Testimonials

Nick is a real pro – scientifically solid and extremely experienced.

Nick did not only know how to train our 4 month old Australian Shepherd, he further instructed us step by step how to work with our puppy. Following his advice and methods we really enjoy our daily walks and our Tala masters already all the basic commands.

We would like to recommend Nick to every dog owner as he is able to correct any misbehavior and make them manageable.  A well trained dog not only turns heads, it makes the experience, both for the dog and the owner, much more enjoyable.

We really enjoyed working with Nick and are glad to have found a good friend in him.

The Stachl Family

Just back from a 3.5 km trail walk, but most importantly also did our training in the ball diamond. After him running and being called, Dudley returned every time today.

We wanted to let you know how much we appreciate all the training you have shown us during our time spent with you. Dudley is a different dog from when we started this training.

Firstly, I am able to take our boy for walks now and happy to say that is because of your training. Secondly, being able to call him and have him come was a very major part of the training we needed and happy to say that is happening now.

The sit stay is really great and training him makes us more confident that we are having that extra control of our boy.

Nick we want to THANK YOU for all your training tips, tricks and to say not only did we enjoy our training time with you we believe we have formed a true friendship which we hope will continue into the future.

We know training is an ongoing requirement to have a well controlled dog and because of you we now have those tools to continue.

You can be as assured we will keep you informed of our progress in the coming months and you and Shelly and your pups are welcome anytime. Again thanks and be safe.

David, Diana and Dudley

Our family adopted an 8 week old puppy back in June. We loved him so much, and he has been a great addition to our family but he was a real handful in the beginning. We struggled with some of his behaviours. A friend of ours suggested that we call Nick. So glad that we did. Nick was awesome right from the start. He was kind and patient but firm with Zeppelin. He was patient with us as well. He helped us to understand the behaviours, how to correct them and armed us with the tools we would need going forward. We now have an amazing dog that is calm, super friendly, confident and very well behaved. On walks he doesn’t bark or even bother with other dogs he just keeps on walking at our side.

Thanks Nick! People can’t believe he is 5 month old puppy when they see how well behaved he is.

The Griesinger family

We adopted Tuesday as a 10 week old puppy from a shelter. She was abandoned at around 4 weeks old and didn’t get to have the crucial weeks socializing with her mom and litter that puppies need. We found that although her foster parents did great work both potty and crate training her, she was displaying behaviours we didn’t want such as nipping, barking, and pulling on the leash. As brand new pet parents, we didn’t know how to address these behaviours so that Tuesday could become a dog we could be proud of. From our first phone call to Nick we have felt nothing but supported and in the very best hands. Nick has dedicated many hours to listening to our concerns, modelling training techniques, and being a fantastic resource for anything dog related. He has helped us mold Tuesday into an 8 month old puppy who obeys voice commands and hand signals and is often the subject of other people’s positive remarks when we take her in public. I can’t count the number of times people have commented on her exceptional behaviour! Nick is kind and gentle with Tuesday and uses firm positive guidance with the dogs he trains (Tuesday absolutely loves him!). I would recommend training with Nick for anyone – whether it be puppy training, changing negative behaviours, or just teaching your dog something new. He is unquestionably the best. We can’t wait to continue Tuesday’s training in 2012!

Kelly Webster

A few months ago my boyfriend and I started looking for a dog trainer to help us with our 2 Doberman puppies. We had a pretty tight schedule so we had a hard time finding one who could help us with our limited availability. We found K9 Development and could not be happier with the results! Our fur babies have learned so much from Nick and so have we. We cannot thank Nick enough for being flexible with our schedules and being so kind to not only our dogs, but us as well. If anyone ever needs a trainer, we will never hesitate to recommend K9 Development. Thank you again Nick! You made such a difference in our lives!

Scarlet & Onyx’s owners

We just wanted to tell you Handsome is a very satisfied pooch client. Debby still preaches what you taught them both. He’s the absolute BEST behaved big dog in our neighbourhood!

Thank you for everything you did for us!

Darrell & Debby Sheppy

When I first called Nick I was desperate for some help with the newest member of our family. I titled the email “stubborn family pet”. I am someone who is used to dealing with large breed dogs as I have had German Shepherds most of my life, then I got Cody. Cody is a husky/shepherd mix and as Nick puts it “a smart escape artist”, and needless to say a handful. With Nick’s help I was able to get the reinforcement that I needed to get Cody on the right path. He was difficult to walk and Cody chooses when and when not to listen but these issues are being addressed and dealt with. I was glad when I found Nick’s number and was so glad it was a one on one situation and he comes to Cody. Cody has made so much improvement in the weeks since we started and is still improving everyday. I like to think that not only was Nick a trainer we needed but I think we made a new friend. Thanks Nick for all your hard work and for helping the “stubborn family pet”.

Shaunna and Cody

Jagger and I would like to thank you for all the work that you put into our sessions. Your flexibility with working around my schedule is and was greatly appreciated. Jagger is a good puppy that people always make comments about, and I am sure to mention your name when people ask who his trainer was. You converted my opinion about the prong collar, and with that, Jagger walks well with it. Thanks again for your hard work, best of luck with Jack and Harley!

Keep in touch.

Megan and Jagger

We called Nick Howchuk because we needed help with our 8 month old Samoyed, Sampson. There were a number of behaviours that we needed to address.

After an informative consultation, we decided to enroll Sampson in Nick’s 8 week Obedience Program. We can honestly say that we noticed a difference immediately after the first lesson. Progress continued steadily thereafter.

Nick provided us with helpful hints and training techniques which enabled us to extinguish Sampson’s undesirable behaviours. Nick listened to our concerns and he zoned in on what we needed to address.

Now, Sampson is a very obedient and well trained dog, thanks to Nick Howchuk.

Lori, Steve, Tyler, and Sampson

Brady was a rescue dog who was one year old when we adopted him. We knew that he had spent much of his life in shelters, but he was so friendly, we didn’t think training him would be a problem. After all. Brady was our fifth dog, and we had successfully trained all the others. We learned very quickly though that we needed professional help with Brady. Before we met Nick, Brady tried to attack cars and bicycles, he tried to nip at strangers (unfortunately with some success), and he always seemed to be planning his escape. He ate my chair. Walking him became such a nightmare that we hoped that the streets would be vacant. (Luckily, the few times he escaped, the streets were mostly vacant – maybe they saw him coming!) After working with Nick, walking Brady is now a pleasure. He is uninterested in cars and bikes, warms up to strangers very quickly, and comes when called. Brady has become a friendly member of the family. Sure, he still has a mischievous streak, but Brady is now a happy well-adjusted member of our family. Thanks again Nick.

Art and Donna Williams