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Dizine Canine
Categories: Pets Pet Services Pet Training Pets Pet Services Pet Boarding/Pet Sitting Pet Training, Pet Boarding/Pet Sitting [Edit]
1730 Vernon DrVancouver, BC V6A 3T8
Neighbourhood: Strathcona
(778) 889-3723
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm
5 reviews for Dizine Canine
5 reviews in English
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Review from Marie W.
Vancouver, BC
4/24/2012
I am a discerning puppy parent to a 1.5 year old male samoyed. He has been to several daycares in the past, but Dizine Canine is a cut above the rest.
What impresses me about this daycare is:
- It's run by Shelagh Begg, who is a certified pet dog trainer and behaviour consultant
- Dogs are required to pass a behaviour assessment before being admitted to the daycare
- Limit on the number of dogs accepted, which means better structure and supervision
- In the past when brought our dog to a daycare for the very first time, he would cower and not want to go into the big room full of strange dogs. When our dog was brought into this daycare for the first time, Shelagh put him into a gated area by himself away from all the other dogs. She explained that for a new dog going into a room full of strange dogs can sometimes be overwhelming, so she puts newcomers into a separate area, and they're free to sniff and observe the other dogs through the fence. Shelagh then watches, observes body language, and waits until the new dog tells her when he/she is comfortable to finally meet the other dogs. I was *so* impressed by that!
- Sectioned off areas so that high energy dogs can play with other high energy dogs, and low energy dogs can be paired with other low energy dogs, etc.
- Dog etiquette is taught and reinforced in this environment, i.e. sitting and staying before passing through a gate or doorway, no jumping, etc.
- I know my dog is in a safe and happy environment, playing with other well behaved dogs
- Proper designated area for potty breaks, which means he doesn't come home soaked in urine, unlike other daycares that cram up to 60 dogs in one area, with not enough staff to sufficiently supervise and consequently clean up after defecation
- Price is the same as other daycares: $25 for a full day, $15 for half, and they have 10 visit packages you can buy to save a few dollars.
My boy comes home just as tired and happy, I know he is safe, and following the same rules that we have at home. Every time we pull up to the Dizine Canine daycare facility he has the biggest smile on his face and can't wait to get in there. What more could any dog owner ask for? I will never take my dog anywhere else. -
Review from Diandra L.
North Vancouver, BC
12/16/2010
I am the mom to an 8 month old Frenchie named Louis, and I have to admit, I am GUILTY of babying him. If it weren't for Shelagh's positive approach and realistic solutions to puppy issues, Louis would be walking all over me!
Like all new dog owners, I am right in the middle of experiencing those puppy growing pains (potty training, how to walk on leash without pulling....how to listen!). We enrolled in Dizine Canine's Basic Obedience course and I was sooo positive that I would never get Louis into a down on command! Sure enough just a few short weeks later not only does he lay down on command, but he also rolls over, stays and slaps high fives!
She has also continued to offer me invaluable guidance. As my puppy got older he began challenging the resident male cat in my home as well as experienced a relapse in his potty habits. With a few tips, a no nonsense approach, and lots of positive reinforcement, not only are the two of them are getting along great , but his potty issues have been resolved as well.
Louis also LOVES daycare days! He gets to romp, play and tumble around with dogs of all sizes, while I have that peace of mind that he is being watched in a controlled space by an excellent trainer while acquiring invaluable social skills. Shelagh says "a good dog is a tired dog" and I can attest to this, especially on post daycare days!
I highly recommend taking your dog to Dizine Canine, especially if your looking for a place that will train you on how to use positive reinforcement to get superb results! -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
12/6/2009
I can't remember when I've been so excited to write a review. I almost couldn't wait to finish the course before writing it.
Because I'm that dog owner. The one with the dog that goes a little nuts when it sees another dog. The one holding back my dog with all my strength while she's rearing up and barking and trying her hardest to get to the other dog (or cat or squirrel or bird). Oh sure, she can behave herself if I let her meet a nice, calmer, older dog, with a nice calm owner. But if it's one of those floofy white dogs all the Asian ladies in my neighbourhood seem to have, barking small breeds being walked by pinch-faced, disapproving seniors, or worst of all, accessory dogs out with girls in their "Vancouver uniforms," we're not going near them.
Tired of all the near-miss incidents, the sore arms and especially the judgement, I was really happy to find Shelagh Begg's reactive dog training course. But although the description seemed to fit our dog, a 2-year-old border collie-shepherd mix, to a T, I was initially skeptical: we're going to put a group of dog-reactive dogs in the same room together and train them? Can you say "anxiety"?
However, when we got there the first night, we were relieved by the sight of the large training room and the small class size. Also, Shelagh emphasized that during the course, the dogs do not meet. They would learn to walk almost side by side during the course, and if owners chose to, they could introduce their dogs outside of class time, but the focus of the course was on getting our dog to focus on and listen to us, even with other dogs and other distractions around.
It was also a relief not only to have a trainer who understands the psychology of reactive dogs but also to be in the same room as people who understand what it feels like to be seen as the neighbourhood terror. We had previously taken an obedience class at another dog training school and though it was a good course, we always felt a little like the bad seeds of the group. Here, I felt no judgement and I felt much safer. These are not bad dogs, Shelagh would say, just a little "socially retarded" and in need of help with their social skills.
The course itself involves teaching your dog only two basic commands: watch me and leave it. These are practiced with increasing intensity over the course - for example, having the dogs walk around one another, with the dog who is walking not being allowed to look at the other dogs and the dogs who are sitting not allowed to look at the dog walking near them. Handlers reinforce and reward their dog's focus with lots of treats and praise. One of the toughest exercises was walking toward one another with the dogs, who again, must focus on their owner and not the approaching dog - a major trigger for my lil' firecracker.
I can't say enough about Shelagh - she's simply an excellent trainer who clearly loves the dogs, has tons of knowledge to share, and is very positive and confident. She's also super-observant and is really good at giving individual help to owners. Shelagh is also the Executive Director of the BC HugABull Rescue Society; the course itself was first developed for working with rescued bulldog-type breeds, but at some point, they thought this might be a useful course for other dog owners. (Our class included at least one rescue dog who's working toward adoption readiness.)
We've still a ways to go, as the exhausting last class showed me. It was a field trip to Trout Lake on a sunny Saturday and we had to take a walk with our dogs around the busy dog-centric park while keeping our dogs focused and under control. Many treats were involved. But as usual, Shelagh was there to keep us all safe, as well as to remind me to praise the dog when she did well.
I may never be able to walk with this dog off-leash (in a non-fenced area), as I've done with most of the dogs I've had in my life. I'll probably always have to scan the horizon for potential trouble while out walking my furbeast. My dog is still big, young, strong, smart and stubborn, and let's not forget the energetic. And so cute she's hard to discipline. But she now knows that if she listens to me, instead of chasing that squirrel or dragging me over to another dog, she'll be rewarded. I feel much more confident, having the tools of Watch Me and Leave It (or, Distraction and Bribery) in my handler's toolkit.
Maybe my dog will de-crazify as she gets older. Until then, we'll keep working the techniques with her and add more fun in future courses. Agility, here we come!Listed in: It's all about the dog
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Review from Shannon A.
Vancouver, BC
8/15/2010
If you're searching for an excellent trainer, or a daycare that will actually accept bigger breed dogs, the stop searching - you've found what you're looking for :)
We've got our 'pawtistic' dog in daycare at Dizine Canine currently and we've noticed that he is really starting to come out of his shell.
He is also the kind of pup that makes a giant scene at the end of his leash whenever he sees another dog, but 6 sessions of the Reactive dog class later, and he's practically a little angel out on walks now :)
Next class for him is the Intro to Clicker Training then we might move on to something more challenging for him like Rally-O!
Shelagh has a genuine passion for animals, their welfare and their development. If you choose to enrol in one of her classes or her daycare rest assured that the treasured member(s) of your furry family are in GREAT hands :) -
Review from Donna J.
Vancouver, BC
8/12/2010
Everything Christine R. said about the reactive dog class is ... exactly what I'd like to say. My anxious, reactive little rescue mess is SO much more focused after this class. She's never going to be the calm, cool, collected dog you see chilling with their owners at the coffee shop, but I no longer dread going for walks because god knows how she's going to react.
We even started taking Rally O classes with Shelagh -- my idiot, reactive, spazzy dog, working in a class with 5 other dogs all trying to learn something. Amazing! Thanks, Shelagh! :)
