Dog training in Ottawa, Kanata & StittsvillePerformance Through Purpose
Individualized dog training for family companions, sport and performance dogs, and working dogs throughout Ottawa and surrounding areas.
Build a capable dog. Develop a confident handler. Create a stronger team.
Training built around the team
Family Companions
Build a confident, well-mannered dog you can enjoy at home and in public. From puppy development and household manners to obedience, leash skills and more challenging behaviours, training focuses on practical skills that make everyday life with your dog better. Owners learn how their dog learns, how to communicate clearly and how to maintain the training day to day.
- › Puppy foundations & marker training
- › Recall, leash skills & household manners
- › Impulse control & environmental confidence
- › Problem solving & behaviour modification
Sport & Performance Dogs
Sport training requires more than teaching individual exercises. Proformance K9 works with handlers to develop engagement, communication, precision, confidence and teamwork while building strong foundations for future performance. Coaching is individualized to the dog, handler, sport, current level and long-term goals.
- › Engagement, motivation & reward development
- › Obedience foundations & precision
- › Handler mechanics & confidence
- › IGP-related development, trial prep where appropriate
Working Dogs
Working dogs require training that holds up beyond the training field. Proformance K9 provides individualized development for appropriate working-dog teams, with emphasis on environmental confidence, engagement, communication, problem solving and practical performance. Specialized cases require an assessment before a program is recommended.
- › Green-dog & environmental development
- › Detection foundations & engagement
- › Obedience & handler communication
- › High-drive working-dog development
How we work
The approach combines motivation, positive reinforcement, structure, clear communication and fair accountability. Methods and tools are selected according to the individual dog, handler and training goals rather than ideology, and the handler is developed alongside the dog.
Built Around Purpose
There is no one-size-fits-all program here. Every dog brings a different temperament, learning history, motivation and environment, and every handler has different goals. Training is built around the dog in front of us, the person holding the leash and what that team needs to accomplish.
Clear Communication. Stronger Teams.
Strong training is built through communication, consistency and mutual understanding. When handlers learn to understand the dog in front of them and communicate in a way that dog understands, expectations become clearer and training becomes more productive. Relationship matters, and a strong relationship also includes guidance, boundaries, accountability, reinforcement and trust.
Training That Carries Beyond the Lesson
Training shouldn't end when the lesson does. Every program is designed around practical skills that transfer into everyday life, sport or working environments. Handlers learn how and why the training works, so they have the knowledge and confidence to keep progressing long after lessons are complete.
Courtney Vaillancourt
Courtney Vaillancourt is the owner and trainer behind Proformance K9 Ottawa. Her work combines practical companion dog training with an understanding of sport, working dog development and clear handler communication.
Her goal is to give owners the knowledge, structure and confidence to build better dogs and stronger partnerships.
- Transport Canada-certified Explosive Detection Dog Handler
- Professional detection-dog handling in operational environments
- Supervisory experience with detection handler teams in Ottawa and Montreal, supporting Toronto operations
- IGP, obedience and sport-dog development · active handler and competitor
Tim Vaillancourt
Proformance K9 Ottawa and Proformance K9 New York are independently operated locations connected by one shared brand, training philosophy and approach.
Tim is the owner and head trainer of Proformance K9 in Marion, New York, and the developer of the Scentcorps D-Blocks modular detection training system. His path into professional dog training started in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as an Improvised Explosive Device Detection Dog handler, working at the head of patrols in Afghanistan with his dog Sage. In 2014 he left active duty to pursue dog training full time.
He went on to complete professional trainer schooling covering pet obedience, AKC and Schutzhund obedience, specific odour detection, search and rescue, tracking, protection and agility. He joined Proformance K9 in 2015 under world-renowned trainer Deb Zappia, and after nine years and hundreds of dogs trained, took over the business when she retired in 2022.
Today Tim is a national competitor, founding member and judge for American Schutzhund, as well as a judge and instructor for scent-work sports, continuing his own education through monthly seminars. He works with family dogs of every breed and age on obedience and behaviour including aggression and resource guarding, and his training centres on building confidence, keeping a positive attitude and strengthening the relationship between handler and dog.
- Former U.S. Marine Corps IED Detection Dog handler (Afghanistan)
- Professional trainer schooling, obedience, detection, tracking, protection, agility
- Owner & head trainer, Proformance K9 (Marion, NY) since 2022
- National competitor, founding member and judge, American Schutzhund
- Judge and instructor for scent-work sports
- Developer of the Scentcorps D-Blocks detection training system
Group Classes
Small-group classes are in development for the Ottawa area. Spots will be limited and offered to the waitlist first, join it now and you’ll hear about dates, locations and pricing before they’re announced publicly.
Group Scent Detection Classes
Coming soonIntroductory through working-level scent detection in a small-group format, odour introduction, search patterns, indication and problem solving, with Scentcorps D-Blocks used for hide placement.
- › Open to pet, sport and working teams
- › Odour imprinting through advanced searches
- › Container, interior, exterior and elevated hides
- › Limited spots per class
Group Obedience Classes
Coming soonPractical obedience in a controlled group setting, real-life distractions, handler mechanics and clear communication, with coaching tailored to each team inside the class.
- › Foundation and intermediate levels
- › Leash skills, recall and impulse control
- › Working around other dogs and people
- › Homework between sessions
Clear communication. Stronger teams.
Good training starts with understanding the individual dog and establishing a clear system of communication between dog and handler.
Proformance K9 uses a balanced approach combining motivation, positive reinforcement, structure and fair corrections. Methods and tools are selected according to the individual dog, handler, environment and goals.
The objective isn’t simply obedience. It’s helping the dog understand what is expected while teaching the handler when to reward, when to guide, when accountability is appropriate and how to stay consistent, creating greater clarity, confidence and freedom for both.
The work
Private training rates
Sessions are scheduled by appointment throughout the week, with select evening and weekend availability across Ottawa, Kanata, Stittsville, Kemptville and surrounding areas.
Private Training Session
Individualized one-on-one training based on the dog and handler's needs, puppy foundations, obedience, engagement, leash skills, household manners, problem solving or sport foundations. Includes hands-on handler coaching and exercises to continue between sessions.
3-Session Package
Three progressive private sessions built around your goals, with handler coaching, between-session exercises and adjustments as training develops.
6-Session Package
A more comprehensive program for continued coaching and progression, puppy development, obedience foundations, behaviour work and longer-term goals.
Puppy Foundations Program
Start correctly from the beginning. Marker training, name response, engagement, leash foundations, handling, household structure, confidence building, age-appropriate obedience and common puppy challenges.
Learn more →Behaviour Training
Begins with an assessment of the dog's history, behaviour, environment and your goals, combined with hands-on coaching and an individualized plan. Appropriate for reactivity, over-arousal and more complex concerns. Additional sessions may be recommended.
Sport & Performance Coaching
Individual coaching for sport and performance teams focused on engagement, communication, precision, confidence, foundations and progression toward your goals.
Working Dog Training
Individualized development for appropriate working-dog teams: green-dog development, environmental confidence, engagement, detection foundations, obedience and handler development.
Tim Vaillancourt Scent Detection Seminars
Join renowned detection trainer Tim Vaillancourt for an intensive three-day seminar designed to develop and strengthen detection dogs and handlers of all levels. Open to all detection and scentwork teams of any level.
- › Motivation to Search
- › Commitment / Obedience to Odor
- › Finish Search with a Strong, Definitive Alert
- › Proper Search Pattern Behavior
- › Problem Solving
Bonus: Tim may demo the new Scentcorps D-Blocks training system during the seminar.
- › Spots are limited and fill up quickly. Priority working spots are reserved for American Schutzhund members; additional spots are open to working dogs and teams from other sport venues.
- › A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. If you need to cancel, every effort will be made to fill your spot from the waitlist, if we do, your deposit is refunded in full.
From real clients
Verified client reviews will be featured here. Trained with Proformance K9? Send your review and we’ll add it with your first name and your dog’s name.
613-854-7996Book a consultation
New clients begin by submitting a consultation request with information about their dog, current training, concerns and goals. This helps determine the most appropriate service before scheduling the first appointment. Behaviour cases and specialized working-dog training may require an initial assessment first.
- 01Book online with your dog's details and goals, a $62.50 deposit (half a session) secures your consultation.
- 02Courtney replies within 1–2 business days to confirm the right service and your first appointment.
- 03Your deposit applies to your first session; sessions and packages can be paid online anytime.
- 04Seminars and group classes require a non-refundable deposit to hold a spot.
- 0524 hours' notice is required to reschedule a session.
Tell us about you and your dog, then confirm your consultation with a $62.50 deposit, half of a private session, applied toward your first session.
- Consultation request + deposit in one step
- Secure card payment, no cash handling
- Courtney confirms your appointment within 1–2 business days
Existing client? Pay for sessions & packages online
Build a capable dog. Develop a confident handler. Create a stronger team.
Book a consultation