Training Overview

We’ve been helping Chico dogs and their people for close to 25 years, but we never stop learning. Every year, we invest in continuing education to bring you the latest information.

We have the most amazing trainers! Our collaborative team has studied with the world’s best, earned top certifications, created and led industry publications. And above all, we care. Get to know our trainers HERE.

Your dog’s behavior is a reflection of their DNA, underlying emotional state, physical health, prior learning, and environment. Our holistic approach addresses not just HOW your dog behaves but also WHY.

Our training is progressive, positive, force-free, and fun, aligning with The American Society of Animal Behavior’s recommendations. Check out their position statements to learn more!

We don’t use correction collars (prong, choke, or shock) because they simply aren’t needed when positive reinforcement is applied correctly.

We don’t just teach your dog—we teach you too! Since you shape your dog’s environment, you need the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively for a lifetime of success. Think of us as your training coaches.

Training with us isn’t just about changing behavior—it’s also about strengthening the bond with your dog. Our approach builds trust and connection, making the process of training just as rewarding as the results.

Our academy center has been designed with your and your dog’s comfort in mind. Features include: central heat and air, rubberized flooring, fun and helpful equipment, seating, restroom, and retail supplies!

Training should be fun, for you and your dog! We focus on training games in our curriculum to maintain engagement and reward. We celebrate successes, recognizing that small successes lead to big accomplishments.

TRAINER - INSTRUCTOR
TRAINING COORDINATOR

Karen Pryor Academy, Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)
B.S. Agricultural Business, Chico State

Ally grew up in Chico, surrounded by animals. She has been involved with The Canine Connection for over a decade, getting hooked on training when her family brought their family dog, Georgie, through our puppy program. As Georgie grew, so did Ally's love for training.

Fast forward to today and Ally is a graduate of the acclaimed and challenging Karen Pryor Academy professional trainer program, specializing in positive training.

Ally has worn many hats at The Canine Connection over the many years she has been with us. She started as a training assistant, fresh out of high school, became our training coordinator after she graduated from Chico State, and is now also one of our excellent trainers.

Perhaps the most important hat Ally wears, however, is that of mother to her beautiful new baby, Kodi, who is bound to be an animal lover like her mom.

TRAINER-INSTRUCTOR-BEHAVIOR CONSULTANT

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC)
Graduate with Distinction, CATCH Canine Trainers Academy
B.A. Fine Arts, Mills College

Anna Basalaev-Binder is one of a handful of trainers to have completed the challenging requirements to become a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).

She graduated, with distinction, from CATCH Canine Training Academy and, as part of her studies, completed a mentorship at The Canine Connection and a shelter mentorship at the Northwest SPCA. Anna also completed the Aggression and Anxiety Mentorship Program through the IAABC Foundation. She has completed numerous hours of additional continuing education through seminars and workshops with the world’s top trainers.

Anna is passionate about dog/animal liberation, welfare and rescue, and has a focus and love of helping dogs with behavioral issues such as fear, aggression and anxiety live enriched lives with the people who love them!

Aside from a passion for dogs and animals, Anna loves painting and holds a BA in fine arts from Mills College. Anna lives rurally outside of Chico with her 3 dogs, 2 cats, 4 sheep, many chickens and a few human friends.

TRAINER-INSTRUCTOR
GROOMER

Victoria Stilwell Academy, Certified Dog Trainer (VSA-CDT, in Person with Distinction),
B.S. Natural Resources Conservation, University of British Columbia

Deb is a professional dog groomer and positive trainer who is originally from British Columbia, Canada, Deb first had a brief but rewarding career in wildlife management but then followed her true passion back to the best animal of all, the domestic dog!

Deb has been working as a groomer for about 15 years and finds it incredibly rewarding. Along the way, her work with shelters and foster dogs compelled her to want to learn more about dog behavior and positive training. She enrolled in the highly regarded Victoria Stilwell Academy for dog trainers and become a certified positive trainer as well!

With both grooming and training, Deb's work exemplifies her belief that dogs are intelligent, intuitive, unique creatures, and each one is truly a unique individual.

Her own dogs are Timber, a young, energetic German Shepherd Dog and Cinnamon, a sweet senior pitbull mix.

TRAINER-INSTRUCTOR

B.A. Journalism, San Francisco State University
Horsemastership Graduate, Pacific Horse Center

Nancy is the founding and longtime (25+ years!) editor-in-chief of the internationally renowned Whole Dog Journal, a leading source of information about positive dog training, nutrition, and health. In that capacity, she has been on the front lines of positive training for almost three decades.

Closer to home, Nancy has extensive “hands on” experience training puppies and teenage dogs. She has fostered and helped support adopters of over 100 puppies and adolescent dogs for Northwest SPCA in Oroville. That’s a lot of experience with dogs at the two most critical developmental stages: puppy hood and adolescence.

Nancy loves helping people take their training into the “real world,” so don’t be surprised if you find Nancy and her students out and about, on trails or in cafes, practicing what it means to take training foundations to an even higher and more joyful level in our beautiful Norcal environments.

TRAINING ASSISTANT

B.S. Animal Science, Chico State

Olivia moved to Chico from Healdsburg to pursue her degree in Animal Science at Chico State. During her program, she spent a semester abroad in Spain. Upon her return, she began working for a local veterinary office.

When she began to develop an interest in animal behavior, Olivia sought out The Canine Connection and quickly became an important part of our team. Now a Chico State grad, Olivia splits her work time between veterinary care and The Canine Connection.

Olivia loves helping shelter dogs in need of some special attention. She has opened her heart and home to numerous foster dogs, bringing them through our training training program and helping them to become happier, better mannered, and more adoptable. What lucky dogs!

CERTIFIED CAT BEHAVIOR CONSULTANT

B.S. Psychology, Chico State
M.S. Psychology, Chico State
CCBC, CVPM, MS, HAB, CCBC,
Fear Free Certified

Christine’s life has always been about the animals. She began working professionally with them as a veterinary assistant in her hometown of Paradise and worked her way into practice management, overseeing busy veterinary practices in California and Arizona.

Christine completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology at Chico State, focusing on the human-animal bond. Her passion for cats led to her becoming a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant. Christine consults with people around the country regarding the behaviors of their feline friends using Zoom and other technologies.

Christine lives in Peoria, Arizona with her husband, a clowder of cats, two ferrets, and a very tolerant black lab.