Achieve the true potential within your dog - and yourself

Discover how relationship-based dog training will strengthen the bond you share with your dog.

Get the best education possible so you can provide for your dog’s needs in the best way possible.

Why we do what we do

While people want to live their best life with their dog, turning those intentions into reality can feel overwhelming without a guiding hand. Raising a willful puppy or struggling with serious behavioural problems affects how people see their dog and how they live together.

Our passion is found in the challenge of solving those problems so that people and their dogs live their best lives, side by side. We’ve built our little company on this passion.

When we empower the human end of the leash with knowledge and direction, we improve the quality of life for both dogs and people.

This is what we are all about.

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How we handle our Dog Training

Sound Familiar?

Maybe you are struggling with a puppy tornado who has hit your home with a fury of teeth and inexhaustible energy.

Or you’ve just adopted a rescue dog from a far off land who finds his new world a scary place.

It could be that your once-darling baby dog has now turned into a teenage tyrant, and is now filled with big feelings that don’t always include you.

Your life could include a reactive dog desperately in need of space and understanding.

Our thoughtfully prepared courses offer both private coaching and group class options, empowering you with knowledge and direction so your training is purposeful and productive.

Our services were designed with Your Individual Dog in mind.

With almost 25 years of experience in the industry, we are committed to science-supported strategies that encompass all the needs of your dog, without using fear or force.

In a few sessions, you will have a deeper understanding of the dog you love and share your life with, and creative solutions to help you reach your goals.
About Shannon
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What They Say About Us

No growling or barking here!
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Zen dog classes are amazing! They really challenged our dog and taught him practical and fun skills to take out into the world. Would highly recommend the classes, especially if you have an active dog!

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I have worked with Shannon for 13 years! From help with my reactive rescue GSD, to my baby GSD boy ( now 10 years old!) and my rehomed to me at 5 months old Belgian Malinios girl. Currently taking Rally-O classes with my 10 year old GSD. He is loving it! Lots of incredible feedback. Highly recommend Zen Dogs Canine Training

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Many of my dogs have benefited from attending classes with Shannon. Her experience, expertise and passion for creating a partnership with your dog is evident in every step. I’ve brought dogs and puppies with varying experiences and all have shown marked improvements in being good dog citizens. I would highly encourage someone looking to develop a great relationship with their new puppy or dog to explore the many options and opportunities provided by Shannon.

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Wonderful positive reinforcement instructor. I have taken puppy classes and all the way to rally obedience with Shannon and my pup and I have enjoyed it so much!

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Superb advice, delivered in a patient and easy to understand way! We gained a great deal from the classes and the advice and our relationship with our puppy is many times better for Shannon’s expertise. And we and the puppy know stuff now!

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My sister and I had reached out to Shannon at Zen Dog for our dog Friday, a rescue who was living on the streets in Asia. Our focus was Friday's reactivity to other dogs while she is on leash; specifically, lunging, barking, and over excitement. We had 5 training sessions and the overall experience was phenomenal! I have gained confidence as a dog owner and now have the resources available to guide Friday. Friday has been great on her leashed walks and is now able to greet dogs on leash. Shannon's detailed homework emails also provide additional training material for us to continue learning. Overall, the training has been the best investment.Definitely recommend Zen Dog and Shannon as she really takes the time to understand your pet and what areas they need help with. Her passion to help really shines and it is always a great time for Friday and us when we have a training session!

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I have worked with Shannon at Zen Dog Training for many years with my dogs. Shannon has been and continues to be an incredible support for dog training as well as anything else doggy related! Shannon's classes are so much fun and my dog enjoys them just as much as I do. Shannon is always willing to answer questions and provide resources. I would highly recommend Shannon and Zen Dog Canine Training for any of your dog training needs.

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Shannon is the most knowledgeable dog trainer I know. She combines a common sense approach gained from years of experience with a thoughtful and detailed insight into dog behaviour. Plus, she makes training fun!

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Zen Dog Training has made life with our reactive dog possible. We didn't know the extent of our rescue dog's issues when we adopted him and were totally lost when the problems surfaced. Shannon was patient and efficient in teaching us the basics and Jenn has been a complete savior with her Growl classes ever since. She has a wonderfully clear and direct way of teaching us and helping us communicate better with our crazy pup. Her hard work has taught us how to communicate with our dog and build a relationship that keeps us all safe and happy. I truly can't thank her enough.

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I have known Shannon for years, she helped with training of Roxy, my first black lab.Did amazing job. When I moved down the street from Simply Natural, found out she was doing puppy classes there.So after I found Marli, female black lab puppy, I did not hesitate to take her puppy classes. Thing I love about Shannon, she constantly on top of new training ideas. Still has the great touch with dogs.Positive training. Made huge difference with Marli. 2 paws up from Marli & Terry

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I have been taking my two dogs to classes with Shannon and the other great trainers at Zeno Dog for a couple of years and am loving it. We are currently enrolled in the Nuts and Bolts class with Shannon. Her classes are challenging, and she makes you work, but her program is creative , practically helpful and very fun. One of the things that makes Shannon such an engaging teacher is that she is constantly taking courses and incorporating new ideas into her teaching. There is nothing stale or repetitive about Zen Dog! One of my dogs could be reactive towards other dogs but has done so well in Shannon's classes. It makes me proud to see her so focussed and relaxed around other dogs. I think that we were so busy and concentrating so hard during class that my dog forgot to worry about other dogs and I forgot to worry about her. At the end of the day, I leave Shannon's classes with tired and content dogs and a really great feeling about my relationship with them. I highly recommend Zen Dog.

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I met Shannon when I was in desperate need of a trainer to help my reactive GSD get over himself. Shannon helped him and, more importantly, helped me to deal with him. She has taught me so much about the many roads you can take to develop a mutually fabulous relationship with your dog. I can't say enough good things about her and Zen Dog.

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Our Services

Age-Based Training

The Puppy

Invest in your puppy's future with first-steps learning.
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Age-Based Training

The Teenager

Helping you survive (and still love!) your adolescent dog.
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Age-Based Training

The Adult Dog

Create new skills, polish old ones for enrichment and maintenance.
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Trait-Based Training

The Rescue

Building confidence with gentle first steps.
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Trait-Based Training

The Reactive

Solutions for the stressed out and worked up dog.
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One-on-one Training

Private Coaching

One-on-one training so you get us all to yourself!
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Our Latest Blog Posts

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