About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
The Canine Way was developed as a means to share complex dog psychology and dog behaviour with anyone and everyone with an open heart and mind.
There's a program for everyone from the new puppy owner to aspiring and experienced pet professionals.
We make sure to share our knowledge in fun and bit sized pieces, beginning with our free downloadable e-book.
About Vanessa - Owner, founder and Canine Behaviourist
Vanessa has always loved dogs, and couldn't wait to get a dog of her own when she moved away from home. When she adopted her first dog Roxy, she quickly realized she had a lot to learn. Roxy came with behavioural and aggression issues and that was the beginning of Vanessa's dog training journey.
Vanessa's passion for teaching started at a young age, working in summer camps, teaching swimming lessons and attending university in an Education program. During this time, she was rehabilitating Roxy and fostering rescue dogs which led her to the world of professional dog training. Vanessa spent a couple of years working for a professional dog training company, where she was able to develop her obedience training skills before opening The Crate Escape Dog Adventures in July of 2014.
In 2017, Vanessa took her first Relationship Based Behaviour Modification (RBBM) course with Nelson Hodges of the Canine-Human Relationship Institute (CHRI) and it was life changing. Realizing that dogs are in constant communication with each other and with us, but not knowing the details of their language, Vanessa further pursued her education with the CHRI. Learning that we can communicate with our dogs without the use of obedience opened her eyes and mind to the use of canine communication and behaviour modification. Over the last few years of study and practice, Vanessa's dog training journey has flourished through experience with her daily packs, learning to read and understand the dogs language and behaviour. If we are ready to listen, dogs really are the best teachers.
After completing the foundation Canine Behaviourist training with the CHRI, she has continued with her education and has moved forward into the CHRI Instructor's program, preparing to offer a higher level of training to other dog trainers and canine professionals.
In addition to learning directly from the dogs and Nelson Hodges, she believes in continuing education by learning from other well respected professional trainers.
Vanessa is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP #7079) and holds a variety of certifications from different styles of training programs.
2012-2014
•Mentorship Program
2015
•Dogsafe Pet First Aid certified
•Clicker Training with Sarah Fulcher (www.iaabc.org)
•E-collar Training with Ted Efthymiadis (www.mangodogs.com)
2016
•E-collar & Aggressive Dog Rehabilitation Training with Cheryl Ross (www.taketheleaddogtraining.com)
•IACP conference
2017
•Relationship Based Behaviour Modification with Nelson Hodges (www.chrinstitute.com)
•Walks 'N' Wags Pet First Aid Certified
•IACP Conference (www.canineprofessionals.com)
•Aggressive Dog Rehabilitation program with Cheryl Ross (www.taketheleaddogtraining.com)
•Walks 'N' Wags Pet First Aid Instructor
2018
•Dogmanship & Socialization with Chad Mackin (http://www.packtobasics.net/)
•Play as the Way with Jay Jack (www.nextleveldogs.com)
•RBBM Course 2 with Nelson Hodges (www.chrinstitute.com)
2019
•RBBM Course 3 with Nelson Hodges (www.chrinstitute.com)
•RBBM Instructor Course 4 with Nelson Hodges (www.chrinstitute.com)
Upcoming
•RBBM Instructor Course 5 with Nelson Hodges (www.chrinstitute.com)
•Training Between the Ears with Mark McCabe
Our Story
The Canine Way was developed as a means to share complex dog psychology and dog behaviour with anyone and everyone with an open heart and mind.
There's a program for everyone from the new puppy owner to aspiring and experienced pet professionals.
We make sure to share our knowledge in fun and bit sized pieces, beginning with our free downloadable e-book.