705-274-8444
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A Bit About Me
Hello! I’m Christine Gorman, an accredited professional dog trainer, here to help you and your dog achieve your full potential together.
I’m proud to be formally accredited through PetSmart’s training program and have also earned additional certifications, including coursework with SpiritDog Training, to ensure I bring the most modern, effective, and science-based methods to every client I work with. I dedicate myself to ongoing education and skill development, so you can feel confident your dog is in knowledgeable, capable hands.
At PetSmart, I specialize in Positive Reinforcement training, a proven, humane, and enjoyable approach that helps dogs learn good manners, build confidence, and strengthen their bond with you. My teaching focuses on clear communication, achievable goals, and creating a positive experience for both you and your dog! Because training should feel rewarding, not stressful.
Whether you have a brand new puppy who needs to start off on the right paw, a rambunctious adolescent who could use better manners, or an adult dog who’s ready for advanced skills, I can help. I currently offer both group classes and private one on one training at PetSmart Timmins, working with all breeds, ages, and behaviour goals.
Not sure where to begin? I invite you to take advantage of a complimentary 15-minute training assessment, where I’ll meet you and your dog, discuss your goals, and recommend the best path forward.
When you train with me, you can expect professionalism, patience, and a true passion for seeing you and your dog succeed! Plus plenty of encouragement and a little fun along the way.
Book your free assessment today by mesaging me on Facebook through The Northern Collar Club or by texting 705-274-8444; and take the first step toward a happier, more confident, and better-behaved dog. I look forward to meeting you both and being part of your training journey!
Classes Offered - Full list of Class Dates: services.petsmart.ca
Puppy/Beginner
A well-trained dog starts with a solid foundation. The Puppy & Beginner Obedience Training programs teach dogs the essential skills they need for everyday life while helping owners understand how to guide and support their dog using positive, reward-based methods. These early stages of training are the best time to build good habits and prevent common behavior problems before they begin.
The Puppy class is designed for dogs between 10 weeks and 5 months old, during the critical socialization period. At this age, puppies are learning how to interact with the world around them, and positive experiences with people, other dogs, and new environments help prevent fear and reactivity later in life. Puppies are also introduced to basic obedience cues, while owners learn how to manage and redirect behaviours like jumping, mouthing, and introduce loose leash walking.
The Beginner class is designed for dogs 5 months and older who are new to training or need to revisit the basics. Even older dogs can learn to focus, control their impulses, and work calmly around distractions. This class is ideal for adolescent dogs going through challenging developmental stages or adult dogs who have never had the chance to build a strong training foundation.
Both classes teach important life skills that improve communication, strengthen the bond between dog and owner, and make everyday life easier. Dogs learn to focus and pay attention to their handler even in distracting environments. Working on impulse control while learning skills like Take it, Leave it, and Drop it keep dogs safe and teach them how to behave politely around food, toys, and people.
In addition to these skills, dogs also learn to wait patiently at doors or gates, come reliably when called, introduction to mat work, and loose leash walking. These behaviours make life with a dog more enjoyable and build confidence in both dog and owner.
Investing in early training sets the stage for a lifetime of good behavior and a stronger bond between you and your dog. Puppy and Beginner Obedience classes are the perfect first step toward a well-mannered, confident, and happy companion.
Intermediate
Intermediate Obedience Training builds on the foundation taught in Puppy or Beginner classes and takes your dog’s skills to the next level. In this class, dogs don’t just practice what they already know, they learn to perform those behaviours with more precision, focus, and reliability in real-world situations.
One of the key skills introduced in Intermediate is the Heel (taught step by step). While many dogs learn loose leash walking in Beginner classes (walking politely without pulling). Heel is a much more focused and controlled skill. In loose leash walking, the dog simply stays on a slack leash anywhere within a “bubble” around the handler. In contrast, Heel teaches the dog to walk directly at the handler’s side, with their shoulder aligned to the handler’s leg, maintaining focus and matching pace. Heel is especially useful in crowded, distracting, or formal situations where precision and control are needed.
In addition to learning Heel and being introduced to proper handler footwork, dogs in Intermediate continue to build on the foundational cues from beginner, such as focus, wait, come when called, leave it, drop it, and mat work by incorporating the 4 D’s of dog training: distance, duration, distractions, and diversity.
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Distance – asking the dog to perform behaviours while the handler moves farther away.
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Duration – building the dog’s ability to hold a behaviour (like a sit or stay) for longer periods of time.
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Distractions – teaching the dog to maintain focus and respond even when exciting things are happening around them.
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Diversity – practicing behaviours in a variety of environments, surfaces, and situations to make them reliable everywhere.
Intermediate training is all about moving beyond the basics and preparing your dog to be a calm, reliable partner in more challenging and distracting settings. It helps dogs and owners strengthen communication, build confidence, and achieve a higher level of teamwork.
Advanced
Advanced Obedience Training is the ultimate step in creating a reliable, confident, and well-mannered dog you can be proud to take anywhere. This program is designed for dogs and owners who have completed Intermediate training and are ready to refine their skills to the highest level. Advanced training focuses on precision, focus, and reliability helping your dog stay calm and under control, even in the most distracting and unpredictable situations.
At this level, training is about more than just obedience. It’s about teamwork, trust, and building a strong connection that lasts a lifetime. Advanced training gives owners the tools and confidence to handle their dogs anywhere, while keeping dogs mentally engaged, challenged, and motivated to listen.
Dogs and handlers work on polishing key skills and introducing advanced behaviours, including:
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Wait in motion
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Out-of-sight stays
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Distraction Training
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Stand
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Rear-end Awareness
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Strengthening foundational cues like recall, leave it, mat work, and impulse control under greater distance, duration, and distractions.
Advanced also incorporates practice for the Canine Good Neighbour (CGN) test; Canada’s standard for a well-behaved, community-ready dog. Teams work on real-life skills like polite greetings, walking through crowds, and staying composed when separated from the handler.
Please note: this class does not provide CGN certification, but it is excellent preparation for those who wish to take the test later.
Training at this level strengthens your bond, builds mutual trust, and keeps your dog engaged and fulfilled. It also gives owners peace of mind knowing their dog can handle the challenges of busy parks, public spaces, or social settings calmly and respectfully.