The bigger the dream, the more important the team
Emma Murdock, founder & head 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
Joe Cinnante three day workshop Feb 2024
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 DistinctionAmerican Schutzhund: training with Toro all three phases (scent, ob and protection)
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. Toro is training for American Schutzhund scent work
CKC Obedience- Working towards CDX with Crickett
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
American Schutzhund
Barn Hunt
Tracking
Dock Diving
Conformation
Clear Eyes Full Hearts aka Riggins
PSA 2, DE (Dock Elite)
PSA
Dock Diving
George RIP 2006-2022
The dog who started it all
Carolina Virgilio,Professional Dog Trainer, 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
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
Carly Fraser, Professional Dog Trainer, Agility Coach and Apprentice Program Mentor
“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
Joe Cinnante three day workshop Feb 2024
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.
Qualifications & Certifications:
Mastering The Remote Collar with Tyler Muto (Online course), 2021
Walk With Me Ottawa’s Apprenticeship Program, 2022
Pat Stuart’s Bootcamp Study Guide (Online course) - Operant Canine, 2022
NePoPo® Live Theory webinar, Ideal Dog Services, Lauren Turner, 2022
Dog Aggression Decoded Masterclass, Mango Dogs, 2023
NePoPo 2 Day Seminar - Chris Smith, 2023
Jay Jack 2 Day Seminar (Upcoming in November 2023)
And other online continuing education (Ivan Balabanov, Tyler Muto, and others)
Charlie ETD (Elite Trick Dog), SD-S - SP (Scent Detection Started, Special)
Lola NTD (Novice Trick Dog)
Madi Armit- Apprentice Dog Trainer
I am currently a Dog Trainer Apprentice for Walk With Me Ottawa. Feels crazy to say!
I have always had dogs growing up and I can remember “training” my grandparents lab to walk around the yard with me like I was a queen & he was my noble steed when I was very little. My interest in dog training really peaked when my family got a malinois / Dutch shepherd mix in 2020 who had severe behavioural issues. A lot has happened since then, and I have learned so much.
I got Jersey as an 8 week old puppy in March of 2023 as my first dog, thinking man I’ve got this in the bag. A golden? easy. Boy was I wrong. She gave me a run for my money, and I needed some help. I reached out to @walkwithmeottawa, and here we are!
Now, we have been doing agility together, we’ve tried dock diving, and I’m working towards doing some competitive obedience with her.
I also am a member of @frostbitewdc! I am learning to decoy with lots of coaching, and I currently bring my foster malinois Brooks, but I am in the market for a malinois puppy within the next year and I’m sure that journey will make an appearance or two at some point.
Sarah Millar, Apprentice Dog Trainer
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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:
