Dog Training in Ottawa, ON

Bringing Out The Best in Your Dog Since 2023

Board & Training

From 2 to 6 weeks long, our Board & Train Programs offer immersive, structured training in a home environment, perfect for busy owners or dogs needing a fresh start.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons allow you to be in control of your dog's training with step-by-step coaching from a professional trainer; on your schedule, in your home.

The best of both worlds, you start the foundations of your dog's training and learn how to communicate and use training tools early on through private lessons, and then finish up with a board and train to fine tune their existing skills.

Meet The Heart of Civil Canine

Zoe founded Civil Canine in 2023 but has been loving dogs since before she could hold a leash.

With her dogs, Lumi and Yara, by her side, she's been working with dogs domestically and internationally since 2019.

Learn more about your trainer, her dogs, and the ethos of Civil Canine by clicking below!

About Us

Check Out Our Digital Products

TODAY’S PACK WALK HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Due to extreme cold warnings, we’ve decided to cancel the free pack walk today.

Keep posted for our next scheduled date and stay warm!

On a sunny snow day how could we not go train and play outside instead?
I wouldn’t describe myself as a winter LOVER but anything for the dogs 🙂‍↕️🥶

Floors dirty, body language relaxed, training repped, dog played with, everyone sent outside to play in the snow so my floors can be more dirty, repeat.

Bert, week 2 crushing his second day of e-collar. Bit of silent recall, bit of place, bit of fun, lots of beef liver.

We braved the cold for our pack walk today! We should be having another one very shortly on a slightly warmer day so keep your eyes peeled for the time and location!

Nice and easy.

Some dogs hop on the place bed like they’ve known it their whole lives, and others, like Bert, can be a bit more hesitant.
It’s an unstable surface so it makes sense to be wary, but that means it’s my job to build confidence and value surrounding the place bed before I start expecting him to step on it without help or on command.
All I did was simply toss some high value food on the thing that he’s unsure about and let him figure it out without being pressured to do it. This allows dogs to process things at their own speed, overcome the stress, and get a reward at the end.

It’s super important in a foundational moment like this not to drag him onto the place with the leash or force him to stay on there if he’s wary.

Once he realized the place bed was stable, I was able to start luring him onto it an assigning a command and the break maker to leave!

Say hello to Bert!

Bert is here for a 4 week Board & Train 🎓
He’s a young Whoodle who just needs a bit of guidance and structure to make him the perfect family dog.

We’re looking forward to seeing him grow and learn over the next four weeks!

Happy Third Anniversary, Civil Canine 🎈

From a 5 year old memorizing the dog encyclopedia, to a 10 year old asking to build a boarding kennel in the back yard, to a 13 year old getting her email blocked by the kennel down the road from asking to volunteer so many times (sorry GBK), to a 21 year old walking dogs, to a 23 year old travelling to the states to learn how to be a dog trainer, to a 24 year old saying “how hard could starting my own business be?”, to today.

This has been such a whirlwind filled with ups and downs, playing with puppies and scooping poop, teaching people about what I love and fighting with Google business suite… I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I can’t wait to see what year 3 in 2026 (plus two days in 2027) has to offer us!

A surprise for everyone when they came back inside from playing in the snow (given one by one individually so no one fought over it 😅).

Turkey, sweet potato bites, and salmon treats 🙂‍↕️

Whenever a holiday lands mid week, the rest of the week feels like the weekend.
Hope everyone is having a great not-weekend!

While their owners are on holiday, our pack is too!
We enjoyed the fresh snow with some treat catching (if you can call it that).

Sorry for the flashing lights at the end, apparently my camera’s slow motion doesn’t like the outdoor lights.

Snow day with Hazel, Old Man Jack, and Milow! First some fun in the snow and then some time in the crate and on place with a bully stick/beef trachea/beef cheek roll depending on chew levels until they dry off. THEN we can hang out in the house #stinkydogseason

The first of our boarding dogs for the holidays is here, kicking off our busiest few weeks of the year! Milow completed private lessons with me two summers ago. This loving boy is part Golden Retriever and it definitely shows in how affectionate (and fluffy) he is.

Hercules and Athena are here for boarding! I had the pleasure of training Herc when he was an itty bitty potato puppy, it’s so good to see him again, and this time with a younger sister!

Common Household Hazards for Dogs 🏡🐾

🍫 Human Foods like chocolate, grapes, onions, xylitol, and macadamia nuts might seem harmless, but they can cause serious illness, from low blood sugar to kidney failure.

🧼 Cleaning supplies like bleach, ammonia, drain cleaner, and paint thinner can irritate your dog’s skin or cause poisoning. Store it securely and let your floors dry before letting them walk through.

💊 Human medications like painkillers, prescriptions, and even vitamins (especially with iron or vitamin D) can be toxic in small amounts. Keep pill bottles in closed cabinets, dogs can chew through lids!

🔌 Household items like electrical cords can shock or burn if chewed on. Small objects like batteries, buttons, coins, or small toys can cause choking or blockages if swallowed!

🪴 Common houseplants like aloe, rhododendron, snake plants, or the Christmas poinsettia can upset your dogs stomach or worse. Always double check before bringing new plants home or place them in areas your dog can’t reach.

#dogsafety #doghealth #petparenttips

Thank you to everyone who nominated us! Keep posted for the next steps for voting. Civil Canine is only as successful as it is because of your support (and your dogs) 💛

Expecting instant obedience in every situation sets both you and your dog up for frustration.

Training doesn’t erase emotions or instincts, it helps your dog learn how to manage them.

Your dog might respond perfectly at home but freeze up at the park, and that’s ok! Each new environment adds pressure and distractions.

Set expectations that match your dog’s current ability and state of mind.
If they struggle, step back and reinforce what they do know before moving ahead again.

Training is about progress, not perfection, and it starts with fulfilling your dog’s needs before chasing your wants.

I’ll be out of town visiting family and friends in New York and Pennsylvania this week.
Workaholic I am, I left my work phone at home (it doesn’t have a US plan) but in emergencies am still reachable by email or dm on this page.

See you in December!

Cold nights mean snuggles with dogs! Roo is such a snuggle bug I can’t help but curl up with her and a blanket when it’s chilly!

It’s the little things we can do for our boarding dogs to make them feel more at home when they’re away from their familiar surroundings 🧡

Training is part of raising a good dog but it isn’t the whole picture.

A truly balanced dog feels safe, rested, understood, and fulfilled.

When their needs for food, safety, play, trust, and mental stimulation are met, things start to make more sense.
They focus better, learn faster, and feel calmer day to day.

In some circumstances, unwanted behaviours can resolve themselves by making sure all the boxes are checked.

Meeting your dog’s needs isn’t about being perfect, but it is about noticing what helps them feel secure and confident, and putting in the effort to make them happy.

#civilcanine #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour #dogtraining #caninefulfilment #dogwellness #dogenrichment #ottawadogs #613dogs #dogsofottawa

Thanks for coming to our November free community pack walk! 🐕

Stay tuned for next months date and location 🐾📍

🎓🐶 Congratulations to Bubbles on graduating today. He came to me carrying some big behavioural challenges, and worked every day to build better habits and confidence. His transformation has been incredible to witness. Great job, Bubbles. 💙

Do you listen when your dog talks?

Dogs communicate constantly, but many of their signals can be subtle if you don’t know what to look for.

If we ignore or correct signals that tell us they’re uncomfortable or scared, we take away their voice and increase stress.

Start watching your dog’s ears, eyes, tail, and posture. Does something they’re doing have a different meaning in human body language? Ask yourself why your dog is leaning a certain way or holding their tail like that.

The easier you understand what they’re saying, the easier it becomes to solve problems before they grow.

#civilcanine #dogtraining #dogbehaviour #dogbehavior #listentoyourdog #dogsofottawa #dogsofinstagram #613dogs

When our dogs understand what’s expected of them, they can relax.

Clarity and boundaries don’t restrict dogs,they free them.

Bubbles knows exactly when he’s allowed to roll in the snow and when it’s time to come back to work.

That kind of understanding creates consistency, trust, and reliable behaviour.

Clarity → Consistency → Confidence → Good behaviour.

A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to vet visits 💉

Bringing familiar comforts, building positive experiences, and setting your dog up for success can make every appointment smoother for both of you.

Which of these have you tried with your dog?

Bubbles is really coming out of his shell this week for some belly rubs and enthusiasm to work!

Sometimes when a dog has gotten away with not working for things in their lives it can be a bit of a switch up for them and can be hard to motivate them, and while he struggled in his first week to understand why he wasn’t living the good comfy life of couch-and-no-work, he’s coming along quite nicely. Is it any surprise place is his favourite command?

It was a small crew and a chilly walk but we’ll have to remember this path for the future for an advanced pack walk! Bikes, squirrels, dogs, and goose poop all with a gorgeous view of the river!

Thanks for coming to our walk!!

Sometimes recall problems aren’t disobedience, they’re communication gaps.

Your timing teaches everything.

#civilcanine #recalltraining #dogtrainingtips #balancedtraining #dogbehaviour #dogtrainerlife #trainmoreworryless #dogtraining #dogsofottawa

Walter takes on Pet Valu.

I found an empty jar with a lid today and thought “how perfect for dog treats, I’ll go out and buy some new stinky ones that are more high value than the normal stuff” and Walter was doing such a great job on place that I scooped him up and took him on the taste test - I mean training session with me.

The workers informed him he had a great hair style, was very polite, and then showered him with treats and scratches while he tried to shoplift a tennis ball.

Once a terrier always a terror even when they’re trained I suppose 👮🏻‍♂️🎾

Keeping dogs safe doesn’t have to be complicated! Simple habits make a big difference for your dogs comfort and safety 🍂

Meet Bubbles 🫧
He’s a little guy with a big personality, and a few strong opinions about strangers. Once you’re in his circle, though, you’re really in.

Bubbles has joined us for a board and train to work through some trust issues and light aggression toward new people as well as some extra skills like recall and leash walking. His owner’s done a great job giving him love and structure, but it’s tough when your dog’s not sure how to handle guests. Together, we’ll be focusing on helping Bubbles feel safe, teaching him to regulate those big emotions, and giving his owner the tools to step in before things boil over.

Every dog deserves a chance to feel comfortable in their own home, and that’s exactly what we’re here to build for Bubbles. 💛

#4weekboardandtrain #boardandtrain #dogtraining #civilcanine

Place isn’t just about staying put, it’s about learning self control.

When your dog holds place, they’re practicing discipline, patience, and the fine art of doing nothing. That’s harder than it sounds for some dogs, especially terriers like Walter.

Sometimes part of the process is giving a busy dog something to do to build duration without too much frustration building up. You can use things like bully sticks, lick mats, a frozen stuffed Kong, or other chew toys.
These help you build duration and a positive association.

Keep in mind these shouldn’t be THE thing that keeps your dog calm or on place, those are skills that have to be learned. If you always hand them something to occupy themselves, they may become reliant on stimulation to relax (kind of like giving a kid an iPad every time they start to fuss…).

Real calm comes from learning to settle mentally without constant entertainment. Walter chewed his bully stick, stretched out, and took a nap on place (there’s a first time for everything!).

Teach calm, don’t just manage energy 🖤

Note: this is a dog that is getting thorough exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day through training, walks, play, and yard time. Calm doesn’t come from one cherry picked element of training!

Another successful little student goes home!

Spot graduated from his board and train program today and I’m a little sad to see him go. He was a little ray of sunshine out in the dog yard and in the home. I’m glad he gets to show his owners all of his new skills and be reunited with his big brother!

Next Monday, join us for our monthly pack walk!

All dogs welcome, no on leash greetings.

More information on our Facebook event page!

Outing with Spot and Walter ☀️

Both boys have been making big strides with their recall, so we took our training to a nearby park.
Spot’s at the stage of training where he can enjoy complete off leash freedom with excellent engagement, while Walter is still learning on the long line (terrier life) and doing a fantastic job staying tuned in despite distractions.

Each dog progresses at their own pace, and seeing them both succeed in real life settings is what it’s all about 🙌🏻

•
•
•
•
•
#CivilCanine #OttawaDogTrainer #BoardAndTrain #BalancedTraining #DogRecall #ObedienceTraining #OttawaDogs #DogTrainerLife

Evening Mealtime with a Full House 🐾

After a good 45 minutes of time in the yard running and sniffing, everyone comes in, settles in their crates, and waits for dinner.

Each dog’s meal is prepped individually (food, water changes, meds if needed). Each dog’s food bin is stored individually with their other possessions in sealed containers, while their feeding chart is attached to their crate door for record keeping so that I can track if anyone isn’t eating full meals or feels sick at all.

After eating they rest for about an hour to digest before heading back outside for an evening potty break and leg stretch. I adjust the evening let out based on the group’s energy either in pairs or small groups if they still have energy to burn, or individually if I want to keep things calm for the night.

After their meal and post-dinner break, I sweep out the crates to clear any sand and fur so they can settle in clean and comfortable for the night.

Regardless of the structure of the rest of the evening (if they spend more time out in the evening or have some more crate rest time), all dogs go out one more time right before I go to bed.

It’s not always spotless or picture perfect, but it’s structured, consistent, and keeps everyone happy, safe, and well cared for. That’s the real side of running an in home boarding set up.

A strong recall can be a lifesaver (literally) but your dog doesn’t learn it overnight! Here are three simple ways to start building a recall your dog can trust and you can rely on:

🐾 Make coming to you worth it
🎯 Practice in easy steps, gradually increasing the difficulty
🔑 Don’t call just to end the fun!

The key is in consistency and trust. Every time you recall your dog, you’re teaching them that it pays to listen.

Save this post for your next training session! What’s the most difficult distraction to recall YOUR dog away from?

We all have our weaknesses. Unfortunately for my clients, mine is breaking things down 🗣️

#notsorry

Repetition solidifies the habits and routines in our dogs lives. If we don’t practice the things we want them to do in more controlled situations how can we expect them to follow through when it really matters?

Setting up drills to practice things like recall, thresholds, greetings, and neutrality are great ways to set your dog up for success and show them the value of trusting you to know what’s best for them.

What’s one behaviour you’re working on daily with your dog?

Contact us today for a free consultation to get a head start on your dog’s training

✉️ info@civilcanine.com
💻www.civilcanine.com
📞613-808-9350

Soaked to the 🦴 but recall practice in the rain is just as important as recall practice on a sunny day!

Spot is a zoomie little fella so recall drills are a great way to get him exercised properly on a wet day without being stuck far from home on a leash walk when the clouds dump on us.

Now that he’s all tired out he can chill on place to decompress

No you aren’t seeing double, this is Ella, Louis brother!

I certainly felt like I was having Deja vu, these pups are cut from the same cloth and birds of a feather! Super excited to see their personalities develop with their confidence 🩵

How cute is little Louie?

Louie is a schnauzer with a big voice and a big attitude (as is to be expected). He’s only 6 months old so we’re getting started on teaching him communication and how to play the game to his advantage - don’t tell him we’re ten steps ahead of him 😉♟️

Patience and consistency will be key with a dog like him and I’m so excited to see him reach his full potential!

Clear communication is everything in dog training

Markers are one of the most important tools we have to bridge the gap between what we want and what our dogs understand.

A marker tells your dog exactly what behaviour is being rewarded (or corrected) in the moment it happens. Without them, dogs are left guessing which action earned the treat, praise, or consequence.

Think of it like taking a snapshot of behaviour — the marker captures the moment, and the reward (or correction) gives it meaning. That’s how dogs learn faster, stay more confident, and build trust in their training.

Start adding markers into your training and you’ll be surprised how quickly your dog catches on. Consistency is key, and your dog will thank you for the clarity.

#dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #positivedogtraining #dogtrainer #dogbehavior #dogobedience #puppytraining #dogsofinstagram #instadog #dogoftheday #doglover #doglife #puppylove #doglovers #dogstagram #ottawadogs #dogsofottawa #ottawadog #ottawapets #ottawalife #dogsofontario #canadiandogs

It’s fall y’all! This is my favourite time of year to train.

The squirrels are out, the weather is nice for the dogs, and the leaves are perfect for adorable pictures.

Waylon and Indy are starting the recall portion of their private lessons and they’re crushing it 🧡💛🤎

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@civilcanine