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Hi, I’m Amber, the dog trainer behind Think Outside The Bark.

My approach to training is family friendly, balanced, practical, and individualized. I don’t believe every dog should be trained the same way or with the same tools. My first priority is understanding why a behaviour is happening, then creating a plan that helps the dog succeed while giving their owner clear, realistic ways to improve life together.

Training should feel right for both the dog and their owner. It should be clear and consistent, but it should also be engaging, rewarding, and enjoyable. Whether we’re working on puppy foundations, everyday manners, reactivity, fear, or more complex behaviour, there should always be room for play, connection, and having fun together.

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The Dog Who Started It All

My path into dog training began with Lucy, my German Shepherd. She was intelligent, determined, mischievous, and always seemed to be one step ahead of me. Her reactivity pushed me to look beyond basic obedience and learn more about behaviour, communication, and what dogs truly need from us.

Helping Lucy become a calmer, more dependable companion changed the direction of my life. She taught me to look at the dog in front of me, understand what is driving the behaviour, and adjust the training accordingly.

Since then, I have continued building my knowledge through hands-on experience, professional certifications, and ongoing education in modern, practical training methods.

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Training for Real Life

Dog training isn’t about creating a perfect dog. It’s about helping dogs and their owners understand one another and giving both sides the skills they need to enjoy everyday life together.

Training plans may include rewards, games, structure, clear boundaries, and different training tools when appropriate. Any tools recommended are chosen based on the individual dog and are only used when the owner is comfortable with them.

Most importantly, training needs to be realistic enough to continue after the lesson ends and enjoyable enough that both you and your dog actually want to keep practising.

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Gear Made With a Purpose

Making dog gear became a natural extension of my work as a trainer. After struggling to find a hands-free leash that offered the comfort and functionality I wanted, I decided to begin making my own.

Today, I handcraft BioThane leashes and collars designed for training, everyday walks, and outdoor adventures. Each piece is waterproof, easy to clean, and made with the same focus on practicality and reliability that I bring to my training.

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Outside of Training

At home, I’m a mom to my daughter, Lily, and a dog mom to Hanna and Hero. Outside of work, you’ll usually find us exploring Ontario’s parks, swimming, or relaxing with a movie.

Living with my own dogs keeps my training grounded in reality. I understand that life with dogs can be busy, messy, funny, and unpredictable. Owners don’t need judgment or unrealistic expectations. They need practical guidance that works for their dog, their household, and their everyday life.

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Let’s Work Together

I’m not here to turn every dog into the same dog. I’m here to help you better understand yours, strengthen your communication, and make life together easier, calmer, and a lot more enjoyable.