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Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm 6pm - 8pm Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm 6pm - 8pm Thursday 8am - 5:30pm Friday 8am - 5:30pm Saturday 9am - 12pm

Instinct Canine Training Inc.

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Burlington, ON
Instinct Canine Training Inc.

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Training isn’t just obedience, it’s the start of a better relationship. Transforming dogs and their handlers since 2018

Proud to be a DTTA-CPDT (certified professional dog trainer) and a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals

10/31/2026

🤠 Howdy, partner! Cowboy Crash is ready for Halloween! 🎃🐾

Crash is dressed for the occasion, but before the trick-or-treaters come knocking, we have a few reminders to help keep your dogs safe and comfortable this Halloween!

🍬 Keep the candy out of reach! Chocolate and treats containing xylitol (also called birch sugar) can be dangerous (even deadly) for dogs. Watch those candy wrappers, too!

🚪 Manage the front door. With trick-or-treaters coming and going, there’s plenty of opportunity for an unexpected escape. Use a baby gate, crate, or separate room to keep your dog safely away from the action.

🐕 Don’t force the festivities. Costumes, masks, strange noises, and excited children can be overwhelming. Give your dog a quiet place to relax, and remember, not every dog wants to participate!

🐾 Make it a positive learning experience! Halloween can actually be a great opportunity for appropriate socialization! If your dog is comfortable, use the evening to practise neutrality around unusual sights, sounds, and people in costumes. Keep some treats handy, reward calm behaviour, and allow your dog to observe from a comfortable distance. Socialization isn’t about meeting everyone; it’s about learning to be confident and comfortable in new situations.

🦴 Plan ahead! Get your walks and exercise in before the festivities begin. A little enrichment, a good chew, or some quiet time on Place can help your dog settle for the evening.

🏷️ Check those ID tags! Make sure your dog’s identification is current, just in case they manage to slip out.

One final reminder from Cowboy Crash: Your dog doesn’t need to greet every trick-or-treater or be part of every celebration. Know your dog, advocate for them, and set them up for success!

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Halloween from all of us at Instinct Canine Training! 🎃🤠

10/29/2026

The dog you've always dreamed of isn't just well-behaved. They're a dog who enjoys being with you, looks to you for guidance, and wants to engage with you.

And one of the best ways to build that connection? Play.

Not the kind where you toss a ball one-handed while you're on your phone. Not the kind where you drop them off with a pack of dogs and call it exercise. (Enough dog parks, please!)

We mean getting in there with them. Tug, fetch, search games, the stuff that makes them look at you like you're the most interesting thing in the room.

And there's a lot more happening during those games than you might realize.

Think about how much competition you have for your dog's attention. Other dogs, smells, squirrels, strangers, noise. We ask them to listen and respond to us in the middle of all those distractions, but have we spent enough time teaching them that engaging with us is worthwhile?

Engagement is something we build, not something we should simply expect.

And here's something worth thinking about: if the only time your dog pays attention to you is when you have a treat in your hand, what happens when the treats aren't there?

Food is a fantastic training tool, but it shouldn't be the foundation of your dog's interest in you. We want our dogs to find value in the relationship itself, not just the reward we might be holding.

And play is a wonderful way to develop that connection.

It's also a great way to incorporate training without it feeling like a formal lesson. Ask for a sit before starting a game of tug. Practice a release cue. Build impulse control by teaching your dog when the game starts, when it stops, and how to manage their excitement in between.

You're not just having fun together. You're building communication, cooperation, and trust, all while reinforcing the skills you want to see in everyday life.

Of course, play doesn't replace training. But when we make ourselves part of the fun, we're giving our dogs another reason to engage with us and another opportunity to learn.

And sometimes, the most valuable training moments don't look like training at all.

So put your phone away, grab your dog's favourite toy, and spend 10 minutes playing with your dog, not just entertaining them.

You might be surprised how much you both enjoy it. 💜🐾

10/28/2026

Burlington and Oakville dog owners, let's talk supplements 🐾

As a dog trainer, I get asked all the time what I actually give my own dogs. So here are my top 3, including what I've been doing for my senior soul girl, Mia.

1️⃣ Omega 3 Harp Seal Oil (Carino Pets): This one's great for brain health, skin, and coat.

2️⃣ Turkey Tail Mushroom (Four Leaf Rover): A favourite for our senior dogs. It's anti-inflammatory and supports overall joint and immune health, especially helpful for older dogs or dogs managing cancer.

3️⃣ Hip & Joint with Eggshell Membrane & Green Lipped Mussel (Four Leaf Rover): My absolute favourite. A few months ago Mia's mobility had slipped a bit, she was struggling to get up at night for bathroom breaks, and since starting this, I've seen a complete shift. She's moving easier and playing with Keziah more than she has in a long time.

As always, chat with your vet before adding any new supplements to address specific health concerns.

For all your pet nutrition, supplement, and enrichment needs, go see the team at .ca in Burlington and Oakville. They're the real deal. 🐶

10/25/2026

🎓🐾 Let’s hear it for our latest graduates!

A huge congratulations to all of our Puppy Preschool and Perfect Pet graduates!

We’ve loved watching these dogs and their humans learn, grow, and build their skills together. There have been plenty of laughs, a few puppy shenanigans (because, well… puppies! 😂), and some really great progress along the way.

But here’s the thing about dog training… graduation isn’t the finish line! It’s another step in building a great relationship with your dog. Training is an ongoing journey, and there’s always something new to learn, practise, and build upon.

To all our graduates and their humans, thank you for showing up, putting in the work, and being such a big part of your dog’s success. Keep practising, keep having fun, and celebrate those little wins along the way. They add up to big things!

We’re so proud of you all, and we look forward to welcoming you back for the next level of training! 💜

🐾 Want to be part of our next graduating class?

Registration is now open for our upcoming classes! Whether you’re starting with a new puppy or ready to build on the skills you’ve already learned, we’d love to have you join us.

📩 Send us a message or visit the link in our bio to register!

10/23/2026

IDK who needs to hear this but... if you feel like you're constantly fighting at the end of the leash, it's not you, and it's not your dog. It's the approach. 🐾

Here's the thing nobody tells you about dog training: it was never supposed to be you vs. them. Every pull, every "did they just ignore me?" moment, every frustrated sigh on your walk... these are signs that something in the communication between you and your dog isn't working.

We've spent over 10 years learning how dogs actually think and learn, and the foundation is always the same: trust comes first. Clarity comes next. Communication is what holds it all together, at both ends of the leash.

When you begin to understand your dog and learn how to clearly communicate what you expect, things start to change. The pulling becomes something you can work through. Your dog begins to understand what's being asked of them, and you gain the confidence to guide them. With consistent training, fair expectations, and a little patience, you begin working together instead of against each other.

That's the relationship we help you build. Not just a well-behaved dog, but the dog you always dreamed of, and a connection that makes every walk feel like this one looks: calm, easy, and in sync.

The sooner you begin building that relationship and establishing clear expectations, the sooner you can start making progress. 💜

10/22/2026

🎄🐾 Christmas is coming… is your dog ready for it?

With the holidays just around the corner, now is a great time to start working on those skills that make everyday life with your dog more enjoyable. Whether it’s greeting guests politely, settling when things get busy, or learning to make better choices around distractions, a little training now can make a big difference come Christmas!

Training isn’t about having a “perfect” dog. It’s about building communication, understanding, and the skills that help you and your dog navigate life together.

🐾 Registration is NOW OPEN for our November classes at Instinct Canine Training!

We’ve got something for everyone, from puppies just starting their journey to dogs ready for a new challenge.

👃 SPECIAL SPOTLIGHT: INTRO TO SCENT DETECTION!

Looking for something different to do with your dog? Let them put that incredible nose to work!

Scent Detection is one of our favourite ways to build confidence, encourage independent thinking, and strengthen the connection between dogs and their handlers.

It’s mentally enriching, incredibly rewarding, and perhaps best of all, almost any dog can enjoy it! Young or old, energetic or laid-back, this is a wonderful activity that taps into what dogs do naturally.

And the best part? No previous scent experience required! This class is open to everyone, not just current ICT students!

👀 Check out our November lineup in the graphic to find the right class for you and your dog!

Remember, the dog you want at Christmas is the dog you start training today. Good manners don’t happen overnight, but with consistency, clarity, and a little teamwork, you can make wonderful progress!

🎄🐾 READY TO GET STARTED? REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

📩 Send us a DM with the class you’re interested in, and we’ll help you get registered.

👃 Interested in trying Scent Detection? Comment “SCENT” for more information!

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss your opportunity to join us this November!

10/19/2026

Some weekends leave you with more than just memories. ❤️

I’m not sure I can put into words what this group of incredible trainers means to me, but I’m going to try.

This weekend was another reminder of just how fortunate I am to be part of this TRIBE. A group of trainers who share their knowledge, challenge one another, support each other, and genuinely celebrate each other’s successes. There is no competition here. Just camaraderie, collaboration, and a shared passion for becoming better at what we do.

On Saturday, we hosted our very first Connection Games, an invitation-only event that welcomed eight dogs and their owners for a day of learning, growing, and discovering the power of connection through games.

And while watching those relationships grow was pretty special, something else stood out to me.

Watching our TRIBE come together as one team.

Different trainers, different strengths, different experiences, but one shared purpose. We taught together, supported one another, stepped in where needed, and worked as a cohesive unit. It was a beautiful reminder of what can happen when people put their egos aside and work toward something bigger than themselves.

The rest of our weekend was filled with more learning, great conversations, plenty of laughter, and simply enjoying each other’s company.

I’ve always believed that we should never stop learning. But I’ve also come to appreciate just how much who we surround ourselves with influences who we become.

These trainers make me better. They inspire me, challenge me, and remind me why I love what I do.

We may all wear the same ring, but it’s what that ring represents that means the most.

To my TRIBE, thank you. For your friendship, your knowledge, your encouragement, and for being exactly who you are.

I’m incredibly grateful to be standing alongside each of you. ❤️

10/16/2026

My daughter’s nervous system told me we were done for the day long before my itinerary did. I’m a dog trainer, so I recognized it right away: the same overwhelm I see in dogs when a new place, a new sound, and a new skill all arrive at once.

Watching her taught me something I use in every session with your dogs. When a dog gets a small win, that’s the moment to celebrate it and give them room to take it in. The next step goes better after a breath, whether they walk on two legs or four.

Your dog is meeting so much of the world for the first time. If training has hit a tricky stretch and you’re wondering what comes next, I’d love to help you find the right pace. Link in bio to read the full story and book a Behavioural Consultation.

10/14/2026

If you adopted your dog, this is for you!

Adopted dogs don't need a different training approach than the dog you've raised since 8 weeks old. The training itself never changes. What changes is how we get there.

💜 Structure & Clarity: Every dog, regardless of their history, benefits from clear expectations, consistency and fair communication. Structure isn't something we impose on our dogs. It's something we provide to help them navigate our world with confidence.

💜 Relationship First: Trust isn't built by feeling sorry for a dog's past. It's built through patience, consistency and showing them that they can count on you for guidance. Relationship always comes before obedience.

💜 Adjust the Approach, Not the Expectations: An adopted dog may come with experiences we know very little about. Some may need more time, more patience or a different starting point. That's okay! We meet the dog where they are, but we don't lose sight of where we're going.

💜 Understand the Past, But Don't Live in It: This is the one piece that is different from raising a puppy. Your dog's history may help us understand WHY a behaviour exists, but it shouldn't become an excuse to allow that behaviour to continue. Dogs are remarkably capable of learning, adapting and moving forward when we give them the opportunity. We need to be careful that our sympathy for their past doesn't become something that holds them back.

💜 Build the Future: Your dog isn't broken, and they don't need to be treated as though they are. They need leadership, patience, clear communication and a relationship built on trust. The same things every dog deserves.

You've already given your adopted dog the opportunity for a brighter future. Now show them what that future looks like. 💜

Don't let their past define what they're capable of becoming.

Send this to someone who just adopted and is worried they're "doing it wrong."

10/06/2026

Ever wondered what it actually takes to raise the dog you've always dreamed of? Take a peek inside Instinct Canine Training and see where that relationship gets built, one session at a time.

Address

Burlington, ON

Opening Hours

Tuesday	8am - 5:30pm
	6pm - 8pm
Wednesday	8am - 5:30pm
	6pm - 8pm
Thursday	8am - 5:30pm
Friday	8am - 5:30pm
Saturday	9am - 12pm

Telephone

+19058021771

Website

http://www.instinctcaninetraining.ca/, https://linktr.ee/instinctcaninetraining

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