Canine Voice (Silvia Jay)

1995 – Ongoing: Owner of pedigreed dogs and rescued mutts; founded, operated and sold a natural dog food company in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; participated and completed numerous courses, workshops and seminars on dog training, behavior, communication and science based learning; volunteered more than 1000 hours for two humane societies in and around Calgary; developed and instructed dog training classes for one humane society and two facilities in Calgary and Cochrane; consulted countless dog owners during private sessions and group training classes, and helped them to overcome their dog’s behavioral challenges, including but not limited to various expressions of aggression.

1999 – 2002: Silvia’s passion for surrendered, stray and feral dogs was catalyzed by Davie and Will, both homeless, on death row and adopted by Silvia. They, followed by many other dogs Silvia worked with, educated her about common to rescue dogs’ behaviors, namely fear, insecurity and stress based aggression, as well as social security and bonding challenges that manifest in shyness, lack of attention or disobedience.

2000 – 2007: With increased awareness how the sentient being dog regresses, stresses and suffers if misunderstood, treated harshly or inconsistently, the importance of mindful leadership, kind training methods, and patient and compassionate handling crystallized itself more and more. To further her education and understanding Silvia attended courses, seminars and workshops with world-renowned trainers and behaviorists that teach and advocate mindful human/dog relationships and apply scientific proved learning methods.

2002 - 2007: wrote and published “Dump Dog” – Transformation from feral dog to urban companion.

2003 – 2006: housed, rehabilitated and re-homed several foster dogs.

2007: started a weekly Dog Talk column for the Truro Daily with the goal to turn it into an Ask The Expert Dog Advice Column.

Future Plans: A line of topic specific dog booklets that will be available both in e-format and print.

To explore venues that allow me to mainstream mindful leadership and proved scientific learning methods.

To be a voice for dogs, specifically the ones that have stress and fear related behavior problems.

To help dog owners to a mutually rewarding human/dog relationship.

To continue to learn with an open mind from dogs and fellow dog experts.