Contact Canine Solutions Dog Training in the Comox Valley

I recently adopted Lilly, a one-year-old Goldendoodle who had been rehomed previously. When she was returned to her breeder, she went back to living in a multiple-dog household, so the full extent of her issues either wasn't known or wasn't apparent. Within a week of bringing her home, it became clear that she had separation anxiety. I couldn't leave her alone. I started with crate training, feeding her meals in the crate and gradually increasing the time she spent there. She never really settled, though, and continued to whine and bark. I eventually worked up to an hour, believing I was helping her learn to cope. Then one day, after only 20 minutes in the crate, I stepped outside to adjust the sprinklers, and she completely panicked. I realized I needed help. Although I've had seven dogs over the years—five of them rescues or rehomed dogs—I'd never dealt with separation anxiety before. My veterinarian recommended Drew of Canine Solutions Dog Training and Dog Gone Good. While separation anxiety isn't Drew's specialty, the four private lessons we had in our home gave Lilly and me exactly the foundation we needed. He taught us practical skills like "Place," using spatial pressure so Lilly didn't feel the need to follow me everywhere, settling quietly on leash, loose-leash walking, and gradually practicing departures. Just as importantly, he helped me understand how to build Lilly's confidence without overwhelming her. The training was thoughtfully paced, with each lesson building naturally on the last. Drew was patient, encouraging, and always quick to respond to questions between sessions. By the end of our four lessons, both Lilly and I had the confidence to continue our separation anxiety desensitization training on our own. Positive training is one of the best investments you can make in your relationship with your dog. I highly recommend Drew to anyone looking for knowledgeable, compassionate guidance.

I cannot recommend Drew and his training enough! I sought out drew for dog reactivity that left me feeling isolated and anxious. The training strengthened our bond and gave me the tools I needed to handle difficult situations with confidence. One of my favorite things about our training is Drew brought his perfect dogs to teach socialization in a controlled and safe manner which was so incredible for me and my pup. After the program, I have my happy, goofy dog back that knows his boundaries and is learning to socialize again and make dog friends! I have a new dog thanks to Drew.

Highly recommend Drew and CanineSolutions for dog training. I have a very reactive young dog and Drew created a custom program to help me better control my dog on walks and hikes. He took the time to understand my priorities and taught me straight forward, actionable tactics to control my dog, especially around the triggers of other dogs, bikes and scooters.

We adopted a high energy, anxious black lab rescue who was reactive to other dogs on leash. We tried a few trainers but didn’t achieve much success until we worked with Drew at Canine Solutions! Drew worked with us to incorporate proper e-collar and prong training. He addressed our concerns, provided step by step instructions, and feedback to move our learning forward. He even looked at our dog’s nutrition and made some great suggestions. After three months of training, we have a calmer, well adjusted dog who is able to enjoy life! We highly recommend Canine Solutions!

I can count on 1 hand the number of other dogs my Piper can be trusted around. Walks were a nightmare because she would just explode at every animal (dogs, cats, horses, wildlife). Sometimes, if the other critter just stayed still we could get by with raised hackles and death glares from Piper, but not always... The reasoning behind her reactivity has always been a mystery for me because she was a very socialized dog and not an "only child". I had her mother who was quite the opposite, very eager to train, learn and listen and didn't really want anything to do with other dogs unless something was "happening". This led to me feeling seriously unequipped and unconfident in how to handle Piper. Working with Drew really provided insight and helped me realize that what I thought just intense overconfidence was actually insecurity acting out. A dog who needs a leader they can trust to have their back but I wasn't cutting it. He helped equip me with the tools and knowledge for how to see and respond to early body language signs from Piper that she was uncomfortable. We started with a lot of seeing, then avoiding tactics so that I could gain confidence in reading early warning signs but also so that Piper could learn I was there to help her, not be something she needs to worry about protecting as well as herself. Later on, we worked on engaging stimuli and managing her responses, with me being able to get ahead of the reaction and teaching her that it is not necessary. She doesn't need to panic and get defensive but that I am there to stop anyone from coming at us. It's almost 2 months post graduation and we still have our odd blow ups and issues but we are continuing to make progress! We can actually go on walks now and pass dogs in close proximity without Piper losing her marbles. More often than not, she is actually able to relax while doing it! Something I never thought would happen! I have way less stress and anxiety while taking her out and she can no longer feed off of my fear to make her insecurities worse. I had a lot of stress about our last session, worried that after we finished and we would be "on our own", something would go wrong and I wouldnt know how to handle it. Drew helped remind me that training doesn't end just because you stop going to class. Personally, I don't believe there is a point you could hit where you say, there is nothing left to learn or at the very least practice/reinforce the knowledge of. Piper had 6 years of cementing bad habits and I had built up so much fear and stress around her before we got help so no, we aren't 100% fixed after 8 sessions but now, we know what to do and have the confidence to do it in our day to day life. Drew offers lifetime support but so far, I'm happy to say that I haven't felt the need to reach out ❤️

Drew demonstrated exceptional insight and competence as a dog trainer throughout our experience. Working with Drew was truly a delight—his professionalism, dedication, and understanding of canine behaviour made a remarkable difference in our dog handling. We recommend his services to anyone seeking a professional dog trainer.

Easy to follow training techniques that work. Love that there's lots of time in between each lesson to practice. Love the portal to be able to watch the videos and read training info.

Drew made the biggest difference in my dogs life. I went from constantly struggling with my dog and her reactivity to peaceful walks with and around other dogs and people.

Even though I've had dogs all of my life; from a Pointer cross, a wolf hybrid, Great Danes Parson's Jack Russells, Doberman crosses to Doodles, doesn't mean I shouldn't reach out for professional help. I was struggling with a new pup. I felt like I was doing all I could, but nothing I was doing seemed to be working. For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel like I knew what I was doing. And I really wanted to make sure I would give this little pup the best chance at the best life he could have. Feeling like I had forgotten everything I ever knew about dogs, I reached out to Drew and I'm so glad glad I did! With his clear, logical, and uncomplicated guidance, my pup and I are well on the way to a great partnership. I can't thank Drew enough!! So, if you find yourself pulling out your hair over an unruly puppy, don’t hesitate to reach out to Drew at Canine Solutions. His expertise and guidance is worth every penny and then some!! Thank you, Drew! Megs & Eddie x

"Working with Drew Warner from Canine Solutions Dog training completely changed our lives. Our dog, George, went from anxious and reactive to confident, calm and happy. The patience, kindness and understanding that Drew showed made all the difference - not just for our dog but for us as owners. We are so grateful for the incredible care and results!"

Drew was a fantastic dog trainer and dog-owner coach! I have a very nervous dog very reactive to other dogs, and it felt overwhelming to try to change her behaviour (and de-stress myself) but with Drew's patience and manageble pace we got there. I feel like I have no tools and confidence than I possibly could have imagined just 8 weeks ago. More control = less stress. Thanks Drew!

We were skeptical at first about what Drew could do with our dog Walker. After our first meet and greet we knew we wanted Drew’s knowledge and training , just what program fit us. From first visit we took the tips of knowledge Drew applied with Walker and continued from there . Each lesson Walker was not only learning but so were we , making the training fun and engaging to both dog and yourself . Drew was always positive with his teaching methods both with us and Walker , making each session a positive tiring experience. Our friends commented after our second session the change they saw in Walker which only continued throughout the training and now. Thank you Drew for helping us learn a positive daily lifestyle both in home and out on walks with Walker. The tools you gave us for Walker work remarkably well but the tools you gave us is the icing on the training !! Thank you so much for everything Drew

Working with Drew at Canine Solutions Dog Training has significantly improved our lives with our doggo! Before doing the training, our dog was reactive toward 99% of dogs (barking, lunging, growling, uncontrollably). He wouldn’t listen and nothing could distract him or help him calm down. No amount of tasty treats could convince him. Even at large distances, like across the street, our dog would be melting down any time he spotted another dog. We were dreading going on walks and taking him anywhere (the whole reason we wanted a dog in the first place!). We started working with Drew and we learned how important it was to work on recall and how a lot of our dog’s reactivity was stemming from frustration and the need to socialize more. I was hesitant about using an e-collar at first, because I didn’t fully understand it, but it truly is a game changer and allows so much freedom and safety for your dog. Drew was great at walking us through how to use the e-collar and making it safe and comfortable for our dog. After working through the program our dog went from never greeting other dogs (and us dreading walks) to all of us looking forward to walks where he gets to socialize with other dogs and even do some off leash walking again. We would highly recommend Drew’s program for anyone looking to improve their life with their dog!

Amazing experience ! Drew is a great trainer, incredibly thorough, nice, and responsive. Our dog learnt a lot, and so did we. On top of it, he provides life long virtual support, which is quite invaluable. I had some previous experiences with other trainers, but Drew is in another league , can't recommend him enough.

As soon as we met Drew he put us totally at ease. Drew was completely focused on our dog. He is relaxed, patient and extremely knowledgeable about dog behaviour/body language with everything being about going at the dogs pace. He communicates his knowledge and experience in a straightforward way that was easy to understand and follow. We have seen a huge increase in Pippa’s confidence and we were amazed how being given the right education can make such a difference. I would highly recommend Drew.

Drew has been such a blessing for me and my dog Axel. Axel is young dog (pyrenees cross) and had been in a few incidents before meeting Drew. Axel became hard to control and a bit reactive to certain triggers in his adolescence. However, since working with Drew he has become such a well behaved dog. Drew taught me how to use tools and training that has made leaps and bounds of improvement with Axel. His recall has become fantastic, and his leash walking is so much better and requires way less force than it used to. Drew is also a pleasure to work with and explains things so clearly and simply. Axel adores him. My training with Drew has been well worth the investment.

Mike and I can't say enough great things about Drew. The attention to detail, the clear feedback during our sessions, the depth of resources provided to help us in-between sessions. As first time dog owners Drew helped us build confidence in our approach. Thanks Drew!!!

Review for Drew – The Best Dog Trainer!We can’t say enough good things about Drew! He completely transformed our dog, and it has made such a huge difference in our daily lives. Before training, we were dealing with some serious behavior issues that made things stressful. But thanks to Drew’s patience, expertise, and clear guidance, our dog is now well-behaved, happier, and more confident.What really sets Drew apart is how well he understands both dogs and their owners. He didn’t just train our dog—he also taught us how to keep up with the training so the progress would last. Now, walks are enjoyable, guests aren’t met with chaos, and life at home is just easier.If you're looking for a trainer who truly knows what they’re doing and cares about getting results, we 100% recommend Drew. He’s the real deal!— Mirza, Christine & Goose 🐶

A True Professional and Mentor in the Dog Training Industry I’ve had the privilege of knowing Drew for 24 years—first in the travel industry, where we both excelled in leadership and communication, and later in the dog training world. Over the years, Drew has been not only a trusted colleague but also a mentor and steadfast supporter. We have shared many clients, collaborated on dog training group classes, attended dog training conferences and workshops together. Drew has helped countless Metro Vancouver dogs and their owners build better relationships and improve their quality of life and I am excited that he is now on Vancouver Island.I have worked closely with Drew with many clients, as well as with my very first dog as an adult, Luna, over 11 years ago. Luna had complex behavioural issues, and after hiring multiple trainers without success, I felt overwhelmed living in busy Gastown with a 110lb reactive dog. While others gave up, Drew never did. His dedication and unwavering support made all the difference. Through his patience, kindness, and deep understanding of Luna’s working breed traits and the challenges of city life, she transformed—eventually becoming a demo dog for puppies and other reactive dogs.Drew’s expertise, patience, and deep understanding of canine behaviour make him an outstanding trainer. His dedication to both dogs and their people is evident in every interaction, and his ability to tailor training approaches to individual needs truly sets him apart.If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, committed, and results-driven dog trainer, I highly recommend Drew at Canine Solutions. His commitment to helping dogs thrive and fostering strong relationships with their owners is truly exceptional. I am forever grateful for all the help and support I have had from Drew and it is my pleasure to recommend him.

Drew at Canine Solutions Dog Training helped us immensely with learning to increase wanted behaviors and reduce and manage unwanted behaviors for our rescue dog, Kipper. Kipper joined our family at seven months old with a history of trauma, and we became increasingly concerned about several of his behaviors, including distrust of and reactivity to people, especially men. We were worried Kipper would never be able to interact with our male family and friends. However, Drew helped us to foster and strengthen our bond with Kipper, taught us how to read his body language, taught us how to be leaders with him, and showed us various strategies to manage his behaviors. Now, Kipper is at a point where we are able to have family and friends over or bring him to family and friends, including males, and he greets them calmly, settles around them, and often warms up to them with tail wags and kisses. We honestly never thought we would get to this point, and we have Drew to thank for helping us get there. We cannot thank him enough.

Our rescue pup Tiger is an excitable and energetic dog who I thought would always be hard to wrangle on a walk and forever on leash. Within a couple sessions with Drew, Tiger was managing impulse control, obeying commands, and so much more manageable on a walk. Within a couple months, our pup that I never thought could roam free was off leash, playing with other dogs in the park, and living his best life. We regularly get compliments on his recall. Tiger’s recall skills have helped keep him safe when other dogs are getting too excitable at the park or when guiding him away from dangerous terrain on a hike- he comes back immediately. It’s given us as owners huge confidence in our ability to give Tiger the adventures he deserves.

We have had Drew working with our puppy on many occasions from when he was just puppy training to pack walks, off leash, etc. Drew is wonderful to work with and is always ready to take calls at anytime if there are questions or followups. I would highly recommend Drew for any dog training needs.

We have hired Drew at Canine Solutions with two of our dogs in the past and he has been so instrumental in making our pups just the sweetest dogs, well trained, and the kind of dog everyone wants to be around. He has taught us so much about ourselves and our dogs' behaviours. The first time we hired him was to help us with our adult dog Jazz, who was a border collie cross, who pulled incessantly on the leash when on walks, and the second time was when we got a new puppy and Jazz was 12. With the new puppy, Drew worked with the whole family, as we had youngish children at the time to really make sure we were all working with the dogs in a consistent and positive way. Drew was so excellent teaching both us, and our kids, had amazing patience and really clear instructions for what to do in between training sessions. I have also known Drew for nearly two decades now and he has worked with rescue dogs and has such a wide breadth of experience, I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a really positive dog training experience. He's brilliant!

I felt fully supported by Drew throughout the entire training process. He always made time to answer any of my questions or concerns, he provided me with great learning materials and continues to support me and my dog to this day. I am constantly stopped on walks and at the dog park to tell me how impressed folks are with my dogs behaviour and obedience. I now have the confidence take my dog anywhere with me which in turn has really strengthened our relationship. can't recommend Canine Solutions enough!

LOVE IT! My wife and I were having a few issues with our dog being a little on the reactivate side with other dogs. We met with Drew who helped walk us through how to work with our dog. We are all much happier now. Would definitely recommend a meeting with Drew!

We love our German Shepherd mix dog but she has been a handful. Concerns were her excessive barking at our 2 year old granddaughter which made visits very stressful as well as her lack of good recall. We asked Drew to help and he was great, giving us many good strategies and training ideas. Things have improved immensely with our granddaughter who now loves our dog and plays with her. We are so happy with that. We have a grandson now and this time around we are so much better at introducing the two of them.We decided to use an e-collar and have found that to be a game changer. It helps our dog to snap out of what she is fixated on and come back to us. It's great when we walk in the forest with her. We feel much more confident knowing we have this tool to use when needed. It's just one thing among many other things Drew trained us in. We found that Drew listened well and focused on what our needs and concerns were and to find solutions that worked for us.We would highly recommend him.

We had a great experience with Drew doing the e-collar program. Before training with Drew our dog had a really strong prey drive and poor recall. Training has been essential to our dogs safety and quality of life. Drew was great to work with and is extremely knowledgeable with all aspects of training. It's definitely an investment, but well worth it. It's changed our lives and given our dog so much more freedom to enjoy life.

We hired Drew for our rescue Oreo. Oreo had reactivity issues towards kids and we tried everything online taught us but it seemed to get us only minuscule progress. After discussing with Drew, he recommended the off leash e-collar training program and at first we didnt understand why that would be good fit because Oreo was pretty good on leash. However soon we realized this type of training teaches the dog to look to us as leaders which reduces his reactivity and anxiety. Honest to god, within a couple weeks, Oreo was following us and obeying our commands and he was excited to do so. So much so that when we had guests come over, they couldn’t believe what a difference he was. If you’re reading this and have doubts, just take the leap of faith and let Drew show you what kind of dog your fur baby can be. This experience is invaluable and will be passed onto hopefully many other dogs I will raise.

It's been amazing working with Drew. He is such an amazing trainer! Drew helped us set our sweet American Bully up for success and he did not disappoint. He is kind, patient, knowledgable and clearly loves what he does. I would absolutely recommend Drew and Canine SolutionsTraining for any of your training needs.

I highly recommend Drew for anyone looking for support in dog training. He took our high energy pitbull who was a MASSIVE puller (literally would hurt my shoulder when taking her on walks), and helped us train her to walk calmly beside us on leash. He also trained us on recall (Lucy comes back now everytime even with high distractions), and on other critical skills so we can actually enjoy our time with Lucy instead of battling with her. Drew is kind, patient, and a straight up dog whisperer. Thank you, Drew, for everything!

We knew we needed training for our new Toller puppy when she just wouldn't listen to any recall commands! We did our research and Drew kept coming up as the best in the business. We were not disappointed. Drew listened to what we wanted to achieve with our pup, and not only helped us train her, but he trained us to be better dog owners. Rosie (our pup) is now 2.5 years old and the ecollar training has been monumental for us. We can confidently take her to any park and know she will listen to our recall commands. If you are a new dog owner, or even a veteran owner but have a dog that just isn't responding the way you'd hope, Drew is your trainer. Highly highly recommend!

Canine Solutions and Drew himself have literally saved our household. We came to Drew at the end of our rope with our Portuguese Water Dog. Everything we had tried previously had little to no effect on our dog's behavior. As soon as we contacted Drew, he was over to our house to assess our pup and assured us that he could help. Continuing forward with Drew was the best decision we have ever made. He was very focused on our training, came up with personalized exercises to try with our pup, and he was always very accessible, even after our training was completed. I cannot express in words how effective, professional, and dedicated Drew is to helping you and your dog grow together into what you've always envisioned. Thanks Canine Solutions!!!

When I contacted Drew about private training, I was desperate and thought I might need to rehome my puppy. I suffer from a chronic illness and was in a significant flare and owned a magnificent but out of control dog. Drew’s Canine Solutions Dog Training Program put me back in charge. Drew taught me how to properly communicate with my puppy and take the frustration out of our relationship. I am now the proud owner of a well behaved and very happy dog.