Training

Life Skills Program

Sidewalk Struggles

Back Like A Bullet Recall

Predation Substitute Training

Home Schooling

Public Access Test Training

Life Skills

You want your puppy/dog to be a central part of your life, but you’re struggling with some undesirable behaviours.

What you’re experiencing is likely common dog behaviour, and we can help resolve issues so you can begin enjoying life with your dog again.

Our Life Skills program is designed to bring relief to both you and your dog. It can help dogs at all life stages develop and strengthen their
abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour so they are resilient and able to deal effectively with the demands and
challenges of everyday life.

What This Program Can Help With

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Relationship Building

We know you want a great relationship with your dog, so we incorporate games that build focus and attention, grows confidence in shy dogs, and nurtures a mutually rewarding relationship of trust and respect between you and your dog.

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Basic manners

When it comes to problem solving, we’ve seen it all; dogs who don’t have an ‘off switch,’ lack the ability to focus and pay attention, etc. Our Life Skills program helps with many of the common issues such as recall, loose leash walking, puppy nipping, jumping, chewing, counter surfing, barking, and digging. We can also provide you with management skills such as crate training and other preventative strategies.

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Struggles out and about

Instead of enjoyable outings with your pooch do you find yourself stressed out and worried before you even head out the door? It’s like you don’t exist at all with your dog focused on everything except you, lunging, barking, chasing squirrels, or not coming with called. Our Life Skills program includes games that encourage desired behaviours in all environments.

Group Class Program

Looking for some basic training to make life with your pup/dog easier? Our group life skills program includes games to teach key concepts to get any dog on the right track.

Group Class Program Includes:

  • One-hour group class sessions held at an outdoor location or virtually via Zoom over 5 consecutive weeks

  • Small group classes to ensure you get individual attention

  • Feedback of 1 training videos (maximum 3 minutes) per week

  • 3-month access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from each session

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork assessment

  • FREE gait analysis

Puppy – between 10-16 weeks of age

Adult – puppies/dogs over 16 weeks of age

Watch for sessions

in spring 2025

Mon @6:00 pm

Jan 13 – Feb 10

Watch for sessions

in spring 2025

Mon @7:15 pm

Jan 13 – Feb 10

Private Program

Want to address specific problems and/or need more flexibility for scheduling sessions? Our Private Life Skills program provides a personalized program for your dog and re-scheduling options to accommodate any schedule*.


Private Program Includes:

  • One-hour private sessions held at either an outdoor location (Apr-Oct), your home, or virtually over 5 consecutive weeks with re-scheduling opportunities available

  • Customized training plan for your dog and their unique needs

  • Unlimited feedback of training video (maximum 3 minutes)

  • 6-months access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from the group sessions

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork assessment

  • FREE gait analysis

Private Program

Want to address specific problems and/or need more flexibility for scheduling sessions? Our Private Life Skills program provides a personalized program for your dog and re-scheduling options to accommodate any schedule*.


Private Program Includes:

  • One-hour private sessions held at either an outdoor location (Apr-Oct), your home, or virtually over 5 consecutive weeks with re-scheduling opportunities available

  • Customized training plan developed for your dog and their unique needs

  • Group Q&A at each session

  • Feedback of one training video (maximum 3 minutes in length) each week

  • 3-months access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from the group sessions

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork or Energywork assessment (TBD by Pooch Partners)

  • FREE gait analysis

Sidewalk Struggles

You envisioned calm, fun-filled walks with your dog, but instead it is more of an embarrassing, frustrating, and anxiety filled experience. From the moment you pick up the leash, the dread creeps in and before you’ve even started, you are already wishing you hadn’t gone.

We understand the impact on both you and your dog when leash walks are a daily struggle, but don’t worry as this program can help transform your sidewalk struggles into your dream walk.

What This Program Can Help With

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Relationship Building

For a truly connected walk and a stronger bond, we use tailored games to develop your dog's focus on you, ensuring they happily stay in close proximity with a relaxed, loose leash. This approach nurtures their confidence and builds a foundation of mutual trust and respect, transforming every walk into a shared, joyful experience.

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Management & Prevention

This program equips you with the tools to confidently handle real-world challenges. Through practical games and techniques, you'll gain the confidence to proactively manage situations, helping you prevent those frustrating leash outbursts and recover quickly if they happen.

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Understanding Emotions

Our program is designed to help you recognize your dog's emotions and understand the emotions driving their leash behaviour. Using fun, interactive games, we'll guide you shifting their emotional responses to triggers, while also empowering you to feel more in tune and effective in your reactions to your dog.

Group Class Program

Looking for some basic training to make life with your pup/dog easier? Our group life skills program includes games to teach key concepts to get any dog on the right track.

Group Class Program Includes:

  • Initial one-hour Zoom session, followed by one-hour group sessions (in-person or virtually) for 4 consecutive weeks

  • Small group classes to ensure you get individual attention

  • Feedback of one training video (maximum 3 minutes in length) each week

  • 3-months access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from the group sessions

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork or Energywork assessment (TBD by Pooch Partners)

  • FREE gait or conformation analysis (TBD by Pooch Partners)

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Private Program

Want to address specific problems and/or need more flexibility for scheduling sessions? Our Private Life Skills program provides a personalized program for your dog and re-scheduling options to accommodate any schedule*.

Private Program Includes:

  • One-hour private sessions held at either an outdoor location, your home, or virtually over 5 consecutive weeks with re-scheduling opportunities available

  • Customized training plan developed for your dog and their unique needs

  • Hands-on training demonstrated by your trainer

  • Unlimited individualized coaching during sessions

  • Time for Q&A at each session

  • Unlimited feedback of training videos during the program

  • 6-month access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from each session

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork assessment

  • FREE gait analysis

Private Program

Want to address specific problems and/or need more flexibility for scheduling sessions? Our Private Life Skills program provides a personalized program for your dog and re-scheduling options to accommodate any schedule*.

Private Program Includes:

  • One-hour private sessions held at either an outdoor location, your home, or virtually over 5 consecutive weeks with re-scheduling opportunities available

  • Customized training plan developed for your dog and their unique needs

  • Hands-on training demonstrated by your trainer

  • Unlimited individualized coaching during sessions

  • Time for Q&A at each session

  • Unlimited feedback of training videos during the program

  • 6-month access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from each session

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork assessment

  • FREE gait analysis

Back Like a Bullet

You envisioned calm, fun-filled walks with your dog, but instead it is more of an embarrassing, frustrating, and anxiety filled experience. From the moment you pick up the leash, the dread creeps in and before you’ve even started, you are already wishing you hadn’t gone.

We understand the impact on both you and your dog when leash walks are a daily struggle, but don’t worry as this program can help transform your sidewalk struggles into your dream walk.

What This Program Can Help With

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Relationship Building

This tailored program incorporates games designed to develop your dog's unwavering focus on you, making them eager to return to your side and stay in close proximity, even with distractions around. This approach nurtures their confidence and strengthens the mutual trust and respect between you, leading to a connected partnership where coming back to you is their happiest choice.

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Management & Prevention

Through a custom series of practical games and proven techniques, you'll gain the confidence to help your dog build a consistent recall you can rely on. We'll equip you with strategies to prevent your dog from tuning you out when tempting sights, sounds, or smells are around, and make coming back to you their easiest choice.

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Understanding Emotions

Understanding your dog's emotions, especially their innate prey motivation and predatory drive, is key to a reliable recall. We'll help you recognize the feelings that influence their responsiveness to your call and to various distractions. Through interactive games, you'll learn to transform your dog's emotional associations with coming back to you. This process empowers you to feel more in tune and effective in your responses, leading to a a recall based on trust and positive connection, not just commands.

Group Class Program

Looking for some basic training to make life with your pup/dog easier? Our group life skills program includes games to teach key concepts to get any dog on the right track.

Group Class Program Includes:

  • Initial one-hour Zoom session, followed by one-hour group sessions (in-person or virtually) for 4 consecutive weeks

  • Small group classes to ensure you get individual attention

  • Feedback of one training video (maximum 3 minutes in length) each week

  • 3-months access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from the group sessions

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork or Energywork assessment (TBD by Pooch Partners)

  • FREE gait or conformation analysis (TBD by Pooch Partners)

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Private Program

Want to address specific problems and/or need more flexibility for scheduling sessions? Our Private Life Skills program provides a personalized program for your dog and re-scheduling options to accommodate any schedule*.

Private Program Includes:

  • One-hour private sessions held at either an outdoor location, your home, or virtually over 5 consecutive weeks with re-scheduling opportunities available

  • Customized training plan developed for your dog and their unique needs

  • Hands-on training demonstrated by your trainer

  • Unlimited individualized coaching during sessions

  • Time for Q&A at each session

  • Unlimited feedback of training videos during the program

  • 6-month access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from each session

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork assessment

  • FREE gait analysis

Private Program

Want to address specific problems and/or need more flexibility for scheduling sessions? Our Private Life Skills program provides a personalized program for your dog and re-scheduling options to accommodate any schedule*.

Private Program Includes:

  • One-hour private sessions held at either an outdoor location, your home, or virtually over 5 consecutive weeks with re-scheduling opportunities available

  • Customized training plan developed for your dog and their unique needs

  • Hands-on training demonstrated by your trainer

  • Unlimited individualized coaching during sessions

  • Time for Q&A at each session

  • Unlimited feedback of training videos during the program

  • 6-month access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from each session

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork assessment

  • FREE gait analysis

Predation Substitute Training

Many dogs enjoy chasing wildlife – it’s an innate and pleasurable activity.

For us humans, it’s not as much fun! Having your arm pulled off while your dog is barking and lunging at a deer or squirrel is not just frustrating, it can be a real safety concern if your dog gets so immersed in the chase that they run off and get lost or hurt.

Along with understanding the predatory sequence and why your dog may have a desire to stalk, chase or even kill animals, our Predation Substitute Training (PST) program will teach you games to play that build your dog’s focus, strengthen their recall, allows them to safely satisfy their natural urge to eye stalk, and provides alternatives to satisfy their urge to chase.

This program includes five 1-hour weekly delivered in a hybrid (virtual and in-person) or fully virtual manner.

Get ready to transform your dog’s uncontrolled urge to chase wildlife in a fun , safe way so you can enjoy peaceful walks together.

What This Program Can Help With

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Relationship Building

For dogs driven by natural predatory urges, this program offers positive alternatives to manage and satisfy those instinctual needs, while fostering a stronger bond with you. The tailored games promote staying in close proximity to you, coming when called, nurtures mutual trust and respect, and makes you the best “prey” there is.

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Management & Prevention

Through a custom series of practical games and proven techniques, you'll learn to proactively manage your dog's strong predatory instincts by offering compelling alternative behaviors. We'll equip you with strategies to effectively prevent them from fixating on tempting sights, sounds, or smells, and teach them how to disengage
from those triggers. Engaging with you will be their most rewarding and easiest choice, even in high-prey environments.

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Understanding Emotions

We’ll help you understand your dog's emotions, especially their innate prey motivation, that can lead to powerful feelings that influence their focus on environmental triggers. Through interactive games, you'll learn to transform your dog’s emotional associations with engaging you instead of pursuing prey. This helps build a partnership where channeling those natural urges into positive interaction with you is joyful and fulfilling.

Group Class Program

Looking for some basic training to make life with your pup/dog easier? Our group life skills program includes games to teach key concepts to get any dog on the right track.

Group Class Program Includes:

  • Initial one-hour Zoom session, followed by one-hour group sessions (in-person or virtually) for 4 consecutive weeks

  • Small group classes to ensure you get individual attention

  • Feedback of one training video (maximum 3 minutes in length) each week

  • 3-months access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from the group sessions

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork or Energywork assessment (TBD by Pooch Partners)

  • FREE gait or conformation analysis (TBD by Pooch Partners)

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Wed @6:00 pm

June xx – July xx

Private Program

Want to address specific problems and/or need more flexibility for scheduling sessions? Our Private Life Skills program provides a personalized program for your dog and re-scheduling options to accommodate any schedule*.

Private Program Includes:

  • One-hour private sessions held at either an outdoor location, your home, or virtually over 5 consecutive weeks with re-scheduling opportunities available

  • Customized training plan developed for your dog and their unique needs

  • Hands-on training demonstrated by your trainer

  • Unlimited individualized coaching during sessions

  • Time for Q&A at each session

  • Unlimited feedback of training videos during the program

  • 6-month access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from each session

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork assessment

  • FREE gait analysis

Private Program

Want to address specific problems and/or need more flexibility for scheduling sessions? Our Private Life Skills program provides a personalized program for your dog and re-scheduling options to accommodate any schedule*.

Private Program Includes:

  • One-hour private sessions held at either an outdoor location, your home, or virtually over 5 consecutive weeks with re-scheduling opportunities available

  • Customized training plan developed for your dog and their unique needs

  • Hands-on training demonstrated by your trainer

  • Unlimited individualized coaching during sessions

  • Time for Q&A at each session

  • Unlimited feedback of training videos during the program

  • 6-month access to a private Facebook group with a library of games and video recordings from each session

  • 50% off annual subscription to the Pooch Partners Academy

  • Exclusive invitations to join pack walks and hikes

  • FREE Bodywork assessment

  • FREE gait analysis

Home Schooling

Fast-track your dog's training with our comprehensive home-school program.

Dream of a well-behaved dog but short on time for daily training? Our home school program is dog training designed for your busy life - maximum convenience and minimum effort for you. We do the consistent, focused work, so you can enjoy the results.

Pre-training consultation

via Zoom

Access to view training

session videos

Weekly hands-on transfer sessions with you & your household

Follow-up support

for 4 weeks

How Our Program Works:

Your dog receives intensive, personalized attention from our certified trainer directly in your home, three times a week, for 12 consecutive weeks. We'll build a strong foundation of life skills and address specific behaviors in their natural environment, ensuring lasting results.

  • Tailored Training Plan:

    We start with a Zoom consultation to dive deep into your goals and your dog's needs, creating a custom training plan and schedule.

  • See Their Progress:

    You'll get exclusive footage of their learning sessions, so you can see your dog's transformation firsthand, even when you're not there.

  • Weekly Hands-On Transfer Sessions:

    Once a week, our trainer will meet with you to demonstrate your dog's new skills and teach you how to confidently maintain and reinforce their progress.

  • Dedicated Support:

    Our commitment extends beyond the program with 4 weeks of email support to provide ongoing guidance and ensure your continued success.

Let us lay the foundation for a well-behaved companion you'll truly love living with.

Public Access Test

Simplify your path to public access test success... our customized packages and expert guidance are tailored to your journey

Has your doctor completed the medical form confirming you could benefit from a service dog due to a disability? In British Columbia, you have the option to train your own dog for the BC Guide and Service Dog public assessment (commonly referred to as the public access test)—and we're here to help every step of the way with our expert guidance and support.

Has your doctor completed the medical form confirming you could benefit from a service dog due to a disability? In British Columbia, you have the option to train your own dog for the BC Guide and Service Dog public assessment (commonly referred to as the public access test)—and we're here to help every step of the way with our expert guidance and support.

After an initial virtual consultation to evaluate your dog’s current abilities, we will recommend a customized training package to help you and your dog master the required skills for test success.

What This Program Can Help With

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Relationship Building

Handler Skills and teamwork are a critical component of this program. Empowering you with the techniques and confidence so you and your Service Dog can work as a cohesive partnership under all public access scenarios.

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Management & Prevention


Resilience in the face of challenges is needed by any service dog tream. This program will help prepare you for unexpected situations and build your dog's capacity to remain calm, focused, and reliable in novel or challenging public environments.

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Understanding Emotions

Cultivate your Service Dog's ability to remain calm, adaptable, and focused even in novel, startling, or high-stimulation public environments. This ensures consistent performance of their tasks, regardless of external pressures.

How Our Program Works:

Navigating public spaces confidently and ethically is paramount for service dogs. Our specialized Public Access Test Preparation customized program is designed to equip you and your Service Dog candidate with the essential skills needed to meet the rigorous public access standards.

This isn't just general obedience; it's targeted training that addresses the specific requirements for the B.C. public access test. We understand the critical role your Service Dog plays in your life, and our expert guidance is dedicated to fostering a rock-solid partnership that excels in any public environment.

We provide comprehensive training for both handler and dog, emphasizing:

  • Impeccable Public Manners:

    Achieving the highest standard of polite greetings, quiet settling in diverse environments, and appropriate behavior around the public, other animals, and food establishments.

  • Unwavering Focus in Distraction:

    Building your dog's ability to maintain focus and responsiveness to your cues amidst the unpredictable sights, sounds, and smells of real-world public settings.

Our targeted training combines with practical, real-world practice to fully prepare you and your Service Dog for the test.

Are you ready to train your Service Dog candidate?

How Our Program Works:

Navigating public spaces confidently and ethically is paramount for service dogs. Our specialized Public Access Test Preparation customized program is designed to equip you and your Service Dog candidate with the essential skills needed to meet the rigorous public access standards.

This isn't just general obedience; it's targeted training that addresses the specific requirements for the B.C. public access test. We understand the critical role your Service Dog plays in your life, and our expert guidance is dedicated to fostering a rock-solid partnership that excels in any public environment.

We provide comprehensive training for both handler and dog, emphasizing:

  • Impeccable Public Manners:

    Achieving the highest standard of polite greetings, quiet settling in diverse environments, and appropriate behavior around the public, other animals, and food establishments.

  • Unwavering Focus in Distraction:

    Building your dog's ability to maintain focus and responsiveness to your cues amidst the unpredictable sights, sounds, and smells of real-world public settings.

Our targeted training combines with practical, real-world practice to fully prepare you and your Service Dog for the test.

Are you ready to train your Service Dog candidate?

What Our Clients Are Saying

"Shelly was amazing! She taught us basic games, boundaries and all the tools we need to be successful on walks! I highly recommend Pooch Partners."

-Ashley Browne

"Absolutely amazing! We learned so much and Moose is now a different dog! He understands boundaries, and has manners! Would definitely recommend."

-Candice Mikkelsen

"Shelley is very thorough and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend Pooch Partners for anyone looking for personal training for their dog or group classes."

-Alana Tkachenko-Shultz

Our Credentials & Memberships

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Contact Us

Vernon, B.C., Canada

  • Available most days and evenings

We proudly offer in-person services in Vernon and surrounding areas, along with convenient virtual services available to clients worldwide.

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Pooch Partners is a division of 0916239 B.C. Ltd