The change happens where the problem lives
Kitchen, door, walk. Not a neutral room where none of it actually happens.
How it works · in-home
We work where the behaviour actually lives.
Your home, your neighbourhood, your front door, your walks. About 3 hours. $500 tax-in, per household.
30 days of phone, email, and text support included. Further in-person training requires a pass or pay-as-you-go booking.
- 01
The invisible start
Calm authority from the second we arrive. Your dog reads this immediately.
Nancy, at the door. - 02
The human bridge
The first hour is for you. How dogs think and decide, so the training actually sticks.
Jon teaching clients at Centrepointe Park. - 03
The physical shift
We demonstrate every technique, then you execute it. We don’t move on until every person in the household is confident.
Coaching with clients and their dogs. - 04
The end-of-session calm
A stressed dog who starts thinking. Most dogs are mentally exhausted by the end. That’s how you know it worked.
- 05
Your session, written down
We record our session so you can focus on learning. Your questions, our answers and the details you share help us build your guide. We turn it into a custom guide for your dog, with the steps you practised together. It’s ready the same day in the BetterDog App.
A custom manual for your dog.
Your next steps
- Find a time. Enter your details and see available appointments. Choose Jon or Nancy, or the date that works for you.
- Get ready. Your trainer will tell you what to prepare before the visit.
- Work together at home. We cover how your dog thinks, then practise with your whole household.
- Decide what comes next. Keep practising, book follow-ups, join Pack Walks or choose the Unlimited Training Pass. You decide after your first session.
Fern’s After Session Report
View the sample (PDF)What actually holds
One household. Every dog. One fee.
$500 tax-in. No per-head surprise. Everyone who lives with the dog is in the session.
A custom manual for your dog
We record our session so you can focus on learning. The guide lands the same day in the app.
What Ottawa–Gatineau households say
Thus far have had an incredible experience with better dogs! We have only taken the introductory class so far, where Nancy sat us down took us a bit through dog psychology before she started teaching us practical skills to help take command.
All I can say is WOW, I was sceptical of some reviews saying they’ve seen monumental changes in under 24 hours but they are all 100% factual. Jon is very knowledgeable and clear and direct with communication and what needs to be done.
This has got to be the best trainer ive come across, we had Jon for our four dogs, two of which we're highly problematic. He came in super well organized with a plan for each dog already which he can tailor further.
Not a class
A class teaches class. BetterDog works your house.
| BetterDog | The class. The gadget. The other trainer. | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Your kitchen. Your door. The walk that actually falls apart. | A hall where none of the real problems exist. |
| Who | Jon or Nancy, with you throughout the session. | Whoever’s on the schedule. A different instructor next week. |
| How | Calm. Never a shock collar. Treats aren’t the method. | A collar, a clicker, or a bag of chicken. |
| The dogs | The whole household. One fee. $500 tax-in. | Per dog. Per class. A package to decode. |
| What you leave with | A custom manual that feels like the session you just had. Same day, in the app. | A handout. Or nothing. |
| After | 30 days. Phone, email, text. Jon or Nancy. | See you next Tuesday. If the class still has a spot. |
Frequently asked questions
How much does training cost?
The Life Changer Session is $500 tax-in — one household fee, every dog in the house. About three hours in your home. The Unlimited Training Pass is $1,200/year or $125/month on a 12-month commitment, if you want follow-ups and Pack Walks after that first session. No packages to decode.
Do you come to my home?
Yes. Your dog’s world is your kitchen, your door, your street. That’s where we work. Not a studio where none of the real problems exist.
Do you use treats?
Treats are not a crutch and not the lead. We use Emotional Marking: verbal praise, touch, play, and food used strategically — a crate that needs to feel safe, the end of a hard nail trim. Your dog listens because the communication is clear, not because you’re a walking snack.
Who has to attend?
Everyone who regularly lives with the dog. Adults, kids, the sitter, the walker, Grandma if she’s in the rotation. The first session is mandatory for the household. Mixed signals are how training dies.
How long is the first session?
Block three hours. One hour on how dogs think and communicate. Two hours hands-on — we do it, then you do it, until everyone in the house is confident. We record our session so you can focus on learning. Your questions, our answers and the details you share help us build your guide. We turn it into a custom guide for your dog, with the steps you practised together. It’s ready the same day in the BetterDog App.
Can I join Pack Walks?
Not as a drop-in. Pack Walks are for BetterDog members — especially households who’ve been turning around at the sight of another leash. Start with the in-home session. Members on the Unlimited Pass walk free. $60 per walk otherwise.
The next step is a 3-hour session in your home.
(613) 316-6473 · ottawa@betterdog.ca
30 days of phone, email, and text support included. Further in-person training requires a pass or pay-as-you-go booking.
BetterDog
In-home dog training
Admin Office1338 Wellington St. W
Ottawa, ON K1Y 3B7
- Monday10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM