The Ivy League Team!
Dog Training: An Unregulated Industry
Unfortunately, dog training is not regulated in any way, shape or form. That means, anyone can claim to be a dog trainer, regardless of their methods, education or lack thereof.
Choosing the right dog trainer may very well be one of the most important decisions you make for your dog. Be wary of those selling snake oil; quick fixes and guaranteed changes are red flags, changing behaviour is not black and white. The use of fear, intimidation and outdated methods can be both counter-productive and detrimental.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, transparency is key! Ask for references, ask about the process, ask what methods that will be used.
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Our promise to you is to always stay up to date with the latest science based dog training & to make sure that your dog always feels safe through each step of the way.
Meet The Team!
Audrée Lavertu
Audrée started working with animals in 2014 as a volunteer at the Montreal SPCA and as history tells for many of us, this revealed her passion and brought her to the world of animal behaviour and education of companion dogs.
This training allowed her to open the doors of her dog walking business, L'Avenue Canine, which served numerous dogs for almost two years. After finishing her studies in tourism and working in this field for a few months, she decided to go back to her roots and focus on her biggest passion, dogs.
She is also the author and person behind Chien Nomade, a blog dedicated to outdoor activities to do with your dog.
Audrée's Experience & Education
2014-2015
2014
2015
2015
2016
2016
2019-2020
2020
2020
Montreal SPCA | Volunteer dog walker
Animal behaviour Apprenticeship | level 1
Animal behaviour Apprenticeship | level 2
Dog emotion and cognition | Duke University (online)
Seminar: In Your Dog's Mind | Victoria Stilwell
Seminar: Do like I Do | Claudia Fugazza
Les Chiens Togo | Volunteer Dog Evaluator
Fenzi Dog Sport Academy | Won't you be my neighbour? Suggestions for reducing fence fights with the dog next door | Amanda Boyd
·De main de Maitre | Emotional Challenges In Competitive Dogs Simonne Raffa
Maya Kolankowska, CTC, SAPT
Maya began working with animals in 2018 as a volunteer at the Humane Society International - Canada’s emergency shelter with fearful dogs destined for the meat trade in South Korea. She was able to help with taking care of dogs from the Montreal SPCA who were temporarily housed at the emergency shelter during renovations. This led to her being hired as a Team Lead in 2019. From then, she received a scholarship from the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers and started her journey to become a dog trainer that same year. She earned her CTC (Certificate in Training and Counselling) in February 2021.
After completing her Bachelors of Commerce (Finance), she worked for a decade in her field but was always wanting to follow her dreams. Maya left her Finance corporate job to follow her passion and she has never looked back. She is a strong believer in education and science-based training, especially in our unregulated industry.
Maya's Experience & Education
2018-2019
2019
2019
2019- present
2020-2021
2020
2020
2020
2021
2021
2021
2021
2023
Humane Society International - Canada
Volunteer - working with dogs who come from dog meat farms
Humane Society International - Canada 1 day Compassion Fatigue Workshop
Humane Society International - Canada
Alongside the SPCA, assisted in the day to day care of feeding/cleaning during the closure of the zoo de Saint-Edouard
Humane Society International - Canada
Team Lead - working with dogs who come from South-Korean dog meat farms and working with dogs from the SPCA
Animadou -Dog walker
Mon Chien en ligne - Un événement contagieux! A 5-day conference offered by Québec’s known dog trainers and a veterinarian all about dogs. Topics discussed: body language, resource guarding, aggressions, enrichment, clicker training, fitness, health issues and how is can impact behaviour, grooming and cooperative care, agility, multi-dog households, separation anxiety
Cours: Promenade en laisse zen - Du rêve à la réalité! - DMDM
Séminaire: La réactivité canine - DMDM
Mini-séminaire: Les premiers soins de base canin - DMDM
The Academy for Dog Trainers (The Harvard for dog trainers!) Scholarship recipient; a 2 year program with Jean Donaldson.
Fear Free Shelter Program: learning to improve the emotional experiences of animals by applying key strategies and techniques designed to reduce the negative emotional states that are commonly experienced by shelter and rescue animals.
SA Pro Trainer Programme with Julie Naismith: Separation Anxiety
Pet Professional Guild's Educational Summit
4 days of lectures and labs from some of the best vets/trainers/behaviourists in the industry -Phoenix, Arizona
Nina Esmery, CTC
Nina initially studied and worked in research in biology, but her volunteering at the HSI shelter quickly led her to a change of career. After a while, she started to study animal behaviour, and graduated with honours from the Academy for Dog Trainers in 2018.
Since then, she has been working with families of cats and dogs to help them better their habits and their relationships. She also keeps up with the latest research and classes in animal behaviour, and her continued education oriented her towards a specialization in dog reactivity. She completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course with Michael Shikashio CDBC in 2021.
Nina’s education in science led her to only use science-based, validated methods. Her personal experience with reactive dogs gave her an approach of client service full of empathy and consideration.
Nina is a member of the Pet Professional Guild.
Nina's Experience & Education
2012
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017-2018
2018
2018
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2020
2021
2021-2023
2023
Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnologies, option Biological engineering, Microscopy et Quality - Nice-Sophia Antipolis University- Nice, France
Séminaire sur la tenue de consultation - De Main De Maître
Éduchateur : formation interne
Behaviour Medications: What are they, and how can they help? - Dr Jennifer Summerfield
Dog Emotion and Cognition - Dr Brian Hare, Duke University
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The Academy for Dog Trainers - Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC)
Pet Professional Guild's Multi-species and Sheltering workshop/seminar 5 days of workshops and lectures from some of the best vets/trainers/behaviourists in the industry - Kanab, Utah
Chatcadémies 1, 2 et 3 - Éduchateur
Formation intensive sur la réactivité et l'agression - De Main de Maître
Outils d'intervention complémentaires essentiels pour la réactivité et l'agression - De Main de Maître
Séminaire sur le Jeu chez le chien - De Main de Maître
Free dog, stray dog, village dog: the quintessential canine - Marco Adda
TOCS & conséquences de la vie en milieu domestique - Lara Joseph
Canine Separation Anxiety : Mission Possible - Malena DeMartini et Casey McGee
The Lemonade Conference - 3 day conference, 38 speakers
Aggression in Dogs Master Course, Michael Shikashio CDBC
International Cat Care: Advanced Cat Behaviour for Cat Professionals
Pet Professional Guild's Educational Summit4 days of lectures and labs from some of the best vets/trainers/behaviourists in the industry -Phoenix, Arizona
Sabrina Mignacca, CTC, CSAT
Sabrina earned her CTC (Certificate in Training and counselling) at Jean Donaldson's Academy for Dog Trainers, which is world renowned as "The Harvard for dog training". She is also certified in Separation Anxiety (CSAT).
Sabrina began her work with animals while working at emergency shelters, where she gained experience with all sorts of dogs: from neglect cases, to puppy mill dogs and even dogs rescued from oversea meat farms, you name it. She has since extended her knowledge and expertise to her clients and their dogs.
She is a strong believer in education, and science based training, especially in an industry where there are no regulations.
Sabrina's Experience & Education
2012
2013-2015
2014
2015
2015
2015
2015
2015-2018
2016
2016-2017
2016
2016-2017
2016
2017
2017
2017
2017
2018
2018
2018
2019
2019
2020
2021-2023
2022
2023
L'Annexe de la SPCA de Montreal - Volunteer dog walker
L'Annexe de la SPCA de Montreal - Animal care attendant
Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship Level 1
Montreal SPCA Enrichment Program ​
Dog Emotion and Cognition - Duke University
Animal Behaviour and Welfare - University of Edinburgh
Humane Society InternationalTeam Leader- working with dogs who come from cruelty cases: Puppy mills, hoarding seizures, South-Korean dog meat farms
Animal Behaviour Apprenticeship Level 2
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Seminar: Inside your Dog's Mind with Victoria Stilwell - Cornwall, Ontario
Safer, Kinder communities campaign. Participated in many events held by the SPCA to inform Montrealers about responsible dog ownership, Pitbull type dogs and breed neutral dangerous dog laws.
Animal-assisted Therapy at Focus & Perspectives One High Schools. This program focused on helping at-risk teens through animal-assisted therapy, and positive reinforcement dog training. ​
The Husbandry Project: A pilot project that tests step-by- step training plans in order to help dogs feel more comfortable and cooperative during veterinary exams.
Seminar: Do As I Do with Dr. Claudia Fugazza - Montreal, Quebec​
Seminar: Separation Anxiety: Mission Possible with Malena DeMartini Price - Bensalem, Pennsylvania
The Academy for Dog Trainers (The Harvard for dog trainers!) a 2 year program with Jean Donaldson.
Home Alone: Treating Separation Anxiety​ with Nancy Tucker - Fenzi Dog Sport Academy
Pet Professional Guild's Educational Summit
4.5 days of lectures and labs from some of the best vets/trainers/behaviourists in the industry - Orlando, Florida
Pet Professional Guild's Multi-species and Sheltering workshop/seminar
5 days of workshops and lectures from some of the best vets/trainers/behaviourists in the industry - Kanab, Utah
Seminar: The Emotional World of dogs with Professor Daniel Mills- Oakland, California
Poules Academie: Chicken training workshop with Jean Lessard and Yanick Dion- Roxton Falls, Quebec
Certificate in Separation Anxiety Training (CSAT)
Intensive 13 week course on Separation Anxiety, Malena DiMartini
BC SPCA Animal Behaviour Science Symposium
3 days of lectures and labs from some of the best vets/trainers/behaviourists in the industry - Vancouver, British Colombia
Aggression in Dogs Master Course with Michael Shikashio CDBC
International Cat Care: Advanced Cat Behaviour for Cat Professionals
L.E.G.S.® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional Course with Kim Brophey, CDBC, CPDT-KA
Pet Professional Guild's Educational Summit 4 days of lectures and labs from some of the best vets/trainers/behaviourists in the industry - Phoenix, Arizona