Our team is the foundation of Clever Canines.  Our exceptional team of devoted individuals is why and how we are able to offer a high level of service and support to our clients. Every team member has completed extensive training to qualify them to be of service to you.  

Our intense Clever Canines Mastery Program provides our team with up to 100 hours of training, both in the classroom and in the field.  Team members gain understanding of the latest training methods and techniques, while building sound knowledge in canine behaviour and handling skills.  Ongoing training is important and team members have opportunities to attend seminars, utilize the company’s extensive resource library, and constantly study and observe dogs.  Each team member’s high level of experience and training allows them to tailor their support and training method to each client and dog individually.

Our Team

Our aim is to give you an exceptional experience and support YOU in your lifestyle with your dog.  Our team is not only passionate about dogs but also passionate about people.

We look forward to meeting you and working with your dog!

1000’s of hours
of training

At Clever Canines we pride ourselves on continuing education for our team.  As new ideas, techniques and scientific discoveries about dogs change the way we understand and interact with them, we have a duty to keep up.  Here are some of the courses and certifications our team has participated in over the last few years.

  • Certified Professional Animal Care Manager (C.P.A.C.M.)

    Professional qualifications and body of knowledge have met the highest pet care standards established by industry experts and have been certified by an independent testing body.

    Held by:
 Jess Josefchuck, CPACM, supervisor

  • Certified Behaviour Adjustment Technique Instructor (C.B.A.T.I.)

    Expert in using B.A.T. (Behaviour Adjustment Training) to rehabilitate dog aggression, fear, bullying and other issues.

    Held by:
Bianca Nassey, CBATI, operations

  • Knowing Dogs 101 & 201 Certifications

    Training moduels, case studies, evaluations, and hands-on certificaiton program specifically designed for dog daycare, focusing on canine communication, behaviour, management, play styles, and group play safety.

    Held by:
 All dayschool staff members

  • Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI)

    Expert in the established guidelines for ensuring that standards of excellence are met when teaching the sport of Dog Tricks, including demonstrated knowledge, hands-on training techniques, progression and problem solving, and facilitation.

    Held by:
Katerina Jansen, CTDI

  • Pet First Aid Certification

    Pet first aid refers to emergency treatment administered to an injured or sick domestic animal before professional medical care is available.

    Held by:
 All Clever Canines team members

  • Human First Aid Certification

    First aid refers to the emergency or immediate care you should provide when a person is injured or ill until full medical treatment is available.

    Held by:
 All Instructors

  • WPO Member (Women Presidents' Organization)

    An organization for women presidents of multimillion-dollar companies. The members of the WPO take part in professionally facilitated peer advisory groups in order to bring the “genius out of the group” and accelerate the growth of their businesses.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

  • PeerSpark: AWE (Alberta Women Entrepreneurs) Certficate

    A business accelerator program that combines practical, multi-disciplinary curriculum with support and learning from peers. The program offers expert coaching in a safe and supportive environment of other women entrepreneurs who are focused on growing their ventures.

    Program completion and 3 year alumni member.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

  • Highest Achievement Award - Dale Carnegie

    An honor given to the student who best demonstrates the skills and behaviours taught during the eight-week course.

    Held by:
 Tracie Nielson, founder | owner

  • Innovation Award - Dale Carnegie

    Awarded to the student who presented the best innovative idea that excited the class to implement.

    Held by:
Bianca Nassey, CBATI, operations

  • Leadership Training for Managers - Dale Carnegie

    A seven-week program designed to, maximize performance, become a stronger leader, and strategically align with and execute organizational objectives.

    Held by:
Bianca Nassey, CBATI, operations


  • Pryor Learning Solutions Certifications

    Completed Certifications:

    • Making the Transition from Staff to Supervisor
    • Leadership and Management Skills for Women
    • Criticism and Discipline Skills
    • Leadership, Team Building, and Coaching Skills
    • Supervising Bad Attitudes & Negative Behaviours
    • Managing Emotions Under Pressure

    Held by:
Jess Josefchuk, CPACM, supervisor

  • Alumni Member of Recallers

    Year long training for developing a sports dog through engagement.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

  • Member of FDSA Pet Professionals

    Year round training and support for pet professionals in obedience, rally, agility, tracking, nosework, behaviour, freestyle, and foundation skills.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

  • Member of Training Academy

    Year round training geared around games to support focus and self-control concepts.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

  • Member of Brain Training for Dogs

    Force-free training activities designed to engage the dog’s mind.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

  • Canine & Feline Behavioural Medicine - Dr. Karen Overall

    Two-day deep dive into animal behaviour medicine. Dr. Karen Overall Ph.D., BA, MA and VMD, is an industry mentor.  We follow many of her protocols, training plans, and behaviour treatment guidelines.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

    Bianca Nassey, CBATI, operations

  • Building Blocks to Advanced Training and Companionship - Emily Larlham

    Sixteen hours of in-depth learning around luring and other positive techniques for obedience, behaviour modification, and tricks.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, founder | owner
    
Bianca Nassey, CBATI, operations
    
Katerina Jansen, CTDI

  • What's The Problem | The Physical Dog - Suzanne Clothier

    Two day program unraveling the puzzles of training, including: functional assessment tools, canine conditioning, evaluations and developing training protocols.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, founder | owner

    Bianca Nassey, CBATI, operations

  • Raising The Bar - Jen & Steve White

    Three-day workshop to understand canine performance, video analyzing, building systematic fluency and generalization, and skill-based training decisions.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

    Bianca Nassey, CBATI, operations

  • Dogs Everywhere! - Trish King

    Two days focused on the development of dogs (from puppies, through adolescence, to adult), the development of behaviour problems, canine communication, play etiquette, dog parks, and assessing case studies.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, founder | owner

    Bianca Nassey, CBATI, operations

    Nicole West, reactivity instructor
    
Jordyn Tressider, instructor
    
Erin Greenwood, day school trainer

  • The Power of Choices: Behaviour Adjustment Training for Aggression, Frustration & Fear - Grisha Stewart

    Two days with live demos, understanding techniques for rehabilitating and training dogs with aggression, fear or frustration issues.  BAT builds social skills, confidence and trust with the handler through the use of environmental consequences to reward the dog and eliminate stress or problem behaviours.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

    Bianca Nassey, CBATI, operations

  • The RCT Approach to Reactive Dogs - Suzanne Clothier

    Three-day educational workshop learning how to help dogs develop coping skills for anxiety, arousal, and fear, through games, cooperation, management, training, and behaviour modification.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

    Jodi Cantafio, operations

  • Science Based Dog Training (with Feeling) - Dr. Ian Dunbar

    Three-day intensive workshop designed to understand the diverse theoretical and practical issues in puppy development, canine socialization, and dog training.  Focusing on binary feedback, lure/reward training, canine cognition, learning theories, proofing skills, developing motivation, and life rewards.

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

    Joe Scorgie, owner

    Jodi Cantafio, operations

  • Understanding Your Pets Behaviour and Learning How to Change It - Dr. Jill Goldman

    One day conference learning from Dr. Jill Goldman, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Doctor of animal behavior, and scientifically approved Animal Behaviorist, about assessing and treating animals (predominantly dogs and cats) with problematic behavioral issues.

    Held by:
 Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

  • Talking Terms with Dogs, Calming Signals & Canine Behaviour - Turid Rugaas

    Two day seminar focused on canine communication and building connection through body language over external rewards.

    Held by:
 Tracie Nielson, owner | founder

  • CAPPDT Annual Conference and Trade Show - 2010

    Attended lectrues by industry mentors:

    Karen Pryor, Ali Brown, Bill Bruce (former Director of ByLaw), Gail Fisher, Mona Keith, Steve White, Sue Ailsby, Veronica Boutelle

    Held by:
Tracie Nielson, owner | founder