We believe in dogs!
Our Philosophy
The human-canine bond is
positive & powerful!
We believe in dogs and in the power of the human-canine bond to enrich the lives of both people and dogs.
At the root of all we do is a belief that dogs are thinking, feeling partners in our lives and that it is our responsibility to better understand them so that we can be their best guardians.
To this end, we believe that the connection between dogs and people can be life-changing and we strive to bring to people the resources to enhance their connections with their dogs!
Our Mission
Our mission is simple - to help build joyful, meaningful, and lasting connections between dogs and people!
We draw on leading edge knowledge of dog behavior to help you and your dog learn, play, and celebrate the human-canine bond.
Yes, we love dogs! But, just as much, we love helping dog guardians and families discover ways to understand, communicate with, and appreciate their dogs.
We aim to enrich your life with your dog by providing a safe, comfortable, and caring environment where you and your dog can learn, develop friendships, and have fun!
Our Values
DOGS, because they are intelligent, sentient, and sensitive creatures with whom we are blessed to share our lives.
OUR CLIENTS, who seek our services to better connect with their cherished canine friends, who we come to know as friends.
RELATIONSHIPS between dogs and people. We believe those relationships are enhanced through knowledge, understanding, and education.
SERVING OTHERS – our customers, clients, students, partners, and fellow staff – and the relationships of trust and friendship we form with those who cross our paths.
OUR COMMUNITY as an attractive, friendly, healthy place to live and work and we strive for dogs to be welcomed in our parks and public places.
The HEALING POWER of DOGS and other animals, their power to lift moods, improve health, and create social connections.
HELPING DOGS who are homeless, in shelters, or with rescue groups and are waiting to become cherished members of loving homes.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES that help to reduce our carbon footprints and paw prints.
SAFETY and sparkle in our environment.
LAUGHTER, creativity, and fun!
Our Code of Ethics
As a member in good standing of the leading certification and professional organizations in the field of dog training and behavior, we adhere to the codes of ethics of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and Pet Professional Guild. As well, we have created our own Code of Ethics:
Always treat clients and animals with respect and kindness, withholding judgement, and sharing and implementing advice and approaches that are based on the most current scientific knowledge about dog behavior. To this end, our team consults and confers frequently with other professionals and attends dozens of hours of continuing education every year.
Recognize that behaviors reflect underlying emotional states that must be understood, addressed, and potentially modified if real behavior change is going to occur. Particularly when stress, fear, and anxiety are the emotional roots of behavior, it is humane, fair, and right to address the root cause of behavior rather than simply suppress or change the behavioral response.
Use positive tools and methods and avoid punishing tools and methods with training and behavior approaches. This includes avoiding the use of prong/pinch, choke, and shock collars that are designed to cause discomfort and suppress behavior. Our approach is to prevent unwanted behavior through sound management and encourage and reinforce desired behavior so that these new ways of responding become the dog's reliable behavior.
Be honest at all times, including not guaranteeing the results of training and behavior programs, or suggesting that there are "quick fixes" to complex behavior problems. As behavior is affected by many factors, some of which are well beyond the control of our training team and the dog's owners, and as behavior is also dynamic, it is misleading to offer guarantees. Rather, we apply our best knowledge, based on the most recent scientific understanding, to a well-defined training program, make adjustments as necessary, to help our dogs become the best and happiest they can be.
Maintain professional integrity at all times, including representing ourselves and The Canine Connection accurately, interacting with colleagues within the pet industry, training, and behavior professions honorably, keeping our word, and remaining humble and grateful.
Learn About the Team
Meet the people who will care for, teach, play with, and keep your dog safe at The Canine Connection.