The bigger the dream, the more important the team

Emma Murdock, founder & professional dog trainer

WWMO was born from my love of the outdoors and my passion for dogs.

I've been living life with dogs since I was in diapers. I would shred through the knees of all my snow-pants crawling around pretending I was a dog. I remember the precise moment when I was told for my eighth birthday that I would be getting my own puppy. A farm collie mix that I named Rosebud (after the chocolates!) She lived 16 happy years with me and my family.

Essentially, two things led me to this business: I was tired of having to spend my days indoors and there is nothing I love more than going for a walk with my dog. So, I decided to start a dog walking business because I am so incredibly passionate about dogs and their happiness and I love being outdoors.
Simple.
I have since fallen in love with training dogs and their owners to help them to live more fulfilling lives. I also pride myself in providing an amazing workplace for passionate dog people like myself.

I strive to learn all I can about our canine companions. I invest a significant amount of money and time attending seminars, workshops and conferences each year to improve my skills and broaden my network. We are in it for the dogs, but this industry is really about the people and making their lives better. Expanding your network and working with like minded individuals is so fulfilling and truly helps you be the best that you can be.

Below you will see my list of qualifications- all the seminars, workshops, conferences I have attended, and sports with their levels that we have competed in.

Qualifications & Certifications:

• Duke Ferguson Unleashed Potential 140 hour School for Dog Trainers June 2018 - the only government approved dog training school in Canada

• NePoPo 2 Day Seminar with Pat Stuart of Operant Canine April 2019

• NePoPo 2 Day Seminar with Chris Smith Gold Graduate Sept 2023

• PSA Handling and Problem Solving Seminar with Andrew Sterner JASD Nov 2022, June 2023

• Shaun Thankachen Protection Seminar April 2022

• The Canine Paradigm Ottawa, ON Aug 2019 (hosted by WWMO)

• Unlocking the Potential, Prime Canine, Jas Whiting Feb 2020 (hosted by WWMO)

• Building Confidence and Bravery in the Competition Dog workshop with Monique Anstee Nov 2019

• Drive Building for Obedience workshop by Monique Anstee Nov 2019

• Michael Nezbeth Working Dog Protection seminar Aug 2020

• Canemo Obedience and Protection seminar June 2020

• Keltie Lang Competitive Obedience Workshop April 2019

• Trainers United Summit July 2016 + July 2017

• International Association of Canine Professionals Conference Sept 2016 LA, CA.
  Sept 2017 St Louis, MO.
  Sept 2018 St Pete Beach, FL.
  Sept 2019 Colorado Springs, CO.

• Large Field Socialization with Jason Vasconi- Oct 2018

• Nelson Hodges Relationship Based Behaviour Modification Oct 2016 + Oct 2017

• Chad Mackin- Dogmanship and Socialization June 2017

• Brian Agnew Understanding Your Dog’s Drives May 2018

experience:

• Protection Sports Association (founder and president of Frostbite Working Dog Club est. 2020)
  PSA 1 High Obedience, PSA 2 With Distinction First Leg

• Barnhunt - Competing in Open level with Crickett and Novice with Toro

• Tracking- with Toro and Crickett

• Agility- Crickett obtained her Agility Dog of Canada title summer 2022, Advanced Gamblers

• Dock Diving- Riggs received Dock Elite title last year with NADD

• Scentwork- Crickett has her Starters Standard in SDDA

• CKC Obedience- Working towards CDX with Crickett, CD with Toro

• Rally Obedience- Crickett has her Novice Rally title

• GRC Dog Sports- Crickett has her SR1

Dinsdale Devil’s Little Bug aka Crickett ADC CD
CGN TDI RN ABAR NBRH RATN SR1 SD-S

• agility

• barn hunt

• scent detection

• obedience/rally ob/tricks

• tracking

• roadtripping around north america

• GRC Social Responsibility
  
  “Now that is how a dog should be.” - Bart Bellon

Firezone’s Beyond The Ordinary aka Toro PDC-SD, RATI

• PSA

• Barn Hunt

• Tracking

• Aspiring dock diver

• Conformation

Clear Eyes Full Hearts aka Riggins
PSA 1, DE (Dock Elite)

• PSA

• Dock Diving

George RIP 2006-2022

The dog who started it all

Carolina Virgilio, Head Trainer and Apprentice Program Mentor

“I've had dogs my whole life. But everything changed with my Bernese Mountain Dog that turned out to be dog & human reactive. 

After going through one year of purely positive training, I knew that I needed more to be able to train him for real life, so I started to learn from trainers that inspired me all over the world.

Once I achieved results with my own dog, I wanted to help other people struggling with their dogs and help them rebuild their relationships just like I had done. I knew I had to work with different dogs and behaviours, so the first thing I did was to volunteer in Brazil with a rescue shelter to help dogs to be more suitable for adoption.

In 2017, my husband and I decided to move to Canada, and that was the perfect opportunity to follow my dream of working with dogs full-time and to further my knowledge since we have access to so many great workshops near us. I met Emma at the Trainers United Workshop and she hired me on as a dog walker. I have since become a full time dog trainer with the company.”

Qualifications & Certifications:

- NePoPo Seminar by Pat Stuart of Operant Canine - April 2019
- The Canine Paradigm - August 2019
- Unlocking the Potential, Prime Canine, Jas Whiting workshop Feb 2020
- Building Confidence and Bravery in the Competition Dog workshop with Monique Anstee 2019
-Drive Building for Obedience workshop by Monique Anstee 2019
- Large Field Socialization with Jason Vasconi - October 2018
- Nelson Hodges Relationship Based Behaviour Modification - October 2017
- Trainer’s United Summit - July 2017
- Scent detection workshop - Bocalan (Pedro Salas) - September 2016 (Brazil)
- Leash handling course - Academia Canina - August 2016 (Brazil)

During Canada’s cold winter months, Carolina and her husband travel North America in a travel trailer with her three dogs, a Bernese Mountain Dog named Shadow, a Field Spaniel named Bonnie and a Chihuahua named Dora.

Marisa Robazza, Professional Dog Trainer & Apprentice Program Mentor

Marisa’s first encounter with WWMO happened when she interviewed Emma for a school project. She knew then she wanted to work with dogs for this company! When she graduated, she got a vehicle and applied to be a dog walker. She worked extensively with her dog and people reactive Great Pyrenees Luna and has a lovely and drivey little pug named Bumble who she has dabbled in some sports with.
She eventually began her journey as an apprentice trainer, shadowing under Emma and Carolina while continuing to walk a pack full time.
In fall of 2021, she made the official leap to full time trainer where she uses her experience with her own reactive dog to help people overcome these and other challenges with their dogs.

Qualifications and certifications:

• NePoPo with Chris Smith Gold Graduate September 2023

• Dog Aggression Decoded Masterclass, Mango Dogs - 2023

• Competitive Obedience 3-day seminar, Cassandra St. Pierre - 2023

• IACP member

• International Association of Canine Professionals Conference, Florida, 2022

• The Canine Paradigm workshop at WWMO Aug 2019.

• Unlocking the Potential, Prime Canine, Jas Whiting workshop Feb 2020

• Building Confidence and Bravery in the Competition Dog workshop with Monique Anstee 2019

• Drive Building for Obedience workshop by Monique Anstee 2019

• Canine Nutrition Fundamentals, Hawaii Dog Training Services, Lauren Turner - 2022

• Perfect Puppy workshop by WWMO 2019

• online programs by Ian Dunbar, Evan Doggett

• Scent detection with Bumble

• Tracking with Luna

Upcoming: Jay Jack, Larry Krohn, Joel Silverman Workshop Tour, Jay Jack Play as the Way + Defensive Handling Tactics

Carly Skead, Professional Dog Trainer

“I have been dog obsessed for as long as I can remember, my first job I ever had was at the age of 13 - in a Dog Daycare and Grooming Salon. I worked there for four years until going off to college. And when I brought home my first puppy as an adult - Finnegan the a Standard Poodle, I reached out to WWMO for training help. Eventually Finn did pack walks and boarding with WWMO as well, I trusted them entirely with my dog. As my connection to the dog world grew stronger, I grew a passion to work with dogs and their owners. First, starting as a dog groomer and then completing the WWMO apprenticeship program to become a full time dog trainer where I’ve been thoroughly enjoying helping owners and their dogs live their lives to the fullest!”

• NePoPo with Chris Smith Gold Graduate September 2023

• Graduated from WWMO 6 month Apprenticeship in May 2022

• Pat Stuart Motivational Boot Camp online course November 2021

• Carly has done classes in obedience, ratting, tracking, dock diving, field, agility and herding.

• Her Standard Poodle Finn has ATD, CD, IBAR, ABAR, and DS titles. (trick dog, competitive obedience, barn hunt and dock diving)

• Carly does sheep herding and agility with her border collie Riddle

Tiffany Reed, Professional Dog Trainer

I started working with dogs full time in 2018 as a dog walker and became interested in dog training immediately.

In 2019 I adopted a puppy named Charlie who was being rehomed, and got more than I’d bargained for - anxiety, fear and later, leash reactivity to dogs. I was committed to giving Charlie a great life so I started learning all that I could about training and behaviour modification through books, blogs, podcasts and youtube videos. The more I learned and applied what I learned, the more passionate I became and the more I wanted to be able to help other dogs and their owners.

To make a long story short, I reached out to Emma at Walk With Me Ottawa in 2021 to apply for the apprenticeship program so I could get in-person, hands-on education and turn my passion into the ability to help other people and their dogs. I began providing pack walks and in-home boarding with WWMO and completed my Apprenticeship in 2022. 

Now, I work with WWMO as a full time trainer, helping other pet owners better understand their dogs and be able to provide the best lives they can for their dogs. In 2022 I adopted a female doberman named Lola, and both she and Charlie work helping with client lessons and making friends with boarding dogs.

trainer apprentices

We are excited to have Sara, Lexi & Tia in our trainer apprenticeship program! During this 3-month program, they will learn about socialization and puppy raising, teaching behaviours, pressure and equipment, client relations, and formulating a training plan. They will each have the opportunity to shadow private lessons with our professional trainers and participate in supervised training.

All of our team members are full time- they do this day in and day out which means your dog is getting the most professional experience. This isn’t a hobby, or a side gig money maker. This is our lifestyle, our passion, our dream.

Not pictured below coming soon: Kelley & Nathaniel