providing exceptional socialization experiences and progressive training for puppies and their peopl
Purple Dog is personalized pet dog training, specializing in supporting dog owners through puppy's 1st two years! We also enthusiastically teach mantrailing, scent detection, & dog parkour! Tammy has more than 30 years experience training people to train their dogs. Basic behaviours like a good "stop & stay", a fast and reliable "come", along with great loose leash walking, leaves you with a dog w
ho is welcome wherever you are. Dog friendly methods make training safe, fun, and easy for both ends of the leash. Tammy is certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, and a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. Tammy is passionate about effective teaching and training founded on positive reinforcement methods, and cruelty free tools.
03/08/2025
Attention please! I have my listening ears on and I hope you do too! I would like to officially announce we are having an adoption event at the rescue THIS Saturday, March 8 from 12-4pm. You can come down and the folks here will show you all the cats, puppies and dogs looking for their new humans!
As for me, well I might not be at the rescue Saturday to greet everyone because I just may have a forever home calling my name before then! I got all my toes cross that will be the case, but there are lots of friends here just as lovely as I that would love a spot next to you on that couch! ๐ฅฐ
03/08/2025
Happy Women's Day!! We rock!
03/08/2025
๐จ Excess weight isnโt just a cosmetic issueโitโs a serious health risk for dogs.
๐ถ ๐๐ถ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ธ๐ป๐ผ๐? Dogs who maintain a ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ live an average of nearly two years longer than dogs who are even slightly overweight.
๐ Weight loss of just 6.1% in obese, osteoarthritic dogs has been shown to reduce lameness!
๐ฅ In obesity, excess fat releases pro-inflammatory substances, keeping the body in a state of chronic inflammation. Losing fat helps reduce inflammationโleading to less pain and better mobility.
โ ๏ธ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ผ ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐น๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ, such as hypothyroidism. Full lab work is essential to rule this out.
If youโve ruled out medical conditions, switched to lower-calorie food, and cut back on high-calorie treats, but your dog still isnโt losing weight, itโs time to reassess.
๐จ ๐ช๐ต๐ ๐ท๐๐๐ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ๐บ: Simply reducing commercial food can lead to nutrient deficienciesโbecause the less food you feed, the fewer essential nutrients your dog receives. Adding green beans or pumpkin to replace the dry food is not providing the same vitamins and minerals.
๐ฅฉ๐ฅฆ ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป? A balanced approach that includes fresh foods to promote healthy, sustainable weight lossโwithout leaving your dog feeling hungry.
๐ฉ Need help? Letโs build a plan that works.
03/08/2025
Upcoming Classes!!
Text Tammy at 7809331320 or email [email protected] to get registered!
PURPLE PUPPY PROGRAM starts now! $395
Designed with puppies less than 20 weeks of age in mind - 6 private lessons, weekly Pup-gility, unlimited Purple PlayNTrain groups, and lots of Purple Puppy People support!
Start immediately! (with your vaccinated puppy who has been home for more than 10 days).
FOUNDATIONS (manners) $295 6 weeks - for all dogs 5 months and older - this is where it all begins!
๐Thursdays at 6pm starts March 27
๐Thursdays at 730pm starts April 3
๐Tuesdays at 630pm starts April 15
SCENT DETECTION $145 4 weeks **prior Purple Dog experience required**
๐Hunting Games - teaching your dog to search - Tuesdays at 6pm starts March 18
DOG ENRICHMENT & FITNESS $145 4 weeks **prior Purple Dog experience required**
๐Canine Fitness Continued (2nd level) - Tuesdays at 730pm starts March 4 with Certified Instructor Shawna Thiessen
TRAIN & GO! $10/person - if you are (or ever have been) a student of Purple Dog, Train & Go is an opportunity to drop in and train your dog in a distracting environment. What will you train? Anything you want! Everyone is on their own schedule and training their own dog. Maybe you need more experience training around other dogs or people? Maybe you have specific goals?
Friday February 28 630-830pm NASDA Practice
Sunday March 16 11am-1pm NASDA Practice
PURPLE PLAYGROUPS **Purple Dog experience required** free for Purple Dogs - Saturdays at 12noon - 1pm
March 1 (MARCH!! yay) - Awesome Alumni
March 8 Terrific Teens
March 14 730-830pm DOGS AFTER DARK
March 15 Small Dogs
March 22 no play groups - NASDA Games Trial
March 29 Terrific Teens
๐ฅK9 FRISBEE TOSSnFETCH $25/5weeks
Returns in April 2025! *no experience necessary
Purple Dog is 15 minutes west of Grande Prairie at 713002B RR80. Its the 2nd place along the driveway. Stay Right! Right is Right! Left is baaaaad. Keep going (slowly) until you turn right at the Big Purple Chair!
๐Email [email protected] for details & registration
๐More information can also be found at https://purpledogschool.com
๐ปPrivate Dogs walks for you and yours are available for $20/hour
03/07/2025
Things your dog was born already programmed to do -
Eat
Sleep
Eliminate
Smell
Vocalize
Chase
Chew
Dig
Play/interact with own species
Self groom
Things your dog is NOT born already programmed to do -
Wear a collar
Walk on a leash
Sleep in a crate
Be confined
Eliminate only outside
Live in a house
Understand human language
Know how to stay
Modify play based on the species
Come when called
Chew only approved objects
Do stairs
Go on car rides
Be restrained
Be groomed
Not chase
Not vocalize at the โwrongโ times
I could go on and on. When you sit back and look at this, how many of us have just EXPECTED the stuff on the second list? How many of us have gotten frustrated or disappointed or impatient when our dogs didnโt immediately understand what we wanted?
The human world that we ask our dogs to live in is NOT always what comes most naturally to them, so we need to be patient and teach them about it thoughtfully and respectfully. We also need to then understand that some of their born with traits will need outlets, even if we donโt always understand them. They do it for us, we can definitely make the effort to do it for them.
- Helen St. Pierre
03/07/2025
A muzzle doesnโt tell you a dogโs story. It doesnโt tell you about their joy, their playfulness, or how deeply theyโre loved.
It doesnโt tell you if theyโre nervous around strangers, still learning about the world, or simply being kept safe from eating something harmful on a walk.
But hereโs what a muzzle does tell you ๐
It tells you that their guardian is prioritising safetyโฆ safety for their dog and for those around them. It tells you their guardian understands that dogs, just like humans, can have boundaries and big feelings. It tells you their guardian is proactive, thoughtful, and responsible.
Muzzles are a safety measure, not a label.
They can prevent a dog from scavenging something dangerous, reduce stress at the vet, and provide comfort post surgery. For some dogs, muzzles mean they get to explore the world safely and enjoy more freedomโฆ not less.
The stigma around muzzles often stems from fear or misunderstanding. People assume a muzzled dog is โdangerous,โ but the truth is, muzzles are no different from seatbelts or helmetsโฆ theyโre protective, practical, and sometimes essential.
So, next time you see a dog in a muzzle, see beyond the muzzle. See a loved, cared for dog with a guardian doing their absolute best. ๐๐ซถ
03/07/2025
Saturday Purple PlayNTrain! Yay!
Teens! Those crazy babies! Guidelines below!
Saturday March 8 at 12 noon-1pm
We will be outside if its not -30! Please dress for outside and dress your dogs accordingly ๐ Snowshoes are optional and very helpful! Ice cleats also a great idea!!
Who can attend?
ALL Puppies less than 20 weeks of age currently enrolled in the Purple Puppy Program.
All Purple Dogs (5months-2years, all sizes) who are currently enrolled in lessons or have previously done lessons/classes at Purple Dog!
**Dogs attending should have no history of aggression toward other dogs or people.**
Please text me if you have questions! 780 933 1320
In September 2023, I moved! Purple Dog is located at 713002B RR80. Its the 2nd place on the driveway - keep driving until you get to the Big Purple Chair! We meet at the shop.
03/03/2025
Yolanda and her sweet, smart Roxy, completed their private lesson package! That was a lot of learning! Excellent job learning how to support your dog Yolanda! Good girl Roxy!
๐๐พ
03/03/2025
Jodie and wonder dog Fozzy, graduated from the Movement Puzzles class! Way to go Jodie! Thanks for joining me to give something new a try! Good boy Fozzy!!
03/02/2025
I wish I could explain how much I love these walks and your dogs and all of you!! There's a special kind of magic that happens. I hope you enjoy them as much as your dogs and i do ๐๐พ๐ฆ
Photos from today's Alumni PlayNTrain walk at Purple Dog .
03/01/2025
Purple PlayNTrain
Saturday March 1 12-1 ALUMNI !
Who can attend?
ALL Puppies less than 20 weeks of age currently enrolled in the Purple Puppy Program.
All dogs (all ages, all sizes) who are currently enrolled in lessons or have previously done lessons/classes at Purple Dog!
Dogs older than 2 years of age should be spayed or neutered to attend please.
**Dogs attending should have no history of aggression toward other dogs or people.**
Dogs can be off-leash or run on a long line. Dogs attending should have a pretty good recall.
We will be outdoors - dress accordingly and dress your dogs accordingly! Snowshoes are optional! Rubber boots are the minimum footwear you will need!
Text me (Tammy) if you have questions! 780 933 1320.
**In September 2023 I moved!
Purple Dog is now permanently located at 713002B RR80. Its the 2nd place on the driveway - keep right and turn right at the Big Purple Chair!
02/28/2025
Who lost a b***y last weekend? It will be in the shop!
02/26/2025
Had a great time at Enrichment class tonight! So much tasty goodness! Thanks Shawna Thiessen! Love Wyntr ๐๐พ
02/23/2025
Krys & Lisa and their wonder puppy Brock, graduated from Purple Puppy this week!! Brock just keeps growing! His sweet gentle soul is as big as his giant self! Cheers to the big dog adventures that are next! Well done humans! Good boy Brock! ๐๐พ
02/23/2025
Lucy Mae and her Momma Stacy graduated from Purple Puppy this week! Lucy can't wait to do all the things, meet all the people, and share all the adventures! Well done Stacy! Good girl Lucy! ๐๐พ
02/23/2025
Look who graduated Purple Puppy!! Vigo superstar and his Mom Amelia! Vigo is best friends with two young boys and takes his job of "best dog ever", very seriously! Well done Amelia! Good boy Vigo! ๐๐พ
02/23/2025
Awesome Purple Play N Train Saturday! Well done everyone! All kinds of dogs, all sizes, loads of play, learning, and getting to 'dog' ๐๐พ!
Address
713002B RR80 County Of Grande Prairie No. 1 Grande Prairie, AB T0H3S0
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Videos
If your dogs are anything like mine, you will still need to bundle up and get outside today! You can book a time and come let them run here! Snowshoes are easier but ive also been traipsing all over in my boots!
If your dogs are up to it, you can let them run for a whole hour! Use the shop as a warm up station! Text me to book your time today, tomorrow or Monday!
Outside hour =$20
OR you can rent the shop and stay out of the cold! $35/hour ($25 for Purple Dogs)! Text me to book your time today, tomorrow or Monday!
7809331320 Tammy
Baby its coooold outside!
Book an hour for a play date! Book an hour to play uninterrupted with your reactive dog! Book somewhere safe to get out with your puppy!
Purple Dog students (current or past), its only $25/hour to book this large indoor space and all of the equipment in it, for yourself!
No Purple Dog history? Not a problem! The space is available to anyone who would like private heated space for them and their dog. $35/hour
Bring a friend! Additional people and their dogs are $10 /friend.
Text Tammy at 780 933 1320 to book YOUR time!
Video is guest dog Maverick playing with my Kenobi dog (he likes who he likes ๐)!
TONIGHT! Friday November 22 there are 2 spots available to book the shop for training/playing with your own dog!
630pm
OR
8pm
If you are a current or past Purple Dog student, its only $25/hour to book this large indoor space for yourself!
No Purple Dog history? Not a problem! The space is available to anyone who would like private heated space for them and their dog. $35/hour
Bring a friend! Additional people and their dogs are $10 /friend.
Text Tammy at 780 933 1320 to get the fun started!
FULL
You really have to try Mantrailing!! The last opportunity to do the Intro and get started in 2024, is Wednesday September 18 from 630-930pm at Purple Dog! Mantrailing Adventures continue weekly until November 1 (and start again April 1)!
The Intro is 3 hours and $145 ($175 starting in 2025). Once you've completed the Intro, you can Mantrail as often as you like! Mantrailing Adventures are only $30/2 hours!
Mantrailing is exciting, and fun! This sport builds your dogs confidence, and strengthens your relationship.
Mantrailing is great for all ages of dogs, all sizes of dogs, and all training levels.
Myth busting:
You do NOT need prior Purple Dog experience to play.
Your dog does NOT need to be spayed/neutered to do Mantrailing.
You do NOT need to be a pro-athlete to enjoy Mantrailing!
Email [email protected] to get registered!
Video: Raina the Doberman finding her missing person!
Training treats all ready for this weeks adventures!
Dry dog food, hot dogs, steak leftovers, and bacon dog treats.
What's in your bag of treats this week?
Purple Dog offers private lessons for people who want to learn how to train their dogs effectively, and without physical punishment!
Why Private lessons??
Private lessons allow for one on one attention to detail you cannot possibly get in a group. There are no embarrassing questions and nothing you can't ask about. It is always "your turn". After years of teaching large group classes, I know for sure that individual lessons are more effective. These are your lessons taught on your schedule.
What about the cost? Cost wise - private lessons are so much more effective for the learners, that you can often learn more, with less classroom time. These are your lessons - you can spread your lessons out to every two weeks or more, or less - depending on your success rate.
What if my dog needs socializing? If your dog is over 18 weeks of age, he/she needs to be able to trust you and work with you, in a variety of situations. Dogs older than 18 weeks of age are over their socialization window and what they need for the next 18 months, is consistent training. Starting with less distractions allows you to gain skills and allows your dog to learn safely. Once you have some foundations (attention & calmness) working in a setting with other dogs provides great distractions. It is not necessary to take your shy, or overly excited dog into a room full of the same, for them to learn to respond to, trust, and depend on - you - the handler (quite the opposite in fact).
What can I expect?
- to create a dog that offers calm, appropriate behaviour to get attention
- to be able to train your dog regardless of age, size or strength (yours or your dogs).
- to teach behaviours that are reliable in a way that is fair, fun and effective.
- to get problem behaviours under control
- unlimited support
What about behaviour problems? I have been training people and their dogs for over 20 years. I have extensive experience with a variety of problem behaviours.
We welcome all dogs, all handlers, all ages!
Specializing in companion dogs, pet dog manners, and strong foundations for both ends of the leash.
Lessons are private unless otherwise requested. Semi-private lessons are available by request (bring a friend). Group lessons are seasonally available and are limited to four dog/handler teams.
providing exceptional socialization experiences and progressive training for puppies and their peopl
