My Dog Rocks

11/07/2026

Dinner and a view

09/05/2026

I have spent 12 of my 17 years dog training in Barrie. I've met so many great clients, thousands of dogs, but most importantly an amazing group of friends. And they all are in my life because of a mutual love of dogs.

I was reminded last night of how big of an impact I have made in people's lives, and that's very humbling. I started My Dog Rocks because I wanted to make dog's lives better. So many dogs lives are restricted because they are misunderstood and their owners have been misguided.

The greatest compliment to me is owners telling me how they can now do things with their dog they never thought they could do. To me every dog deserves that life.

Thank you Barrie for trusting me over the last 12 years with your dogs. Especially to anyone who ran or volunteered with Finding Them Homes, which really made my time in Barrie mean the most. And gave me a few dogs along the way! (All of my dogs are from Finding Them Homes!)

If I've opened even a few people's eyes to the possibilities then I have done my job.

23/04/2026

I have some happy (and sad) news! On May 15 I am moving to Carleton Place. It has happened a bit faster than I had thought, so I've had to make things happen quickly. While I'm excited at starting a new chapter, I am so sad to be leaving my friends and amazing clients in the Barrie area. If you need anything before May 15, please reach out!

06/08/2024

NEW - we have 1 spot open for Board and Train in August! Your dog will learn to rock working one on one with me! From Puppy training, manners to off leash training, see if your dog is eligible for our Board and Train Program! Book now and have your dog trained by fall!

One on one training programs, in home training and board and train. Specializing in leash walking, reactivity and off leash training.

21/10/2023

Baba is a special dog - he was born without sight. Here he is hiking with my dogs, working to get him off leash! Getting a dog off leash is one of my favourite things to do - the joy and freedom your dog experiences can’t be underestimated. Of course there needs to be understanding and reliability first, which is what we are working on with Baba.

04/07/2023

We have to be realistic what training can and cannot do. The most important step is the one where you choose the dog, and emotional choices often fall into the below.

I don’t personally know this young lady … but I had this sent to me a while back and I’ve shared it on several occasions What she’s talking about here can be broadly spread over and applied to all dog breeds
1. It states what I’ve preached forever …. We as trainers cannot do but so much with an inferior product …. Lacking drive and desires etc…. As well as mental issues that come from poor breedings
2. Normal folks can’t manage certain types of dogs and certain behaviors
3. If you want a good dog stop keeping those breeding mediocrity in business and wondering why they’re not the same as someone else’s pup from the same breed
4. If you’re not gonna work it at the level it demands then don’t let it waste away and/or be prepared to pay a trainer …. And just so you know … a few months at a trainer isn’t enough
5. Dog trainers can’t always work miracles on dogs that lack talent, or have genetic issues tied to their mental state…. Anxious, nervous, fearful, overly aggressive.

03/06/2023

An excellent article about multiple dog situations. If you have more than one dog, this is information you need!

Maryland's best dog and puppy training. Puppy training, basic obedience, aggression, anxiety, housebreaking and more.

16/05/2023

What Ivan has done for Tina is amazing as her case was very severe. I am nowhere near as skilled as Ivan, however I have seen that by following his principles, we can get dogs out of their own minds.

28/04/2023

This is an important discussion and Ivan lays out the facts

The Real Facts About Science Based Dog Training: A Training Without Conflict® PodcastArguments about dog training are reaching a boiling point and I decided ...

26/01/2023

Meet Max! Max is a 6 month old poodle who is in our Home School program. We are working on leash walking and manners. And we are using play to teach him. He’s having a blast!