My Goal

My goal in training your dog (and training you) is to help you effectively communicate and cohabitate with the animal living in your home.

I aim to help you understand your dog’s needs and be able to provide fully for them. Together, we will realize your dog’s potential and work to have them reach that potential.

We will create a roadmap for what you want your life and relationship with your dog to look like and train them to live up to your expectations and goals. 

For the Love of Dogs

Loving Leader Dog Training works with Animalert Dog Adoptions and PAWS United Dog Rescue to offer training support to dogs in foster as well as adopted dogs. A discount is offered to these rescue organizations for all training works.

Owners who have adopted from these organizations will receive a 25% discount on their Initial Consultation visit.

Amanda and the White Dog

I got my dog, Whistler (also commonly referred to as The White Dog, Cloud Boi, or Floof!) when he was 9 weeks old. Prior to picking him up, I read many, many dog training books, I did my research and I believed that I knew what I needed to properly lead him and train him. We had asked for a submissive male dog but little did we know – Whistler was not submissive.

A few weeks into having him, I believed he was “trained”. He could sit, lay down, and shake a paw. These are commands that are important to teach your dog, but there was so much more that Whistler needed from me.

He would pull on the leash like a sled dog every time I walked him, he would get overly excited every time we saw strangers thinking that he was allowed to meet every person and dog we cross paths with. He also had extreme separation anxiety.

Lucky shortly after these problems arose, I started working at a stable, and the operator of the stable happened to be a dog trainer. I began talking to her about my dog and she immediately realized the predicament I was in and suggested we start puppy training classes immediately.

Reading the class syllabus I thought we were more advanced than the class. Whistler already knew how to sit. But did he sit the first time I asked him to? Would he sit when there were distractions? Would he sit until I gave him his next command, or would he just sit and then do what he wanted to do. Or sit only if I had a treat - or until he got the treat? He knew what the word sit meant, but it was always on his terms.

We started on the journey of properly training Whistler. I came to realize how difficult and stubborn Whistler was! I now know that Whistler came into my life to show me what I needed to know about training a dog and to introduce this passion to me, but at the time it was incredibly challenging, and I cried a lot.

We went through puppy training once, intermediate twice (he passed both courses, but I knew he was not yet ready to move onto advanced) and we took the advanced course twice as well. Upon completing his formal training, continuing the practices, and expanding what I expect from him, I now have a dog who I have 100% faith in, off-leash, and even from horseback.

I am always working with Whistler to maintain his training and increase the Five D’s of dog training. Distance, duration, difficulty, distractions, and diversity. Every walk that we take is an opportunity to be creative and introduce him to new scenarios to strengthen his training and our bond.

Once Whistler completed his formal dog training, I realized how much I loved these classes. Everything made so much sense and I began to shadow my trainer and learn from her. She became a mentor to me, and after time, I started teaching the classes on my own. I worked with her for two years teaching the classes and in private lessons for dogs with behavioral problems.

I have since then continued my dog training education and have moved back home to London. It was being back in London, no longer working with dogs regularly that I realized how much I was missing this from my life. I tried to push it aside, but it was this burning passion in my mind and in my heart that I knew I had to pursue.

Working with dogs and helping their families provides me with the greatest satisfaction. I am so grateful for the opportunity to help people find stability and balance with their best friend.

My goal is to help you achieve the relationship with your dog that you are looking for. I aim to help you understand what your dog needs from you, how you can effectively communicate with your dog, and to help your dog understand what is expected of them.

How we Went from One to Three

In 2020, I was still working my corporate job, and seeing training clients in the evenings and on the weekends. That September I lost my job. I thank the Lord that I saw this coming and was ready to step out onto my own (terrified, but ready for this next chapter).

While Whis and I were away in Algonquin that fall this pretty white Husky came across my Facebook looking for a foster. I was obsessed with her and I asked them to bring her in from Quebec for me, as my first foster dog.

It took her two weeks to shred the first crate I put her in to scraps of metal. It took three weeks for her to start screaming in my face (Huskys!). It took four weeks for her to start body checking Whistler. And she took every opportunity she got to run away - not far - just out of reach.

And it took me 8 months and a few “failed” interviews with potential adopters for me to realized that she was mine all along. I did not want a Husky. She was a crazy b*itch, - loud, independent, stubborn, difficult. It was pointed out to me that she was KIND OF A LITTLE BIT like me.

Tinpa was officially adopted by me in 2023. Upon adopting her I got serious about training her. She is now trained off leash and has full roaming privileges of my country property, her place command is unmatched and she regularly works with my reactive dogs as a demo dog.

One of the reasons I was not ready to commit to Tinpa is because I knew I wanted a Shepherd. Six month into fostering Tin, this cute little baby German Shepherd was being surrendered by his family. I took him in as a foster and upon assessing his personality, he was mine after 2 days. He was perfect, just the sweetest but a very sensitive boy.

The most interesting thing about all three of my dogs is how different their training journeys were. I had to learn and grow and adapt my skills depending on what each of them needed to be successful. I believe that each of these angels were sent to me for a reason. They have each taught me a lifetime of lessons and skills.

I am forever grateful that everyday I have the opportunity to create a life around serving these dogs and helping you and your dog(s)!