Wise Canine Training & Behavior

Wise Canine Training & Behavior Dedicated to providing certified, effective and reliable results using humane training practices. Wise Canine Training is owned and operated by Michelle Wieser.

Wise Canine Training is dedicated to providing effective and reliable results using ethical standards and the effective use of Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) practices in Whitehorse, Yukon. Our Trainers use only positive, ethical training methods supported by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB). Michelle is a

Certified Professional Dog Trainer (KPA CTP) and a Certified Puppy Start Right Preschool Instructor through the Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Training & Behavior. She is also a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, has a certification in Aggression in Dogs, and is a Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Jenn is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (KPA CTP) and a Certified Puppy Start Right Preschool Instructor through the Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Training & Behavior. Jenn is also a Fear Free Certified Professional and has a certification in Aggression in Dogs. She is also a Professional Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers. In addition, Jenn has a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in Psychology which has provided her with valuable knowledge in learning theory and behavioral intervention. These are key principles in creating behavior change in all learners, including dogs. If youโ€™re looking for a positive, veterinary approved, science-based approach to training, get in touch! WISE CANINE COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
Our Trainers use only positive, ethical training methods supported by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB).

โ€‹Many methods of changing behavior in dogs are effective; however, Wise Canine Trainers and Behavior Consultants are concerned not just with what is effective but what does the least harm and produces the best long-term
results. Current studies on dog training methods show a clear advantage of reward-based methods over aversive-based methods with respect to immediate and long-term welfare, training effectiveness, and the dog-human relationship. Comments promoting the use of pain, intimidation and training tools designed to be aversive will be deleted immediately without warning. Examples include collar corrections, choke collars, prong collars, shock collars (e-collars), alpha rolls, hitting, yelling/scolding. Comments promoting businesses who use or actively promote the use of aversive training methods and tools will be deleted without warning.

Three weeks, countless repetitions, and a whole lot of rewards laterโ€ฆ these teams are coming when called! ๐ŸŽ‰Congratulatio...
06/12/2026

Three weeks, countless repetitions, and a whole lot of rewards laterโ€ฆ these teams are coming when called! ๐ŸŽ‰

Congratulations to our Total Recall grads:
๐Ÿพ Mini
๐Ÿพ Marley
๐Ÿพ Miles
๐Ÿพ Gjoa
๐Ÿพ Watson

In Total Recall, teams learn the Five Rules of Recall, discover what truly motivates their dog, and practice building fast, enthusiastic recalls around real-world distractions. Because a reliable recall isn't just about saying "come"โ€”it's about becoming the most rewarding thing in your dog's environment.

Great work to all of these teams for putting in the practice and building skills that help keep dogs safe while giving them more freedom to enjoy Yukon adventures. We can't wait to see where your training takes you next!

Puppy management is not โ€œgiving up on training.โ€It IS puppy training. ๐ŸพEvery time puppies rehearse a behaviour, it gets ...
06/11/2026

Puppy management is not โ€œgiving up on training.โ€
It IS puppy training. ๐Ÿพ

Every time puppies rehearse a behaviour, it gets stronger. Thatโ€™s why management matters so much โ€” it prevents unwanted habits from becoming a full-time hobby.

Good management:
๐Ÿง  prevents rehearsal of unwanted behaviors
๐Ÿ˜Œ reduces stress and overstimulation
โœ… sets your puppy up to make better choices
๐Ÿก keeps everyone sane while your puppyโ€™s brain develops

The goal isnโ€™t to control your puppy forever. The goal is to help them succeed while they learn.

Because honestly? Most puppy problems are a lot easier to prevent than fix later. ๐Ÿ˜‚

Want help surviving puppyhood with your sanity intact? Our Puppy Start Right classes are designed to help Yukon puppies build confidence, life skills, and good habits from the start. Visit wisecanine.ca/classes to learn more.

You may have noticed recent footage of puppies playing in our training space appearing in a CBC article about off-leash ...
06/08/2026

You may have noticed recent footage of puppies playing in our training space appearing in a CBC article about off-leash dog complaints, the footage is being used between audio of a trainer who is not affiliated with Wise Canine.

This footage was filmed at the Wise Canine training space by CBC this past winter for an article on puppy naming. At the time, we were not informed that the footage would later be retained and used as B-roll in a different story.

We only became aware of this when members of our community recognized our facility in the background of the segment. We reached out to CBC to share our concern that the use of the footage in this context could create confusion about the location and the trainer being featured, or imply an affiliation that does not exist. We also asked for clarification on its use in this way. CBC informed us that this is 'archival footage' and meets their Journalistic Standards and Practices. In simple terms, they refused to remove or edit the footage.

To be clear, we have no issue with the content of the interview or the advice being shared. The concern is simply about clarity and attribution, especially in a small community where these details matter.

We also want to clarify that Wise Canine is not affiliated in any way with Top Dog Training Academy.

Training is an unregulated field, and at Wise Canine we are committed to clearly defined ethical standards. Our trainers use only positive, force-free methods supported by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT), and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB). You can read more about our approach here: https://www.wisecanine.ca/our-ethics-methods

We respect that different trainers may work in different ways, and we understand that not everyone shares the same ethics. However, we want to be transparent that Wise Canine does not use prong collars, shock collars (e-collars), or other aversive tools in our training programs.

If we were asked generally about leash use in Whitehorse and dogs with aggressive behaviour concerns, our guidance would be that while many dogs with reactivity or aggression towards people or other dogs can absolutely make meaningful progress with training. However,we do not recommend that these dogs be off leash in public spaces.

There are many safe and effective ways to support exercise and enrichment for dogs who struggle with reactivity or aggression. Long lines can be a great option for controlled exploration on quiet trails, muzzles can be an important safety tool for dogs with a bite history, and short leashes with thoughtful management and distance from triggers are often essential. Each dog should be assessed individually based on their history and behaviour. If a dog has a known bite history, we treat that as an ongoing safety consideration, while still prioritizing their quality of life through structured management and training.

Weโ€™re sharing this simply to clarify context and avoid confusion about what our business represents and who we are as a training team. We appreciate the continued support of our community.

Yukon Kennel Club Canine Good Neighbour TestFriday, June 12th 5:00 p.m. (4:45 p.m. registration) Takhini ArenaCost $40/d...
06/08/2026

Yukon Kennel Club Canine Good Neighbour Test

Friday, June 12th 5:00 p.m. (4:45 p.m. registration) Takhini Arena

Cost $40/dog

Evaluator: Holly Colucci

Requirements:
Dog at least 1 year old, purebred or mixed breed
Proof of vaccinations and dog licence
Well-fitted slip, buckle or martingale collar and a leash between 2 and 6 feet in length
Bring dog brush or comb and p**p bags to the test

Participant Handbook link
https://www.ckc.ca/en/Files/Forms/Shows-Trials/Exhibitors/Canine-Good-Neighbour-Program-Participant-Handbook

For more information, please email [email protected]

Owning a dog in the Yukon is basically a full-contact outdoor sport. ๐Ÿ˜…๐ŸพOne minute youโ€™re practicing recallsโ€ฆ the next mi...
06/07/2026

Owning a dog in the Yukon is basically a full-contact outdoor sport. ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿพ

One minute youโ€™re practicing recallsโ€ฆ the next minute youโ€™re negotiating with your dog about why they absolutely do NOT need to investigate a porcupine, bear, gopher hole, loose husky, or mystery smell from three weeks ago.

Our dogs out here live very exciting lives โ€” which is amazing! But it also means training often happens around:
โ˜€๏ธ 20 hours of daylight
๐ŸซŽ wildlife encounters
๐Ÿšด bikes, tourists, campers, and joggers
๐Ÿ• off-leash dogs
โ„๏ธ extreme weather
๐ŸฆŸ approximately 14 million mosquitoes

Honestly, Yukon dogs deserve some credit for functioning at all sometimes. ๐Ÿ˜‚

Living here means learning to adapt, manage the environment, laugh at the chaos, and celebrate the little wins โ€” like your dog choosing YOU over an unidentified animal carcass.

Whatโ€™s the most Yukon dog owner thing your dog has ever done? ๐Ÿ‘€

Three puppies, countless treats, plenty of new experiences, and a whole lot of learning! ๐ŸŽ“๐ŸพCongratulations to Puppy Star...
06/06/2026

Three puppies, countless treats, plenty of new experiences, and a whole lot of learning! ๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿพ

Congratulations to Puppy Start Right grads Rosie, Theodore, and Stephen! Over the past few weeks, these pups have been building important life skills, practicing socialization, learning the foundations of training, and helping their humans navigate all the adventures that come with puppyhood. Puppy Start Right is designed to help puppies build confidence through positive experiences during this critical stage of development.

We can't wait to see where their training journey takes them next. Keep practicing, keep having fun, and remember that all those little training moments add up to big results over time. โค๏ธ

Well done, Rosie, Theodore, and Stephen! ๐ŸŽ‰

Ready to start your own puppy's training journey? Learn more about our classes at wisecanine.ca/classes.

Congratulations to our latest Basic Manners graduates: Fika, Poppy, Gus, Archie, Dozer, and River! ๐ŸŽ“๐ŸพOver the past sever...
06/05/2026

Congratulations to our latest Basic Manners graduates: Fika, Poppy, Gus, Archie, Dozer, and River! ๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿพ

Over the past several weeks, these teams have been building the skills that make everyday life with dogs easier, more enjoyable, and more rewarding. From attention and recall to polite leash walking, settling, and learning how to focus around distractions, every team put in the work and showed up for their dogs.

One of the most important lessons in Basic Manners isn't teaching a specific cueโ€”it's learning how to communicate clearly, build trust, and create habits that support success in the real world. Those small, consistent training moments add up over time.

We're proud of all the progress these teams have made and can't wait to see where their training journeys take them next. โค๏ธ

Help us celebrate Fika, Poppy, Gus, Archie, Dozer, and River in the comments! ๐ŸŽ‰

Visit wisecanine.ca/classes to see what class might be next for your dog.

Group classes can be amazing for the right dogโ€ฆ but they can also be REALLY hard. ๐Ÿพ Think about it from your dogโ€™s persp...
06/04/2026

Group classes can be amazing for the right dogโ€ฆ but they can also be REALLY hard. ๐Ÿพ

Think about it from your dogโ€™s perspective:
New dogs.
New people.
New smells.
Limited space.
Leashes.
Movement everywhere.
And then we ask them to focus, learn, and regulate their emotions at the same time. ๐Ÿ˜…

For some dogs, that environment is fun and enriching.
For others, itโ€™s simply too much right now โ€” and thatโ€™s not a failure.

A dog who barks, shuts down, canโ€™t focus, lunges, panics, or struggles to settle in class isnโ€™t being โ€œbad.โ€ They may just be overwhelmed, stressed, over-aroused, or not emotionally ready for that kind of environment yet.

Sometimes the kindest and most effective choice is admitting:
โ€œThis setting isnโ€™t helping my dog succeed.โ€

And honestly? Thatโ€™s good dog ownership. โค๏ธ

Private coaching, quieter environments, starting outdoors, smaller setups, decompression, or building skills at home first are all valid paths. Not every dog learns best in a busy group class environment.

At Wise Canine, we keep classes small and carefully structured, but weโ€™ll also always be honest if we think a dog would benefit more from private lessons or virtual classes first. The goal isnโ€™t to force every dog into class โ€” itโ€™s to help dogs learn in environments where they can actually feel safe enough to think. ๐Ÿง 

You know your dog best. Trust what theyโ€™re telling you.

If youโ€™re unsure whether your dog is ready for group classes, weโ€™re always happy to help you choose the right fit. Visit wisecanine.ca/classes to learn more.

๐Ÿพ ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐‚๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐ข๐ฌ ๐‹๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐ƒ๐จ๐ /๐‡๐š๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ž๐ซ ๐“๐ž๐š๐ฆ๐ฌ! ๐ŸพDo you have a dog who genuinely loves people? ๐Ÿ’›Pet visitation progr...
06/03/2026

๐Ÿพ ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐‚๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐ข๐ฌ ๐‹๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐ƒ๐จ๐ /๐‡๐š๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ž๐ซ ๐“๐ž๐š๐ฆ๐ฌ! ๐Ÿพ

Do you have a dog who genuinely loves people? ๐Ÿ’›
Pet visitation programs can make a huge difference in the lives of residents โ€” and can be incredibly rewarding for both dogs and handlers.

๐Ÿถ ๐ˆ๐๐ž๐š๐ฅ ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ ๐ฌ:
โœจ Enjoy being pet and interacting with strangers
โœจ Are confident in new or unusual environments
โœจ Politely greet people (without jumping)
โœจ Have solid public manners and are under control in busy spaces
โœจ Do not struggle with fear or reactivity concerns

๐Ÿ“ง ๐ˆ๐ง๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฅ๐ž๐š๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ž?

Andrea Zimmerman (Thomson Centre)
โœ‰๏ธ [email protected]

Jessica Young (Copper Ridge Place)
โœ‰๏ธ [email protected]

Your dog isnโ€™t โ€œblowing you off.โ€Their brain is just too busy surviving the moment. ๐Ÿง When dogs are stressed, overstimula...
06/01/2026

Your dog isnโ€™t โ€œblowing you off.โ€

Their brain is just too busy surviving the moment. ๐Ÿง 

When dogs are stressed, overstimulated, worried, frustrated, or overly excited, the thinking part of the brain becomes a lot harder to access. Thatโ€™s why your dog can nail a cue perfectly in your living roomโ€ฆ then suddenly look like theyโ€™ve never heard the word โ€œsitโ€ before once you step outside. ๐ŸŒช๏ธ

The environment matters.
Stress load matters.
Arousal matters.
Distance matters.

If your dog is struggling, it doesnโ€™t automatically mean theyโ€™re stubborn, dominant, manipulative, or โ€œtrying to get away with something.โ€ Often, it means the situation is simply too hard right now.

A dog who is barking, lunging, pulling, scanning the environment, or wildly distracted is usually not in a state where learning happens effectively. Thatโ€™s why management, decompression, and creating enough space are such important pieces of training. ๐Ÿพ

Instead of asking:
โ€œWhy wonโ€™t my dog listen?โ€

Try asking:
โ€ข Is this environment too overwhelming?
โ€ข Have they had enough rest lately?
โ€ข Are they stressed, over-aroused, or trigger stacked?
โ€ข Do I need to make this easier?
โ€ข Can I help them feel safer and more successful first?

Dogs learn best when they feel safe enough to think. ๐Ÿ’›

Save this post for the next time training falls apart on a walk โ€” it might not be a training problem at all.

Address

95 Lewes Boulevard
Whitehorse, YT

Opening Hours

Monday 6:30pm - 8pm
Tuesday 6:30pm - 8pm
Wednesday 6:30pm - 8pm
Thursday 6:30pm - 8pm

Telephone

+18673352919

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