Announcement!
NOW ACCEPTING PRIVATE TRAINING FOR PUPPIES WHO ARE 8-14 WEEKS OF AGE. PLEASE SEND IN THE CONTACT FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION!
"Creating Confidence At Both Ends of the Leash"
Puppy Training Program
Confident Canines Puppy Training Service is for puppies 8-14 weeks of age. Enroll in my force free, fear free Puppy Training Program, and I will work one-on-one with you, to help you get the best start with your new fur friend!
Meet Linda
My name is Linda O'Neill CTB.ccs, IPDTA-CDT. I earned certification through Canine Correspondence Studies Program (CCS) as well, the International Positive Dog Trainers Association (IPDTA) as a Professional Dog Trainer / Behavior Therapist . I am one of the only Dog Trainers in Southern Ontario to be Certified as a qualified force free, fear free trainer! I have proudly owned and operated Confident Canines in Ontario, Canada since 2003.
As a dedicated positive reinforcement dog trainer and I do not endorse any tools or techniques that could potentially harm a dog's personality or temperament. My passion is puppies and preventing behavior problems through proper training and socialization right from the start!
Why enroll in my Puppy Training Program?
The most difficult adjustment, when getting a new puppy is implementing a successful house and crate training schedule and ensuring the puppy is consistently learning good manners. Training a puppy, can take weeks of commitment and perseverance to achieve.
With my program, you do not need to worry whether or not you are doing it right. For the past 22 years I have worked with 100's of puppies and the people who love them. Puppies are my specialty!
What About Socialization?
Proper socialization and safe, positive exposure to as many people, places and things as possible, requires immediate attention during a puppies first few months of life. Just like children, puppies go through critical developmental stages, and special concern needs to be taken during these various stages.
While working through your program, your puppy will have an opportunity to interact with my dogs, Nica and Neilson, so he/she can start to learn some excellent dog-dog communication skills.
WATCH MURPHY'S 4 WEEK PUPPY IMPRINTING ADVENTURE ! (video will buffer at 4:37 but will then continue)
You can accomplish all of this too if you follow my program. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a well socialized, well mannered, trained puppy who understands and appreciates household rules and boundaries in just a few weeks.
For continued success, you are supplied with a Level 1 Training Manual and handouts on common behavior and solutions using force free techniques. You will receive lifetime phone and email support with Linda!
The Puppy Nanny's
In 2017, and at 7 months of age, Nica (left) joined the team as the official puppy nanny. Nica has the most gentle and co-operative personality. She helps me train and socialize all the puppies coming into my program.
Neilson (right), born May of 2023, is my newest fur baby. He is a handsome boy who is very eager to learn new skills and to please. I am excited to see what he excels at!
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Our Most Recent Guest Reviews!
“We brought our Goldendoodle puppy Gemma directly from our breeder for 3 weeks of imprint training with Linda. Prior to drop off day, we had several conversations about our expectations on training. Our main goal was to have Gemma potty trained, crate trained and learn basic commands. Over the course of the next three weeks, Linda was able to deliver on all of these tasks and more. She also provided several documents and links for training manuals and advice on crates, harnesses, toys and healthy treats. Each day she would send us several pictures and videos highlighting the events of the day. Gemma was learning and developing quickly and was thriving in her new environment. Linda also has her own dog Nica who she refers to as “Nanny”. Nica is very well behaved and has lots of experience and patience working with puppies. Gemma was able to experience new environments each day including trips to the beach, Canadian Tire, runs in the park and walks on busy streets. You could tell from the videos she was gaining confidence. We felt very comfortable leaving our puppy with Linda. The first several months are so critical in the development of a healthy and confident puppy. I would highly recommend Linda’s imprinting service.” Scott, Connie, Nathalie and Gemma
“Our motivation for seeking an imprint trainer was the desire for a dog who would fit in as a respectful family member. We just welcomed little Stevie home after her 3-week stay with Linda, Jamie and Nica at Confident Canines. We spent those three weeks preparing to receive Stevie home, and learning the imprinting process through Linda’s handouts and daily updates on Stevie’s progress and areas of opportunity. During her 3-week stay with Linda, the highlight of our day shortly became the anticipation of reviewing Linda’s daily synopsis of the day’s activities, with photos and videos. Linda invests herself fully to ensure your dog’s success before, during and after her training. She customizes her training to your personal needs and maintains contact after pick-up should you have questions. In our case, we needed to be reminded to be consistent in our behaviors to ensure our mutual success. Comparing notes with other pet owners, we are well on our way to raising a happy and healthy dog. Realizing that our puppy has such a huge head start in learning healthy behaviors, and knowing that we are perpetuating the same healthy behaviors is such an invaluable gift to our family. The value of the training we have collectively received is well beyond the monetary cost. We cannot thank you enough for all of your kind advice and guidance”. Rosalind, Jake and Stevie
As first-time dog owners, with two jobs and three kids, I really wanted to start off on the right foot with our puppy. Mabel spent 19 days with Linda, but really, Linda started training us before Mabel even arrived. She took the time to understand our life and environment so she could help us and Mabel make the smoothest transition possible. She even familiarized Mabel with a cane so she wouldn’t be confused when we visit my father. I really believe having an older well-behaved playmate like Nica helped Mabel learn by example. Linda also provided a list of products and sources so I was able to pick up things that Mabel was already familiar with for our home. Even though Mabel is now home with us, Linda has continued to help us fine tune our behaviors and to encourage us to keep her growing into a wonderful member of our family and neighborhood. Everyone we meet can’t believe Mabel is so well mannered at only 11 weeks. She has so quickly become part of our world because she was taught by Linda to be open and positive to new experiences. Michelle and Mabel
“We brought our Goldendoodle puppy, Parker to Linda when he was 8 weeks old. He stayed with her for 2 weeks. In that short time Parker learned so much including, sit, down, stand, drop it, ring the bell, four on the floor, emergency recall and loose leash training. As well, Parker is off to a great start with house and crate training.
Linda' s amazing nanny dog Nica, was instrumental in socializing Parker and seeing them play together was quite endearing to watch! Linda provided many other opportunities for socialization including taking Parker to an outside Plant and Bake sale, grocery stores, a children’s Youth Center and an outing to the beach. Parker loved meeting new people and used his manners!
Linda was always available to answer our many questions and emails. She is a wealth of information and expertise regarding puppy growth and development. She provided us with numerous articles and reference materials. Linda sent regular updates, video clips and photos to capture Parker’s progress. Also reassuring is that we can continue to use her as a “lifeline” after Parker’s stay.
We could see the love and passion that Linda has for what she does. We were very fortunate that Linda, Jamie and Nica were part of the very important stage of Parker’s life. Linda is truly the “dog Whisperer”! The Manicat-Emo Family and Parker!
Linda has been an incredible source of support for us. Our eight week old puppy, Bowie, spent three weeks with Linda. Linda provided Bowie with a wonderful start. Bowie came how to us with excellent socialization skills, perfectly house broken, he knew all his basic commands. We received photo/video updates almost daily of Bowie's progress. Linda's support did not end once Bowie came home to us. We were new dog owners and Linda was and still is a constant source of support for us. The email and phone call follow-ups have helped keep us on track with Bowie's continued training and support. We are very grateful to have found Linda! Bryanne and Family and Bowie
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"We are thrilled with our 12 week old puppy, Murphy. We took him directly from the breeder to Linda and left him at her house for 4 weeks. Murphy has been a complete pleasure to bring home. He has slept in his crate each night and goes to the door when he needs to go out, he is gentle and loving (gives the nicest puppy kisses ever) and just wants to be near us. He is calm in the house and when loose in the backyard he runs and plays! He walks well on his leash and responds to all the basic commands. (Sit, down, wait, on your mat, off, go potty, calm in the crate, and oops when he misbehaves.) We are so IMPRESSED that he willing sits for everything. When we come to a stop on our walks, he sits. He is so happy to please us and is so well socialized with other dogs, children and everyone he meets. He loves car rides and is like a movie star and draws attention wherever we go!! It is obvious that Linda & Nica had such a positive impact on shaping his behaviors to be the best pup he can be! During those 4 weeks we were updated with biweekly updates and videos of our boys progress. We would highly recommend Linda from Confident Canines Puppy Imprinting Services to train your puppy!! " Charlene, Michael and Murphy
"We sent Jaxon to Linda’s imprinting program for 3 weeks directly from our breeder - Goldendoodles of Niagara. Before we even met Linda, we were in touch regularly about Jaxon’s arrival, what to expect and what to purchase in advance for equipment and toys. Linda sent us daily updates via email on how Jaxon was doing, what he was learning and what activities they did each day, including pictures and videos.
Jaxon thrived at Linda’s which allowed him to learn his basic manners very quickly, how to sleep in his crate for naps and at night and how to ring the bell when he needed to go outside! After 3 weeks Jaxon came home and slept through the night from day 1, went outside to potty by ringing his bell, and understood so many commands in so little time. We have had him home for 2.5 weeks already and cannot believe how much he retained from Linda’s despite going from her environment to ours.
He has adapted really well to a different house, different people, many dogs in the neighborhood and so many new smells and sounds. He is a very sweet, well behaved dog considering he is only 13 weeks old! Since Jaxon has been home we have been in regular touch with Linda about so many things. I have had tons of questions and needed a lot of support and advice, especially in the first 10 days. Linda responded to all my emails and we spoke a few times too. She has been so helpful and a great source of guidance and support to us.
Linda helped me pick a local puppy training program which also socializes dogs in a safe setting. The training technique this program offers is very similar to Linda’s philosophy and will help us continue to embed the positive behaviors Jaxon learned from Linda. It will also teach us how to manage distractions and socialize Jaxon with other dogs so he knows and understands how to interact properly off leash. Linda really encouraged me to do these puppy classes as early as possible so that we got used to the techniques not just Jaxon! I cannot thank Linda and her family enough for helping us raise Jaxon to be a sweet, fun, well mannered puppy who we all adore. Thank you Linda!" The Sanders Family
“Upon hearing that our new puppy would be going to work with me, Diane Elliott at Goldendoodles of Niagara recommended that we send our new puppy to Linda for puppy imprinting. This might have been one of the best pieces of advice we have ever received.
Bosco stayed with Linda for 3 weeks and has given him a wonderful start to being a well behaved and well adjusted member of our family. He is house trained and rings his bell with authority when he needs to go outside (he also gives it a gentle ring when he wants to go out to play). He sleeps through the night – usually 9-10 hours! – and is fine with going for a nap in his crate at work. His recall is better at 11 weeks then any dog I have ever had – he comes flying at me and I can tell how proud of himself when he does it!
I can definitely tell that Linda, Jamie and Nica spent a lot of time taking Bosco out to meet all different people and see all kinds of places as he absolutely loves riding in my truck and has no fear of any place that we have visited. Linda has also done a great job of training me on how to continue Bosco’s training. The manuals, emails, phone calls, pictures and demo videos were a real blessing in getting us ready for Bosco’s arrival at home. Everyone who meets our puppy has been very impressed by him. Thanks for everything Linda!” Beth and Bosco
"Our breeder recommended Linda’s imprinting program. She worked with our pup Kobe for two weeks when he was 8 to 10 weeks old. Not only was Linda extremely organized in the weeks leading up to the training, but she constantly kept us up to date with videos, pictures and documentation so we could follow along With his progress. He came to our house with excellent socialization skills, the ability to understand basic commands as well as being mostly house broken. Although we are extremely happy in the strides Kobe has made is in such a short time, what we really appreciated most was how Linda treated Kobe as her own. There was never a worry as to how Kobe was dealing with his new environment having just left the breeder. In addition, it is Linda’s constant follow up and genuine interest as to how Kobe is transitioning into his new environment that really shows why Linda is so well regarded and fantastic when working with pups. I believe that Linda really cares about the long-term health and happiness of Kobe and for that we are extremely grateful." The Ponese Family and Kobe
What Others Say About Linda
"Linda O’Neill, CTB.ccs, IPDTA-CDT graduated the Canine Correspondence Studies program as a Professional, Certified Dog Trainer/Behavior Therapist in 2003. She then opened Confident Canines and ran this thriving dog training facility in Kitchener until moving to Brussels, ON in 2012 where she has become one of the most highly respected puppy imprinters in Ontario. Linda is a qualified and experienced trainer who has earned the trust and respect of the dogs, her clients and colleagues. " Norma Jeanne Laurette; Canine Correspondence Studies, ACTT – Applied Canine Therapy & Training/Norma Jeanne’s Dog Training, Founder & Chair of IPDTA – International Positive Dog Training Association
" I highly recommend Linda O’Neill at Confident Canines. Having trained many puppies through the years, I was very hesitant to have someone else do this very time consuming and very critical job for me. I am the owner of Goldendoodles of Niagara. I knew I wanted to keep a puppy from my May litter. My problem was that I had two litters that I was working with to get ready to go to their homes. I just didn’t have the time to train this puppy. I turned to Linda and put my Sophie in the imprinting program for 5 weeks. It was money well spent. Although I was thrilled with all of the pictures and videos that I received through Sophie’s progression, I was more pleased with the amazing puppy that came back to me after 5 weeks. Sophie’s recall is fabulous. I can have her off leash and with one “Sophie Come”, she is running to me without distraction. If I dare say “Hurry Hurry”, she kicks it into 4th gear and just flies to me and sits right in front of me. Of course, she sits, lays down and goes into her crate without a fuss. She rings her poochie bells firmly and sits there looking for me to open the door for her potty. She never misses! Although I know she comes from beautiful bloodlines, the imprinting has enhanced her amazing personality. She is a dream dog. It is a huge compliment to Linda for me to say “I couldn’t have done a better job myself” Diane Laliberte Elliott
Linda has been awarded by her peers!
Humane Dog Training Award
Puppy Imprinting Excellence Award
Puppy Imprinting Excellence Award
Puppy Imprinting Excellence Award
Puppy Imprinting Excellence Award
Puppy Imprinting Excellence Award
CCS Approved Mentor Trainer
Founding Member of the International Positive Dog Training Association
Our Home Our Facility
We have a large open concept home with lots of indoor space to learn, play and relax in a safe environment!
Your puppy will receive all the love and support they need to thrive in a safe and stimulating environment!
The heart of our home!
Your puppy will be exposed to everyday living and more while participating in our puppy imprinting program!
We installed a pool in 2020 and I am excited for the summer months so I can teach all the imprinting puppies how to swim!
We have a dog wash and grooming stations so all the puppies learn about proper handling and grooming!