Hi, I'm Grace Utz
My Journey as Dog Trainer
It's been 5 years since I started this journey, it’s amazing thing to reflect on. How far you truly can go. I keep adding new things to my business to try and help every dog possible.
Some of the services I provide are Obedience training, Behavior training, tracking, agility, Rehabilitation, Seminars, relaxation for you and your dog, doggie daycare. Hopefully more to come.
Over 16 Years of Experience
As a life long dog owner and lover I’ve often thought about turning my love of animals into my career, and 2020/2021 is the year I am making it happen along with my pups Koko and Nikita.
I’m 33 and originally from Vancouver Island but have now being living in Bulkey Valley for 9 1/2 yrs with my husband. In my spare time I can be found doing things with my beautiful family. I’ve been a hairdresser for the last 11 yrs. Its been and is my passion. However this opportunity opened up this pass spring, to show me I can have not 1 but 2 passions and careers. It has aloud me to take a leap into a new chapter.
I know the conflict of managing life, family, and work commitments with being responsible dog owner, and my aim is to provide a reliable affordable solution for dog owners. For the owners to have peace of mind, and for the dog to have fun experience.
I’m currently working towards becoming a Dog Trainer. I’ve taken CKC level 1&2 obedience as well as level 2 tracking with Noel Pepin Canine. I am currently working with Cheryl from Kadence K9 (Dog Digs) to learn, understand, and train dogs. My goal is to provide the best service I can.
So I am excited to start this journey. Excited to move forward into the next chapter in my careers.
Meet Koko
Koko is my 5 years old Staffordshire terrier cross. Koko came to our family from Northwest Animal Shelter in Smithers. He was 2.5 months old when we adopted him. I have experience with the breed, always had them as pets when I was a child growing up. When Koko was 4 months old, he was such a handful. He would chew on things, pee, always challenge everyone for leadership. One day we had enough and searched out for help to handle him. I chatted with local trainer and recommended me to Noel Pepin clinics. So, I waited and got on his class. That is when we figured out that Koko is working dog, he was bored and needed a job. We both fell in love with Training. Every time Noel was in town we would attend his clinics. I started working with Cheryl as well, and found mine and Koko new passion, training, tracking, and agility. Now Koko is my Demo Dog, whenever I have a session and need help with showing clients how to do things. If I have behavior case, Koko helps the me with the dog. Koko also loves tracking, you will see us out and about looking for places to track.
Meet Dutch
Dutch is my 4 years old Purebred Working Line German Shephard. We adopted her at 1 years old. Her previous owners were having some issues with her and their other dog and home life. I started working with her and fell in love with her commitment to me and wanting to train. Within a couple of weeks of working with her, we brought her home thanksgiving weekend. I worked on getting her settled into our home. Working on behavior work, she took a while to teach on how to behave with other dogs, and people. Once she was settled. I started looking for something to fulfill Dutch and her drive. We started to attend IGP (Schutzhund) Sports seminars in Prince George. Her Father was big into this sport and her mother was in it as well. The second seminar we attended I remember the trainer calling her princess. We didn’t want a princess, so Dutch and I worked hard, till we seen him again. We changed his mind on his first thought of her. We did take a break, got her spayed. Now we are starting to work on it again.
Meet Rodger
Rodger is 5 month old Golden Retriever, he came to use from Bulkey Valley Hive and Honey. He is my new Daycare Dog for my daycare business. His job is helping daycare dogs function in the daycare. Teach dogs how to play properly, and respectful. He will also help me assess temperament in dogs that are wanting to be in daycare. He is such good-natured dog. He is also working with myself and my kids learning his obedience. I can’t wait to see what his future holds. What he will like to do. You will likely see us on our free time, hitting up he lakes.
Meet Nikita
Nikita is my 13 ½ years old, she is Border Collie/Retriever cross. She is now retired and living her life out inside on the couch. She retired from my Daycare at the end of summer. Now Rodger is hoping to fulfil her role. She is my second dog I owned with my husband. Her companion Dakota died at 9 years old. She loved being in the daycare. She enjoyed being the mother hen of everyone. Her favorite was teaching puppies and playing with them.
