About Us

When looking for the best dog training in Ottawa, look no further than SHIELD K9 Ottawa. Our customized programs, led by our team of professional dog trainers, offer effective and reliable training solutions for dogs of all breeds and sizes. With a focus on positive reinforcement, our training methods prioritize your pet’s well-being while ensuring maximum results.

About Us

When looking for the best dog training in Ottawa, look no further than SHIELD K9 Ottawa. Our customized programs, led by our team of professional dog trainers, offer effective and reliable training solutions for dogs of all breeds and sizes. With a focus on positive reinforcement, our training methods prioritize your pet’s well-being while ensuring maximum results.

meet the TEAM

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Ruth & Greg Borger

Owners, Operators and dog & cat lovers!

My wife and I have always had German Shepherd dogs, so we are very familiar with a working line breed and the necessity for strong obedience training and mental stimulation.  Early in 2021 we discussed getting a Dutch Shepherd, so we did our research about the breed to understand their level of energy and intelligence, to make sure we were going into it with eyes wide open. Enter our handsome man Halo.

Our boy Halo turned out to be extremely reactive to people and other dogs. These reactions included lunging, barking, and snapping at any person or animal that got too close. We were not prepared or expecting this level of aggression, which continued to get worse as he got older. We were at the point where we were nervous walking him in our neighbourhood, let alone taking him out in public. When people came over, he had to be locked in his kennel, which is not at all the life we want for our dog.

We reached out to different professional trainers in the Ottawa area for help, and even travelled as far as Montreal, QC to find someone to help us and Halo. All of these trainers provided different advice, techniques and guidance – none that was effective, and some would not even try and handle him.

A dog is meant to compliment your life – not dramatically change it for the worse. So, with no real solutions for modifying his behaviour and no prospects of re-homing him, we reluctantly contemplated euthanasia.

That’s when we found Shield K9!  We travelled from Ottawa to Shield K9 in southern Ontario for an assessment and what we saw and heard convinced us there was hope for Halo. We immediately signed him up for the 6-week board and train program.

Thanks to Shield K9 we now have a “new” dog! He is calm, does not react, and we are completely comfortable being out and about with him as well as having people coming over. He now compliments our life perfectly.

Through this experience, we realized that Ottawa was lacking in this key aspect of canine training services – so we decided to partner with the company! Knowing that we wanted to provide a full turnkey service for boarding and training, we proceed to purchase an established, modern kennel facility – Beds for Tails. 

We have a proven track record in business start-up and operations, with extensive experience in client service. Through this, we put together and surrounded ourselves with the best possible ownership and operating group. This includes highly experienced and talented dog training professionals, experienced kennel operators, a highly motivated and knowledgeable marketing team, and most importantly an in-depth understanding of customer service.

Shield K9 Ottawa and Beds for Tails Kennels combined will provide the greater Ottawa area an all-inclusive canine training, pet boarding and grooming service like none other. We look forward to working with you and your pets!

As we at Shield K9 Ottawa say, “You can’t blame them, if you don’t train them.”

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GREG BORGER

Managing Partner, Dog Trainer

Greg has spent the last 31 years in policing, spending most of his career with the Ottawa Police Service.  He had the opportunity to work in several speciality units, but ultimately returned to his original calling of being on the road and retired in 2023 as a Patrol Sergeant.

For the next phase of his life, he now is focusing on his two other passions: business development and working with dogs.  Over the years Greg has personally owned and trained 6 working line dogs as well as owning and operating Stone Deck Innovations.

Partnering with Haz Othman and Shield K9 was the perfect fit, bringing to Ottawa a level of dog training that was not available before.  Knowing the importance of training credibility as well as the importance of understanding all the ins and outs of owning and operating a business, Greg signed up to for Shield K9’s Pro Trainers Course. Greg completed the course and was the first candidate to successfully achieve the status of Pro Trainer through Shield K9.

Greg’s focus is primarily on growing the Shield K9 brand in the Greater Ottawa area, however, he enjoys taking part being the lead trainer for client dogs, as well as supporting our other excellent trainers.

Greg is a big believer in a balanced training approach, being clear, consistent, and treating dogs fairly to ensure they understand what is expected of them before holding them accountable.  Having this mantra is where he came up with Shield K9 Ottawa’s motto – You Can’t Blame Them If You Don’t Train Them!

Nima Tabaghian

NIMA TABAGHIAN

Dog Trainer

Nima’s journey into dog training began with a bold career change after nearly a decade in financial analysis. In 2017, he decided to follow his true passion: “working with dogs”.

 This decision led him to immerse himself in specialized courses, seminars, and hands-on training experiences, building a successful business career as a professional dog trainer. He earned certifications from the Iran Kennel Club (IKC), recognized by FCI standards.

Nima’s expertise covers both family pet training and working dog development. Over the years, he has trained more than 700 dogs, focusing on obedience, behavior modification, and advanced preparation for BH and IGP (Shutzhund) tests. 

As the founder of his kennel in Iran, Nima provided a wide range of services, including breeding work-line German Shepherds, board-and-train programs, and decoy work for protection training. These experiences have given him comprehensive knowledge and expertise in working dogs. This includes training his two personal GSD’s – Zakk Wyle who is BH certified, and Peddy Von Haus Ulko.

Among all aspects of dog training, sport training holds a special place in Nima’s heart. Preparing dogs for competitive challenges, particularly in protection for IGP (1-2-3) tests, is not just a career for him—it’s his greatest passion and favorite hobby. He thrives on the precision, energy, and dedication that sport training demands, making it a defining part of his professional journey.

Relocating to Ottawa with his wife and their two dogs marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter of his life. A long-time admirer of Shield K9’s innovative training methods, Nima is thrilled to bring his expertise and enthusiasm as a member of Shield-K9 Ottawa team.

Nima’s training philosophy is rooted in balance—clear communication, consistency, and fairness. His belief in dog training is to “Bring more JOY into every dog and parent’s life”, ensuring expected behaviours are well understood. Whether training family pets or high-performing sport dogs, Nima is dedicated to fostering strong, positive connections between dogs and their owners, helping them achieve their fullest potential.

Amalie Morgan

Dog Trainer

 

Amalie has been passionate about dogs for as long as she can remember and always knew she wanted to build a career working with them. At the age of 16, she began working as a pet care provider for a professional pet care company in Ottawa, where she gained experience with a wide variety of dogs, including those struggling with leash reactivity, resource guarding, and bite-related behavioural issues. Through this work, she discovered a passion for helping owners better understand their dogs and build stronger relationships through clear communication.

In 2021, Amalie launched her own business focused on teaching pet owners how to safely and confidently trim their dogs’ nails. Working with clients one-on-one grew her passion for helping people overcome challenges with their dogs and create more enjoyable, stress-free lives together.

In August 2022, Amalie adopted a Cane Corso with significant reactivity and behavioural challenges. Determined to help her dog succeed, she immersed herself in learning more about canine behaviour and effective communication. This led her to pursue an apprenticeship with a professional dog training company, where she expanded her knowledge and practical skills working with dogs of varying breeds, temperaments, and training needs.

Through dedicated training and the consistent application of the skills she learned during her apprenticeship, Amalie transformed her dog’s behaviour, allowing them to enjoy off-leash adventures, public outings, and a more fulfilling life together. Along the way, they explored activities such as bite sports, canicross, and bikejoring, further strengthening her appreciation for the versatility and potential of well-trained dogs.

Amalie is committed to continuing her education and professional development. She regularly attends seminars, group classes, workshops, private coaching sessions, and online courses to stay current with modern balanced training methods and expand her understanding of canine behaviour. She plans to train her next dog through the levels of PSA and is always looking for opportunities to further develop her skills as a trainer.

Amalie is passionate about helping owners and their dogs develop clear, fair, and consistent communication. She looks forward to helping each client build a stronger relationship with their dog and achieve their training goals.

Giovanni Germani

Dog Trainer

Ever since he was a kid, dogs have been a huge part of Giovanni’s life. Growing up, his reading subject of choice was dogs. His room was filled with books about dog breeds, training, behaviour, genetics, and just about everything related to dogs. He spent countless hours learning everything he could and dreamed that one day his passion would become his career.

What started as a childhood passion has grown into more than six years of hands-on experience training dogs and helping owners build stronger relationships with their companions. Throughout that time, Giovanni has continued to invest in his education and has earned multiple professional training certifications, always striving to become the best trainer he can be.

Today, he is a proud, bilingual trainer with Shield K9 Ottawa, helping owners overcome challenges, improve communication with their dogs, and achieve real-world results. He believes calm leadership, clear communication, and consistency make all the difference in building a confident, reliable dog and a strong relationship between dog and owner. Whether he is working with a family companion, a high-drive working dog, or a dog struggling with behavioural issues, the goal is always the same: to help owners build a confident, reliable companion they can enjoy for years to come.

His personal dog, a Labrador named Sniper, is his best friend, hunting partner, and constant companion. He is the center of Giovanni’s life and a daily reminder of the power of a strong bond between a dog and its owner. The relationship they share reflects the same relationship he strives to help every client build with their own dog.

Giovanni believes there is nothing more rewarding than seeing both the dog and owner gain confidence throughout the training process. His goal is simple: to help owners enjoy life with their dogs, take them wherever life leads, and give them the freedom, confidence, and opportunities every dog deserves as a valued member of the family.

MEGHANN FRANCIS

Dog Trainer

Meghann has had a lifelong passion for dogs and always knew she wanted to pursue a career working with them. At the age of 18, she began her journey at a boarding kennel, where she gained hands-on experience working with a variety of breeds. After her family adopted a herding breed, she developed a strong interest in breed fulfillment and took on the responsibility of training the dog.

When she welcomed her first personal dog, Bindi—an Australian Shepherd mix—she realized that training was her true calling. Through her work with Bindi, she gained experience addressing challenges such as leash reactivity, separation anxiety, obedience, and breed-specific enrichment. She subsequently adopted additional rescue dogs with a range of behavioral needs, further expanding her practical experience and deepening her understanding of canine behavior and rehabilitation. This journey sparked a deep interest in dog sports, and she has since competed and earned titles in sports including ratting, agility, dock diving, and lure coursing/sprinter. She continues to actively compete and advance to higher levels.

Her experience also includes training and titling in the CKC Canine Good Neighbour Test, as well as exposure to protection sport training. These diverse experiences have provided her with a well-rounded foundation in working with both companion and working dogs.

Committed to ongoing professional development, she continually expands her knowledge through seminars, private coaching, and online education to ensure she delivers the highest quality service and results for her clients. For her, working with dogs is not just a career—it is her greatest passion.

She is dedicated to helping people and their dogs build strong, enjoyable relationships through clear, consistent, and fair communication. She firmly believes that any relationship can be strengthened through improved understanding, listening, and effective communication.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS.

GUARANTEED RESULTS.

Choose SHIELD K9 Ottawa for exceptional dog training services.

Contact us today to book your first session!

Don’t just take our word for it!