Honourable Hound Dog Training
Holly Chen, the owner and founder of Honourable Hound, has been training dogs professionally since 2013. Before starting her own company in 2020, she worked as a behaviour consultant for organizations big and small - from grassroots local businesses right here in Vancouver to multi-national chain pet stores and dog training companies in the states. Dog training is the only career she's ever known, and it's the only thing she's ever wanted to do.
Training Philosophy
Honourable Hound is a positive reinforcement dog training company that exclusively uses fear free & force free techniques. Each team member is required to be certified by a reputable, industry-recognized, behaviour-science informed educational organization. The focus is on teaching people how to train their dog using a humane approach that produces lasting results. Good training is about more than teaching sit & stay; it's about understanding each other and connecting on a deeper level.
Services
Honourable Hound offers a variety of services, including:
- Private Lessons: In-home private lessons are offered in a variety of packages, including Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The Bronze program includes one private lesson a month, while the Platinum program includes two private lessons and four day training lessons a month. Clients can also book one-off private lessons or enroll in ongoing monthly programs.
- Group Classes: Group classes are offered in a variety of topics, including puppy training, basic manners, leash manners, reactivity prevention, and enrichment classes. Classes are held at the Connective Community Center in East Vancouver.
- Reactive Dog Club: Reactive Dog Club is a drop-in service where pet parents can meet up and practice positive reinforcement training with like-minded individuals while under the guidance of a professional dog trainer. Every participant gets 30 minutes of 1 on 1 time with a trainer and individualized advice.
- Maintenance Programs: Maintenance programs are designed for clients who have already worked with Honourable Hound and are looking to maintain their dog's training results. These programs include day training lessons where the trainer does the training for the client, as well as debriefs at the end of each session.
Certifications
Holly Chen is a certified dog trainer and behaviour consultant. She has completed the following courses:
- The Aggression in Dogs Mastercourse - Michael Shikashio
- The Lemonade Conference 2021 & 2022 - Presented by FDSA & IAABC
- Karen Pryor Academy Puppy Start Right
Maraysha Kennedy is a certified dog trainer and behaviour consultant. She has completed the following courses:
- The Aggression in Dogs Mastercourse - Michael Shikashio
- Safety & Defensive Handling with Aggressive Dogs - IAABC Self Study Course
- Resolving Resource Guarding - IAABC Self Study Course - Sarah Dixon, CDBC
Nina Lobo is a certified dog trainer. She is currently enrolled in the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional Program and the Michael Shikashio Aggression in Dogs Mastercourse.
Kayleigh Robertson is a certified dog trainer. She has completed the following courses:
- Karen Pryor Academy The Ranch - Deep Dive: An Advanced Training Course
- The Lemonade Conference 2020 & 2021 - Presented by FDSA & IAABC
- Karen Pryor Academy Puppy Start Right
Salina Ip is a certified K9 Nose Work® instructor (CNWI). She has completed the following courses:
- Deep Dive Days Seminar by Lia Bijsterveld CNWI
- FDSA: Helping Reactive and Fearful Dogs - The Play Way!
- FDSA: The Confident Dog! Conference
Alexandra Mullins has completed the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Foundations course.
Specializations
Honourable Hound specializes in a variety of areas, including:
- Puppy training
- Basic manners
- Leash manners
- Reactivity prevention
- Fear and aggression
- Enrichment classes
- Nose work
- Dog sports
Training Methods
Honourable Hound uses positive reinforcement training methods. This means that the dog is rewarded for desired behaviours and never punished for unwanted behaviours. The training methods used are based on the latest scientific research on canine behaviour and learning.
Customer Reviews
Angelina Hua: Holly and Maraysha are amazing! They are patient, kind and knowledgeable. Choppy and I attended the leash manners class. I liked how the lessons were succinct and easy to understand. We were given enough time to practice each skill each class.
Holly and Maraysha gave constructive feedback when we were practicing the skills in every class. I enjoyed how small the classes were and how each puppy got individualized feedback. They really catered to each dog's needs in each class. Choppy and I have learned a lot of skills to use in the real world. I highly recommend Honourable Hound.
Dhwani Patel: Holly has a way with words that makes you understand in human context, exactly how your dog is feeling and why she is doing what she is doing! Her methods really allow you (the human guardian) understand the root cause of a behaviour and encourage changes through positive reinforcement.
Throughout our interactions, Holly has been extremely understanding, patient and very thorough and detailed in her follow ups. This translates across email, in-person or video-call communications. I especially appreciated the visual training guides in her follow up emails. If you are looking for an experienced, understanding and thoughtful dog trainer, look no further than Holly!
Muse Yen: My dog Aster and I loved the Leash Manners & Recall class. The skills and techniques we learnt are very useful and applicable. Holly's instructions were very clear, and we were given enough time to practice each exercise during which Holly and Maraysha observed how we were doing closely and gave feedback constantly.
Different dogs may react differently. I like how Holly and Maraysha gave me personalized tips tailored to Aster and what to work on specifically for each skill.
On a side note, I also like that the class size is small and the classroom is spacious. We also did a group walk with Holly, and it was fun and engaging with Holly giving feedback and tips during the entire walk.
Olivia Foster: My private lesson experience with Maraysha was wonderful! I reached out to them for help with building confidence and leash walking skills for my newly adopted rescue Luna. The intake session really showed me that they wanted to understand Luna in order to get the best results for her.
As they asked me about Luna's care I never felt that I was being critiqued, which can be a real point of anxiety for a new pet parent. The in-person sessions were great and felt very productive; in our few sessions they taught Luna and I a lot of valuable skills.
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
