Yesterday was the anniversary of the opening of our Chinook location.
Seventeen years.
That number still catches me off guard.
In some ways, it feels like just yesterday that I opened the doors to Dogma. In others, it feels like a lifetime ago. Partly because, in many ways, it was. The industry has changed, my team has changed, I’ve changed. But through it all, one thing has remained constant: my unwavering belief that dogs, and the people who love them, deserve better.
Grand Opening Day 2008
When Dogma first opened, we were the first of our kind. Back then, the now trendy enrichment-based daycare wasn’t a format anyone understood. People thought it was odd for scheduling structured rest times, using pens and crates, limiting group sizes, and providing daily activities and training. But we did it anyway because it was what the dogs needed.
I didn’t build this business to fit into the norm. I built it to change it.
Building a New Standard
Dogma was born out of a deep frustration with the lack of standards and education in dog training and care. It was created because I had a sweet reactive boy and no options on places to take him for help. Too many dogs were being misunderstood. Too many families were left without guidance. And too many businesses were treating dog care like a numbers game.
So, I chose to lead differently.
From the start, I committed to education for myself, our clients, and our team. I built Dogma Academy to help train and certify the next generation of dog professionals with the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality, ethical training. I got involved in industry associations, eventually becoming the current Chair of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers and a past Chair of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. I pursued every learning opportunity and certification I could, including becoming one of the first four Canadians to earn the CBCC-KA designation. And I poured everything I had into creating a place that put dogs first.
Revolution, Not Just Evolution
What we do at Dogma goes far beyond dog daycare. We’ve evolved into a full-scale Training Day School - a unique, structured, school-like format designed to support dogs’ behavioural well-being while meeting their social, physical, and emotional needs.
While others market “cage-free” environments where dogs run freely all day (often unsupervised and without adequate rest), we provide:
- Rotations between play, rest, enrichment, training, walks, and socialization
- Strict dog-to-trainer ratios (maximum of 4 dogs per certified trainer)
- Comprehensive behaviour tracking and weekly report cards
- Purpose-built spaces like our puppy enrichment room with a private yard
- Fully certified, highly educated staff who are not just dog lovers, but passionate dog professionals
We don’t cut corners. It’s a lot of work. But we know that structure, rest, and tailored care aren’t luxuries as they’re essential to raising confident, well-adjusted dogs.
Careers With Purpose
As we built a new standard for dogs, I realized we had to do the same for the people who work with them. That’s why we’re just as committed to building long-term, fulfilling careers for dog trainers.
At Dogma, we don’t hire contractors or short-term staff. We provide free education, mentorship, and unmatched hands-on experience to certify and grow professional dog trainers. Every member of our team is on a clearly defined growth path and one that includes full-time, salaried positions and continuous learning.
We believe that ethical dog care starts with ethical employment. By investing in our people, we ensure better care for your dogs and create a stronger, more sustainable future for our industry.
And just like our training programs, our career opportunities are built for real life as they are accessible, supportive, and deeply rooted in progress over perfection.
Progress Over Perfection
If I’m honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to celebrate this anniversary. I was feeling a bit disappointed about where I thought we'd be by now. COVID took its toll. We’ve faced a long, expensive, and painful legal battle. We made the difficult decision to close our second location so we could reinvest in the first. There were many moments when it felt like everything might fall apart. It’s been a challenge creating a new model for a fully operational business while prioritizing the dogs in our care.
But looking back now, I can see the truth: none of it was failure as it was transformation.
We’ve been working behind closed doors trialing a new model. We’ve doubled down on what matters. And through all the challenges, we’ve never stopped doing the work. I’ve never stopped believing in the mission.
Leading With Heart
It’s hard doing things differently. It’s hard leading. It’s even harder when you’re carving your own path in an industry that doesn’t yet see the road ahead. But that’s where I’ve always felt called - to the edges, to the innovation, to the quiet work that later becomes the new standard.
Others may not always understand it at first. But we’re used to being the outliers and eventually, the industry catches up.
The Dogma Difference is real. It’s not just a tagline, t’s our promise. Every decision we make is with your dog’s best interests at heart. And moving forward, we're going to do an even better job of sharing what that looks like. We want others to follow and we want our model to be the standard.
What’s Next
We’re restructuring our programs, adding even more transparency, and launching new ways to share what’s happening behind the scenes. You’ll see more updates through blog posts, social media, live broadcasts, and more. You’ll get to witness what the dogs are doing, how they’re progressing, and why our model matters.
We’re also building a community - not just for dog lovers, but for dog professionals. A place for mentorship, collaboration, and support. A place where everyone is committed to doing better for dogs.
We know dogs deserve more Dogmas. And we’re getting ready for our next stage of change-making.
Who knew that bringing home a fearful, reactive dog named Guinniss in 2002 would lead to all this?
Seventeen years in and we’re just getting started.
With gratitude,
Megan Stanley
Founder & President
Dogma Training & Dogma Academy
Guinniss and I
