hyenas, dolphins and big cats, your dog will learn they have a choice in what is done to them. Take steps toward a fear and anxiety free world for our pets! This course is 6 weeks long and $180. Next Session TBA |
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Rally obedience
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Rally Obedience is a dog sport that helps you bond with your dog while utilizing the skills and obedience that you have been teaching your dog. In competition, you would go through a course designed to see how well you and your dog can perform certain tasks together.
These sessions will go over the rules of CARO Rally Obedience, the signs that you will need to know for a Novice course, the basic obedience commands you will need, and setting up courses to practice on. Please let me know if you are interested in these drop in sessions and I will contact you when the next date is available. |
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tricks and games
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Those who say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks are wrong; a dog can learn at any age. In these sessions, we go over a few simple tricks to teach your dog and play some fun games to practice the obedience your dog already knows. Your dog will learn tricks like bow, shake a paw, spins, targeting and much more! Have fun with your dog and challenge them by teaching new and fun things that you can do together.
New sessions starting in September! |
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Adventure Walk TRAINING Club
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Dog Utopia's Adventure Walk Training Club is a unique opportunity for you and your dog. Held at different locations around the peninsula, these walks are a more relaxed way to continue training your dog. Each handler and dog team have different goals and needs, and the classes are designed to provide direct trainer support to all. In each class there are dogs working on goals such as managing prey drive, increasing confidence, building loose leash walking or continuing to practice desensitization or counter-conditioning. Adventure Training Walks are a supportive way for owners to continue working on their positive reinforcement skills outside in the real world. This class is ongoing, and owners are encouraged to attend as long as they find it useful. $200 for 8 walks, which must be used within 12 weeks. |
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Private training
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Are you dealing with behavioural issues that such as potty training or leash reactivity, looking for training that is outside the scope of one of our regular classes, or just prefer one on one instruction? Dog Utopia and Gals and Pals Dog Training both provide private sessions.
Unsure which of these businesses are best suited to address your training question*? Contact Dog Utopia and we will help streamline the process for you. *Please note that all cases involving a bite incident, separation anxiety or any behaviour that could be considered a risk to human or canine mental or physical safety will be referred to Ocean Park Dog Training.
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Ocean park dog training
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Bonnie is a certified dog trainer and behaviour consultant.
An advocate for force-free, science based dog training, Bonnie brings her knowledge and experience working with shelter dogs and pet dogs into advancing other’s understanding of dog behaviour. For over 14 years, Bonnie has volunteered with the BCSPCA, helping shelter dogs become adoptable. At the University of British Columbia, Bonnie received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, with a secondary focus in Animal Behaviour, Psychology and Ecology. As an educator for 34 years with the Surrey School District, she is a skilled presenter with a passion for teaching. Bonnie is a certified trainer for dogs with reactivity issues. She lives in Surrey with her family and in her spare time, enjoys doing sport scent detection with her White German Shepherd, Lily,her "All Canadian" mixed breed, Dixie, and Hamish the Golden Retriever/Labrador mix who works as Ocean Park Dog Training's official greeter. Bonnie provides Puppy, Teen and Nosework classes, as well as private training. |
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