Dog Training Toronto
Private dog training, personalized puppy training, and behaviour support to build confident, connected, well-behaved dogs.
Why Dog Training Matters?
A well-trained dog is also a fulfilled dog, one whose physical, mental, and emotional needs are met every day.
Through Positive Reinforcement, structure, clarity, and purposeful activity, we help dogs learn to listen, settle, and make good choices because they feel balanced, secure, and understood.
Training isn’t just about teaching commands; it’s about building understanding and strengthening relationships.
Meet Our Toronto Dog Trainers
Qualified and Educated Professionals
Nicola Smith
Nicola is the founder of We Wag, working with and walking dogs for seven years in Toronto before becoming a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Those years gave her a deep understanding of dog behaviour and the importance of communication and trust in every dog-human relationship.
To build on that foundation, she studied under Expert Canine Behaviourist Cheri Wulff Lucas, completing her Train the Trainer program in California and continued her education through two years of Cheri's Learn to Lead Academy.
Nicola is a Certified Professional Pet Dog Trainer through the Good Dog Academy, and she continually expands her knowledge through advanced coursework in dog behaviour and communication.
Some of the additional programs Nicola has completed include:
-
Understanding Dog-Dog Play — Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
-
Relationship Building Through Play — Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
-
The Adolescent Dog — Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
-
The Art of Training: Developing Confidence and Flow — Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
-
Behaviour Problem Compendium — Dr. Ian Dunbar
-
Essential Puppy Training — Dr. Ian Dunbar
Andrea Dinan
We Wag proudly partners with Andrea Dinan, founder of City Dogs Training & Behaviour, to provide specialized support for dogs experiencing complex behavioural challenges.
Andrea is a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), as well as a Fear Free Certified Professional and Family Dog Mediator. She specializes in helping dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, leash reactivity, aggression towards humans and dogs, resource guarding, and the unique challenges many rescue dogs face as they adjust to their new homes.
With over a decade of professional experience and a background of more than 25 years as an educator, Andrea combines evidence-based behaviour modification with practical coaching that helps both dogs and their families succeed.
Her philosophy is simple: behaviour is communication. By understanding why a behaviour is happening, she helps dogs build confidence while giving their people the knowledge and skills to create lasting change.
Through the partnership between We Wag and City Dogs Training & Behaviour, clients have access to expert behaviour support whenever their dog's needs go beyond everyday training.
Professional Dog Training Memberships & Affiliations
I’m proud to be a member of the Behaviour Teams community, an organization affiliated with the Pet Professional Guild that supports ethical, relationship-based training and continued education for dog training professionals.
Being part of Behaviour Teams allows me to collaborate with other experienced professionals, stay current with modern training practices, and continue growing my knowledge in canine behaviour and communication.
Our Toronto Dog Training Options
We offer private in-home dog training throughout Toronto.
Every dog is unique, with their own personality, challenges, and strengths. That’s why each training plan is customized to fit your dog’s individual needs: helping you build communication, confidence, and connection.
Puppy Training
Under 6 Months
A package of five 45-minute sessions focused on creating a strong foundation in manners, confidence, and calm behavior for your puppy.
Dog Training
6 Months or older
We offer one-on-one sessions in your home or a nearby park for personalized training tailored to your dog’s unique needs.
Private In-Home Sessions
Designed for dogs six months and older, these one-hour private sessions focus on your dog’s unique training goals. Whether it’s leash manners, calm greetings, reactivity, or general obedience, we’ll work together to build better communication and confidence.
Sessions take place in your home, a nearby park, or on local sidewalks — wherever your dog needs the most practice. This real-world approach helps create reliable behavior and a smoother everyday routine.
Each session is fully tailored to you and your dog, offering hands-on coaching and clear next steps to keep progress moving between visits.
One-hour private sessions $175
Your Commitment Will Include
Daily mental and physical exercise for your dog
Being consistent with training between sessions
Following through with daily structure and routines at home
Using the tools and techniques introduced during sessions
Communicating updates or challenges as they come up
Staying open and patient as your dog learns at their own pace
Many training clients also continue with our dog walking services to reinforce new skills.
Private Puppy Training
Build Great Habits From Day One
Designed for puppies under six months old, this program helps you build a strong foundation for calm, confident behavior right from the start.
The package includes four sessions in total. We begin with a one-hour online consultation via Zoom to discuss things like schedule, potty, feeding, handling, crate training, and more.
The remaining three 45-minute sessions take place in person and focus on creating structure, building communication, beginner's obedience work, introduction to leash walking, and guiding your puppy through the early learning stages.
Sessions are held in your home or outdoors, depending on your puppy’s progress and comfort level.
Each visit includes hands-on guidance, homework, and ongoing support as your puppy grows and learns.
4 Session Puppy Package is $400
Ready to Book or Learn More?
Fill out our Contact Form
and we will reply as
soon as possible.
Service Areas
Beaches
Riverdale
Leslieville
Downtown Toronto
Queen West
Rosedale
Yorkville
Annex
Distillery District
Cabbagetown
What People Are Saying...
Nicola has been such a blessing to me and my rescue, Nugget. Nugget used to be a stray, and had extreme dog reactivity. We tried other trainers, but she was too complex. Nicola took my challenging pup in stride and improved her behaviour ten fold! Thanks to Nicola, Nugget can finally have a normal walk without panic and is a more enriched dog. Can’t thank her enough for her commitment to Nuggets success!
Rebecca S.
Nicola is a wonderful dog trainer! She’s professional, intuitive and has a natural way of connecting with both the dog and their family. Her training style is clear, effective and easy to put in to practice which has made the whole experience enjoyable and stress-free. We have seen great progress with Luna and that in turn has brought greater confidence to our relationship with her. We would happily recommend Nicola to anyone looking for a positive and rewarding training experience.
Gail K.
We were struggling quite a bit with leash walking with our highly energetic and distracted puppy .
Enter Nicola and walking with my puppy has been so pleasant since …
Nicola was a thorough professional . She was able to build rapport with my puppy in minutes and we could right away sense that our puppy is in good hands
Just after a single session we could see a big difference and thanks to Nicola’s training , tips and advice , we look forward to our walks with our puppy everyday now.
We highly recommend her!
Amarjith P.
Great experience! Although our dog did super well at obedience class, we still struggled with behaviours in the home and on walks. It was so good to have someone come and see him in his environment and work with us on skills to help him. Not only have we noticed progress, but friends and family have commented on our dog being calmer and more manageable on walks and in the home. We will definitely reach out again if we need help in the future.
Rebecca A.