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Professional Dog Training in Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville & Norfolk County

Practical, personalized dog training for puppies and adult dogs—helping families build reliable behaviour at home, on walks, and in everyday life since 2013.

Is your dog calling all the shots?

Dragging you down the sidewalk

Jumping on every guest at the door

Only listening when treats are involved

If life with your dog isn’t what you pictured, we can help you get back on track.

Trusted by Dog Owners Across Southern Ontario

Our C.L.E.A.R. Training System

A practical framework for creating reliable behaviour—not just obedience during training sessions.

COMMUNICATION

Learn to speak your dog’s language. Master clear, effective communication so your dog always understands what is expected of them.

LEADERSHIP

Build a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and a deep connection that makes your dog want to work with you.

EXERCISE

Fulfill your dog’s genetic and physical needs. Understand how to provide meaningful physical and mental stimulation that satisfies their drive.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Create clarity and structure. Learn how to confidently set, communicate, and enforce fair rules and boundaries in your daily life.

RELIABILITY

Master functional, real-world obedience. Forget flashy tricks, focus on the reliable, rock-solid skills you actually need when out in public.

If you’re struggling with any of the following behaviours, we’re here to help.

Pulling • Jumping • Barking • Biting/Mouthing • Excessive Energy • Anxiety
Leash Reactivity • Counter Surfing • General Bratty Behaviour • And More!

Not Ready to Book Yet? Start With Our Free 4-Day Mini Course

✅ The Root Cause: Discover exactly why your dog ignores you the second you step outside (even when you have their favourite treats).

✅ The CLEAR System: Learn our proven 5-step framework to stop the leash pulling, jumping, and embarrassing behaviour for good.

✅ First-Time Listening: How to stop yelling, nagging, and repeating commands, and get your dog to listen the very first time.

dog leadership training

Get the Free Mini Course!

Thank-you so much for all your help! The dogs are no longer fighting and we couldn’t be more thrilled!

Jess with Cruz and Rocky in Stoney Creek

Seeing a great improvement in my Weimaraner puppy after only a short time working with Katherine!! She’s an excellent trainer!

Natalie with Sawyer in Grimsby

EXCELLENT
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Based on 136 reviews
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Stacey Mayo profile picture
Stacey Mayo
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Had a great time trying the agility training. Had lots of great advice for us and was very patient with my not so agile dog. Highly recommend!

Owner's reply
Thank you, Stacey, we are so glad you and your dog enjoyed the agility session. It was a pleasure working with you both, and we appreciate your kind words and recommendation. We look forward to helping you continue making progress and having fun together.
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Jason Cunningham profile picture
Jason Cunningham
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Very nice and very knowledgeable

Owner's reply
Jason, thank you for the kind words and the four-star rating. We're glad you found our team personable and knowledgeable. We look forward to welcoming you back and earning a five-star visit next time.
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Patti-ann Nechelput profile picture
Patti-ann Nechelput
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I took my German Shepherd puppy for the basic obedience training levels 1 and 2 also a few in home sessions. I was very impressed with the trainers, atmosphere and the confidence the classes gave me as an owner of a big dog !

Owner's reply
Thank you, Patti-ann, for the kind review. We are so glad the Level 1 and 2 classes and the in-home sessions helped build your confidence as the owner of a big dog, and that you enjoyed our trainers and atmosphere. We look forward to continuing to support you and your German Shepherd as you both progress.
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Cathy S profile picture
Cathy S
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We recently completed the Reactive Rover program and I don't dread walks like I had before. Lia was great helping us with our challenges. I had no idea where to start and she explained everything clearly and was very patient with us. It's nice to know that I can still contact Lia if I have questions. I recommend The Crunchy Canine.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much, Cathy! We're thrilled the Reactive Rover program helped and that Lia was patient and clear in guiding you. It's wonderful to hear you no longer dread walks and that you feel comfortable contacting Lia with any future questions. We truly appreciate your recommendation.
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Leigh Milner-Chapman profile picture
Leigh Milner-Chapman
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My dog Tilly and I really enjoyed our time in the basic obedience class! We got all the attention and encouragement we needed and the instructions were straight forward and easy to follow. The online portal really helped solidify what we were learning and gave us something to practice from home. It was a fun, professional environment and we look forward to going back!

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for the kind review! We’re thrilled that you and Tilly enjoyed the basic obedience class and found the attention, clear instruction, and online portal helpful for practicing at home. Our team works hard to create a fun, professional environment, and we appreciate you noticing. We look forward to having you both back soon.
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Sarah Robinson profile picture
Sarah Robinson
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We used private in-house training sessions for our reactive 9 and 10 year old mini dachshunds to help prepare them for the arrival of our baby. Danielle was so knowledgeable and helped us drastically improve our dogs door manners, leash walking and reactivity with new people. We used the e-collar and our dogs can safely enjoy time leash free now as well. Our dogs have had a much easier time adjusting to the baby because of the private sessions. The sessions were so successful that our dogs were able to attend some classes at the facility - which they were far too reactive to have done before which helped with their socialization. I could not recommend the Crunchy Canine more !

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for this wonderful review and for trusting Danielle and Crunchy Canine with your pups during such an important transition. We’re thrilled the private sessions improved their door manners, leash walking, reactivity, and allowed safe off-leash time, and that they were able to join classes for socialization. Congratulations on your new baby, and we’re so glad the training helped your family adjust more easily. Please reach out anytime if you need continued support or refresher sessions.
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Kathleen Bixby profile picture
Kathleen Bixby
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We are so happy a friend recommended The Crunchy Canine to us. We completed 7 sessions of private training with Lia and have made so much progress. The thing that I loved the most about private training was being able to work at our own pace in environments that we are in everyday. It really helped using real life situations and problem solving on the spot. Lia answered questions as we went and provided great feedback for us. Lia always listened to what our goals were for our dog in our home and gave us space to talk honestly about challenges we were working through. We look forward to continuing training with Lia & The Crunchy Canine community!

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your kind words and for trusting The Crunchy Canine after a friend's recommendation. We’re thrilled that Lia’s private sessions and real-life practice helped you make so much progress and that her attentive coaching matched your goals. We appreciate you highlighting the personalized pace and practical problem solving, and we’re excited to keep supporting your training journey with Lia and our community. See you at future sessions!
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Dog Training Areas We Serve

Burlington
Hamilton
Dundas
Ancaster
Stoney Creek
Binbrook
Oakville
Simcoe
Port Dover
Hagersville
Jarvis
Caledonia

Ready to Build a Better Life With Your Dog?

Whether you are dealing with puppy behaviour, leash pulling, reactivity, unreliable recall or everyday obedience challenges, our experienced trainers can help you choose the right training program.

Book a ConsultationCall 226-641-6832