Meet The Dog School
Vancouver's only purpose-built dog training studio
Not Your Average Neighbourhood Dog Trainers
When you join The Dog School you're not just signing up for a class; You're welcome into a warm and knowledgeable community of wonderful dog guardians passionate about science-backed training and becoming the best dog owners they can be.
Our Community
An exclusive Discord (Online forum) for our clients where we share successes and our trainers offer advice and suggestions on your videos
Extra Support
In addition to being able to join us on Discord, Sarah and Katrina are always happy to answer your questions about dogs and dog training in our emails!
Course Manuals
We have comprehensive manuals for course content so you can always go back and refresh your memory or get ahead and try things before a class!
Badge Catalogue
With over 180 Badges you can earn at The Dog School, never run out of fun things to teach your dog and improve your bond and earn a $5 Cash Credit for every badge earned. We've handed out nearly 200 badges since we opened!
Members Only Events
Ever wanted to get together with other dog nerds? We have no pressure get-togethers and events for you to join. We believe in community and this is just one of the ways we like to build it!
Free Puppy Play
We raise money for PADS - a fabulous organization that raises service dogs - via our Free Saturday Morning Puppy play. These are supervised sessions with our trainers and allow for safe early socialization in a clean, safe and fully supervised environment.
Meet Your Dog School Training Team
Dr Sarah Shapiro-Ward
Co-Owner & Head Trainer
PhD, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
Sarah is a professional dog trainer in Vancouver best known for her viral trick training videos featuring her cockapoo Percy playing Jenga, Connect 4 and painting on canvas.
She brings extensive expertise in working with fearful, reactive and aggressive dogs of all breeds, alongside a genuine passion for teaching group classes. Sarah has mentored dozens of dog trainers in Vancouver and Toronto, and helped establish dog training curriculum at several companies before starting The Dog School with Katrina.
As a frequent guest on CBC BC Today's live call-in radio show, she answers dog behaviour questions and helps pet owners across British Columbia. Her work has also been featured on Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, The Daily Mail UK, NHK Japan and The New York Post.
Sarah lives in Vancouver with her standard poodle Elle and her cockapoo Percy. She also has a horse named Niamh, who she trains using positive reinforcement.
Sarah brings her PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of St Andrews to every class, private lesson and behaviour consultation at The Dog School.
@prancingpoodles
Trick Training, Reactive Dogs, Aggressive Dogs, Puppies, Group Classes, Complex Behaviour
Katrina Per-Carruthers
Co-Owner & Head Trainer
BA Psychology & Communications, CASI-CBST Pending
Katrina is a professional animal trainer with more than 15 years of experience supporting dog and horse owners across Canada.
​
Her background as a Registered Massage Therapist focused on pain science gives her exceptional insight into biomechanics and body language of humans and dogs. She spots the subtle physical changes that influence behaviour, which lets her design elegant solutions for even the most complex training challenges.
​
Katrina studied psychology and communications at Simon Fraser University and has continued her education through organizations like IAABC and CASI. She has also trained with respected industry leaders including Hannah Branigan, Lauren Fraser and Trudi Dempsey.
​​
On the equestrian side, she holds an Equestrian Canada Coach licence and has worked as a clinician and judge throughout BC and Alberta. She has also appeared as a guest on the Lead a Horse to Water and Rethinking Reactivity podcasts.
​
Katrina lives in Ladner with her Pembroke Welsh Corgi Maeve and her pony Samwise.