Lynzey Ruscitti
Lynzey Ruscitti, the owner of Swell Hound Dog Training, has been a lifelong dog (and cat) guardian. She began her official education with animals at Fleming College for Wildlife Management and Technologies. She has worked with a wide variety of Ontario wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks, bats, wild turkeys, and wolves! During one of her contract positions working as a management biologist and wildlife technician on the airfield of Toronto Pearson Airport, she was able to train her own dog (Indy) for bird abatement. Working with Indy was (and still is) such a fun experience that she knew she wanted more! Thus began her journey into dog training (and subsequently, behavior consulting!).
Training Philosophy
Lynzey's personal philosophy is that training should be fun (like games!), should be bite-sized (like treats!), and ultimately about engaging in 2-way communication (like walks!). This means that she uses treats, toys, praise, and games as a means of shaping canine behavior. Her goal is to help you cultivate your dog into one who not only knows their manners but who is also confident and able to cope with whatever their environment throws their way. She teaches you how to be a reliable support system for your dog and how you can become a better listener.
Services
Lynzey offers a variety of services, including:
- Training & Behavior Modification Session Packages: These packages are for clients interested in force-free behavior consulting and modification, or more personalized goals (outside of Puppy Prep or Manners & Life Skills). All Swell Hound Dog Training and Behavior Consulting Lesson plans include a mandatory session on Dog Body Language (unless stated otherwise), and may or may not include travel fees. Each session is 40-60 minutes*; payment plans available.
- Single Session: $120 + tx
- 4 Sessions: $380 + tx
- 6 Sessions: $510 + tx
- 8 (+) Sessions: $640 + tx
- Puppy Prep Package: This package focuses on setting your puppy up for success with solid foundational skill sets, including: House breaking, Puppy Mouthing, Socialization, Cooperative Care, Basic cues & Safety Skills, and more! All Swell Hound Dog Training and Behavior Consulting packages include a full session on Dog Body Language Observation to help us humans help our dogs navigate through the world!
- Recommended age: 8 weeks to 12 weeks
- Length: 5 x 1 hour sessions
- Price: $425 + tx (payment plans available)
- Manners & Life Skills: This package is for young and adult dogs who are beyond the puppy stage and are in need of some Manners and Life Skills! This package includes exercises such as basic cues, cooperative care, calmness & enrichment, impulse control & safety cues, loose leash walking techniques, recall work, and more! All Swell Hound Dog Training and Behavior Consulting packages include a full session on Dog Body Language Observation to help us humans help our dogs navigate through the world!
- Recommended age: 4 months to adult
- Length: 7 x 1 Hour Sessions
- Price: $595 + tx (payment plans available)
- Manners & Life Skills (Puppy Prep Alumni ONLY): This package is for those who completed the Puppy Prep Package and are ready to level up their Manner and Life Skills!
- Recommended age: Puppy Prep Alumni ONLY
- Length: 5 x 1 hour sessions
- Price: $400 + tx (payment plans available)
Certifications
Lynzey holds the following certifications and memberships:
- Good Dog Academy- Professional Pet Dog Trainer Certification: Certificate #: 21PPDT118-1
- Issued: March 24, 2021
- Updated Curriculum (GDA Continuing Education): January 29, 2024
- Fear Free Certified Professional: Issued: November 25, 2021
- Kim Brophey L.E.G.S® Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation® Professional: Certificate #: b5vjgzd84s
- Issued: April 13, 2022
- The International School of Canine Psychology & Behavior- Diploma in Canine Behavior: Issued: August 08, 2023
- Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers Member: Inception Date: January 02, 2022
- Member #: 695
- The Pet Professional Guild Canine Training Professional Member: Inception Date: August 25, 2023.
- Member #: 70283758
- Dogsafe Canine First Aid: Issued: January 2021
Specializations
Puppy training, basic obedience, manners and life skills, behavior modification
Training Methods
Lynzey is a force-free, fear-free, positive reinforcement dog trainer. She uses rewards (treats, toys, and whatever else your dog may find incentivizing) in her training, in conjunction with an overall holistic approach to behavior. She does not use any aversive techniques in her training (from leash corrections to electric collars).
Customer Reviews
We had a wonderful experience with Lynzey. She is friendly, enthusiastic and positive and we learned so much in our classes. She arrived at our sessions fully prepared and supplied us with a written summary of what we worked on each class plus additional tips and tricks.
We were able to ask for help with specific situations and Lynzey would suggest alternative strategies if something didn’t work for us. Her explanation of dog behaviours helped us adjust the way respond to our dog.
We would not hesitate to recommend Lynzey to anyone with a new pup or who simply needs additional training support for their furry friend.
Media Appearances
Lynzey has been featured in the following publications:
- Ottawa Stories- The 16 Best Dog Trainers in Ottawa (2022)
- Das Lokal Ottawa- The Best Expert Dog Trainers in Ottawa (2024)
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
