Everything to make your best friend, better.
TrainingOur training methods are reward-based and scientifically proven to achieve lasting results; we do not offer quick fixes or punishment methods. We believe that creative, positive training combined with managing your dog’s environment is the most effective method to train your dog and fix behavioural issues. Relationship-building, peacefully gaining respect through fair and effective leadership and consistent, clear communication
Instead of using punishment as your go-to solution, we will teach you how to properly manage your dog’s environment to set your dog up to succeed, properly redirect your dog from bad behavior and train desirable behaviours instead. You will learn how your dog thinks and learns, so you can better understand him and the strange things he sometimes does! We will teach you how to understand and read canine body language, what appropriate play behavior is, how to become a fair and respected leader to your dog and develop a symbiotic relationship built on trust in which you become the reward. Teach your dog all the basic cues and learn how to maintain desired behaviours with rewards in your dog’s every day life.
Did you know that there is no official certification for dog trainers and the industry is not regulated by the government?
Did you know that anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, even if they have no education or experience?
Did you know that David Mech, the worlds leading authority on wolf behaviour has said that not only has “alpha wolf” terminology been abandoned by leading biologists, but also does not accurately describe social relationships in wolves? He and his fellow biologists know wolf social behaviour is based primarily on cooperation within a family unit and avoidance of conflict rather than confrontational, aggressive interactions.
Before you work with a dog trainer, don’t be afraid to ask for qualifications and experience! Make sure they are using humane, science based methods and not methods based on myths and misconceptions which can be harmful to your dog and even cause aggression.
About the Trainer
Sarah Fulcher, Cert.CBST, CTDI head trainer at Barks n’ Rec, is a Certified Dog Trainer with over 10 years experience. She is currently training her own dogs – two siberian huskies and a belgian shepherd – in obedience, rally obedience, agility, tricks, and skijorring. Sarah has a Canine Behaviour Science and Technology Certificate through the Companion Animal Science Institute, is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor, an ABTA Certified Obedience Trainer and a ABC Certified Mentor Trainer. Her oldest dog, Maui (11 year old siberian husky), has obtained a PCD obedience title through the CKC, her CARO Rally Novice (with honors) title, and is currently training or in agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, and obtained her Therapy Dog certification. Both Maui and her other husky, Nick, have Novice Trick Dog titles. Her youngest dog, Dexter (2 year old belgian shepherd) has obtained his Rally Obedience Advanced title (CKC), Advanced Trick Dog title and is training for obedience, rally obedience, musical freestyle and agility.
**Veterinarian Recommended**
Continuing Education, Awards and Achievements
Certified Obedience Trainer, 2008 - Animal Behaviour and Training Associates (ABC)
CKC Pre-Companion Dog Competition Obedience Title earned – Sarah and Maui, Calgary, AB 2009
Clicker Training Seminar, Salmo 2010 - Sue Ailsby (hosted by West Kootenay Kennel Club)
St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog Certification earned – Sarah and Maui, Castlegar BC, 2010
Cert. Canine Behaviour Science and Technology, Completed July 2011 - CASI
Certified ABC Mentor Trainer – 2011, Animal Behaviour College
CKC Rally Obedience Novice Title Earned – Sarah and Dexter, Castlegar BC 2011
Tricks Challenge, 2011 - Wag It Games
Agility Seminar, Castlegar 2011 - Love 2 Play Dog Training & Sports
Recallers 3.0, Susan Garret, December 2011
Clicker Expo, Portland OR, January 2012
Building Motivation and Drive Seminar with Denise Fenzi, Castlegar BC, March 2012 – Hosted by Love 2 Play Dog Training
Rally Novice Title – Sarah and Maui – CARO – June 16, 2012
The Pitfalls of Negative Reinforcement – Jean Donaldson PPG Webinar – August 1, 2012
Dog Park Etiquette and Safety. Learn About Dog-Dog Play – Carol Byrnes PPG Webinar – August 2012
Teaching Connection – Kay Laurence Webinar – August 5, 2012
Puppy Business – Veronica Boutelle via Raising Canine Webinar - August, 2o12
Rally Advanced Title Earned with 4 High in Class Awards (CKC) – Sarah and Dexter – August 19th & 20th, 2012
A Simple Functional Assessment – Susan Smith via Raising Canine Webinar – August, 2012
Aggression in Puppies – Trish King via Raising Canine Webinar- November, 2012
The Canine Emotional Detox – Diane Garrod Webinar via PPG – November 2012
Recipe for Behaviour Modification Success – Angelica Steinker PPG Webinar – December 2012
How and Why We Changed Our Classes: Legacy’s New Puppy Menu – Terry Ryan Webinar via Raising Canine – December 2012
Creative Curricula to Fill Your Classes – Cara Shannon Webinar via Raising Canine – December 2012
Abandonment Training – Trish King Webinar via Raining Canine – January 2013
Leash Lungers Anonymous: Reactive Dog Classes – Cara Shannon Webinar via Raising Canine – January 2013
Retrieving Workshop – Fanny Gott – Jan/Feb 2013
Clicker Expo – San Francisco, CA – January 2013
Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) – Do More With Your Dog – January 2013