PACKLEADER ACADEMY
Expert Puppy & Adolescent Behaviour Therapy in Surrey BC
Transforming reactivity and anxiety into calm, lasting good habits. Combining calm, assertive leadership with positive, attunement & energy methods, our Surrey Pack Leader Academy builds your confidence and your dog's obedience. Certifications include CPDT, ABC-Animal Emotions, Trauma Placement Care, Pet First Aid + 37 years exp. studying & training pack behaviour in dogs.
TRANSFORMATIONS
Expert Behaviour Rehab serving Bridgeview, and the lower mainland Dog Owners.
Real Results. Real Dogs.
Welcome to The PupHaus —Where 22+ Years of Elite Canine Expertise Meets PackLeader Academy.
With Mimi, your pup is in the best hands possible! Yours! She is passionately committed to educating all dog owners, by maintaining top-notch standards and using gentle, ethical training techniques combined with Operant Conditioning in equal balance, for a smarter, quicker and more solid training program, leaving you in the lead with your pup, and showing you how to become confident using calm controlled energy. No aversive tools used, just plain leash correction in a kind and respectful, but leading way.
This is what you, the puppies and rescues in her programs can expect and need. Her mission is to embrace the best practices in the industry and tweak it a bit to elevate the overall standard by combining the popular positive reinforcement with a balance of leadership skills our dogs need. We work towards a treat free training zone, where your touch and attention has greater value than a treat.
Force free but assertive, commanding but not domineering. A better way for new dog owners to handle puppy care and it takes training to a whole new level! Let's keep the dogs we love out the shelters for good, while still maintaining their playful spirit. Contact me by application or email and I will start you on the road to success with your furry friend.
If you are dealing with a difficult situation and need immediate help, please call 778-801-6150 to speak to Mimi.
Reactive
Calm
Anxious
Balanced
Destructive
Obedient
Reactivity solved!
Ashley and Jonathan are pet parents to a lovely heeler/Corgi mix called Kaido, who started dog daycare as a pup more than a year and a half ago.
Ashley's parents have been bringing their dog Spumoni to daycare daily for almost 3 years, and he's the beautiful brindled French Bulldog you see in our photo's. From the start walking, Kaido was a chore for both of them. I gave them advice, as I do for all my members, but Kaido is a tricky little guy, and his heeler instincts are strong. I have to be on him with the pack daily to calm him down so he doesn't start herding the pack.
So Kaido signed up for a private teen session on leash work a year ago, and even though it helped some, it was a constant battle, even riding in the car. But never give up, is what I say. Be consistent is what I say, and I will admit, I was on both of them all the time, reminding them of the steps to take charge of his reactivity, and how to calm him. Well it's August 21, 2026 and Ashley just sent me this video.
I am so proud of you all! Way to go Kaido!
Structured Paths
to a Calmer Companion
Tired of endless homework and zero progress? Let’s fix the behavior, not just manage it. Get ready to embark on an amazing training adventure with Mimi the Puppy Specialist! Her expertly designed programs aim to enhance communication and understanding between you and your lovable new puppy or energetic adolescent dog. Together, we can transform your relationship and turn training into an enjoyable experience!
"I provide you with practical, 'pain-free' tools to ensure lasting success at home. My focus is on training you for real-world scenarios, not just the textbook. We incorporate games instead of the dull classroom setting that can be tough to engage with."
Puppy & Adolescent Behaviour Modification
Dog behaviour modification is a core part of professional dog training and involves changing a dog's emotional and physical reactions to specific triggers. It emphasizes addressing the root causes of issues like fear, anxiety, and aggression, rather than punishing or treating symptoms. There are many levels of this work, so low-level trauma dogs can be helped right away, but high-level trauma cases will need time to heal before any training can start. Having this assessed by a professional is vital so you don’t accidentally make things worse.
If dogs reflect our behaviors, what are they observing in you? By evaluating both you and your puppy early on, we can prevent behavioral battles during the challenging adolescent phase (around 1.5 to 2 years old) when dogs begin to assert their independence, leading to stress and discouragement for dog owners.
So, stop managing the chaos. Let’s fix it. I won’t load you with lengthy theories or excessive homework. Instead, I focus on you and the dog in front of me, identify the precise trigger, and implement effective real-world boundaries right away. After our first session, you will leave more confident, with a clear plan and a noticeably calmer dog.
Before working with me, many of my students relied solely on 'force-free' positive reinforcement training, which often led to issues when their dog’s reached adolescence. As the dogs grew, they valued freedom over treats and lack the respect due to an excess of love bombing (weak energy) and no rules or structure. Trust me, I have seen these situations frequently in my pack leader training over the years. These students have tried many trainers before finding me and now seeing how ‘ethical’ operant conditioning is a healthy balance of how to set rules and boundaries, without the aversive tools, quickly starts to show progress, so now they are fully on board and loving their dog again.
Many say they thought there would be no change. The dog is broken! Many owners expressed frustration with statements like, "I don’t recognize this dog anymore," "I’m ready to give up; my dog won’t listen and even tried to bite me!" or “I don’t like this dog anymore!”. My biggest battle is to make them see that the change must happen in them, not the dog. And by doing these effective changes, the dog will just come around and start looking at them with that twinkle in their eye again.
This behavior in our dogs’ mirror the challenges seen in today’s young adults, who may feel lost or disconnected from their parents, despite having been raised in loving homes. We often fail our youth by not holding them accountable. I recognized this trend back in the early 2000s, predicting trouble ahead. Sadly, we see the same consequences in our dogs. Bribing them with treats won't solve these problems; only real-world consequences will.
Without structure, rules, and boundaries in the home, respect diminishes. We often blame the parents for being overly affectionate or too strict. Instead of going too far in either direction, let’s adopt a balanced approach to be calm, assertive, and consistent in our boundaries! This shows strength and leadership. Both something dogs are drawn to, to find comfort, direction and protection.
Puppy Play & Train or Private Train (TEEN)
Do you need help getting your new puppy potty trained and socialized, have it learn some etiquette and manners and be the fun dog you always wanted it to be? We can help there with our Puppy Head-Start program where they come to us daily for a week or two, and home with you each evening, tuckered out and loaded with new skills that you must practice, every day so they stick. This is a game changer for new dog owners. It will be bliss for a about a year, if you follow what we taught you, but on the chance that things start to change when the dog goes into the teen years, we are here to help.
So what's the solution for the adolescent teen dog that just won't listen any more? Our Calm Control Program directly addresses difficult teenage behavior using games and focus, to strengthen the team and gain calm and focus. We will work on 'Heel' and 'place' to gain control at the door and greetings. Proofing behaviors under distraction, winning over the teenage rebellion with calm assertive pack leadership, games and community safety.
If you dog is over 2 and needs help with additional behavioural issues like reactivity, let me assess the level of behaviour and design the perfect program that works best for you and your dog. No cookie cutter classes here!
Board & Train
'Boot Camp to Blue Ribbon'— full immersion transformation program.
Our board & train behaviour modification programs offer your dog intensive 2, 2 or 4 week training 'boot camp' programs with trainer Mimi Jacobson and her trusted side kick Sandy in their home and member only dog daycare. Your puppy or young dog will stay in her home with Sandy, her 8 year old rescued Labrador, and when ready, attend daycare with a solid pack of dogs, learning how to interact with calm and kind dogs and learn manners, house rules and some etiquette.
(5-20 months old) This program is not for aggressive dog/human dogs.
Virtual Therapy Consultation
You don't have to navigate it alone. At The PupHaus, our specialized Behaviour Modification Therapy helps dogs—and their owners—find relief from stressful behavior patterns. We focus on evidence-based techniques to reshape how your dog perceives their triggers, turning chaotic moments into calm, manageable interactions.
To make expert behavioral support accessible to everyone, we proudly offer virtual sessions. If distance, travel limits, or mobility make an in-person visit difficult, you can connect with us from the comfort of home via Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Your dog’s success is our priority.
How to Start Choosing a Dog Trainer in Metro Vancouver
Are you ready to find the perfect trainer for your furry friend? It’s natural to have a million questions swirling in your mind because you want nothing but the best for your new pup or for the dog that’s become a bit unrecognizable. Many pet parents seek out trainers to tackle those pesky behaviours, teach essential rules, or ensure their puppy grows up to be a calm, happy companion. Whether it’s dealing with biting, jumping, pulling, or fear issues, choosing a dog trainer who truly understands dogs can make it a bit easier. Below are our Canadian/BC standards compared with US accreditation in the flyer, alongside my pack leader training, which currently gets zero recognition in the industry and is often dismissed as old school, outdated and basic, with no accreditation. I share my argument here—I hope it lands safely.
Why do you need a trainer?
Common Reasons
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Basic manners: People want their pet to sit, stay, and come when called.
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Leash pulling: Dogs often drag their owners during walks.
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Jumping up: Pets jump on guests and family members.
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Biting and chewing: Puppies nip hands and chew on shoes or furniture.
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Potty accidents: Dogs need help to learn where to go.
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Excessive barking: Pets bark too much at sounds or doors.
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Fear and aggression: Dogs act scared or angry around people or other animals.
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New puppy help: Owners want a good start with a young pet.
Top Puppy Training Needs
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Housebreaking: Teaching the puppy to signal when they need to go outside.
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Crate training: Creating a safe space for the puppy to sleep and rest.
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Puppy biting: Stopping the sharp nipping on hands, feet, and clothing.
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Socialization: Introducing the pup safely to new sounds, people, and dogs.
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Basic cues: Learning early commands like "sit," "down," and "come."
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Handling prep: Getting the pup used to paw touches for nail trims.
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Separation practice: Preventing future anxiety by teaching the pup to be alone.
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour
*If your dog is experiencing anxiety or fear, a typical behaviour consultant can assist you. I find that dogs struggling with dog reactivity are best helped by someone that understands pack behaviour, and that would be a pack leader trainer.
However, if it has escalated into aggressive biting and poses a danger to others, dogs or yourself, consulting a veterinary behaviorist (DACVB) is now vital. Medication can help along with the advanced training they have.
RED FLAG / GREEN FLAG
There are a couple of things I want to bring to attention regarding this 'Step 2'. By placing terminology used by packleader trainers in the red category, they are doing everyone a huge disservice. I think I know why, and I will share that below in the following section.
There are many pack trainers that don't use any aversive tools or punishment. And some only use the aversive tools on dogs that are so large and aggressive that they are hard to hold on to, and help.
If they didn't have access to these tools, the only option left is to put the dog down. And I think we can all agree that is not an option for our misguided and misunderstood pets.
I guarantee you that your average dog trainer that offers only 'Green Flag' options in their training regiment would never be able to help a red line dog. I have had dogs brought to me because their trainers gave up on them and walked away. Sometimes treats are not high value enough!
With my basic level 1 animal behaviour, in combination with my 22 years of studying their behaviour, gave me enough understanding to tackle these dogs, and only because I understand energy, attunement, and I am confident and I trust dogs, I was able to help. I think like a dog, and I communicate like a dog.
Basically they are saying here that the Dam, mom of the litter; is cruel, abusive and a mean boss!
Well I use her technique in my training to mimic most of her motherly behaviours to reach young dogs struggling to understand boundaries and limitations.
Canadian National and Provincial Accreditations
Dog training and behavior consulting are not regulated by law in British Columbia and Canada, allowing anyone to claim the title of trainer.
Nevertheless, the BC SPCA, veterinarians, and industry associations acknowledge certain independent designations, institutional certifications, and welfare-based accreditations that demand thorough testing, supervised experience, and strict compliance with humane, evidence-based ethical standards.
CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers): Offers widely respected psychometric examinations requiring independent testing and extensive documented experience hours.
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CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed): Validates broad knowledge in canine learning theory, ethology, and instruction.
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CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed): An advanced credential specifically for complex behavior modification like dog aggression and severe anxiety
IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants): Offers peer-reviewed professional tiers including IAABC-ADT (Accredited Dog Trainer) and IAABC-CDBC (Certified Dog Behavior Consultant) focusing on species-specific applied behavior analysis.
AnimalKind (BC SPCA Accreditation): Rather than a personal exam, this is an official British Columbia-specific welfare accreditation and referral standard issued directly by the BC
SPCA. It audits companies to ensure they exclusively use humane, positive, evidence-based, fear-free methods
KPA-CTP (Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner): A high-standard, hands-on immersive program focused entirely on positive reinforcement.
CAPDT (Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers): A national professional body advocating standards and accrediting educational curriculums across Canada.
As stated below, while credentials alone do not guarantee quality trainers, with these backgrounds they are more likely to use positive reinforcement and avoid 'outdated' punishment based techniques. But can we also agree, that these trainers, almost all of them sat in a classroom studying books, or practiced their skills on one dog at a time?
They were never immersed in a large pack of dogs, and they will say (quite loudly) "dogs don't live in packs", so the experiences that pack leader trainers have is nothing like the book education these credentials all have. I personally have a level in 'animal emotion', and it has been very helpful in how I address dogs and assess them.
But could this push to disqualify Pack leader trainers be because we threaten their industry of lengthy and expensive classes and treatment, where in many cases we can come in and fix issues right away, if we give the owner the right tools?
And no, punishment and aversive training is not typical with pack leader trainers. For military, police and security dogs, yes, that is very possible, but for training pets, no. They just want you all to believe that. I believe we are encroaching on their supposed territory, and they want us gone. Just listen to some of Zac Georges' attacks on social media. He, himself has been caught leash correcting dogs on video, yet claims he is force free. Huh...
Well, if I can save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, and save you months or perhaps years of training and struggles, to come in and fix it in a matter of days or weeks, would you still prefer the highly credentialed trainers?
The fantastic thing is, you can choose, all on your own! Just don't mislabel the pack leaders doing some fantastic work with so many struggling dogs and owners.
