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. 

My journey into dog training began in 2010 when I started apprenticing with a professional trainer in my spare time.  I received invaluable hands on experience through my apprenticeship as I worked with different breeds and temperaments. Prior to that, I spent a good chunk of my professional life in the music industry working for a major record label. However, my true passion stuck with the dogs and in 2015, the opportunity presented and I decided to pursue my dream job and make it a reality.  

After months of formal online education along with intensive in-person workshops and a rigorous skills assessment in Oahu, HI., I graduated with distinction from world-renowned Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behaviour and became a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP) in February 2016. In addition, I grew a passion for behaviour cases related to reactivity and aggression and completed the Aggression In Dogs Master Course in September 2021. I am licensed and fully insured & bonded through PROfur™ Insurance.

To ensure that I am providing my clients and their dogs with the best care possible, continuing education is of utmost importance to me.  This includes taking courses and attending seminars and workshops in person and online. I am committed to delivering insights on dog behaviour and assisting my clients in overcoming challenges through practical management techniques, thoughtful environmental adjustments, and comprehensive treatment plans that utilize kind and effective positive reinforcement methods to modify behaviours.

I look forward to helping you and your canine companion succeed together through the use of humane, reward-based methods to ensure reliable, lasting results.

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