Bonnie CTC
Owner, Certified Trainer and Counsellor & Head Instructor
Bonnie, the owner and head instructor/trainer is an advocate for force-free, reward-based dog training and brings her knowledge and experience working with shelter dogs and pet dogs to advance other’s understanding of pet dog behaviour.
Bonnie earned her CTC (Certificate in Training and Counselling) from the distinguished, international leader, the Academy for Dog Trainers.
To further her understanding of scent detection for pet dogs, Bonnie studied with NACSW, (National Association of Canine Scent Work) founders and is a certified CNWI (Certified NoseWork Instructor) with 8 years experience teaching Nose Work.
For over 25 years, Bonnie has volunteered with the BC SPCA, helping shelter dogs to be adopted. She also volunteers with dogs at Surrey Animal Resource Centre and Delta Community Animal Shelter.
At the University of British Columbia, Bonnie received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, with a secondary focus in Animal Behaviour, Psychology, and Ecology.
As an educator for 34 years with the Surrey School District, she is a skilled presenter with a passion for teaching.
Her spare time is spent with family, friends, and two dogs:
Dixie, (Border Collie mix)
Hamish. (Lab/Golden)
Education:
Graduate of the Academy for Dog Trainers, known as "The Harvard of Dog Training." August 2017.
Certified Canine Nose Work Instructor, July, 2018.
Family Dog Mediator 2021
Fear Free Professional 2023
Bachelor of Physical Education and Teaching Diploma, University of British Columbia
Certified Teacher of English as a Second Language - University of British Columbia and Surrey School District
Pet Professional Guild Canine Training Professional
Certified Behaviour Adjustment Dog Training Instructor - BAT 2.0
Pet Professional Guild Summit - 2018 Utah, 2020 virtual
Clicker Expo, Seattle 2019, Portland 2017
Dr. Susan Friedman, Living and Learning with Animals
Teaching Experience:
Elementary school teacher- 34 years with the Surrey School District.
Previously a faculty member at Langara College, Vancouver, teaching Advanced Dog Behaviour & Co-operative Dog Training
Private client dog training and behaviour consultant for more than 10 years
Group training classes starting in 2008
Experience with Dogs:
More than 20 years of experience working with shelter dogs at the BC SPCA.
In-home training with foster dogs, for a variety of behaviour problems
A lifetime of living with dogs.
Teaching & competing in NoseWork for more than 12 years
Teaching children at BC SPCA Kids' Camps
About Training Methods
At this time, dog training is an unregulated profession. Consumers need to be aware that training methods carry both benefits and risks. Training using aversives such as pain, loud noises, choking, prong & electric collars, may provide"quick fixes" but carry the risk of causing irreversible fear and/or aggression. Permanently changing behaviour takes time. The benefit of training with food and other rewards is that dogs are happy, have increased confidence, like people and their hands & enjoy learning. It is important to choose your trainer carefully.
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