About

Lynnette McDonald B.A. (Psych.), CPDT-KA

About Me

My dog training journey began in 2012. I had lost my beloved golden retriever of 15 years, and after a few months of missing the companionship, decided to get a new puppy. He was going to be my next best friend, and I was determined to do everything right by him. So I enrolled him in a puppy class, followed by a very intensive training class, as I wanted him to be amazing and they promised that I would be his everything. I didn’t realize back then, that the dog training industry was unregulated, and that anyone could call themselves a trainer. I followed everything I was told to do. I spent hundreds of hours working with him. For some reason though, nothing was working and my dog wasn’t interested in being my best friend. I was devastated.

After adopting my second dog who had some reactivity issues, I decided that I needed to find my own answers. Instead of paying out thousands of dollars for advice from trainers that didn’t seem to work, I invested in educating myself from credible sources backed by research. In 2015 I enrolled in the Cochrane & Area Humane Society’s (CAHS) PACE Program. All of the sudden, everything made sense. Everything that I had learned in university, earning my Psychology degree, actually applied to dogs as well! I hadn’t connected the dots until then.

Calgary Dog Trainer
Image credit: John Watson, Accrue Performance Marketing

I went on to teach classes for CAHS for 3 years. I co-created their popular Puppy Play class, and developed their Dog Tricks curriculum. During that time I became certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. I also became a Licensed Family Paws Parent Educator, an Associate Trick Dog Instructor and did a grooming apprenticeship at High Tails Pet Resort. I continue to take as many courses as I can, to keep my skills and knowledge up to date. There’s always more to learn!

In 2019 I decided to spend some time doing some private training. Now the opportunity has come up to teach group classes again, and I am so excited! I love to help families and their dogs live together in harmony. I use positive techniques to teach both humans and canines how to have a great relationship based on respect, fun and boundaries.

I look forward to meeting you and your dogs!

Main image credit: Monika Deviat Photography,

For those of you who are curious, there is a happily ever after to this story. My dogs are now the best companions that I could ever ask for. They sent me down this learning path, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have them in my life!

Calgary Dog Training
Calgary Dog Trainer