History
Linda Brennen, CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed), has been a dog trainer for over 30 years. She earned her Associate Degree in Animal Health and worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician for over 10 years. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from the University of California at Berkeley.
After college, Linda had the good fortune to attend a seminar on Puppy Socialization and Preventing Dog Aggression. It was presented by Dr. Ian Dunbar, world-renowned dog behavior expert and founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). After the seminar, she studied with Dr. Dunbar, and began teaching classes for his company, Sirius Puppy Training, a year later. During that time, Linda also devoted a year to raising a puppy to become a service dog for Canine Companions for Independence.
Over the next fifteen years, Linda started dog training programs at several of the military bases where she and her husband were stationed. In 2005, while stationed in San Antonio, Linda volunteered at the Humane Society, where she trained shelter dogs waiting for adoption. During that time she helped with rescue efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Also in San Antonio, Linda and her Bernese Mountain Dog, Kees, were certified as Delta Pet Partners. Together they visited patients at the military hospital and participated in reading programs at local elementary schools.
When her husband retired from the military in 2006, Linda and her family settled in Colorado Springs. She continues to teach dog training classes, and volunteers her time with service dog and rescue organizations. She also teaches dog safety classes in the community as a licensed presenter for Family Paws licensed presenter with Dogs & Storks classes. Linda established Canine Coach, Inc. in September of 2009 and moved her business to her own training center in 2016.
Training Philosophy
“I inspire dogs to love learning and owners to enjoy training. My goal is to help people and dogs truly understand each other’s needs.”
—Linda Brennen, CPDT
Services
Puppy Training Package
What is included:
1. Puppy Raising 101 Seminar – This seminar is for HUMANS only – no puppies! Space is available in our next seminar on Tuesday, July 2nd at 6:30 pm (approx. 2 hours).
- Simple techniques for successful potty training and crate training.
- How to prevent destructive chewing, and redirect mouthing and play biting.
- The how, when, and why of proper socialization.
2. Puppy Kindergarten Class – This class will meet once a week for 8 consecutive weeks. Space is available in our next class starting on Tuesday, July 9th at 6:30 pm*.
- You will be introduced to training techniques for:
- Sit, down and stay
- Come, drop it and leave it
- Leash manners and polite greeting behaviors
- You will become effective giving instructions to your puppy, and your puppy will begin to develop self-control around other dogs and people!
- The FIRST kindergarten class is an orientation for you – no puppies. This first class is REQUIRED in order to begin kindergarten, so please check your schedule before enrolling. You will learn about how our classes are structured, and what to expect from our training programs. You will also be introduced to the various training techniques you will use in class and receive your Training Supply Kit.
- *For the kindergarten classes beginning on Tuesday, July 9th at 6:30 pm, classes will be held on 7/9 (mandatory orientation; no puppies), 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13, 8/20 & 8/27. Please plan on about 2 hours for the orientation class and approximately 60-75 minutes for the other classes. These dates are subject to change due to weather conditions.
3. Training Supply Kit – includes a training line, treat pouch, & clicker.
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**
- Your puppy must have received his/her first Distemper/Parvo and been in your home for at least one week before the second week of kindergarten class. Proof of vaccinations are required before your puppy can attend class.
View our Vaccine Requirements
- Your puppy must be 8 – 22 weeks old, when the kindergarten class begins. If your pup is older than 22 weeks, please see our Adult Dog Training information page.
- Enrollment in our Puppy Training Package means you are agreeing to our Policies
View our Policies
- All seminars & classes classes meet at Ponderosa Veterinarian Clinic – 7471 Black Forest Road (the corner of Woodmen & Black Forest Rd)
- Please call Linda at 719-200-2636 for training/class questions or Kandel at 719-648-7691 for enrollment help.
PACKAGE COST:
$325 (Package Includes the Puppy Raising 101 Seminar, the Puppy Kindergarten Class & the Training Supply Kit)
**If you would like to enroll for ONLY the Puppy Raising 101 Seminar, CLICK HERE (cost is $25).**
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Class dates coming up:
Puppy Raising 101 Seminar – TBD
Puppy Kindergarten – TBD
Training for your Adult Dog
At Canine Coach, we make Adult Dog Training more productive for you… and fun for your dog! We offer unique programs that provide you with more personal attention and positive feedback.
For new clients with dogs over 22 weeks old our process begins with a 90-minute consultation. During your consultation, your trainer will get to know you and your dog and gain a better understanding of your goals. They will then design a training plan, discuss management strategies to begin implementing right away and go over your package/class options and prices.
The fee for your consultation is $200. A percentage of your consultation fee will be applied to any class or package purchased within 72 hours of your consultation.
HOW TO GET STARTED
FILL OUT INTAKE FORM
A trainer will contact you within 48 hours to discuss your goals, how our training works, our policies, and to schedule your consultation.
Returning clients: If we have not seen your dog in the past 6 months, or this is a new dog to your family, a consultation will be required.
Still have questions? Contact us at (719) 200-2636 for a complimentary 10 minute phone call.
PLEASE NOTE: We do not promote, condone, or permit the use of correction-based training tools for the dogs enrolled in our training programs. This includes the use of choke collars, prong collars, shock collars (including for invisible fence) and bark collars.
Puppy Day School
**We have limited openings – contact us for availability. (contact info below)
Puppy Day School is an all-day, two days a week program exclusively for puppies age 8 weeks – 5 months.
**YOU MUST BE A PART OF OUR PUPPY PACKAGE TO PURCHASE Puppy Day School**
The program is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will confirm your puppy’s start date in your confirmation email.
The school day runs from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, with drop off between 8 and 8:30 am and pick up between 4:30 and 5:00 pm.
Early drop off / late pick up is available for an additional fee.
Class size is limited to 6 puppies per instructor in order to ensure each puppy gets the individual attention they need.
Tuition Cost:
- $500 for one month of Puppy Day School.
- $950 for two months (You SAVE $50)
- $1400 for three months (You SAVE $100)
Tuition for this program includes:
- Tuesday and Thursday day school for 4, 8, or 12 weeks (respectively)
What you and your puppy will learn and do:
- Socialization is key for young puppies. We’ll introduce your puppy to new dogs, sounds, textures, and people in a safe, and positive manner.
- A training session working on skills and behaviors in our curriculum such as leash manners, polite greetings, focusing on you with other dogs around, sit, down, stay, coming when called and more! Each puppy will receive his own custom designed curriculum to make sure our training meets your goals!
- Supervised play time. Playtime with other dogs appropriate for your dog depending on your dog’s preferences. Puppy Day School is the best way to improve your dogs play skills with other dogs.
- Nap time. A whole morning of playing and training is too much for almost every dog. Nap time ensures your dog has the best experience possible.
- Discussion of skills worked on when you pick up your dog.
Day School is a supplement to, and not a substitute for, an on-going obedience training program for you and your dog. You will need to be participating in ongoing training classes or in private training lessons with one of our Canine Coach instructors for your dog to attend Day School.
At Canine Coach, Inc. we do not promote, condone, or permit the use of correction-based training tools for the dogs enrolled in our training programs. This includes the use of choke collars, prong collars, shock collars (including for invisible fence) and bark collars.
**Proof of vaccinations are required before your dog can attend school. (View our Vaccine Requirements)**
Certifications
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Specializations
Puppy Training, Adult Dog Training, Service Dog Training, Rescue Dog Training, Dog Safety Classes
Training Methods
Positive Reinforcement Training
