Companion Animal Training

09/03/2025

Mind Your Manners starts next week!

This class is for dogs 6 months and older, that missed out on puppy class or older dogs that need to learn foundation behaviours. This class is great preparation for our Advanced Foundations class. Your dog will learn foundation behaviours such as sit, down, touch, place, recall, loose leash walking, and calmly through the door. We’ll also incorporate discussions on common behaviour concerns.

Join us for a fun, positive, and Fear Free class!

🗓 Tuesdays, September 9th to 30th
⏰ 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
💲 $235 plus GST

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Dogs must be comfortable around other people and dogs. Owners with fearful or anxious dogs require private training and are not suitable for class. Questions? 📧 [email protected]

09/02/2025

Congratulations to our Puppy Foundations graduates! 🎓 Great work, everyone!

09/02/2025

Congratulations to our Puppy Socialization & Exploration graduates - you did it 🤗

08/25/2025

Looking for a qualified puppy trainer to help set your new furry friend up for a lifetime of success? Companion Veterinary Clinic is here to help!

We have multi-certified trainers whose passion in life is to help your puppy grow into a confident dog that has a good relationship with you, their guardian! Because we also work in a veterinary setting, we incorporate cooperative veterinary care topics to ensure your pet is ready for positive visits to their medical care team.

Our trainers’ combined certifications include:

✅ Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behaviour (VTS Behaviour)
✅ Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners (KPA CTP)
✅ Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT)
✅ Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT)
✅ Fear Free certified trainer
✅ Over 10 years of experience running successful group classes!

What does this mean for you? When you join Companion Veterinary Clinic’s puppy classes, you get a science-based curriculum designed by our in-house Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behaviour and delivered by compassionate and experienced training professionals who make your puppy’s emotional and physical well-being their top priority. You also get a low-volume class size of five pups and two trainers and a focus on quality, same-style play sessions.

Register online today!

08/21/2025

07/30/2025

Congratulations to our Puppy Foundations graduates - you did it 🥳

07/30/2025

Congratulations to our Puppy Socialization & Exploration graduates 🎓

07/23/2025

Training classes are filling up fast!

🐶 Puppy Socialization: Starts August 10th for puppies aged 8 to 13 weeks

🐶 Puppy Foundations: Starts August 10th for puppies aged 14 to 21 weeks

🐕‍🦺 Mind Your Manners: Starts September 9th for dogs 6+ months

In Puppy Socialization and Puppy Foundations, puppies will have the opportunity to socialize with their classmates at the beginning and end of each class. Puppies are separated by play style to ensure a successful playtime experience. Initially, if your puppy is uncertain about playing, they will be given an opportunity to watch from behind a baby gate where they can feel safe until they gain the confidence to join in.

Mind Your Manners classes are not set up for dogs to interact with one another. We will work on foundation behaviours (sit, down, touch, place, recall, loose leash walking, calmly through the door, etc.) in a minimally distracting environment.

Cost: $235 plus GST

Register today using the link in bio 👈

Email [email protected] if you have any questions!

All dogs must be fully vaccinated (including Bordetella) and comfortable around other people and dogs. If your dog is fearful or anxious, we have private training options available.

                 

07/02/2025

Companion Vet Clinic is hosting a Toy & Treat Drive for the animals at Animal Care and Control Centre (ACCC) and we’d love your help! The ACCC provides a safe place for sick, lost, abandoned, and neglected animals until they can be returned home or find a new one. This is a stressful time for these animals, and together we can help make it a little easier.

Now until September 1st, you can drop off toy and treat donations in the bin by our front door to help provide enrichment items that reduce fear, stress, and anxiety and bring a bit of joy and relaxation into these animals' lives. If you prefer, monetary donations can also be made through Companion Veterinary Clinic, and we’ll use the proceeds to purchase the most-needed items from the list below on your behalf.

We’re collecting:

For Dogs:
KONGs (all sizes but medium to large black ones are in high need)
West Paw Zogoflex Toppl toys
Purina EN canned food
KONG Easy Treat
C.E.T. Veggiedent Chews

For Cats:
LickiMats
Cat wands
Small toys and scratchers
Catit Lickables
Temptations treats

Every donation brings comfort and joy to animals who need it most. Thank you for helping us support our community’s pets!

06/29/2025

It's becoming popular to bring dogs to local events and festivals. Dogs are now often permitted to attend fireworks displays, downtown events such as Taste of Edmonton, or lunch on a patio. There are even dog-specific events and locations, such as Dog City or pop-up dog parks. What could be better than exploring these urban adventures with your furry friend?

Unfortunately, these venues and events are not fun for many dogs.

Fireworks are LOUD and take place in dark and crowded areas, so they are often far more scary than exciting. Instead, try:

✅ Long-line decompression walks to explore nature trails, parking lots, or long-line decompression walks to explore nature trails, parking lots, or playgrounds
✅ Outdoor obstacle courses so your dog can work on their agility and problem-solving skills
✅ Training or sport classes

It might seem nice for your dog to join you for lunch on a patio on Whyte Avenue, but if your dog isn't used to crowds and noise it will be stressful for them. And imagine sitting on hot concrete and watching strangers eat! That doesn't sound fun to me. Instead, your dog may enjoy:

✅ Car rides
✅ Tactile enrichment such as new surfaces to explore or novel items to chew or shred with their mouth (cardboard, bark, etc.)

Dog parks also seem like a great idea, but remember that you have no control over other animals you might meet there. Consider these ideas instead:

✅ A friend's house with compatible playmates and people they already know
✅ Private dog parks

Of course, we want opportunities to safely socialize our animals. However, it is important to STOP and ask ourselves, "What's in it for them?" Because what's fun for humans can be terrifying, uncomfortable, or boring for a dog.

Your pup can have fun at home too! Give them the opportunity to engage in species-specific behaviour in their own space:

✅ Hidden treats for scent work
✅ Food puzzle or frozen treat
✅ Dig-box
✅ Kiddie pool

What dog-friendly activities have you created or come across in the Edmonton area? We would love to hear about them!

06/17/2025

Congratulations to our Puppy Foundations graduates!! 👏

06/17/2025

Congratulations to our Puppy Socialization & Exploration graduates, you did it! 🎓