Canine Coaching with Kiley has been created to put out free content for all of my viewers, as well as allow you to get to know me on a more personal level. All of the same great information will be shared here as is on my Facebook and Instagram pages, however this allows me to expand on a lot of topics, as well as bring my personally into play a bit more.
Lets start with getting to know me!
I started my dog training journey working as a kennel attendant for a company that bred, trained and sold protection and detection dogs. The company worked with law enforcement, military and the private sector, training dogs for personal protection, detection, search and rescue, as well as doing high level obedience and functional agility.
Shortly after I started there it became apparent that I loved working with the dogs, and I was offered a position as an assistant trainer. It was a great start to working with dogs because I was able to see the full strength and both physical and mental capabilities of dogs, and learned how to properly handle dogs with high energy and high drive.
While working with this company I was introduced to the Cesar Millan books, and soon was reading and watching everything available from him. It absolutely fascinated me that he could take these struggling people with problem dogs and turn them around into happy families with what seemed to be quick timing and relatively minor changes!
Fast forward to a minor switch in career path, when I started as a kennel attendant at a large dog boarding, daycare and grooming facility. This was an extreme change of pace, going from the intensity of a working dog sales kennel to a camp-like, fun atmosphere of your typical happy-go-lucky family pet. As I worked my way up the promotional ladder there I was able to see that while everyone cared deeply for their pets, it became abundantly clear that they were struggling. People were struggling to get through the day with their overexcited, nervous, anxious, or out of control dogs, and there was a desperate need for guidance. And so, my passion was ignited. I started offering suggestions, advice, and help for those that wanted it, and quickly gained a reputation as someone who would and could work with the dogs who needed that little bit of extra care. It was a natural movement from there to working with families and their pets, either at the facility, in public spaces and even their own houses.
My passion for helping people and dogs live cohesively is what prompted me to narrow my focus and open my own business so that I could be that missing piece, teaching both owners and dogs how to effectively communicate, display needed leadership, and be the best they can be together.
And so, Courteous Canine Training Services was born!
Once I had decided to open my own business I started doing as much research as possible, on as many training techniques and tools as were available. I like to describe my training technique collection as a “tool box”; I learn as many different techniques as I can, and use what applies in a given situation. While I have a base plan for each dog that enters into one of my programs, the true “magic” happens when you can adapt to working with the dog in front of you, assessing and providing exactly what it needs to thrive and be the best possible version of itself.
Since opening Courteous Canine Training Services I have taken several continuing education courses both in Canada and the USA, working to build the knowledge and skills to be able to help as many families as possible. In order to be able to accommodate a higher volume of Private Obedience Sessions and an increased demand for my Board+Train Programs, January of 2020 saw me taking a step back from the boarding, daycare and grooming facility that I manage to focus more on growing and supporting my training business.
My personal dog Odin, a South African Mastiff (also called a Boerboel), joined our family in December of 2017, and he plays a huge role in all of my training programs. From being a role model and playmate to young dogs, providing distractions for more advanced training, to teaching owners during a handler’s course, he is almost always playing the role of assistant. It is absolutely amazing to watch as dogs learn from each other, and I can’t credit Odin enough for all that he adds to my sessions and programs.
My fiancé, Steve, has been cheering me on since I first started working with dogs, and now also plays a supportive role in my Board+Train programs. It is important that dogs are used to a variety of handlers, switching up genders, skin colours, apparel and mannerisms, to prepare the for reality of daily life once they graduate from my program, and Steve helps a lot in that regard, as well as for the distraction aspects of training.
I hope you enjoyed this recap of my journey to date, and were able to get a sense for who I am as a person!
My website and social media links are listed below, and I look forward to connecting with you again in the future!
Sincerely,
Kiley
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“Do the best you can until you know better.
Then when you know better, do better.”
— Maya Angelou
Courteous Canine Inc. 