About

Hello friends!

We are so glad you are here!

Our goal is to ensure that you have the best possible relationship with your dog based on trust through force-free, evidence-based dog training.

We use positive reinforcement methods that are backed by scientific research and veterinary behaviourist recommendations. An increasing body of research data and scientific studies indicate that training methods using rewards are not only the most humane but also the most effective in canine cognition and relationship building with your furry family member. Best of all, this kind of training is SO. MUCH. FUN!



Promise

When you work with us, we promise to never use harsh corrections nor any pain-inducing, fear-inducing or avoidance-based techniques. We are committed to using ethical standards that follow the Humane Hierarchy of Behaviour Modification. We believe behaviour modification can be done safely and most effectively without the use of choke chains, slip leads, prong collars or shock collars (also known as e-collars/invisible fences). For more information about the use of tools, please read the Position Statement on Humane Dog Training from American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour.

About Amanda, the Canine Coach

Amanda Gilbert is a Kingston, Ontario-based human-animal relationship coach. She is a graduate of the prestigious Victoria Stilwell Academy (VSA) for Dog Training & Behavior and has been granted official status as a VSA-Certified Dog Trainer Online (VSA-CDT-Online). Graduates of VSA have been individually taught in-person by Victoria Stilwell and other VSA faculty. All VSA graduates are rigorously assessed at the highest level for both skills and knowledge in the areas of dog training, behaviour modification, canine ethology, creative problem-solving and more. Additionally, great emphasis is placed within VSA’s industry-leading curriculum upon effective and empathetic human communication skills.

Amanda has been Fear Free® Certified, for over three years (Fear Free® is a program designed to help pet guardians alleviate fear, anxiety and stress in pets in general and especially around veterinary care and grooming procedures). In addition, Amanda has also completed the Do More With Your Dog trick instructor program and is qualified to evaluate and approve trick dog titles.

With over nine years of experience and education in the canine behaviour field training dogs in basic obedience, agility, nosework and Rally-O as well as working with clients for behaviour modification issues, Amanda continues to find new opportunities to update her education to ensure clients are equipped with the most up to date, research-based methods possible.

Amanda has also completed and is committed to continuing education on diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure that all clients are treated fairly and respectfully.

Elphaba, TDGCH and Gamora, ITD (Demonstration Dogs)

We would be remiss if we didn’t include Elphaba, our resident Trick Dog Grand Champion (TDGCH) and Gamora, Intermediate Trick Dog (ITD), Stone City Canine Coaching demonstration dogs. Both dogs are English Springer Spaniels who commonly make appearances in training videos and in classes. Elphaba has a friendly disposition that makes her a people-magnet (it may also be that she has a knack for zeroing in on who is most likely to give her treats…). She has a sweet temperament and has helped with puppy socialization and parallel walks to help with desensitizing and counter-conditioning work. Gamora is a “pandemic-puppy” and still honing her demonstration skills. Both have recently appeared in tricks and skills shows in the Kingston area.

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Notable education, certifications, seminars and workshops:

  • Empowering Possibilities: Navigating Life with Blind Deaf Dogs (Behavior Vets)

  • Reconciliation in Animal Welfare Symposium (RAWS)

  • The Neurobiology of Toxic Stress (Fear Free®)

  • Heart Dog Summit 2022 (December 2022)

  • Psychological Trauma in Animals (The World Small Animal Veterinary Association [WSAVA] Congress)

  • Emotional Pain: Why it matters more to animals than physical pain and what to do about it (WSAVA Congress)

  • Control Unleashed Conference 2021

  • Fear Free Certified Professional (Fear Free®)

  • Certified Trick Dog Instructor (Do More With Your Dog)

  • Victoria Stilwell Academy Dog Trainer Program (Victoria Stilwell Academy)

  • Clicker Expo Live supported by the Karen Pryor Academy (2020 and 2021 conferences)

  • The Lemonade Conference presented by the IAABC (2020 and 2021 conferences)

  • Separation Anxiety Workshop (Chantal Mills, CPDT-KA, Ottawa Canine School)

  • Reactivity Workshop (Chantal Mills, CPDT-KA, Ottawa Canine School)

  • Applied Behaviour Analysis in Practice (Adria Karlsson, MAT, Eds, CDBC, IAABC)

  • Shaping Inside Out! (Agnieszka Janarek, Tromplo)

  • Control Is An Illusion: Rethinking How We Teach for “Impulse Control” (Sarah Owings, KPA-CTP, Tromplo)

  • Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning (Dr. Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, IAABC)

 

Post-secondary education courses and seminars:

  • Animal Behaviour and Welfare (University of Edinburgh via Coursera)

  • Introduction to Psychology (Queen’s University)

  • Principles of Mammalian Physiology I (Queen’s University)

  • Dog Emotion and Cognition (Duke University via Coursera)

  • Introduction to Neuroscience (Queen’s University)

  • Dog Behaviour: Problems and Solutions (Arizona State University via edX)

  • Mammalian Behaviour (St. Lawrence College)

  • Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology (St. Lawrence College)