Positive, Modern Dog Training
Right at Home
We offer in-home and virtual packages designed to get you results you feel good aboutI help dogs and their families to communicate better, build skills, and prevent problem behaviours all using only science-based techniques and positive reinforcement. I offer in-home, virtual, and puppy focused programs that are fully customized and tailored to your needs.
Training Programs
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WHY CHOOSE TRAINED BY STEPH
Modern training rooted in science (and kindness)
MSc in Animal Behaviour from University of Guelph
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Fear Free Certified
Force-free, positive reinforcement only
Virtual (Internationally) & in-home (Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Fergus + all surrounding areas)
Clear, supportive guidance for every step
Customized training plans unique to you and your dog
Not sure what you need? Explore the programs here to find the best fit for your dog. You can click “Learn More” to jump to the full program details.
Already know what you want? Click below to get started.
Programs Overview
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Best for puppies under 4 months.
Give your puppy the best start with a fully customized, hands on program designed to prevent problem behaviours before they begin. Includes solo training for your puppy, family coaching sessions, weekly videos, and unlimited support.
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I train your dog for you, this package is ideal for leash skills and reactivity.
Day Training is a blended model where I work directly with your dog several times a week, then teach your family how to maintain the behaviour. Perfect for busy owners who want fast, effective progress with professional handling built in.
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Best for behaviour concerns or custom goals when you have time to practice every day!
A guided, step-by-step coaching program for reactivity, fear, anxiety, manners, new rescues, or multi-dog households. You get clear instruction, hands-on practice, and unlimited support between sessions. -
Best for clients outside my in home service area.
Flexible, supportive training from anywhere. Includes live coaching calls, monthly goals, video feedback, and unlimited text & email support. Our virtual program is designed to help you get results even if we can’t meet in person! -
A paid virtual consult if you're not sure what your dog needs.
If you’re unsure which program is the best fit, you can book a 60-minute virtual consult where I review your dog’s history, behaviour, your families’ goals, and environment. You’ll receive clear recommendations on the right program, plus a $50 credit toward any training package if booked within 48 hours of your consult! -
Once you’ve completed a training program, you can continue building progress with flexible touch-up sessions. These are perfect for maintaining good habits, troubleshooting new behaviours, or supporting your dog through life changes. Ongoing Support is available only after an initial program has been completed and there’s no commitment required.
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Program Comparison Chart
Not sure which service is right for you?
Use this quick comparison chart to see what each option includes at a glance.
| Program | Best For | Sessions | Format | Includes | Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy Jumpstart | Puppies under 4 months | 13 total(1 virtual consult + 12 in-home) | 🏠 In-Home | Solo puppy coaching • Family coaching • Weekly plans • Video updates • Unlimited support | $1,800 |
| Day Training | Dogs any age needing extra support; reactivity &/or leash skills | 7 sessions (2-week) / 10 sessions (3-week) | 🏠 In-Home | Solo tutoring • Family coaching • Weekly plans • Video updates • Unlimited support | $950 / $1,300 |
| Private Training | Any age; behaviour concerns or manners | 4+ sessions | 🏠 In-Home | In-person coaching • Homework plans • Video feedback • Unlimited support | $550 (4 sessions) |
| Virtual Training | Clients outside service area | 3 or 5 lessons | 💻 Virtual | Live coaching • Weekly plans • Video feedback • Unlimited support | $395 / $625 |
| Behaviour Consult | Anyone unsure where to start | 1 session | 💻 Virtual | Behaviour assessment • Training plan • $50 package credit • 48hr support | $125 |
| Ongoing Support | Graduates who want continued guidance | Monthly | 📱 / 💻 / 🏠 Text + Virtual + In-Person options | Unlimited messaging • Plan updates • Coaching calls • Monthly touch-ups (depending on tier) | $75–$275/mo |
** Quoted prices within Guelph, see Travel Fees for more info
** Taxes not included
Mary Cameron
“I adopted a huge dog from the Humane Society. She was a lovely dog, but had some issues that had me wondering if I was going to be able to keep her. She was lovely with our family but would growl aggressively when my son's teenage friends came over. I was so worried that she would bite someone and that I'd need to surrender her back to the Humane Society. With only a few sessions with Steph, I was given the tools to work with her and my aggressive, growling dog was transformed into a lovely pet. Steph also helped us with basic training for things like recall/ polite walking on leash etc. If you have a 'reactive dog' I highly recommend her”
Best for puppies under 4 months: helps set your new family member up for success.
13 total sessions (1 virtual consult, 12 in-home sessions)
Build healthy habits before problem behaviours start
Customized weekly plans + unlimited support
Why it works:
Early training prevents fear, frustration, biting, jumping, reactivity, and anxiety before they take root. I’ll coach your puppy twice a week one-on-one, plus a weekly session with your family so everyone at home learns the skills too.
What’s included:
1 virtual kickoff consult
8 solo puppy tutoring sessions
4 in-person family coaching sessions
Weekly video updates
Weekly written training plans and goals
Unlimited support between sessions
Access to client resources + homework videos
Investment: $1,800
(Add extra weeks for $400 or single sessions for $160 if you want more support once we’re done!)
Puppy Jump Start Program (4 Weeks)
** Quoted prices within Guelph, see Travel Fees for more info
** Taxes not included
Best for dogs 4 months and up: ideal for dogs with leash challenges, reactivity, or behaviour concerns where focused training can accelerate results.
2-week program: 7 total sessions (1 virtual consult, 4 solo training sessions, 2 in-person family sessions)
3-week program: 10 total sessions (1 virtual consult, 6 solo training sessions, 3 in-person family sessions)
Customized weekly plans + unlimited support
Why it works:
Your dog gets consistent, structured training directly with me multiple times per week, while your family learns how to reinforce the behaviours at home. This approach accelerates progress for leash manners, reactivity, impulse control, and general obedience, while ensuring the whole family can implement and maintain the skills long term.
What’s included:
1 virtual kickoff consult
Solo dog training sessions (4 for 2-week / 6 for 3-week program)
Family transfer sessions (2 for 2-week / 3 for 3-week program)
Weekly video updates
Weekly written training plans + goals
Unlimited support between sessions
Investment:
2-week program: $950
3-week program: $1,300
(discounted vs buying 2 weeks + extra week)
(Extra weeks available for $400 or single sessions for $130 if you want additional support.)
Day Training Programs for Adult Dogs
** Quoted prices within Guelph, see Travel Fees for more info
** Taxes not included
Private Training Programs
Best for dogs of any age: ideal for addressing behaviour concerns, custom goals, or multi-dog household challenges when the family has time to commit to training daily or every other day.
Minimum 4 sessions (additional sessions available as needed)
Step-by-step guidance + unlimited support between sessions
Why it works:
This program is perfect for dogs who need to learn skills or who struggle with fear, anxiety, reactivity, or other problem behaviours. This is for owners who want a fully customized training plan unique to your dog. You get focused, hands-on guidance, coaching, and management. You’ll get clear instruction on homework so you can implement changes successfully. Each session builds on the last to ensure consistent progress at a pace that works for your dog and family.
What’s included:
4× 1-hour in-home sessions (minimum)
Customized training plan and step-by-step homework
Video feedback and progress support
Unlimited text & email support between sessions
Add-on sessions available at $130 each
Investment:
$550 for 4 sessions
(Additional sessions available for $130 each if you want more support.)
** Quoted prices within Guelph, see Travel Fees for more info
** Taxes not included
Best for clients across Canada or outside my in-home service area: get personalized dog training guidance from anywhere.
3- or 5-Lesson packages (60 minutes each)
Flexible coaching + unlimited support between sessions
Why it works:
Even if we can’t meet in person, your dog can make meaningful progress. Each lesson is live via Zoom, and you’ll receive personalized training plans, video feedback, and ongoing support to implement the strategies confidently at home. Perfect for puppies, manners, enrichment plans, or behaviour troubleshooting.
What’s included:
3 or 5× 60-minute virtual coaching sessions
Weekly written training goals and plans
Video feedback and progress support
Unlimited text/email support
Investment:
3 lessons: $395
5 lessons: $625 (discounted bundle vs 3 + 2 extra sessions)
(Additional sessions available for $120 each if you want more support.)
Virtual Training and Coaching
** Taxes not included
Best for owners who aren’t sure which program is right for their dog: a focused, 60-minute virtual consult to assess behaviour, set goals, and create a clear plan.
Paid consult with $50 credit toward any training package booked within 48 hours
Why it works:
Sometimes it’s hard to know which training program will best fit your dog’s needs. In this virtual session, I’ll review your dog’s history, behaviour, environment, and goals. You’ll walk away with clear recommendations and a roadmap to success. You’ll also have a credit toward any program booked within 48hrs so you can start right away.
What’s included:
60-minute virtual consult via Zoom
Behaviour assessment and discussion of goals
Personalized program recommendation
$50 credit toward any training package booked within 48 hours
Unlimited follow-up questions for clarification within 48 hours
Investment:
$125 (net $75 if you book a training package within 48 hours)
Behaviour Consult
(Optional Starting Point)
** Taxes not included
Best for dogs and families who have completed a training program: continue building progress, troubleshooting new behaviours, or maintaining skills with flexible monthly support.
Why it works:
Even after a training program life changes and new challenges can arise. Ongoing Support helps you maintain your dog’s progress, prevent problem behaviours from returning, and stay confident with training. You choose the level of support that fits your family, from unlimited guidance via messages to monthly virtual or in-person touch ups.
What’s included (choose your level):
1. Text & Email Support — $75/month
Unlimited text, email, and video submissions for review
Guaranteed response within 24-48hrs
Adjustments to your training plan documents as requested
2. Virtual Coaching + Support — $150/month
Everything from Text & Email Support
2× 45-minute Zoom coaching sessions/check-ins per month
3. In-Person Touch-Ups + Support — $275/month
Everything from Virtual Coaching + Support
1× in-person session per month
(Single add-on sessions still available: $120 virtual / $130 in-person.)
Ongoing Support Add-Ons
** Quoted prices within Guelph, see Travel Fees for more info
** Taxes not included
Travel Fees (For In-Home Services)
I bring force free, science based training directly to your home. A small travel fee applies to cover time and fuel, based on your distance from Guelph.
Zone A — Under 15mins within Guelph : $0
Zone B — 15–30 minutes from Guelph: +$10 per session
Zone C — 30–45 minutes from Guelph: +$20 per session
Zone D — 45–60 minutes from Guelph: +$30 per session
(Travel beyond 60 minutes evaluated on a case-by-case basis.)
These fees apply to:
Private training packages
Day Training programs
Puppy Jumpstart
In-person add-on sessions
These fees do not apply to virtual sessions or programs
Ready to get started?
Whether you’re looking for in-home guidance, virtual coaching, or ongoing support, I’ll create a plan tailored to your dog and family.
Freya
Steph was incredible with my 2-year-old Border Collie, Clover. She struggled with reactivity: barking and lunging at cars, joggers, and other dogs, chasing wildlife, and trying to greet everyone who passed. After trying so many different training techniques online, and a bad experience with another trainer, I was at a loss. But Steph was amazing from the start. She listened to my concerns without judgement and used only positive, reward-based methods.
Clover adored her and was always so excited for their sessions. Steph also helped me understand what drives Clover’s emotions and how to work with her so she feels calmer and more confident.
We saw huge improvements after every session, and Steph gave us the tools and skills to keep building on Clover’s training. Clover is happier, more relaxed, and we can finally enjoy our walks together again.