About Us
We’re teaching dogs and owners all kinds of new tricks. What a treat.
Like a dog with a bone, we’re committed to giving you and your dog the tools you need to make your life together the best it can be.
Our training programs and day school curriculums were developed by our owner, Megan Stanley. In order to achieve unparalleled levels of success with our clients, she has earned one of the highest possible accreditations available for dog trainers – the CBCC-KA. She was one of the first of four people in Canada, and remains one of a small group worldwide, to hold this elite status, and continues to keep herself up-to-date on current dog training and modification techniques.
At Dogma, you and your dog benefit from the best and most up-to-date techniques in dog training today. We focus on the positive and use only supportive training practices to achieve our quick and measurable results.
We know what a dog needs to be successful and so we adhere to strict dog to trainer ratios in both our day school and training classes. Each and every dog in our care gets the time and attention they deserve – a lot.
Dogma day school guides dogs through a variety of subjects each day. At the end of the day, you’re taking home a dog with better basic obedience skills, and better manners.
Find out more about how we are the most trusted name in dog training and learn about our team leading the Dogma Difference here.
Our story begins in 2002 when Founder, Megan Stanley, adopted her first dog, Guinniss. She quickly learned that the sweet and affectionate boy at home became a scary and reactive dog once out in the real world. Guinniss was terrified of our urban environment and demonstrated his fear through over-the-top reactions. Megan knew that through patience and the right training approach, she could teach Guinniss that the world was safe and help him integrate successfully into the busy human environment.
Guinniss was Megan’s best teacher and is credited as being Dogma’s Canine Co-Founder. Through her work with Guinniss, Megan learned that there were limited options for dogs with reactivity and fear concerns. All options available utilized punishment, which Megan knew put Guinniss at risk to become a dangerous dog due to the behavioural fallout from such harsh methods. Existing facilities at the time were operated by well-intentioned dog owners who put far too many dogs in groups with only one or two inexperienced supervisors with little to no education on canine behaviour. She knew then that she needed to create an organization to set the standard for care and training and advocate for improving the lives of dogs and the people who love them.
Dogma opened its doors in 2008 and quickly became the go-to place to visit for complete dog education, day school and training. At Dogma, we know that successful dog training is about relationship building. It's about communicating with your four-legged companion, building a relationship based on mutual respect and learning together. It's positive, it's peaceful and, yes, it's productive.
As part of the Dogma Difference, we are the only facility to offer a variety of education programs ran entirely by reward-based certified dog trainers. Dogma was the first to have only certified trainers conduct training, segregate play groups based on size and play style, mandate an assessment before dogs were allowed to attend day school, maintain strict capacity numbers, ensure a low staff-dog ratio, and provide rubber-flooring and solid, high walls to ensure each dogs’ safety.
We maintain the highest standards of excellence through staff training, 100% supervision, the lowest staff-dog ratio, facility design, equipment used, and we make every decision to ensure the emotional, physical, and behavioural well-being of each dog in our care. We continue to innovate dog training to ensure training is easy and accessible. We have training to fit every budget and schedule and work with any breed or behaviour.
Community and giving back are extremely important to Dogma. We provide free education and training to many rescue groups around Calgary, conduct regular fundraising initiatives, and do our part to help elevate the industry and its future leaders.
Awards and Recognition
Calgary Chambers Small Business Awards
- 2020 Resilient Business Award Finalist
- 2018 Culture Award Finalist
- 2017 Small Business of the Year Finalist
- 2016 Breakout Business Finalist
2019 Empowering Employee Leader Award Winner
Top Choice for Dog Training in Calgary for 7 years in row
Join the team making big changes in animal care and training.
Dogma is seeking compassionate and driven individuals who are looking for more than just a job. Our growth is creating exceptional opportunities for professional development and personal enrichment throughout our organization. Successful candidates demonstrably align with our beliefs, vision, and philosophy, and are committed to delivering a superior customer experience. We’re looking for individuals passionate about animal welfare, with great people skills to boot. We want people driven to grow and advance in their careers with us.
If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you. Don’t miss your chance to help us keep setting the new standard for dog care and training.
Dogma values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Diversity at our company means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also age, disability status, sexual orientation, religion, and many other parts of one’s identity. All of our employee’s points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility. Dogma is a proud member of the Trans Affirming Network and is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workspace.
