Private Dog Training with Aviva Shtull
Based on Quadra Island
Serving Quadra, Campbell River and surrounding communities
If your dog has big feelings – anxiety, reactivity, barking, pulling – you’re in the right place. And if your dog is simply a little too excited, jumpy, or still figuring out manners, you’re in the right place too.
With 20+ years of experience, Aviva is known across Vancouver Island for her calm, kind, real-life training approach. She doesn’t just teach commands – she helps both dogs and people feel understood and supported.
Why people choose Aviva
Aviva knows how to read it. With 20+ years of experience and thousands of dogs trained, Aviva helps even the most overwhelmed pups feel safe, regulated, and capable of making better choices.
Spotting the tiny signals and emotional cues most trainers miss – then translating them into simple steps you can use immediately. Her approach is calm, kind, and incredibly effective.
Babydog has been the most amazing resource for our family and our young pup with separation anxiety and other issues. TL;DR - We've tried a lot of different dog training services and Babydog is BY FAR the best. Babydog helped us with: - One-on-one puppy training - Puppy socialization - Group obedience class - Separation anxiety issues (this was a life changer) - Reactivity to other dogs - One-on-one training for our adolescent dog - Serious emotional support Writing that all out makes me realize how far Benson has come and very much thanks to Babydog. SEPARATION ANXIETY I can't stress enough that if your dog has separation anxiety, reach out to Babydog. Aviva helped us get our lives back. We went from not being able to leave him alone for more than 15 seconds to being able to go out for hours at a time without worrying. If you're going through this, know that it can get better! PRIVATE TRAINING We started out with private training for our young puppy and the support we received was amazing. Our dog was pretty challenging at first but the trainers we worked with were patient, helpful, accommodating and made a huge difference. PUPPY SOCIALIZATION We also took Benson to puppy socialization classes with Babydog where he learned to play appropriately with dogs of various sizes and breeds. He was pretty shy in the beginning but his experiences with Babydog's puppy socialization gave him more confidence and now he's a very social guy. GROUP OBEDIENCE We took Benson to both the beginner and intermediate group obedience classes. The support we got was excellent here and he did great in the beginner class and learned a lot. I think we pushed him into the intermediate class too soon (8 months old). He ended up just wanting to play with everyone so maybe timing is something to think about if your dog is a bit more rambunctious! ONGOING SUPPORT Benson is 1.5 years old now and we're still getting so much support and value out of Babydog's one-on-one training. Aviva has been a huge help and the classes are fun for us and Benson. The training support AND the emotional support have been truly amazing and I really don't know if we could have done it without the help. Thank you Aviva and team!
Baby Dog…I must say, having had dogs all of my life, showing, training, and competing, taking my new young “man” to baby socialization classes was brilliant! Baby Dog taught me a lot as well. I love that they teach and use positive reinforcement philosophy for training. As we encountered some growing pain challenges, particularly with “focusing”, I took advantage of a few private lessons that were spot on! Aviva knew which tool to pull out of her tool box to assist with our particular challenges. Thank you Aviva and Co for all that you do and offer! I have a dog who loves to work, is engaged and focused, and who interacts respectfully with other canines! I highly recommend Baby Dog…for your young pup, as well as your “mature” pup.
Aviva was an excellent trainer. My dogs are walking better and becoming less reactive to other dogs. I have noticed a real difference
We’re so grateful to have found Aviva at BabyDog to help with our two-year-old rescue from Mexico. She went above and beyond to tailor her training to exactly what we needed. From the start, she listened carefully to our goals and truly understood what we wanted to achieve with our dog. The transformation in our dog has been amazing, and we feel much more confident in our own training skills as well. For anyone looking to make a meaningful, lasting change in their dog’s behaviour, we can’t recommend Aviva highly enough!
Engaging. I found BabyDog Aviva and Ruth to be very Engaging. Their approach in classes to both puppy and puppy owner was very attractive and pleasing in a way that holds your attention. Their stories, smiles and positive reinforcement worked for me and worked even better with my puppy. I loved how BabyDog shared their knowledge of canine behaviour, demonstrated patience in the learning process, and especially how they shared their love and joy in helping every BabyDog client become a wonderful puppy parent. Aviva and Ruth worked with my family and my puppy Cookie for over a year, and we have a dog that we are proud to take anywhere.
Aviva was great with our young dog Luna! She was very knowledgable and had great suggestions with everything we asked her about. Our dog deals with a variety of issues (over sensitivity, hyperactive, aggression, fear etc.) and each week we threw her something new that Luna was dealing with and she knew right away how to help us and give us the tools to help our dog. I would recommend her to anyone!
We got our German Shepherd Niro when he was 12 weeks old and since he was our first puppy, we enrolled him in group training classes right away! Mainly working with Aviva and Ruth, they have taught us everything we need to know in order to raise a happy, smart, obedient dog by using positive training methods. Their puppy socialization classes have taught him how to play with dogs of all sizes safely and he has made many puppy friends through it. We would highly recommend them if you have a new puppy!
I emailed Baby Dog as a desperate new puppy parent. The private training gave me confidence and tools to connect with and train my dog. Aviva is so personable and patient, really taking the time to help you understand why each step she teaches is important. My pup was troublesome at Puppy Socializations but it was invaluable in teaching him the right and wrong way to behave around other puppies. We also joined a small group for a 6 week intermediate training course. Dog trainers don't magically fix everything, the biggest piece of the puzzle is the owner. I am SO grateful for the tools given to us by Baby Dog and it's trainers.
What Aviva can help you with
Reactivity: When Your Dog Explodes at the World
For dogs who bark, lunge, growl, or spiral the moment a trigger appears.
Aviva helps you and your dog:
This is where reactive dogs (and their humans) finally breathe again.
Anxiety: When the World Feels Too Big
For dogs who whine, hide, pace, cling, or struggle to settle.
Aviva helps anxious dogs feel safe through:
Slow, steady, supportive – never rushed, never forced.
Over-Excitement, Hyperactivity & Excessive Barking
For dogs who struggle to slow down, settle, or switch off.
Support includes:
Perfect for dogs who wake up ready to sprint – and never stop.
Destructive or Challenging Behaviour
For dogs who need more support navigating big feelings or tricky patterns.
Training for:
Clear steps. Safe practice. No judgement. Ever.
Everyday Training Needs (Puppies, Leash Walking, Manners & More)
For families who want life to feel lighter and easier.
Support includes:
Great for puppies, teens, adult dogs – and humans wanting a calmer home.
How private training works:
Understand the Dog (and Your Life)
A deep dive into history, routines, triggers, and goals. You’ll walk away with:
The Training
Training isn’t “one-size-fits-all” - it’s built around your dog’s personality, challenges, and comfort level. Most sessions happen in a nearby quiet local park, chosen because it helps dogs stay calm and focused.
If your dog struggles most at home or on your regular walking routes, we can train right where the behaviour happens (travel fees may apply).
No matter the location, every session is designed to build practical skills you can use every single day.
Real-Life Coaching & Ongoing Support
Training focuses on building habits that actually stick. Between sessions, you’ll get:
Pricing
- Quadra Island – $500-$550
- Campbell River – $600
- Surrounding Communities – $600 + travel fee
What’s included
Why four sessions?
Because it gives your dog a full learning cycle – enough to make meaningful, lasting progress.
Not sure where to start? Email us anytime at [email protected]. Or book a free 20-minute consultation and we’ll walk you through everything.
About Aviva
Aviva Shtull has spent more than two decades helping dogs feel safe, understood, and confident – and helping the humans who love them finally breathe again. She’s worked with thousands of dogs: wild puppies, jumpy teens, anxious worriers, full-body barkers, reactive firecrackers, and dogs who feel everything a little too intensely.
What sets Aviva apart is her ability to spot what others miss.
She reads body language with incredible precision and uncovers the emotional “why” behind behaviour – the stress, fear, confusion, or unmet needs that drive it. When you understand the dog in front of you, everything else becomes easier.
With Aviva, it’s about connection, confidence, and communication that lasts. It’s also about skills, motivation and communication. Her approach is calm, kind, and grounded in behavioural science. Guided by empathy and clarity, she bridges the gap between dogs and humans and helps both sides feel more regulated and capable.
Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, reactivity, aggression, socialization, or everyday manners, she’ll meet you exactly where you are = with patience, skill, and a whole lot of heart.
Ready to Move Forward?
Let’s help your dog feel calmer – and help you breathe again.
Questions? We’re happy to help – just email [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are the sessions?
Most families meet once a week – it depends on your schedule, your dog’s needs, and how much time you have to practise between sessions.
Aviva will recommend the cadence that gets you results without overwhelming you.Where do sessions happen?
We train where learning is easiest and safest for your dog:
- an easily accessible local park (most common)
- your home, if the behaviour happens there
- your neighbourhood or walking routes
- Travel fees may apply for certain locations.
What if my dog is too anxious or reactive to train in public?
No problem. We start at a distance, in quiet spaces, or at home.
For very sensitive dogs, we can mix video sessions + in-person sessions to reduce pressure and keep training moving forward.
Do I need to buy any special tools or equipment?
Nope – nothing fancy.
We stick to positive reinforcement, so you’ll mainly need:
- treats your dog loves
- a harness or collar
- a standard leash (no retractables)
If something specific would help, Aviva will recommend it – but you won’t be asked to buy unnecessary gear.
What if my dog uses a prong collar, e-collar, or slip lead?
All training is fear-free and force-free.
Aviva will help you transition away from aversive tools safely and gradually, without overwhelming your dog.
What’s your cancellation policy?
We ask for 24 hours’ notice if you need to reschedule.
Life happens – just send us a quick email at [email protected] and we’ll sort it out.
How long before I see results?
Most families notice changes in the first 1–2 sessions – calmer walks, fewer explosions, easier routines.
Bigger behaviour changes (anxiety, reactivity, aggression) can take longer, but progress starts quickly once the dog feels safe and understood.
Do you work with aggression?
Yes – Aviva has extensive experience with fear-based aggression, resource guarding, barrier frustration, and dogs who go “over threshold” quickly.
If your dog has bitten before, please mention it when booking so we can start safely.
Can my kids join the sessions?
Absolutely – if it’s safe and appropriate.
For many families, kids are part of the training success. Aviva will guide you on when and how they can be involved.
Can two dogs be trained at the same time?
If the behaviours are connected (like sibling excitement or conflict), yes.
If they have separate issues, Aviva may suggest alternating sessions so each dog gets what they need.
How does communication work between sessions?
You get messaging support for quick questions, videos, updates, and wins.
Training doesn’t stop when the session ends – we’re with you throughout.
What’s included in the private training package?
- 4 × 45-minute sessions
- personalized training plan
- messaging support
- homework tailored to your lifestyle
- 20+ years of experience guiding you