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Real Life Canines' History & Training Philosophy

board and train

The whole story would surely bore you to death so to spare you all the details, here are the highlights! 

Levi left a secure, well paying job and spent his life savings to apprentice under one of the most distinguished trainers in North America- Cindy McManus of Noble Beasts Dog Training in Savannah, Georgia. 

Cindy has worked over the last 30+ years with dogs, in veterinary medicine (registered vet-tech and hospital manager), operated her own rescue (over 3000 dogs trained and rehomed), earning titles in nearly every dog sport with multiple dogs of all different breeds, all while continuing to help families and their pets for behavioural issues and obedience.

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Levi & Django with their Rally

qualifying run and 3rd place finish.

If Levi was going to call himself a dog trainer, he had to understand dogs and behaviour at a subatomic level. Apprenticing under Noble Beasts and Cindy's wealth of knowledge and experience was absolutely necessary to do this.

Under her guide, Levi worked 7 days a week from 7 AM to 10 PM- cleaning kennels, picking up poop, grooming and feeding dogs, administering medications and of course, training. Working all types of dogs-  terriers, hounds and shepherds, Rottweilers, Pitbulls and all sorts of mixed breeds of all ages and sizes who had varying behavioural issues and personalities, including dogs with multiple bites. 

Django, the fearful and reactive puppy

now has SEVEN titles and more coming!

More importantly, he can calmly exist beside another dog, on a crowded restaurant patio and mind his own business.

That's Real Life! 

The first priority was always establishing a relationship. Levi came to understand this very critical part of the training process- You can't move on to bigger, more complicated and intimidating work without a good foundational relationship. If there's no trust, respect or understanding it only makes human and dog life more difficult.  

board and train

This apprenticeship has been invaluable as Levi and Django earned their "Canine Good Neighbour" title under the Canadian Kennel Club before earning "Canine Good Citizen" (basic, advanced and urban) titles, Trick Dog "Novice" and "Intermediate" titles under the American Kennel Club. 

Most recently the team earned a Rally Obedience title from Canadian Association of Rally Obedience (C.A.R.O.). Now, when Levi and Django aren't competing in rally obedience, weight pull, lure coursing, agility, dock diving, they love to work on tricks and began their journey into bite sports

Levi is certified in basic, advanced and, disaster planning

canine CPR and emergency first-aid.

As of June 2024

Real Life Canines is

"Safe" certified

by Canine Health Canada!

Testimonial:

"He knows his stuff! He understands each INDIVIDUAL dogs behaviours and suits the training to their needs. And will go above and beyond."

★★★★★

"I do not copy and paste training methods from one dog to another and I hate training a pattern into dogs. Teaching a dog how to think for themselves and problem solve is the most genuine approach to training that exists. No amount of food, toys or equipment can compensate for poor communication and lack of relationship."

 

- Levi

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