ABOUT US

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Photo by Brian Cooper

 

With 10 years experience as a corporate trainer, Gloria has an extensive background in facilitating adult learning and skills development. A certified Human Resources professional, Gloria owned and operated her own consulting business for 5 years, specializing in the design of custom training programs.

Tollhaven Learning Centre is the fulfillment of a life long dream for Gloria. A place where her love of dogs and her ability to promote learning in her human clients can combine to provide a creative atmosphere to explore the human-animal bond.

As an AAC Masters Agility Judge, a CKC Agility Judge and registered CGN Evaluator, an AKC recognized Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, a CARO licensed RallyO Judge, an obedience competitor and experienced animal handler, Gloria has over 15 years experience helping people develop their relationship with their dogs, horses, birds and exotic pets.

For Gloria, participation in dog sports brings purpose to training and joy to the relationship between handler and dog. Her current dogs, Dante and Jonah, have been competing for 4 years and 2 years respectively. In that time, Gloria and her canine teammates have completed 28 working titles, in 4 sports, in 9 different sanctioning organizations. Her young dog, Jonah, was ranked in the Top 5 Tollers in Canada by AAC, and Top 100 – All Breeds in 2003, and at the first trial in 2004, this dynamic little dog achieved his Agility Trial Champion of Canada – the highest title existing in Canada today.

Gloria’s extensive years of study in the psychology of learning in humans and animals; the techniques of operant conditioning and experience in designing custom training programs make her uniquely qualified as TLC’s primary trainer.

Photo by Kevin Potvin

Danté
Kishkahdina Dante CD, AgI, AADC, MGDC, NAC, OGC, RN-MCL, RA-MCL, CGC
Born: February 16, 1998

Our first Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Dante is a wonderful pet, who takes his work very seriously. A naturally careful worker, Dante has blossomed into a consistent, reliable partner in obedience and agility. All of Dante’s formal training has been created through reward based play and clicker training. In his first season of Agility competition, Dante was ranked in the Top 5 Tollers in Canada by the AAC. In early 2003, Dante was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease, a serious chronic medical condition. Consequently, while he still loves to train and does compete, he does it in his own uniquely humourous way, with our blessing. He’s having a blast and doing what he loves. He is particularly enthusiastic about his cloth frisbee and tennis balls.

Photo by Len Silvester/TTL Action Photography

Jonah
ATChC Ch. Kishkahdina's Whale of a Time CD, AgI, NAC, NGC, RN-MCL, RA-MCL, CGC
Born: February 26, 2000

Jonah is a much more intense dog, with an unrelenting desire to work and play. Entirely clicker trained, Jonah is a happy boy who is constantly learning and improving. A CKC Conformation Champion, Jonah also has competed successfully in RallyO, Obedience and Agility. At the first trial in 2004, Jonah completed the last ‘Q’ needed for the title of ‘Agility Trial Champion of Canada’ – the highest title available in Canadian Agility. Jonah was ranked in the Top 5 Tollers in Canada by AAC, and Top 100 – All Breeds, in 2003. A joy to work with, Jonah can bring a smile to anyone’s face with his carefree antics.

 

Photo by Len Silvester/TTL Action Photography

Judd
Berdia Judd of Kishkadina VADC
Born: September 25, 1995

Judd came to live with us in 2002, when he was retired from the Toller breeding program. As Jonah’s father, Judd was a welcome addition to our agility family. Being an adult when he came to us, Judd was able to start learning the agility obstacles right away. It quickly became clear that Judd’s love of field work and retrieving would transfer readily into a willing and eager agility teammate. As husband Brad’s agility dog, Judd thoroughly enjoyed his first agility trials in Aug/Sept 2002, earning his Agility Dog of Canada title in the Veteran’s class in AAC. Judd’s very close to his CKC Novice title as well. Many spectators comment on Judd’s continuously wagging tail and happy expression in the ring, as he shows off his newly acquired agility prowess. Soon to be 9 years old, Judd is proof positive that old dogs can learn new tricks!

Contact Kevin Potvin
Freelance Photographer