Empathetic Dog Trainers
Here to support you every step of the way.
Dog Trainer & Behaviour Consultant
Holly Chen
CPDT-KA
Hello! I’m Holly, and I’m the owner and founder here at Honourable Hound. I’ve been training dogs professionally since 2013. Before starting my own company in 2020, I worked as a behaviour consultant for organizations big and small - from grassroots local businesses right here in Vancouver to multi-national chain pet stores and dog training companies in the States. Dog training is the only career I’ve ever known, and it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.
These days, you can find me working with pet guardians from all walks of life. From helping first-time puppy owners conquer potty training challenges to supporting experienced dog guardians while they help their dog navigate fear, aggression, and reactivity. I’ve even worked with several wolf-dogs, so very few cases prove to be out of my scope these days.
My top two favourite cases are when I help people settle their newly adopted dog or puppy into their homes, and I love the challenge of helping people work through complex or intense, multi-layered issues that require innovative problem-solving. There is nothing more rewarding to me than helping people do something that feels like it’s going to be impossible!
More than anything, I love helping people make the most out of the years they spend with their beloved furry family members. Training is not about creating the perfect dog, but working with the dog you’ve chosen to create a fulfilling relationship. Good dog training is a journey of understanding and honouring our animals’ needs as well as our own - and we’d love to join you on yours.
* Honourable Hound was formerly called River District Dog Training
The Aggression in Dogs Mastercourse - Michael Shikashio
The Lemonade Conference - Presented by FDSA & IAABC
Karen Pryor Academy Puppy Start Right
Continuing Education
Credentials & Memberships
Jacqueline Young
Dog Trainer
ATLAS-TF, MA
Hello! I'm Jacqueline and I'm a dog trainer here at Honourable Hound. I currently teach group workshops and private client sessions, and am working my way towards becoming a behaviour consultant. I have worked professionally with dogs for 16 years, and have an academic background in anthrozoology. Locals may know me from my free outreach projects, which focus on providing the public with referrals to humane pet professionals and education about ethical pet acquisition.
I spent 10 years with the BCSPCA, where I did dog assessments, created training plans, and taught hundreds of volunteers about dog and cat behaviour. I myself am constantly taking new courses and reading published research papers to stay current in this constantly evolving industry. I recently certified as a team facilitator with Atlas Assistance Dogs, an ADI organization that facilitates accessible and affordable owner-training for service dogs. I am a certified dog-nerd!
I love helping people appreciate the uniqueness of their dog, by highlighting that a dog's genetics, experience and environment come together uniquely to shape their specific behaviour. I really value building mutually beneficial partnerships built on that understanding, along with trust and, vitally, a bit of humour. I believe that our relationships with dogs reflect our relationships with people, who also deserve respect, understanding and empathy. Aside from working in animal behaviour, I have also worked in the human mental health field, and am trained to identify & support my client's unique experiences and needs. Your experience matters just as much as your dogs.
I love working with all dogs and clients, but have a special interest in reactivity, fear, puppy socialization, enriching your dog's life by helping you meet their breed-specific needs, service dog prospect assessment & task training, as well as pre-adoption selection for those seeking to bring a dog into their lives (for both pets and service dog prospects). More than anything, what I love is helping people connect with their dog and learn how to flourish together.
Jacqueline can speak German conversationally and understand it fluently.
IAABC-ADT - In Progress
Safety & Defensive Handling with Aggressive Dogs - IAABC Self Study Course
Michael Shikashio, CDBC & Trish McMillan, MSc, CDBC, CPDT-KAResolving Resource Guarding - IAABC Self Study Course - Sarah Dixon, CDBC
Continuing Education
Credentials & Memberships
Dog Trainer
Masina Kakese
Certifications Pending
Hello! I’m Masina, and I’m a dog trainer here at Honourable Hound. I have completed Victoria Stilwell’s Fundamentals of Dog Training & Behaviour Certificate and earned the Aggression in Dogs Master Course Certificate. I’m also a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild and a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). With a strong foundation in science-based training, I bring both technical expertise and empathy to every client team I support.
In 2018, while I was working as a dog walker, I went back to school to become a professional dog trainer. Around that same time, I brought home my dog, Q. Raising a puppy while studying gave me daily, hands-on practice that helped me apply what I was learning—and plenty of empathy for new puppy parents! By 2020, I made the decision to leave dog walking and step fully into dog training as a full-time professional. What really inspired me to make that shift was my desire to help people understand their dogs on a deeper level, beyond just teaching perfect obedience cues. Nothing lights me up more than helping people build trust, improve communication, and strengthen their bond with their dogs.
My passion for training has grown through my experiences with dogs who struggle with reactivity and other “big feelings.” These experiences have shaped my warm, client-centered approach: meeting people where they are, breaking things down into manageable steps, and celebrating progress every step of the way. For me, the most rewarding part of this work is seeing not only a dog’s behaviour shift, but also the confidence and connection that blossoms in their humans as they learn how to support their furry friend.
I am committed to ongoing learning and staying up to date with the latest research and literature in the field. My current focus is on supporting dogs with reactivity, helping them develop emotional regulation, and fostering stronger human–canine relationships.
Leslie McDevitt’s Control Unleashed Instructor Program - In progress
Victoria Stillwell Foundations Course
Dog Stars Training Academy Certified
Continuing Education
Credentials & Memberships
Freshman Year Graduate
Nina Lobo
Dog Trainer
KPA-CTP
Credentials & Memberships
Hello! I'm Nina, and I am a dog trainer at Honourable Hound. I currently teach group workshops and private client sessions, and am working my way towards becoming a behaviour consultant. I graduated with distinction from the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional program in 2024 — scoring 100% on both the Teaching Assessment and Training Exam.
Prior to dog training, I was a senior analyst at an economic consulting firm in NYC. I also hold a Master of Science degree from UBC.
My journey as a dog trainer began in 2021, when my family and I brought home Enzo, a black lab puppy. Enzo struggled with high arousal and reactivity. In an effort to help him, I took courses on canine behaviour, enrichment, clicker training, and beyond. It was through the process of learning how to help my dog that I fell in love with all things dog-related, and I decided to pursue a career in dog training. To expand my hands-on skills, I worked as a dog walker for a year. I specialized in high-energy, sensitive, and reactive dogs.
I especially enjoy working with puppies and adolescent dogs, and have a special interest in pattern games, reactivity, and dog sports. I take a collaborative approach with my clients and work with them to create a stronger relationship with their dogs, achieve their goals, and live happily with them.
Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional Program
Michael Shikashio Aggression in Dogs Mastercourse (ongoing)
Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Comprehensive Course
Continuing Education
Kayleigh Robertson
Enrichment Class Instructor
PNWI
Hey! I’m Kayleigh, and I am a dog trainer at Honourable Hound. I currently teach enrichment classes.
I started my coaching journey teaching swimming, triathlon, and lifeguarding courses to people of all ages and backgrounds. The knowledge gained in my earlier teaching endeavours has been invaluable to shaping how I train dogs and their humans. I take a positive, learner-centric approach, adapting my teaching style for each team that I teach. I pride myself on the ability to adjust training on the fly and break down skills into their basic components to help people and dogs reach their goals.
I started my dog training journey when I adopted my first dog, Casey Jones, an incredibly fearful dog; his fears and uncertainties led me down the amazing path that is dog training. Learning how to adapt to his needs showed me the joys of positive reinforcement training and started my passion for learning and growth. My greatest joy is helping families build confidence and enrichment in their dogs' lives!
My personal passion is the world of dog sports; learning to create a truly versatile and confident dog lights me up like nothing else. I am currently participating in a multitude of sporting venues with my personal dogs, including agility, weight pull, rally-o, and scent work sports. Gaining knowledge and success through trialling and working with other experienced handlers and trainers is an incredible learning experience, but I also have dozens of in-person and online professional development courses under my belt. I plan to continue my training knowledge by heading back to school in 2025 to become a certified dog trainer.
Continuing Education
Karen Pryor Academy The Ranch - Deep Dive: An Advanced Training Course
The Lemonade Conference 2020 & 2021 - Presented by FDSA & IAABC
Karen Pryor Academy Puppy Start Right
Tracey Harrison
Group Class Instructor
PCT-A Pending
Hello, I’m Tracey Harrison, and I am a dog trainer at Honourable Hound. Currently, I teach Puppy & Foundation Classes.
My primary focus is on companion dogs, supporting the everyday relationships that families rely on. I recognize the significant expectations placed on pet dogs in modern life and am dedicated to helping them meet those challenges with kindness, clarity, and realistic guidance. With extensive experience teaching group classes, mentoring emerging trainers, and teaching middle school youth about dog communication and safety, I bring professionalism, depth of knowledge, and a compassionate, grounded approach to every team I support.
My interest in canine behaviour began as a teenager while working with staff at the SPCA through a school employment program. Beginning my career in 2002 as an early adopter of clicker and marker‑based methodologies, I played an instrumental role in promoting the adoption of science‑based, humane training practices across the region. I credit the many dogs I have worked with over the years for profoundly influencing my understanding of behaviour and strengthening my commitment to humane training. I also acknowledge the deep impact of my own dogs, who have taught me invaluable lessons about everyday canine life—from basic manners to navigating fearfulness, reactivity, and physical challenges.
Committed to ongoing professional growth, I maintain an active continuing‑education schedule and regularly attend industry conferences, seminars, and webinars to stay current with evolving research and best practices in the field.
Credentials & Memberships
Continuing Education
CANIS - Canine Science Symposium 2023
Clicker Expo 2021
Teaching Children to be Safe Around Dogs - Joan Orr - 2020
Andrea Tyc
Marketing & Administrative Support
BCIT School of Business & Media
Hello! I’m Andrea, and I studied marketing at BCIT, where I got my bachelor's degree in Business Administration. I currently work full-time as a branding and promotion specialist for brands such as BCLC & London Drugs. As a marketing professional with a passion for community-focused businesses and dogs, being able to support the team at Honourable Hound with admin & marketing is the best of both worlds for me!
I grew up having dogs and being immersed in the dog world all my life, getting my first dog (a Border Terrier named Ruby) at age 2. My grandparents also show dogs professionally and have owned two dogs that have competed and placed at the Westminster Dog Show.
I’m now a proud dog-mom to a puppy of my own, a Mini Golden Doodle named Ellie! In my spare time, you’ll find me outside in nature, bingeing Netflix, or training with Ellie to try to teach her not to jump for joy on every person she meets (she's a work in progress.)
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Admin, Marketing & Management
Diploma - Marketing Communications
Education
Mentorship
Opportunities At Honourable Hound
The dog training industry is unregulated. This means that there’s a lot of outdated and false information to dig through, which makes trying to understand how to effectively and ethically train dogs a pretty big task. You don’t have to do it alone.
We’re here to guide your formative years and get you started with the support you need to become a competent professional. While we aren’t always hiring, we are always looking to connect with like-minded individuals. So if that’s you, drop us a line. We’d love to support your professional journey.