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Heather Lawson, Faculty (Foundations, Electives, Obedience, TEAM)

dogwise@telus.net

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Heather Lawson (she/her) is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA) and also a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), a CGN evaluator and a free-style judge. She has been training dogs and their humans for more than 29 years after deciding that the corporate world just wasn't cutting it anymore. Having had German shepherds for most of her life, she decided it was time to bring one into her family again. Mica was the one who took her on a journey never expected. With a dog people said would never get in the ring, Heather and Mica were able to achieve national standings of Top 10 Obedience Dog two years running and Top Obedience German Shepherd for 5 straight years. Mica was also one of the first GSDs to achieve the CKC Masters Obedience Trial Champion title.

You see, when you say "can't" to Heather, it just means "find another way that works for the dog and human." Provide patience, good communication along with positive reinforcement while you listen to the dog, and you'll have a way that can work for everyone. This is the focus that Heather used again with Luka, who achieved national standings, until her retirement. Heather continues to compete in obedience and rally with Tag (Luka's son) and is currently prepping the newbie in the house, Piper, for her competition journey.

Heather is also the owner of dogWISE Training & Behaviour Center Inc., where she teaches group classes for companion pets, Competitive Obedience, Rally, and Nose Work, in addition to private lessons.

Heather's website is www.dogwise.ca

Pronouns: Heather goes by she/her.

Heather Lawson's current and upcoming classes

FE225 Shaping Skills

Do you end up doing a palm-to-face plant every time you start a shaping project? Using shaping to teach behaviours to our dogs can be both exhilarating and downright frustrating. Sometimes we fly along, and other times well, we just can’t get to the next step or even know if we should add a cue. You get frustrated, your dog gets frustrated, and you both lose your enthusiasm for the game and may even end up quitting. If this has ever happened to you, trust me you’re not alone.

OB135 TEAM Level Two

This class continues on with the foundations begun in TEAM 1! This class is designed to cover all the exercises in the TEAM Level 2. The TEAM program systematically lays out the building blocks for developing solid skills/behaviours your dog can perform in a variety of ways, in a variety of circumstances or sports.

FF210 Brain Benders

Are you overwhelmed trying to come up with or at a loss for new ideas to stimulate your furry friend’s little mind? Is the weather too hot or miserable outside but your dog has too much energy to stay inside? Well, it's time to unleash their inner Einstein with our class on teaching cognitive skills to dogs! We'll show you how to train your pup to read, yes READ! They'll be reading War and Peace in no time. Okay, maybe not War and Peace, but we'll definitely start with some basic words and build from there.

Why choose us?

We offer a variety of online training solutions designed to help you and your furry friend achieve success

World Class Trainers

Learn from professionals with years of experience in canine behavior

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Proven methods

Science-backed positive reinforcement techniques that actually work

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Personalized approach

Programs tailored to your dog’s unique needs and personality

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Engaging lessons

Keep training exciting with interactive exercises and games

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FAQ

Explore the questions we get asked most often and find out everything you need for a smooth experience with us.

Our testimonials

Don't just take our word for it — see what our clients say about their experience working with us.

I live in a remote area several hours away from experienced positive competitive obedience dog trainers, so Fenzi Academy gives me a great opportunity to get instruction from some of the best positive reinforcement trainers in the country. My current dog is getting a much better foundation than my previous dogs due to having access to this great instruction. Thank you! It is amazing to realize that Internet training isn't "second best". The success of training through video and critiques and lectures is nothing short of amazing. Thank you for bringing this quality of instruction to everyone, regardless of their geographical location The class was thoughtfully planned with just enough material each week to keep us busy but not overwhelmed. The lectures and videos were clear and easy to follow. Can't wait for the next class!

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Incredibly informative and helpful class. I am a crossover student, with 35 yrs experience training the "traditional" way. This is a challenge for me! But I have seen significant improvement in my dog's problem areas, so I am now committed to learning these training techniques; I'm starting over with her, having lots of fun and learning new things as fast as I can keep the clicker going! I have high expectations for achieving all of my performance goals using the Fenzi Academy to help me get there. I can't wait for my next class!! Really enjoyed the course! I'm still catching up, but am already looking forward to the next class. So useful, especially if you don't have a really good positive methods trainer where you live!! Helped my dog revive his enthusiasm for working.

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I'm addicted to the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy! I have never been dissatisfied with any course that I've taken at FDSA. My list of classes that I’ve taken there just gets longer and longer. Fantastic course material and fantastic Instructors! And the courses available just keep growing. After studying at FDSA, I will never take an on-line course somewhere else ..... unless, and only if, it has a full course description and a syllabus (like FDSA). Love FDSA's course syllabus! But, it's very unlikely that I will be interested in another on-line academy! I'm really pleased with the online auditing experience and will do so again. Thank you!

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