The Dog Mamaa
Compassionate & Effective Dog Training
Downtown Toronto
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Premium In Home and Virtual Dog Training Services & Behaviour Support in Downtown Toronto.
Specializing in reactive dog training, we have over 10 years of experience helping puppies and adult dogs with behaviour challenges, leash reactivity, and everyday manners.
We offer in-home dog training in downtown Toronto, serving St. Lawrence Market, Distillery District, Canary District, King West, Liberty Village, and downtown surrounding core. Virtually worldwide!
At The Dog Mamaa, we use science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training to build confident, well-rounded dogs. Every training plan is customized to your dog and your home, with practical strategies focused on long-term results.
Have questions before you book? Contact us here.
Loose Leash Manners
Maisy showing off her loose leash walking
skills in Downtown Toronto.
Leash Reactive to Calm
Momo ignoring & calmly coexisting with his biggest trigger - small white dogs!
Reactive Dog Rehab +
Poppy relaxing on her mat instead of barking & nipping at guests visiting
As new dog owners with our rescue Yoshi, we were in a bit over our heads the first few weeks after we brought her home. Gabrielle was great with us; teaching us so many useful tools and training techniques. She personalized each training session to not only teach us the foundations but also to any specific issues we were having. Her print outs of what we covered each session and recap emails are super helpful so that we can always refer to them and keep consistent in our training. Yoshi's behaviour improved significantly in the weeks that we worked with Gabrielle and we can't thank her enough!!
What do you need help with ?
In Person & Virtual Dog Training Services
Self Paced Dog Training Resources
Our Services
Initial Behaviour Consultation
Start here: Speak to a professional trainer for immediate tips & actionable plan
The first step to working together is booking a behaviour consultation to chat with a professional trainer about your training challenges and goals.
We are here to listen and provide tailored tips to provide instant relief, and an actionable training plan suited to you and your dog.
Pre adoption consultations also available for rescue dogs and puppies - get guidance on preparation and choosing the right dog for you.
Reactive Dog Training
Specialized behaviour support for dogs with fear, aggression, or multiple triggers.
Help your dog gain calm confidence with professional guidance. Behaviours we work closely with include - resource guarding, reactivity, inter dog household aggression, bite history, fear & lack of socialization, and rescue dogs transitioning to new home.
Virtual Coaching for Reactive Dogs
Real-life training. Personalized feedback. Ongoing support.
Personalized one-on-one support for reactive, fearful, or aggressive dogs—with weekly sessions, real-life video feedback, tailored training plans, and ongoing guidance by instant messaging with your trainer between sessions.
Leash Reactive to Calm : Online Course
Resolve leash reactivity with this DIY, self paced online course of my most popular in person training service.
Struggling with leash reactivity? Whether it’s barking, lunging, or just plain overwhelm on walks, this self-paced online course gives you everything you need to start making real progress - from the comfort of home!
This is an online version of my most popular 1:1 training service, designed to help you understand why your dog reacts and teach you exactly how to change it using kind, effective, science-based methods.
Puppy Training
Cover all the puppy training essentials for a
confident, well mannered dog
Enjoy puppyhood while it lasts, without the training overwhelm!
Our Puppy Training Package will help you conquer all the common puppy challenges (potty training, biting, crate training) & teach important life skills to becoming an excellent family dog.
Puppy Drop Off Training also available in St. Lawrence Market, so your puppy can learn with us, while you relax!
Foundations Dog Training
For dogs 7+ month who need a training refresher for basic listening, recall, every day manners.
Whether your dog has regressed in their training, or is learning from scratch, we help get them on track.
This training option is tailored for teen and adolescent dogs who need a refresh or are still building basic manners & foundational skills - core cues, polite greetings, excessive barking, recall and more.
Leash Reactivity &Loose Leash Training
Transform stressful walks into calm, enjoyable routines with leash skills that stick.
Has walking your dog become not very enjoyable due to pulling, barking or lunging at other dogs or people, picking up gross items, or lacking focus and attention on you once you step outside? Have an expert guide you through how to find resolution & achieve more enjoyable walks for both ends of the leash.
Training Visits - Exclusive to Clients
For busy owners who want training maintance and enrichment
Don't let a busy schedule derail your dog's training progress! Training visits include a walk, training session and enrichment activities to keep your dog sharp, stimulated and happy.
Not a client? Become one first by booking a consultation.
"Sage and I loved working with Gabrielle! She was able to identify some of Sage’s anxieties and structure training to build her confidence with being in a new environment, and my confidence with leading my pup with patience and positive reinforcement. We’ll continue practicing everything we learned in foundations and leash reactivity training, all thanks to Gabrielle’s help and support. Highly recommend her services - we couldn’t have made such great progress without her. Thank you Gabrielle!!!" - Sage & Jenny
Dog Training Toronto
Affordable Training Options for Every Dog Parent
Daisy & Monika
Gabrielle is an excellent dog trainer. She is very hands on and focuses a lot on the practice, that’s why the training brings great results. She is very patient and always prepared for the lessons with very helpful hand outs. Always easy to reach, Gabrielle replies to emails promptly and booking process is very easy. I highly recommend Gabrielle to anyone who would like to get their dog on their best behaviour with behavioural, friendly and highly effective methods. After finishing the reactive dog package, my dog Daisy and I are looking forward to starting a new training with Gabrielle.
Mary Kelly, Buckeye & Ziggy
Gabrielle has been working with our dogs since the week we brought them home. They are amazing, loving, and well-behaved 4 year olds now, but continue to learn new things and are so very happy and calm whenever they have spent time with Gabrielle. She is an amazing trainer and has taught us how to work with our dogs if any behaviour issue arises. We highly recommend her training style and expertise. No matter the issue, she finds a positive way to help them learn. We highly recommend you choose her to work with your dog!
Have questions before you book?
Contact us here.
Patrick & Midnight
I would highly recommend The Dog Mamaa! We met with Gabrielle to work with our 5-month-old puppy, Midnight, and she was absolutely wonderful. She was so patient and great with him while walking us through basic training exercises. What really stood out was how well she explained everything—plus she provided detailed notes for us to reference between sessions, which made practicing at home so much easier. Her communication and follow-up have been excellent from the start. If you are looking for a dog trainer in Toronto, definitely reach out to Gabrielle!
Certified & Experienced -
Meet Your Trainer
Gabrielle Messuti, BSc., KPA CTP, CAPDT, Founder of The Dog Mamaa
My journey with dogs began in 2015 at a busy Toronto dog daycare, where I discovered that so many behaviour issues stem from misunderstanding why a dog reacts - not just how. With a BSc in Science (minor in Psychology), I dove into positive‑reinforcement methods, earning certification from the Karen Pryor Academy and recognition by the CAPDT.
I am also a member of the Pet Professional Guild, an international organization dedicated to science-based, force-free training and high standards of animal welfare.
As part of the Behaviour Team network, I collaborate with trainers, veterinary professionals, and behaviour consultants to ensure dogs and their families receive the most appropriate support -especially in complex behaviour cases such as leash reactivity, fear, and aggression.
Today, at The Dog Mamaa, I combine that training with 10 years of hands‑on experience working with puppies, fearful dogs, and reactive dogs in downtown Toronto homes. I believe every dog deserves a confident, enriched life and every owner deserves clear, compassionate guidance to get there.
Ready to see what your dog can become?
Want more details on my experience & approach?
Ready to Bring Out The Best in Your Dog?
Join hundreds of Toronto dog owners who’ve seen real progress with tailored training built specifically for their dog’s personality, history and home environment.
Have questions before you book? Contact us here.