Keep It Simple Dog Training

02/19/2025

It’s BALANCE PATH night in Puppy class🥳

02/18/2025

CLASS IS CANCELLED TONIGHT FEBRUARY 18 AT 6PM!

Send a message to learn more

02/18/2025

02/17/2025

This weather is not conducive to getting your puppies out to experience the world. Why not bring them to a PUPPY SOCIAL GROUP on select Saturdays at KEEP IT SIMPLE DOG TRAINING?

This is not a free-for-all where your puppies will simply play until they drop. There will be opportunity for free play but we will also chat about some common puppy-raising struggles. You will have an opportunity to engage one-on-one with your puppy in a group situation by playing some foundation games with them. You will get to meet and spend time with other puppy guardians and share the highs and lows of having a new puppy in your life.

If you would like to sign up for any of the sessions please email me [email protected]

02/17/2025

Due to forecasted high winds, some snow and the ice from yesterday, Reactivity class is cancelled for tonight February 17 at 6pm. We will pick up next Monday for class 3.

Send a message to learn more

02/14/2025

Some people may know the two dogs in this post. Elmo & Ouzo have been best friends for the past 11 years and for those 11 years they have also been training buddies.

Does your dog have a BFF with whom they may share some training goals or behavior struggles? Maybe you and your BFF would love to spend some fun time with your dogs together learning new things? A shared private session may just be what you need.

Private sessions in general are great for people whose schedules do not easily allow for them to attend regular weekly classes . . . shift workers especially. Or maybe your family's schedules are all over the place with different activities and a weekly class commitment is just not doable at this time. Is your dog "dog selective" and not comfortable in a group setting? Maybe you are not comfortable in a group setting?

What are the benefits of sharing a private session with someone else?
*You get to share the cost of the session so not as much of a financial commitment.
*You have a built-in accountability buddy to keep your training on track.
*You get to learn from watching each other in the session.
*Nothing better than sharing a good laugh with a friend when things go awry 🤣
*Your dog will learn to pay attention to you in the presence of their good buddy.

These sessions could focus on common behavior struggles such as over arousal when seeing other dogs or people, loose-leash walking or recalls. Maybe you and your friend are looking for some new games and activities to engage with your dogs. Did you and a friend just get new puppies at the same time, and like Ouzo & Elmo, you would love for them to grow up and be BFFS forever? How about starting with some semi-private sessions to build their bond?

If this sounds like something you might be interested in please reach out via email to [email protected] and we will set up something.

02/14/2025

I really wish I knew how to sew. My dogs would love to have more handmade puzzles from Puzzle Dog. Show your pup some love and get one or more of these amazing pulse pattern booklets. Great way to pass the time until Spring arrives!

Happy Valentines Day!! 💞💖

We have a special gift for you!
Starting today our puzzle pattern booklets are lowered in price! You’ll get 25% off indefinitely 💖

Hop over to the Puzzle Dog website to purchase your pattern booklet(s) and get crafty!

02/13/2025

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS WORKSHOP IS TOMORROW!

BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR SNOWY DAYS
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22ND 9-11AM

I’m teaming up with Tessa from PUZZLE DOG to share fun and engaging ways to keep your dogs entertained and banish boredom during the chilly winter months!
In this two-hour workshop you will learn games and enrichment activities appropriate for indoor spaces.
You and your dog, in a small group, will rotate between sessions with Tessa and Mel. There will also be plenty of rest and break periods scheduled. This thinking stuff can be exhausting!
Your $80.00 fee will include a fun keepsake of your time with us as well as a bag of homemade training treats to use for the workshop.
Group size: max 8 dogs in total (two groups of 4). Your dog needs to be comfortable around other dogs.
Is your dog under 1 year old? Contact us first to see if this workshop is suitable for them!
Location: The Keep it Simple Training building in Avonport / West Brooklyn, NS
STORM DATE: (because it is February in Nova Scotia) will be SATURDAY MARCH 1st 9-11am.
If you would like to join in the fun, please email [email protected]. Mel will then reply with further information regarding registration. Your fees will be due within 48 hours of receiving the email in order to hold your spot. Do not send payment until you have received the email.
As always please reach out with any questions!

02/13/2025

CLASSES FOR TONIGHT ARE CANCELLED!!!
Emails have been sent to all students.

Get outside with your pups this morning while we still have some fluffy snow. Looks like this afternoon and evening are going to be a treacherous mess for driving or anything. Stay safe!

02/11/2025

BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR SNOWY DAYS
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22ND 9-11AM
I’m teaming up with Tessa from PUZZLE DOG to share fun and engaging ways to keep your dogs entertained and banish boredom during the chilly winter months!
In this two-hour workshop you will learn games and enrichment activities appropriate for indoor spaces.
You and your dog, in a small group, will rotate between sessions with Tessa and Mel. There will also be plenty of rest and break periods scheduled. This thinking stuff can be exhausting!
Your $80.00 fee will include a fun keepsake of your time with us as well as a bag of homemade training treats to use for the workshop.
Group size: max 8 dogs in total (two groups of 4). Your dog needs to be comfortable around other dogs.
Is your dog under 1 year old? Contact us first to see if this workshop is suitable for them!
Location: The Keep it Simple Training building in Avonport / West Brooklyn, NS
STORM DATE: (because it is February in Nova Scotia) will be SATURDAY MARCH 1st 9-11am.
If you would like to join in the fun, please email [email protected]. Mel will then reply with further information regarding registration. Your fees will be due within 48 hours of receiving the email in order to hold your spot. Do not send payment until you have received the email.
As always please reach out with any questions!

02/10/2025

Looking for a safe, fun way to get your puppy out in the world to experience new people and other pups and maybe go home with a puppy who is happy to curl up and chill for the afternoon?

Check out this amazing opportunity on select Saturdays at KEEP IT SIMPLE DOG TRAINING in West Brooklyn!

Not only will your puppy have a chance to interact with other puppies of a similar age, but they will get to meet new people and interact with some novel play items such as tunnels and platforms. You will get to network with other new puppy owners and learn some games and skills for helping to raise your new puppy in the best way possible.

Worried that your puppy may not be fully vaccinated yet? Check out this statement by the AVASB on the benefits of early socialization.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5942e1c6725e25d63536526a/t/595670e2cd0f686772c3abb1/1498837225400/puppy+socialization.pdf

Interested in registering for a session or a few? Please email [email protected]

02/10/2025

Sarah from Sublime Canine Services posted this great video which I love. Anyone who has taken a foundations class or private sessions from me has heard me talk about what I call FREE WALKING. This is basically FREE WALKING in a video. Be sure to use a long line for management if you are not 100% comfortable that your dog will offer those check ins. Thanks Sarah😊

Working on offleash hiking skills with Board & Train puppy Groot, & Springer Spaniel Layla.www.sublimecanine.ca

02/09/2025

This picture of Edison basically sums up how I feel about the weather right now 😡

Sadly I am cancelling today's classes. Emails have been sent to all students. Please reply to the email or comment here so I know you have received the message.

Have a fun, safe snow day at home with your pups and let's hope next weekend is kinder to us.🤞

02/08/2025

BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR SNOWY DAYS
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22ND 9-11AM
🔥 I’m teaming up with Tessa from PUZZLE DOG to share fun and engaging ways to keep your dogs entertained and banish boredom during the chilly winter months!
In this two-hour workshop you will learn games and enrichment activities appropriate for indoor spaces.
You and your dog, in a small group, will rotate between sessions with Tessa and Mel. There will also be plenty of rest and break periods scheduled. This thinking stuff can be exhausting!
Your $80.00 fee will include a fun keepsake of your time with us as well as a bag of homemade training treats to use for the workshop.
Group size: max 8 dogs in total (two groups of 4). Your dog needs to be comfortable around other dogs.
Is your dog under 1 year old? Contact us first to see if this workshop is suitable for them!
Location: The Keep it Simple Training building in Avonport / West Brooklyn, NS
STORM DATE: (because it is February in Nova Scotia) will be SATURDAY MARCH 1st 9-11am.
If you would like to join in the fun, please email [email protected]. Mel will then reply with further information regarding registration. Your fees will be due within 48 hours of receiving the email in order to hold your spot. Do not send payment until you have received the email.
As always please reach out with any questions!

02/08/2025

Ouzo's turn to sport his beautiful collar for Auntie Colleen's business ad🥰. If you have a chocolate dog this colour is perfect!

🐾 Handsome dogs deserve handsome collars! 😎 From bold Biothane colors to timeless designs, let your pup’s personality shine with style and durability. After all, a good dog deserves a great look that matches their charm! ✨🐕

02/07/2025

EDIT: She has been found and is home with her family😍
Local students please keep an eye out for this girl who is on a walk about in the Grand Pre area!

Send a message to learn more

02/05/2025

WEEKLY TOPICS with Mel - $32.00/class

Sundays @ 2:00pm (except March 9th which will be at 4:00pm)– Starting February 9th (February 9th, 16th, 23rd, March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 30th, April 6th)

Dogs of any age. No class prerequisite.

WEEKLY TOPICS classes are great for people who cannot commit to a full eight-week session of classes or who may be looking for training on a specific topic. I have a limited number of spaces in the listed WEEKLY TOPICS classes.

FEBRUARY 9TH - DESTRESSED WALKS
Experiencing joyful walks with your dog can come down to growing these three basic concepts: 1)engagement with the handler, 2)disengagement from the environment & 3)calmness. This class will touch on all three.

FEBRUARY 16TH - BARKING SOLUTIONS
Does your dog have lots to say? Does he let you know when there is someone walking down the street? Does he feel the need to tell you when it is meal time or bedtime? Does he like to let you know when he is lonely in the other room? Do he and his siblings often participate in vocal contests to see who can be the most annoying? Well then this might be the class for you.

MARCH 9TH - BE WITH YOU IN A MINUTE!
Do you often feel this is what your dog is saying to you when you call him to come back to you? People often consider the dog’s running back to us as the most important part of the recall, I beg to differ. The ability for the dog to disengage from the environment and the value they have for being in close proximity to their person are the key concepts in building a successful recall. This class will look at some games to boost these things.

MARCH 30TH – FITNESS
Healthier, stronger, fitter, faster, more flexible . . . Health & fitness are two of the most important aspects of dog ownership. Fitness prepares dogs for life’s events & supports their bodies to minimize risk of injury. It keeps their minds & bodies enriched. This class will introduce you to a few basic fitness games you can play with your pup to start them on this healthy journey.

APRIL 6TH - FOCUS
Having your dog’s default behavior be to orient back to you and focus on engaging with you is the foundation to having amazing loose leash walking, a reliable recall, and less reactivity. This class will cover some games building both orientation/disengagement and focus.

Please email [email protected] to register or for more information