Training for Lifelong Learners

Learn the skills to give them the skills to thrive at their job

Make your change

Hello Handler!

Are you upgrading your dog from best friend to life-saving service dog? You've come to the right place!


Several years ago I became disenfranchised with training regimens that required me to always anticipate the next time Bo needed a correction; all I seemed to be waiting for were the mistakes he made, rather than focusing my energy on what motivated him to do the things he did.


I dug deep into dog training, which lead me to pursue a full education in teaching people to train their dogs humanely and effectively, using fun, up-to-date methods that focus not only on what goals we want to achieve, but how we achieve them, and how to ensure our dogs are enthusiastically saying YES to everything we ask of them.


Do you want to have the best relationship while training your service dog? Keep scrolling; I promise it'll be worth it.

The Village Method

The first tenet of my training plans is to uplift the power of learning through play. In many species, play has been proven to increase learning retention and decrease stress levels. Making your training a game instead of a chore not only makes it more enjoyable, but makes it more effective! Drop your frustration off at the door and turn endless repetitions of behaviour set-ups into games instead!


The second is to always fulfil the dog's needs first. Like you, unless they are fed, watered, comfortable, and safe, your dog will not be able to perform at their best capacity. Fulfilling their species- and breed-typical needs is a requirement, not an option. We achieve this by developing an enrichment plan for your dog, including activities like sniffy walks, foraging, and exercise.


The third is to motivate your dog. We do not work in the corner of coercion, suppression, and discomfort here. There's no need to take away a service dog's autonomy while training them. Attempting to avoid negative repercussions does not teach a dog what to do, only how to feel about you, and we want them to feel nothing but good vibes when they work for us!

The Program

The Village service dog training program is made up of modules.

Obedience & Life Skills

3 sub-modules for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced skills, with a focus on building engagement, walking skills, and duration behaviours.

Transitional Training

The spaces in between; get guidance and plan how to take your existing skills out to pet-friendly public spaces to capture success!

Public Access Training

Guidance and observation by a specialist to help turn your dog from trainee to full-time medical assistant.

Intake reopening may 2024

for obedience and service dog training

More About Me!

I'm Amber, an AbsoluteDogs certified Pro Dog Trainer, Do More With Your Dog! Certified Trick Dog Instructor and Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach, and Dognostics Certified Enrichment Technician. I have taken numerous individual classes and attended multi-day conferences in the training of behaviour cases and sport/working dogs. I am a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and a founding member of the new Service Dog Committee.


I have been partnered with a service dog since 2013. My first was retired after too many dog attacks—and poor attempts to resolve the resulting trauma-based reactivity—caused her to be unable to work. When Bo came into my life, I knew something had to be different. There had to be a better way than I was previously exposed to with balanced training. It took years to let go of the methods I used to achieve the goals I wanted. The more I did, the more I saw both of my dogs blossom.


Because I know that science is always moving forward, I make a point of continuing my education. Any modern methods I can add to my toolbox that help my clients add to theirs, I am now willing to try so we can start to replace the outdated means and methods that have been normalised in dog training. I do not train with aversive tools; if you're using them, we'll work together to reduce that use. My memberships and personal ethics obligate me.

Ready to Play?

It Takes a Village Dog Training is LGBTQA2S+ friendly, disability accessible, inclusive, owned by a disabled woman. I do not tolerate expressions of bigotry. The land on which I work is the unceded traditional territory of the Audenosaunee, Mohawk, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat peoples.

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