Just over a year ago, I welcomed Soda, a now 18-month-old pug, into my home. I wanted to enroll in an obedience class to spend time with him, and hoped he would pick up a few good behaviors. I heard about TNT Kennels (TNT) through friends who had taken classes and are currently competing in agility with their dogs.

I first enrolled in “Super Puppy” at TNT, with Sophie Budin as the instructor. At our first class Soda and I were welcomed with smiles from Sophie and 6 other people with dogs of all different breeds. The class size was perfect, allowing for lots of individual attention. There were no outside distractions, or unwelcom noises. Everyone had the opportunity to ask questions, or voice concerns that we may have for our dogs. A wide variety of important topics were shared with the group such as our dogs’ diets, socializing our dogs, crating, and the importance of recall and why it’s a top priority for classes at TNT. It wasn’t long before we were put to tasks that tested not only Soda, but myself as a handler. During one memorable exercise, Sophie scattered food around the floor and I had to make myself more interesting to Soda than the delicious treats tempting him. I soon realized how beneficial this exercise was, when one day my dog stood between my dinner and me. Suddenly the words “leave it” were as powerful as “I love you”. Recalls were practiced in every class, and the size of TNT’s facility allowed Soda and I to practice at increasing distances so when away from the venue, I knew when I yelled “come” Soda would be at my side instantly. At the end of our six weeks, I was a more confident dog owner and Soda had more confidence in me.

Shortly after completing “Super Puppy” I decided Soda and I had learned so much from the first class and had so much fun, we would enroll in a second class. This time the class was “Polite Pooch”, with Lâle Asku as the trainer. Once again, we were welcomed to a small class of friendly smiles, with one noticeable difference, it was a sunny spring day and we were outside in the fenced in training area. Having an outdoor area available for training is great after a long day in the office. Recalls were stressed again by the instructor with new exercises encouraging the same result. For this class, Soda and I brought along friends I encouraged to enroll after seeing how useful our first class was. I would recommend to everyone that has the opportunity to take a class with a friend that has a dog that your dog commonly plays with. Soda always plays with his friend Cosmo and I had never expected anything else from him. Now, I was asking him to work with me and not to pay attention to his friend. Cosmo was the ultimate distraction for my dog. As a result, thanks to the continuous efforts of the trainers at TNT I have a dog that does not pull on the leash during walks even if a squirrel darts in our path.

Since completing my classes at TNT, I’ve recommended their training to numerous friends.Many have signed up, taken the classes, and those that have come back with positive feedback. Even the friends that drove fromBurnabyto take the classes were extremely pleased and found the drive worth while. At TNT Kennels you’re getting a great atmosphere, knowledgeable trainers, and the results you want from your classes. The trainers at TNT Kennels truly have the best interests in our dog’s and the relationships we are building with them.