Smith Canine Academy

Smith Canine was recommended to us by a friend and I'm so grateful! We have been with Smith Canine Academy for a few months now and our dog loves it. It's definitely her favourite part of the day. She'll wait by the door and when she comes home she is so happy. She walks beautifully loose leashed and stopping and sitting at corners. I appreciate the pictures and daily reports. The online booking is super easy and user friendly. I'd recommend them to everyone I know!!

Our dog Clyde is a rescue who we didn't get to meet before came home with us. He was very reactive and would lunge and bark at all other dogs, cats, squirrels and cars/trucks. Kristen worked with him twice a week for 8 months and it made a HUGE difference. He now can pass dogs on the street with just a small whine, doesn't bark at cars or trucks, and is much better with his prey drive. We also loved that he was being let out of the house while we were at work at the same time! The app Kristen uses shows you where they go, and includes pictures at pick up and drop off. Definitely recommend!

Big thanks to Anna and Kristen for helping me with Haengbok! Haengbok is a rescue with few life experiences, and I wanted to help build her confidence. Anna has been walking my dog for the past two months to help build her confidence with loud noises (cars, kids) outside, and we’ve been seeing improvements after implementing some of their methods. Even when she had a little setback recently with loud cars, she was able to bounce back and become braver. Haengbok is little shy about who she lets in her circle but I can see that she is comfortable with Anna, even giving her some sass (which she only gives to those she is comfortable with). They are very communicative, Anna gives detailed write-up and cute pictures after every walk, and the app also shows where they walked and if she did her business.

Smith Canine Academy is the best of the best in Guelph. Every single staff member has been phenomenal with Blueberry, especially Kristen and Anna. They’re amazing with him and mindful of his anxieties as a rescue pup. He gets more excited to see them than he does to see us! They’ve been amazing to our family and have always been able to accommodate training walks, dog sitting, and day care. He comes home happy, tuckered out, and safe. We especially love the messages they leave about his sessions and the photos. We can’t recommend Smith Canine enough — they’ll definitely help your pup be their best!

Smith Canine Academy has been so helpful! Anna and Kristen helped our dog with early socialization and a multitude of issues we didn’t expect like fear of the car, separation anxiety, walk issues, etc. They gave us the tools we needed to understand and lead our dog, while also continuing to work with her on things that we don’t always have time to do. They worked miracles with our dog’s “stay” command, for example. Also our dog looooooves going to school. She has made some adorable dog friends there and just loves Anna and Kristen. She continues to learn new skills and build confidence. We also appreciate their flexibility as our family navigated major life transitions. It feels good being able to trust our beloved dog with them!

Great place to take your puppy...what a fantastic team....your puppy will love their time there...highly recommend....

Indie was our very sociable 2 and a half year old Australian shepherd. His herding mentality was making walks unbearable - barking and lunging at bikes going by, birds, other dogs, trucks etc. It made going outside with him nearly impossible! And In walks Kristen! Her extensive knowledge, experience and gentle touch with Indie provided a complete 180 after just 1 lesson! We are now able to go on long walks without fear of him lunging or barking at passerby’s. Kristen’s continued support after her visit, provides us with the utmost confidence that we, as well as Indie will succeed.

I cannot say enough incredible things about Kristen Smith and her team at Smith Canine Academy. We have 2 rescue dogs, both with their own special quirks and SCA has been our go-to trainer and support system for both. This team of generous and compassionate trainers have taken a weight off my shoulder and I know I can always count on them for help when we need it. I would recommend them to anyone looking for training/walking/advice services for their pup, weather already well trained or needing lots of TLC.

Kristen is the BEST!I have a dog that is terrified of the vet. She has worked with me and vet to try and relieve my dog’s anxiety . She has taken the time to explain why my dog is afraid of the vet and created customized lesson plans for my partner and I to do .She is excellent at what she does ! She explains the why and how ! I would highly highly highly recommend her !Have I mentioned she is the BEST?

Kristen is a wonderful dog advocate and extremely dedicated trainer. She is very knowledgeable about positive reinforcement and using this to help you reach your goals! Her and her staff are compassionate, reliable, and overall amazing.