All Classes

Starting MARCH 28th 2023
PUPPY OBEDIENCE
Capacity: 10 dogs
Weeks: 4
Class: Basic commands

Starting Soon
Capacity: 10 dogs
Weeks: 4
Class: Basic commands

Capacity: 8 dogs
Weeks: 5
Class: Advanced Basic commands

RECALL CLASS
Capacity: 10 dogs
Weeks: 4
Class: Teaching your dog recall
Board & Train Packages


Other Training Options
All Prices Above Excluding HST
About Kelsy Lyons
Trainer | Certified Canine Care Specialist

I was born and raised in Nova Scotia and reside in the beautiful Yarmouth County. I'm a wife to my amazing husband Jonathan and mother to two adorable children Zayne and Everly and step mother to two amazing boys, Jordan and Rhys. I also have 5 great dogs named Sprint (Border Collie), Tye (Border Collie), Meka (Husky mix), Storm (Siberian Husky) and Harpo (Malinois).
I have been involved with dogs for over 22 years. I started off participating in flyball with my childhood dog. We attended training sessions and tournaments.
This was the start of knowing that dogs were going to be in my life for a life time.
When I was in high school back in 2008, 2009, and 2010 I dedicated my after school to walking rescues that couldn't be placed into a home due to their issues. I got the pleasure of spending every single evening (literally) listening to why dogs do what they do, learning about breeds, temperaments, aggression, friendly dogs, positive reinforcement training, and more.
I worked at a dog boarding and training facility for over 7 years.
I've dealt with up to 50+ dogs on my own including friendly, aggressive, nervous, and HRM police dogs while the owners were away and took over management.
During this time I spent every weekend attending and helping with training classes. Basic Training, Obedience Training, Puppy Classes, Group classes, Reactivity, One on One, Obedience Agility, Flyball practices/tournaments and more.
I am truly blessed to have the experience I do as I've learned what to do and what not to do. I know without those years and the amount of hands on experience dealing with hundreds of breeds and personalities I wouldn't be where I am today.
In 2010 I had the pleasure of attending Guelph University for a Dog Seminar specializing in dog behaviour called, "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly".
In 2014 my husband and I ran a family owned business called "Albon Dog Ranch" where for the next 7 years we won several awards for "Best Doggy Daycare & Boarding Facility" and which was a huge success.
In September 2021 we moved to Yarmouth and opened up our own daycare, boarding & training facility called Dogwood Lodge Pet Retreat and here we are today!
When it comes to dogs there is always something to learn. Sometimes I think people need to be reminded that dogs are a lot like people in the sense that every single one are so different and unique in their own ways. I offer Positive Reinforcement Training and you won't be disappointed after coming to my class.
I train you just as much as I train your dog!
"Positive thinking leads to positive outcomes"
-Kelsy
Nelly's training this afternoon went great.
Nelly is reactive when she is on leash. It is fear based as she is the sweetest most sensitive girl when off leash with us and other dogs.
My goal for her 1 week board and train is to teach her that when she sees people and other dogs while in the vehicle she doesn't react. I have been working on this by teaching her not to pace and sit in one place only while driving. She is doing really well.
Nelly's issue when she is on a walk is that if she sees someone off in the distance, walking fast, or walking with a dog she attends to react by barking and pulling. My goal is to modify the behaviour I don't want by reinforcing and asking for good behaviour when necessary and making sure I have a loose leash. I am using "come and sit" for this so that it teaches her to "think" when she sees another dog as opposed to reacting and making it more of a threat. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Sully is scared of those doors ..
Teddy and Frankie had their second private class home visit this afternoon and got properly fitted for Gentle Leaders. What a difference this makes for his owners. I look forward to our next session! 🙂 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Dogtastic Board and Train program
Nelly's training session took place at a few different places today! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
*WEBSITE UPDATE*
www.dogwoodretreat.ca/train
Good morning everyone! We have updated our training page on our website! If you are interested in any upcoming classes we now have a wait list so you are able to join!
Have a look and tell us what you think 🙂
Thanks and have a great day ... See MoreSee Less
Training | Dog Retreat | Dog Boarding & Daycare
www.dogwoodretreat.ca
All ClassesPlease see below for all available group classes. If you don't see a particular class it may already be started and not shown here.CLASS IN PROGRESSLEVEL 2 OBEDIENCE$190+HSTAges: 5 months t...Comment on Facebook
What a great last class for this group tonight. Teenage Dog Years class #2. Everyone did a fantastic job and we even got some training in outside! 😊 Way to go everyone. You were all so much fun to work with and keep up the amazing work with all of your happy dogs! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Thank you so much for offering these classes. I will definitely be back 🐶 ❤️
What a beautiful night to be training some dogs.
#teenagedogyears #dogtraining #ClassNumber2 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Darryl Whetter
Nelly has arrived for her Dogtastic Board & Train program today.
During her first session we went on a drive through town and she got to see some people and dogs walking. She was curious but didn't react towards the people but she did the dogs. This is one of the things we are working on. We are also working on leash reactivity.
If you would like to know more about our Board and Train programs please go to www.dogwoodretreat.ca/train
Good girl Nelly <3 ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Furley had his first private class today. This 8 month old boy is afraid of the world (no confidence) so in today's class I sent the owners home showing and giving them exercises on how to teach their boy to enjoy life and not be afraid. I showed them some things that may seem little for us but huge for the dog. I look forward to working with them again soon. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Awwwww!
**REMINDER**
Just wanted to let everyone know that our last Teenage Dog Years class is tonight from 6:30pm-7:30pm for group 2!
Puppy Classes START next Tuesday the 28th! (Still spaces if you are interested in signing up)
Thanks and have a great day!
Kelsy ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook