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Every Dog has its Day

Owner Erin Young and her students walk dogs along waterfront boardwalk. Photo by Colby Clarke. North Bay’s Canine Academy dog training program is becoming one of the more notable training facilities in the city.

Owner Erin Young and her students walk dogs along waterfront boardwalk. Photo by Colby Clarke.

North Bay’s Canine Academy dog training program is becoming one of the more notable training facilities in the city.

Located on Fourth Avenue West, this school and its strong following of over 1,000 people are barking up the right tree as North Bay and the District Humane Society prepares to introduce the first off-leash dog park in the city.

This year-round program is a new breed of animal as Canine Academy Owner, Erin Young explained her school was completely self-sustaining.

“From what I know, we are the first free-hold facility North Bay has,” said Young, who is a Registered Veterinary Technician.

“We aren’t affiliated with any other businesses unlike other training programs. I started this simply because I wanted owners and their dogs to live a happy and healthy life together.”

Young started Canine Academy in August of 2013 and she says the response from the community has been very positive so far.

“I get feedback constantly from veterinarians, groomers, and daycares all over who say they can tell when a dog has been through my training course,” said Young. “They’re much easier to manage and much more socialized.”

Young’s course welcomes dogs of all ages and breeds, and as well offers over six different classes for basic and advance training, including specialty exercises such as therapy, tricks, scent detection, and obstacle courses. And with the dog days of summer coming to the close, many of Young’s students are already signing up for the winter months.

“Our first class, Puppy Kindergarten, was such a fantastic experience,” said local dog owner, Andrea Martin.

“Our puppy, Gus was an incredibly high energy and intense puppy, who could be quite hard to manage. Erin’s course helped us learn to communicate effectively with him. Since then, he’s become a calmer, more reliable dog. We’ve completed three classes thus far and are signed on for two more this fall.”

With an off-leash dog park soon to be announced, training programs like this may soon become a necessity within the dog owner community.

“The idea of the dog park in the City of North Bay is exciting because it’s not just a place for dogs, but for people as well,” said local owner Janet Michaud, who’s 12 week old Vizsla was one of the worst puppies in Young’s course.

“I realize that you cannot mandate obedience classes to permit use of such a park; however, I feel that proper training and socialization of dogs will be key in this park’s success as a family activity.”

For more information on the Canine Academy, visit www.canineacademydogtraining.com.