Companion Dog Training opened its doors in March of 1996 in a very large, upstairs space in Guelph. Some of you will remember the stairs to get to class and how hot it was in the summer. We started with a full program of Family Dog Training, Obedience, Agility and Flyball. In October 1998 the school relocated to Speedvale Ave., Guelph, ON. We remained there until October of 2001, when we moved to a rural location on Puslinch. It was here that we remained for 17 years of developing our Competitive Obedience and Rally obedience programs. In September of 2018 we moved to 1195 Franklin Blvd in Cambridge, ON. We have expanded our classes to include the newest CKC dog sport, Scent Detection.

Helping our students achieve 100’s of titles and National placements. Joining the team along the way; Susie Bell (Labradors), Bonnie Christie (Am. Cocker Spaniels) and Mary Monteith (English Springer Spaniels) add their expertise to help CDT Students achieve their dog sport goals.

In October 2023 we moved to back to Puslinch to our new (and hopefully last) location. We are on Concession 1 this time the street address is 7111.

Our Team

Meet our expert trainers!

Marie Sawford

Owner and Head Trainer, Obedience

Marie has been training dogs since 1987. her first competitive dog was a female Border Collie, “Megan” OTCH McCann Megan AG.X Am UD. This wonderful dogs career combined for over 50 High In Trials. She was the number one obedience dog in Canada in 1998 and number three in 1996. She has multiple placements at tournaments such as the World Series in Detroit Michigan and the HIT of HITS competition in Ottawa. Marie and Megan also earned a USDAA Masters agility dog title and Megan was a member of three North American flyball Championship teams. Marie is most proud of Megan’s wonderful attitude in the ring and her 98% pass rate.

Following up on Megan’s heels were two of her kids; “Darla” OTCH Lukan’s For What It’s Worth who earned her titles with very limited showing when she wasn’t doing agility.

In 2007 when the B.C. were reinstated into the CKC, “Quinn” OTCH The Mighty Quinn
Am UD made the most of his year and at the age of 12, earned 3 UD’s (CKC CD, CDX and UD, Am UD and NAMBR OTCH) and racked up 15 HITS, all the while having the time of his life. Quinn was a very animated, hard working boy until the day he left us in December of 2009 at the age of 15 1/2.

“Presto” GMOTCH Windrows Do U Believe in Magic AG. I WC RE Am CDX WC was a
much loved family member and training partner until his passing in Dec 2009 at the age of 11. He was an upbeat dog with lots of ring presence. He achieved many HITs in Canada and the US and won the prestigious HIT of HITs in 2004. He was the #1 Obedience Dog in Canada in 2005. Presto also earned his Rally Excellent title with many perfect scores.

Going back to a herding breed Marie began showing her Norwegian Buhund “Gali”
Jerandcourt’s Drops O’ Jupiter CDX RAE Am CD RE in fine style earning a 199 + HIT in his very first time in the ring. Gali is a happy-go-lucky, always willing to please boy who has earned HITs at every level of obedience. Due to cataracts Gali has retired from obedience, but continues to be the same fun guy around the farm at class or at seminars until he died at 15.

Next up was Border Collie “Ribbon” MOTCH Brackenhill Winner Takes It All RAE Am
CD HT. Ribbon was a serious, hard working girl who always tried her hardest. She
achieved many HITs and ties for High in Trial in her career. Ribbon was working on her GMOTCH and RAE titles when the pandemic shut everything down and she enjoyed her retirement until she passes May 2024 at just over 15 years of age.

In April of 2017 Marie added a new puppy to the household CWS Jett – “Jett” is a lovely, thoughtful inquisitive male border collie.  Jett became quite sick as a young dog and as a result is not able to compete very much. He still has earned his CD with HIT’s and is currently working on the top titles for Rally. He also competes in Scent Detection and is working at the Excellent and Master level.

Marie is well known for her problem solving skills, getting to the root of the problem while always maintaining the dogs “learning state of mind”. Her consideration for the dog’s view of the exercise is paramount above all else at her training school, Companion Dog Training located in Cambridge, Ontario. Her student’s dogs perform happily, accurately and with a high pass rate in all levels of competition. Marie focuses on strong foundation and relationship skills by using games and a wide variety of training exercises. Her ability to break the exercise down in to pieces and put it all back together to strengthen the dog’s understanding of the skill is what has brought her so much success over the years. Marie’s skill of being able to explain the “how to” is evident in her classes, seminars and articles she has written for Dog Sport, Front and Finish and Canine Review magazines.

In 2003 Marie published her “Ring Ready” series of books. Theses books focus on
helping your dog better understand and perform each skill in the sport of obedience. In 2006 Marie published her rally obedience book “Rally On”. The second edition was published in 2014. The third edition is due out at the end of 2024. Ring Ready will be updated and published for the 25th anniversary in 2028

Marie became a certified CKC Rally Obedience judge in 2007. In 2013 she completed the lengthy requirements to become a certified obedience judge.

Mary Monteith

Instructor

Bonnie Christie

Instructor

I was fortunate enough to see Marie exhibit at a trial with her Border Collie “MEGAN” and knew then that’s what I wanted to accomplish with my own canine teammate!  Signed up for Marie’s classes and was fortunate to be asked to assist with training classes shortly thereafter. 

I have been training/teaching at Companion Dog Training since approximately 2001. With encouragement and support from Marie and my fellow trainers,  I became a CARO rally judge in 2004 and was the first accredited CKC Rally judge in 2007. I had the privilege of judging the first CKC Rally Obedience trial in Belleville that year.  Since then, I have continued to train & exhibit my own American Cocker Spaniels in conformation, obedience, rally and agility. 

When I am not engaged in canine activities, I enjoy spending time on the golf course with my husband, Dave,  and with our Daughter,  Son-in-law and 3 grandkids.

Susie Bell

Instructor

I have been training/working with Marie since 1998. I enjoy teaching all levels of classes, but really enjoy teaching Novice, Open and Utility.  I love to see the progress each dog makes and enjoy working with the people in the class. My first love is obedience and I enjoy competing  with my Labradors.  I also enjoy doing field training and tracking.  I have put 10 OTCHs and 4 MOTCHs on my home bred Pinebank Labradors. Together we have also achieved Master Hunter, Grand Master Hunter titles and many Championships.

Offering all levels in three different sports!
Let’s talk about how we can help you.