About Unleashed Niagara
Your Training Team
Candice Shute CPDT-KA
Owner/Trainer
In 2007 a little spit fire named Kuna came into my life and everything changed. As most people do, I adopted this dog thinking my natural skill set would be able to create this perfect little fluff ball of a dog that would be perfectly poised, easy, and my partner in crime every where I went. I was very wrong. She was smart, high energy, dog snappy and very quickly out of control. So I reached out for some help, and the love affair with guiding any dog to be their best self began.
Fast forward to 2017, training 2 more personal rescue dogs, 4.5 years of rescue work, and 33 "unadoptable" fosters in my home, my wealth of knowledge had evolved to the point of offering my services to others.
I've since been on a spay and neuter mission in Thailand, passed my CPDT-KA certification and trialed my own dogs in Rally Obedience, Rally-FrEe, Musical FreeStyle, Scent Detection and Tricks.
I pride myself in continuing my own education and evolving my style and curriculum to always suit the latest research, science and development. Dog training is just like our education, it needs to grow and evolve to accommodate this ever changing world we are in.
Breaking away from prong collars and over powering our dogs into submission, I much prefer to take the time to help the positive traits and qualities in each dog develop as we come to get to know each other. There is never one right answer to resolving issues at home, the only thing that will always remain the same is that I will never give up on you. Even if I don't know the right answer, we will work together to find it. As long as you're willing to put in the effort I will always be right there with you.
Let's get away from prong collars and aversion training and have some actual fun!
Bridget Nicholls MA
Trainer/ First Aid Instructor
Before starting my journey working with dogs, I volunteered with Victim Services delivering crisis intervention to victims of crime and tragic circumstances. As a result of working with victims in a variety of situations, I became aware of the lack of consideration for the relationship between animals and humans.
So, in a pursuit of knowledge, I returned to school in 2011 to begin my journey to get a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Windsor. My research focuses on harms (criminal and otherwise) against people and animals and the law.
In 2013, while in school, I rescued Lisa, a Chinese Crested/American Hairless Terrier. She transitioned well and convinced me that dogs were easy! It wasn’t until 2015, when we added Bubba, a Chinese Crested rescued from a puppy mill who needed help through his crushing anxieties and fears and so I began learning about dog behaviour. Through Bubba and Lisa, I found my calling, and devoted myself to animal welfare. I began volunteering at shelters, as a therapy dog handler, and studying behavior and clicker training with Karen Pryor Academy. After Bubba and Lisa passed away in 2020, I adopted Stevie, a Chinese Crested who with the help of Candice and Judith has transformed from fearful to fear free. In 2021, I expanded my skillset further by volunteering with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides doing puppy raising, puppy sitting, and working with the trainers in the kennels. In 2024 I completed the first aid Instructor course with Canine Health Canada and now offer Canine First Aid courses all around Ontario.
I'm currently working on my hours for my CCPDT Certification. Now it's time to take those skills into the Unleashed Classroom and help families in Niagara with their own pets in a fun, positive way you can feel good about.
Judith Keenan CPDT-KA CTDI
Certified Instructor (Retired)
About The School
Our facility is a 1500 square foot open space. The space is fully covered with non slip, padded agility matting to ensure 100% safety no matter what class you are taking part in. We are ready for puppy social play time, Flyball or just a rainy day. Our facility is climate controlled to ensure the comfort of our dogs at all times during extreme heat or cold.
About the Students
Unleashed Niagara's success and future would not be possible without the amazing students. Some students surpass all the levels of obedience and dabble in all the sports, some come for a few sessions and have all of their needs filled. Every one of them are fantastic dog owners, who love teaching and working with their dogs.
The people that come to classes are so friendly and supportive of one another, whether you have done training for years or it’s your first class. Our students make each other feel so welcome and help each other out. It's amazing to see.
Our class sizes are small, so we can support the individual needs of the dog and the family.
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