About Us

A lifelong animal owner and lover, Nadia Pike is the owner and operator of Toronto Small Dogs.She first became interested in the "doggie world" when trying to find a training class for her first dog, Jasper (Shi Tzu cross).

Advice came fast and furious: from dog owners at dog parks - to pet store workers pushing the newest premium kibble - to strangers on the street. It was all a very confusing experience, made even more so by the addition of her second dog, Milo (Chihuahua/Portuguese Hound cross). Being a "special" kind of dog, Milo needed extra help: he was hand-shy, fear-aggressive and wary of strangers. Typical Chi? Perhaps. But what is a responsible pet owner to do?

Despite considering herself a fairly level-headed person and holding two university degrees (BA and BEd), Nadia struggled daily. Her positive experiences with a calm, experienced local dog trainer not only helped her dogs - it enabled her to choose her career in the pet services industry.

Helping other responsible pet owners just like herself was the obvious next step. She began by apprenticing with an established dog training school, "Pup Eez Dog Training", gaining valuable obedience training experience using positive, "lure-reward" techniques. Nadia continues to assist group training classes and now teaches private in-home training, specializing in small dog temperament issues.

Qualifications:

• Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers (CAPPDT).
• Member of the All-Canadian Pet Services Network (ACPSN).
• Pet First Aid Certified (February 2008)
• BA (Sociology, 2000) and BEd (Post-Secondary and Adult Education, 2006) from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
• Has obtained insurance covering the following professional services: doggy daycare, overnight boarding, private training, dog walking and pet-sitting.
• Has obtained commercial car insurance (in case your dog ever has to be transported anywhere in our vehicle).