What dog training services does When Hounds Fly offer?

When Hounds Fly offers puppy training classes, foundation skills classes, reactive dog group classes, and private dog training lessons for fear, anxiety, and reactivity.

Where does When Hounds Fly offer dog training?

When Hounds Fly offers dog training at locations in Toronto, Markham, and Mississauga.

What training methods does When Hounds Fly use?

When Hounds Fly uses humane, ethical, reward-based clicker training methods designed to help dogs and their guardians learn effectively.

Does When Hounds Fly help reactive or fearful dogs?

Yes. When Hounds Fly offers private lessons and specialized training support for dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, or reactivity.

Do you offer dog training for aggressive dogs?

Yes. Aggression toward people or other dogs is one of the most common reasons clients come to us for private lessons. Our certified trainers use humane, force-free behaviour modification techniques to address the root cause. Whether it is fear, frustration, or lack of socialization, our team can help.

What's the difference between a dog trainer and a dog behaviourist?

A dog trainer focuses on teaching specific skills and cues, while a dog behaviourist addresses the underlying emotional state behind problem behaviours like reactivity, anxiety, or aggression. At When Hounds Fly, our team supports both, giving you access to highly qualified and certified dog training professionals across the Greater Toronto Area.

Where are your dog training locations in the Greater Toronto Area?

We have locations across the Greater Toronto Area, including Dundas West, Riverdale, Yonge and Eglinton, South Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Markham.

At what age should I start puppy training in Toronto?

The earlier the better, ideally before 16 weeks. This is the critical socialization window when puppies are most receptive to new experiences, people, and other dogs.

Careers At When Hounds Fly

Internship Dog Trainer Program

Internship Dog Trainer Program at When Hounds Fly

Applications are now open for our 2026 Internship Program. Apply by October 18, 2026.

What if you could become a dog training instructor in just 10 Sunday workshops, and get the training and mentorship for free?

Our Internship Program is built for people who already have a full-time job but can’t stop thinking about becoming a dog trainer: Dog walkers, daycare and boarding staff, and people who work in offices all day and train their own dogs every night.

The program is designed to fit around a working schedule, and it’s free. Comparable professional training programs in Toronto cost around $4,000.

photos of dog trainers coaching clients

What You’ll Get

40 hours of classroom instruction with Andre Yeu, Karen Pryor Academy faculty and founder of When Hounds Fly
40 hours assisting and shadowing in real classes with real dogs and clients
Written and video assignments, with personal grading and feedback on your training
An opportunity to practice teaching in our classrooms on your own, for real-world experience

Graduates of our Internship Program often become our future instructors, many of them teaching one or two short shifts a week while keeping their day jobs.

What You’ll Learn

Successful interns leave this program with:

The confidence and ability to teach group classes such as Puppy Start Right and Foundation Skills
The skills to run off leash puppy socialization sessions safely and knowledgeably
Applied behaviour analysis to troubleshoot common challenges pet dog owners face
Clicker training skill to teach pet dogs a wide range of behaviours
The teaching techniques to coach dog owners to do the same

This Program Is For You If

You believe dogs learn best through positive reinforcement
You love helping people, not just dogs
You have hands-on experience with a variety of dogs, through work, rescue, fostering, or training your own
You’re comfortable in not just speaking to a group, but being the center of attention, or excited to get there

Schedule and Commitment

Interns commit to:

10 Sunday workshops, 3:30 to 7:30pm, at one of our Toronto locations
Assisting two times a week, mostly on weekday evenings from 6pm to close
Completing reading, viewing, written and video assignments
Having access to a dog to train at home for video assignments
A practical assessment by conducting a complete Teacher in Training class independently

2026-2027 workshop dates: November 15, November 22, November 29, December 6, December 13, January 10, January 24, February 7, February 21, and February 28.

How Selection Works

We have a limited number of spots. After you apply, shortlisted candidates are invited to a short phone conversation, followed by a 90 minute in-person interview. Every intern goes through an in-person interview before being accepted.

How to Apply

Complete an online application form that asks for basic information about you and your dog, your work experience, educational experience, and dog training journey.

Application deadline: October 18, 2026.

Compliance with the Employment Standards Act

Our Internship Program is truly about providing training and learning opportunities that exist nowhere else, to help create the next generation of talented, positive reinforcement based dog trainers. As such, this program meets all the conditions of an internship as specified by the ESA:

The training is similar to that which is given in a vocational school;
The training is for the benefit of the individual;
The person providing the training derives little, if any, benefit from the activity of the individual while he or she is being trained;
The individual does not displace employees of the person providing the training;
The individual is not accorded a right to become an employee of the person providing the training; and
The individual is advised that he or she will receive no remuneration for the time that he or she spends in training.

Apply for the 2026/2027 Internship Program

About When Hounds Fly

Since 2010, over 20,000 dogs (and their families!) have taken dog training classes with us. We are proud to offer the highest quality instruction and classroom experience for Toronto dog owners that want the very best for their pups. Our mission is to strengthen relationships between pet dogs and their owners by providing outstanding owner-education on humane training and behaviour modification techniques.

One of our core values is to Welcome Diversity, and we welcome all people to be their authentic selves both in our classroom and on our team. This includes, but is not limited to, welcoming people of all age, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ability, race, or place of origin.