CANIS - Dog Behavior & Training

CANIS has transformed our lives!! We recently foster-failed our boy, Shaq, an 85-lb giant pittie mix with Herculean strength, an unstoppable drive, and an exuberantly loving heart. He had never been on a leash when he came to us, but it was clear he had some training and was eager to please us by learning more. We just didn’t have the tools to stop him from jumping on people or tackling our other pittie. After six months, we found ourselves desperate to bring order and peace back to our house! We also needed to find a daycare that would work for him because our work schedules were changing. That’s how we stumbled across CANIS - our saviors!! We brought our two pittie boys for an eval, then had a private consult with Brent and Brennan. We knew immediately that they would be able to give Shaq and his parents everything we needed to help him achieve his best! Shaq completed a four-week board and train. He quickly won the hearts of everyone at CANIS, and adopted Brennan as his soulmate Dad!! They gave him the nickname “Shaq-Diesel”: he’s like an 18-wheeler with no brakes!! Shaq graduated just days before Christmas. He was transformed! And so were we! He passed the test of a boisterous holiday celebration at our house, staying calm, impressing even the harshest critics with his exceptional obedience and self-control. And although his behavior has changed dramatically, his joyful spirit and personality have stayed in tact. He is himself but with a world of confidence and way less anxiety. He now attends daycare every day, continuing to improve and socialize respectfully. The staff members are all incredible and feel like family. Aaron at the front desk greets us every day like a best friend. Brennan remains Shaq’s personal trainer and ours! Brennan is AMAZING!!! We love his love for Shaq and we are so grateful for the skills and discipline he has given us! The weekly group classes with Brent gave us the foundation to support Shaq and even improve the behavior of all three of our dogs! If we hadn’t found CANIS, we may not have been able to keep our boy, or we would have suffered forever, stressed and frustrated. Now our home and our pack has returned to zen-like harmony. We tell EVERYONE about CANIS! There is no challenge they cannot overcome! We saw miracles happen for the dogs in Shaq’s cohort. Thank you, CANIS! Thank you, Brent! We love you, Brennan! Thank the universe we found you!!

My dog, Fettuccine, just completed a 4 week board&train program at CANIS and I cannot say enough great things about this program and the trainers who work there. Jen, our trainer, was fantastic throughout the whole process. She spent time to really understand what we wanted Fettuccine to work on as we prepare for a move to NYC and helped us understand his needs related to anxiety self-confidence issues. We were in communication throughout the entire process, received weekly updates/report cards, and have had close follow up after the 4 weeks ended to ensure we have the tools to continue reinforcing all that he learned. We can already tell that he is calmer, less reactive/impulsive, and overall seems happier and more confident upon returning home. We are so grateful to Jen and CANIS!

Cliffnotes: 100% Recommend CANIS and our Trainer Jamie who have made an impactful difference in our lives. The full story: Working with Jamie and the team at Canis has been one of the best decisions we have made after adopting a dog. When we started, our dog, Wookiee, was struggling with multiple behavior issues: reactivity on leash, difficulty interacting with other dogs, jumping on people, and limited social skills. From the beginning, Jamie approached every challenge with professionalism, compassion, and a deep understanding of canine behavior, making the entire training process feel manageable and effective for both our dog and our family. What truly sets Canis apart is the individualized attention and follow-through. While the board/train program itself provides a strong foundation, Jamie’s hands-on involvement and personalized follow-up coaching tailored to the specific behaviors we were having difficulty with made a measurable difference. Our targeted follow-up sessions and customized behavior plans, helped us practice real-world scenarios in a guided, supportive way. This approach not only improved our dog’s behavior but also gave us the confidence and skills to continue consistent training at home. The expertise of the entire Canis staff is immediately evident. Every trainer demonstrates strong knowledge of dog behavior, body language, and safe handling across a wide range of temperaments. Their training philosophy emphasizes structure, positive reinforcement, and practical obedience skills that translate directly to everyday life, exactly what we were looking for. We also appreciated the thorough intake process, including health and temperament evaluations, which reinforced our trust in the safety and quality of care. As both a dog training and boarding facility, Canis exceeded our expectations. The operation runs like a well-oiled professional team rather than a typical kennel. We were given a comprehensive, in-person tour of the facility, not some random "dog and pony show" which created a level of transparency and reassurance that is rare in the dog boarding industry. The facility is exceptionally clean, secure, and thoughtfully designed, with comfortable sleeping areas, clean food and water stations, excellent ventilation, and well-maintained indoor and outdoor spaces. Daily routines are clearly structured and well-balanced, combining training, supervised play, mental enrichment, and rest. Dogs are closely monitored, interactions are carefully managed, and staff are proactive in preventing issues before they arise. Our dog received genuine individual attention, careful feeding and health monitoring, and consistent handling—never feeling like just another number. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the inclusion of group training classes. These sessions allowed us to work directly with our dog while he was still enrolled, observe his progress in real time, and learn alongside him. That continuity made the transition home smoother and far more successful than we expected. Communication throughout the entire experience was clear, honest, and consistent. From daily expectations to safety protocols and emergency planning, we always felt informed and respected. Jamie’s supportive, solution-focused leadership—paired with Canis’s structured, professional, and transparent environment—created a truly transformative experience. We are incredibly grateful to Jamie and the Canis team for their expertise, care, and commitment to both dogs and owners. Today, Wookiee is more confident, better behaved, and happier—and we feel empowered with the tools to maintain that progress. We highly recommend Canis to anyone seeking professional dog training, behavior support, or high-quality boarding - and cannot say enough about Jamie, our trainer.

Wow! What a wonderful and unique place. Toured the back and the dogs were so well cared for and got lots of hands on time. The staff was friendly, and were genuinely kind to and engaged with the dogs. Very clean; no trace of kennel smell nor noxious cleaner. Dogs seemed relaxed and comfortable, well exercised, with no noisy barking in the back. Looks like they're doing some remodeling ... Art murals being painted are phenomenal! Owner really cares for the place and make it feel like a second home.