Who We Are
Shauna Alcock, BSc. CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Shauna is the trainer, owner and the person behind behind Little Brown Dog. She began her training journey back in 2011, when she adopted her first dog, a bully breed mix who was a rescue from a dogfighting operation in the states. She soon realized she pretty much had to become a trainer in order to succeed, as she had taken on a very challenging dog as her first! She enrolled in private sessions, obedience classes and every opportunity her and Madisyn had to get better and learn as much as they could. She realized that if she had this many challenges with training her dog, there had to be many more people out there experiencing the same struggle that she had. She realized she could use what she and Madisyn had learned along the way in order to help others.
Fast forward a few years, after completing an apprenticeship with a local trainer and landing herself multiple contract training positions teaching classes as well as a spot as an Animal Behaviour Coordinator at one of Alberta's largest rescue groups, the rest is history!
Since Madisyn's passing, the inspiration for Little Brown Dog Training Co. was ignited. With the company, she hopes to help as many people and their dogs as she can to learn how to live happy and harmonious lives together. She takes an interest in continually learning about dog and animal behaviour, and is regularly keeping up with modern science-based education in everything from puppy socialization to reactivity and aggression.
Shauna currently resides in Calgary with her dog Maribella (another little brown dog!) and her cat Millie. She participates in dog sports such as Agility and Mushing, and has titled dogs in Tricks, Rally, Chase Ability and Barn Hunt as well as trained dogs to pass the CKC CGN test and Temperament Test. She also enjoys hiking in the mountains and staying active in her spare time.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology
Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
Education
Apprenticeship - Dogwit Training Inc. 2017-2019
Group Class Instructor - Dogwit Training Inc. 2019-2021
Contract Trainer - Calgary Humane Society 2019-2020
Behaviour Coordinator Team Lead - AARCS 2019-2022
Separation Anxiety - Terrie Hayward 2020
Talking to Clients About Behavioural Euthanasia 2021
Aggression in Dogs Conference 2021
Aggression at the Door - Webinar 2022
Shelter Playgroup Alliance Mentorship 2022
Volunteer Experience
BC SPCA Wild ARC
Calgary Humane Society
Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society
Canadian Animal Task Force
Underdogs Rescue
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - USA
ARK & The Souda Shelter Project - Greece
Class Volunteers
You will often see volunteers in class, helping out with excitable dogs, supervising off leash puppy play, and setting up the classroom. We so appreciate our volunteers, they are fantastic asset as they come with dog experience, and know how to make everyone feel comfortable! Feel free to ask them if you need help in class, and they will direct your questions to an instructor. If you ever want to become a class volunteer, send us an email! Volunteering for a training class is a great way to get ahead in your training, learn some tips or obtain hours to become a Certified Professional Dog Trainer.