About the Trainer

My name is Kelsey. I’m a dog trainer based in Woodstock, Ontario.I’ve been working with dogs and their owners for over six years. I’m married, and we have a shepherd mix named Derek. My rottweiler Zannah, who played a formative role in my work, has since passed.

What I value most in my work is consistency and transparency. Showing up the same way, setting clear expectations, and being honest about what change actually requires.Zannah taught me that there are no quick fixes. Progress comes from repetition, clarity, and trust built over time. She slowed me down and showed me that patience and grace can feel slower in the moment, but rushing or forcing change only creates short-term improvement that doesn’t last. Working with her also made me more aware of my own body language and the way I communicate, how much dogs are responding to what we do, not just what we say.

When you work with me, we focus on small, clear steps and solid foundations. I want mistakes to happen - messy ones - because that’s where real learning takes place. Dogs and people all learn differently, and my job is to help you understand the process, not rush it.

If you’re interested in how I approach training, you can read more on the Training Approach page or reach out by email or social media.

Ollie

"Kelsey is an amazing dog trainer. We sought out help with our possessive Cane Corso. He was a very large dog, approx 170lbs. We were turned away by a few other trainers that refused to work with us because of his behaviour. We had brought a new puppy into our family and although things started out great they took a turn for the worse and our Corso became very aggressive. Kelsey came into our home a few nights a week to start and within a few months our dogs were walking beside each other. We took small baby steps of “reintroducing” the dogs. Part of the training was teaching the Corso that the puppy was not a threat to him, us or his possessions. Kelsey is beyond knowledgeable with training. We absolutely love her and would highly highly recommend (and we have already) to others."
- Maggie

Leroy

"Upon meeting, Kelsey seemed to know exactly what to do to calm BOTH of us. Before we even met, she said that aggression is a behavior, not a personality. “He just doesn’t know how to react when he feels threatened yet!” She spent time not only working with him, but also with me and my fears. Building my confidence, and teaching me skills to handle situations which made him less anxious/fearful. She took us to different locations and worked through many scenarios at a pace that was comfortable to both Leroy and myself. She gave me the knowledge, and us the tools we needed to be successful. Everything we worked on was at our pace and always building up to the end results. We would practice in a non-threatening environment and work up to a real case scenario. Always with her at my side coaching us. This is a message I sent her after a short time working together. “ I want to be able to take him out, or have people over and not be stressed out about it. After working with you once, I thought you would be good for us, now I KNOW that if anyone can get us there it’s YOU!” Another message I sent after a lot more time together was “We went to the dog park this morning. He did amazing! I let him be free to explore some of the dogs inside the park while we stayed on the outside. Then I put him in a heel at my side and he fell right in and did exactly what he was supposed to do. So proud of him! 😊 From here, a year later I sent her this message as we were finished our training, but I wanted to let her know how far he had come. “I just thought I would pass along our adventures this week!! On Monday, we decided to try taking Leroy in the motor home. We went to the nursing home to visit my mom. It’s the first time since she’s been in there that I’ve taken him. While there, he encountered 2 different staff members, saw grandma in a wheelchair and saw a number of elderly people with walkers etc. He did amazing!! We were planning on spending the night at my brothers, but he was away so we ended up at a campground. Another 1st for Leroy. While there, my friend came to visit with her Chihuahua and he only drooled once as though it was food lol. I just wanted to share with you how far we have come….Thanks to YOU!!”I found Kelsey to be very knowledgeable and professional while also getting to know us both and making it personal. She kept in touch even after our training was complete and was more than happy to answer any questions at any time. Kelsey took the monster that I was creating through my own anxiety as well as his, and gave me back my sweet, slobbery, kissable baby boy. Yes, he gets kisses from the staff at the animal clinic now. Right on his nose lol!"
- Rose Ann

Training Approach

My Training ApproachAt Crafting Canines, I focus on teaching you how to become an effective handler, someone your dog can clearly understand and trust. Training isn’t just about commands; it’s about communication.Step 1: Building Relationship Through PlayBefore we ever focus on obedience, we focus on engagement. Play creates trust, motivation, and a genuine working relationship. This is where your dog learns that you’re the most valuable part of their world, and we use play to introduce training concepts.Step 2: Teaching Leash PressureLeash pressure is a language. Your dog learns how to respond to gentle guidance on the leash instead of resisting it. This creates calm, confident movement and sets the foundation for all future obedience, on or off leash.Step 3: Introducing Marker WordsClear communication comes from consistent feedback. I teach you how to use marker words to communicate with your dog.These give your dog a clear understanding of what’s right, what needs adjustment, and when they’ve earned reward or freedom.Step 4: Layering ObedienceOnce your dog understands the language, we begin applying it in obedience. Depending on your goals, we introduce practical cues that fit your lifestyle with your dog.What I want you to know:If you feel resentful towards your dog, they are just as frustrated as you are.
Your dog isn't dumb. They just don't understand yet.