My first paid job came to me when I was 11 years old.  I had put up signs around my neighbourhood offering dog sitting services and was hired to look after a neighbour's Golden Retriever one summer weekend.  $40 later, I remember feeling like I had just won the lottery and was convinced that working with dogs for a living would be my "dream job".  For the last 16 years of my life, I worked professionally in the music industry; 10 of those years with Warner Music Canada.  Working directly with retail accounts, local media, and artists from time to time kept my career interesting and fresh.  Music was another passion of mine and I was fortunate enough to work in the business for as long as I did.  However, my true passion stuck with dogs and in 2015, I decided to pursue my dream job and make it a reality.

My journey into dog training began in 2010 when I started apprenticing with a professional trainer during my spare time.  I received invaluable hands on experience through my apprenticeship as I worked with different breeds and temperaments during group classes as well as private sessions.  Shortly after, I began to self study on my own and actively followed and read the works of industry professionals such as Karen Pryor, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, Patricia McConnell, and the late Dr. Sophia Yin, to name a few.  To ensure that I am providing my clients and their dogs with the best care possible, continually furthering my education and skill-set are of utmost importance to me.  This includes taking the time to attend seminars and workshops both in person and online, as well as reading books and articles related to the newest studies and findings in canine behaviour.  The dog training industry is highly unregulated, full of misinformation, dangerous practices, and the promise of quick fixes.  I am determined to provide clients with the most accurate information in regards to how animals learn, and coach them on how they can safely apply the science with their own dogs so they can work in partnership to ensure reliable, lasting results.

In February of 2016, I graduated from world-renowned Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behaviour and became a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP).  I am certified in Pet First Aid with Walks 'N' Wags and fully insured & bonded through PROfur™ Insurance. Having a passion for behaviour cases related to reactivity and aggression, I have also completed the Aggression In Dogs Master Course in September 2021.

I look forward to helping you and your canine companion succeed together as a team through the use of humane, reward-based methods. I strive to help shape desirable habits in both human and canine through practical management strategies, mindful environmental set ups, and effective positive reinforcement application.

Emily Gestrin | Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner | Certification #84045