At Canine Foundations, our expert team, led by Provincial Court–recognized Expert Witnesses and Certified Canine Behaviour Consultants with over 25 years of experience, provides personalized, virtual behaviour consultations designed to address even the most challenging cases of aggression, fear, and reactivity.
Through real-time video coaching, we guide you step by step in creating a calm, supportive learning environment where your dog can succeed. Every solution we recommend is grounded in science, informed by veterinary and behaviour expertise, and tailored to your dog’s unique needs.
With flexible scheduling and simple online setup, lasting behaviour change can begin right from the comfort of your home.
Our Expertise
We specialize in helping dogs and their families navigate a wide range of behaviour challenges, using evidence-based Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to create lasting, positive change. Our expertise includes (but is not limited to):
- Anxiety and Fear-Based Behaviours — Helping dogs overcome separation anxiety (including specialized programs), noise sensitivity, generalized anxiety, and neophobia (fear of new things).
- Aggression and Reactivity — Addressing dog-to-dog reactivity, stranger fear, resource guarding, inter-pack aggression, territorial behaviour, and redirected or predatory aggression.
- Compulsive Behaviours — Managing tail chasing, shadow chasing, and other compulsive actions.
- Impulse Control Challenges — Tackling hyperactivity, hyperkinesis, physical or cognitive disabilities, and destructive behaviour.
- Multi-Pet Household Dynamics — Resolving conflicts and building harmony in homes with multiple dogs or pets.
- Bite Risk and Safety Assessments — Providing professional evaluations for safety planning and court proceedings.
Our Evidence-Based Approach
Guided by the latest research in canine behaviour science, spanning over five years of studies on emotional reactivity, stress recovery, and optimal learning environments, our virtual consultations remove the stress of a stranger’s presence, keeping your dog in a prime emotional state for faster learning and fewer sessions.
Every client begins with a comprehensive 2-hour virtual session tailored to complex challenges where we:
- Clarify Your Goals – Understand what you want to achieve and the challenges you’re facing
- Review Your Dog’s History – Gather background details and analyze video evidence
- Create a Behaviour Profile – Identify key triggers and patterns
- Design a Tailored Plan – Build a behaviour modification program using evidence-based Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
- Launch the Program – Equip you with practical tools to start using right away
- Deliver a Homework Summary – Provide a detailed follow-up report within two business days
By starting virtually, we conduct a thorough applied behaviour analysis (ABA) in your dog’s familiar home environment, minimizing cortisol spikes caused by in-person triggers, as research shows these hinder recovery in reactive dogs. This low-stress approach ensures accurate assessments, effective learning, and lasting results.
The Science of Personalized Success
Our behavioural profiling process is rooted in applied behaviour analysis (ABA) and informed by cutting-edge canine behaviour research. We assess critical aspects of your dog’s cognitive and emotional makeup, including intelligence level, problem-solving skills, learning style, drives, motivations, behavioural tendencies, sensitivities, disposition, and overall thresholds. By analyzing these factors in your dog’s low-stress home environment, often supplemented by video evidence provided during intake, we gain a comprehensive understanding of their unique needs.
This data-driven approach enables us to design tailored ABA interventions that align precisely with your dog’s profile, ensuring faster, more reliable results with minimal stress. Whether addressing reactivity, anxiety, or other challenges, our profiling sets the foundation for a behaviour modification program that respects your dog’s individuality and maximizes their potential for lasting success.
Cues and Skill-Building
In the initial 2-hour virtual session, we introduce or refine anywhere between 3-6 essential cues, tailored to your dog’s behavioural profile and your specific goals. Using applied behaviour analysis (ABA), we break down complex behaviours into manageable steps, ensuring each cue is taught in a low-stress environment to optimize learning. These cues are strategically selected to address challenges identified during assessment, such as reactivity, anxiety, or impulse control, laying a strong foundation for your dog’s behaviour modification program.
Our virtual approach, supported by research on stress and learning, allows us to start training in your dog’s most comfortable setting, leading to faster progress and more reliable results. As key ABA cornerstones are established, we guide you toward a seamless transition to in-person sessions when your dog is emotionally ready, ensuring long-term success with minimal stress.