About Us
Meet Our Team
Victoria Regan
Education:
CWCC - Canada West Canine Center - 2014
Victoria attended a full-time program at Canada West Canine Center in 2014 and obtained her Advanced Obedience Trainer Certification and Master Dog Trainer Certification. During the course she learned Basic and Advance Obedience, Behavior Problem Training, Behavior Modification and Counter Conditioning techniques, Temperament Testing, Kennel Management, Grooming, Dog Sport, Support Dog Training, Business Management, and the course focused strongly on Tracking Training and Scent Detection Training.
IACP - International Association of Canine Professionals Conference - 2016
Victoria attended the IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals Conference) in 2016 and attended over 8 different dog training seminars over the week long conference. She has attended the conference yearly via online since 2019. Each year internationally renowned dog trainers teach up to date training methods and techniques during the IACP conference, keeping Victoria up to date on new canine behavioral science and techniques.
Mentorship E-Collar Training with K9 Possible - 2017
Victoria mentored under Simone K at K9 Possible in Oliver BC, to learn how to use an e-collar stimulus collar (not shock collar) as a communication tool. How to use this tool specifically for e-collar recall training in accordance with pressure release training, and binary training.
RBBM - Relationship Based Behavior Modification Level 1 with Nelson Hodges - 2018
"The Canine-Human Relationship Institute’s (CHRI) mission is to teach professional trainers, and others, to learn an in-depth understanding of canines. Inspiring individuals to find those answers through clear and respectful communication, supportive leadership and immersive, experiential learning in a safe and cooperative environment. Our intent is to educate on a graduate level for a more complete knowledge and understanding of canine behavior that is grounded in research, ethology and biology to transform how individuals perceive a dog in order to become more effective at influencing and training the dog." (Sourced from CHRI website).
Grassroots Business Coaching and Training - 2019
Victoria focused on business growth during 2019 with the help of a full year of business coaching, she worked on growing her training programs into a learning and teaching experience that fulfilled every need of a client and their dog. By incorporating online dog training video courses into all her programs and courses, also an online classroom with 24/7 training support and the Canine Club.
Canine and Animal Reiki 1 & 2 - 2020
Victoria completed her Canine and Animal Reiki 1 & 2 in the Summer of 2020 with her Reiki Instructor Melissa Ameika. This opened up Victoria's eyes to an endless world of possibilities for working with dogs.
Personal Growth and Business Changes - 2020 -2022
In 2020 as the world came to a stop Victoria's focus was on sustaining the business. She continued to be a mentor trainer to her 2 dog hike employees and continue learning through working with dogs and self evaluation. Throughout these 2 Years Victoria worked on creating online dog training courses to fulfill the need of dog training throughout the pandemic.
As we approach 2024 Victoria is researching the next option of continued education. Victoria is interested in focusing on reactivity training this year and improving education around Canine Reactivity. Victoria already works with reactive dogs with amazing results but would like to dive deeper...
"There is always more to learn, learning never stops, I learn new information every year about canine training and psychology, its so important to keep an open mind, learn new things and use what works for the dogs and their people".
Our Training Philosophy and Methods Used
We are not your average Dog Training Company!
We believe that training goes deeper than "Just Obedience". We focus on the root of your dog's behavior, teaching you how to understand the importance of a strong foundation of communication and relationship. We go deeper into building you and your dog's relationship, understanding why your dog is the way they are.
Why are we different?
We look at a dog as a whole, not just a specific issue at hand. We take into account many different factors such as lifestyle, breed, history, personality, disposition, past traumas and behavior, to not only "fix" a specific problem your dog may be displaying; But create an environment that your dog can thrive in, give you the tools and education to navigate behaviors and "issues" as they may arise, and work towards your specific canine, human relationship goals.
Training Methods and Approach
To cover everything listed above, we use a wide array of different methods depending on your specific dog and goals. All of the methods we are trained in are listed here (Relationship Based Behavior Modification, Operant Conditioning, Counter Conditioning, Pressure Release Training, Ecollar Training, Canine Stress Model, Postive and Negative Motivation, The 4 D's, 4 Phases of Learning, Canine Nutrition and Lifestyle changes, Breed Specific Work, and much much more. Some of these methods may be used for your specific dog and some may not be. That is because we see dog training as a rounded approach not one size fits all approach. Dog training is not about sticking to one method, it is about starting with a solid foundation through relationship at home first and then building onto that.
Our Training Focus
I like to start each client with a strong foundation, focusing on the relationship with your dog on a day to day basis. Then we can build onto teaching and training. A great way to have some fun with your dog and build your relationship with them is through tracking training! Next working on basic commands and expectations, our dogs need to learn how to behave in society, this is where our Beyond Basics Course comes in. Lastly if your dog knows how to behave around other people and other dogs in a polite way then we can work on off leash recall through our ecollar course. Being an outdoorsy person I love to spend my weekends hiking, at the lake, travelling, etc... and through all of this I strive to have my dog by my side. I believe that every person and dog deserve to have this opportunity as well. Through training it is possible to include your dog in all of your hobbies.
Tribute to Nala
November 20th 2013 - June 22nd 2022
"Walk with me, take up my hand,
we're going back to our great home land.
We'll row out to the water wide and
deep, then we'll jump in and rest our feet.
Dissolve my name, lay down in the sea and let that water wash over
me, Dissolve my name,
lay down in the sea and let that water wash over me."
Nala entered my life as scared timid puppy, rescued from a puppy mill malnourished and dirty. I brought her home that day, I could not have just leave her behind. The first 3 weeks she wouldn't leave my bedroom, I had to carry her up and down the stairs to go to the bathroom 6-10x per day, the poor girl feared her own shadow. Bonnie helped her confidence emerge and Nala began to play and be social, she started coming out of her shell. Within weeks of being in our safe loving home, she learned to walk up and down the stairs herself.
Not too much later we started dog training school together. She defied obedience but shone soo bright when her nose lowered, and we began to track scent. She was a amazing, it was in her blood a natural at tracking.
8 months later we emerged from dog training school, full of new knowledge and activities to explore. My passion for the outdoors lead us up mountains and swimming in rivers, snowshoeing in the blanketed white forests. She loved the water and the snow.
Nala taught me more then I could have ever imagined, her lifelong disabilities of hip dysplasia and chronic lung issues taught me about resilience, strength, and how even when things are tough and you may be in pain, you can still love with all your heart. Nala taught me to slow down, smell the flowers, observe what's around you, soak it all in, roll around in the dirt and enjoy life. Nala was a wise soul, she knew her purpose here on earth, and brought so much love to my whole family.
For those of you who had the honor to meet Nala you would agree she had a wise soul. She was so connected to the earth, smart and intuitive, she would alert us to dangers, before they would appear. She's brought me and my family so much joy, love and happiness. She brought my family together and that is what she always wanted. Words can’t describe her beautiful presence, and I feel so lucky that we where able to be her family.
On a Tuesday evening we did a transitioning ceremony for Nala, it was so beautiful. Thanks to an amazing woman and animal whisperer named Adrienne from Naturally Connected pet care, we where able to talk to Nala and honor her wishes and help fulfill her last wants of communicating with all of us.
I love you so much Nala, I know you are no longer with us in physical form but I feel you everywhere in spirit. I know you are out there watching over us. Right now we will be shedding tears for a while, but one day your memory will be smiles and laughter. We will see you again one day.
Lexie Chow
Lexie joined Valley Canine Training in June 2016; she ran all of our Dog Hikes for 6 years. Lexie was a huge part of the Valley Canine Training team! Her love of dogs and natural abilities with dogs makes her a great dog hiker. Over the years Lexie's dog handling skills have excelled to perfection and her experience is huge.
Unfortunately Lexie has moved onto a different full time career but still loves to come back occasionally to enjoy working with dogs as a hobby. She helps us occasionally in some of our Canine Club Classes and Tracking Classes. Valley Canine Training would not have been where it is now without the work and love that Lexie put into our company over the years. As many of our past clients who knew Lexie would all agree that the dogs and people all loved her.
