About

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 Mapleton Bark is truly the culmination of a life long obsession with animals and their welfare. Taking that passion and turning it into a profession lead owner Lindsay Cook to become certified (ABCDT) in positive reinforcement training and behaviour modification in 2008, and a Certified Behaviour Consultant (CDBC) with the IAABC in 2023. Working initially for training center Bold Canine in Erin, Ontario, a relocation made self employment the logical next step.

Certifications:
Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer 2008
Canine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapist (CMFT) 2020
Canine Kinesiology Taping Practitioner 2020
Fear Free Certified Trainer 2021
Certified Trick Dog Instructor 2022
IAABC Certified Behaviour Consultant 2023

Notable Continuing Education Includes:
Training Shelter Dogs, Animal Behavior College, 2009
Errorless Learning in Canine Scent Detection, IAABC Foundation, 2022
Helping the Over-Aroused Animal, Irith Bloom, 2022
Predation Substitute Training, Simone Mueller, 2023
Scent & Scentability, Dr.Robert Hewings, 2023

Lindsay truly believes in developing a strong relationship based in open communication and understanding between you and your dog, and that caring for an animal in your home is as much about responsibility and respect as it is about love. 

The inspiration...

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RILEY
The beautiful girl who started it all. Pulled from a rural pound in Ohio the day before she was due to be euthanized, this girl came to me full of both emotional and physical scars. She loved running through the forest, rolling in any/every disgusting thing she could find, car rides, kids, and endless snuggles. She hated swimming, fetch, and pigeons. Her trust was earned, not given freely, but once you had it you had a guardian for life. She saw me through three moves, dropping out of university, getting married, four job transitions, two kids, countless dog and cat fosters, and the sickness and subsequent loss of my mom. We experienced a LOT of life together, and through it all, she was unwavering. Because of her I went back to school to focus on behaviour therapy for dogs with 'big feelings'. Not a day goes by that I don't miss her, and feel so grateful for everything she taught me. There is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't be who or where I am today if it wasn't for her. 

JACKSON
Rescued from living as a stray in a dump in Northern Ontario, Jack had never known human kindness, life indoors, or how to do anything but survive. His soft heart matched his eyes, and when he came into our home as a foster we knew he was home to stay. We often joke about how he would avoid so many things that other dogs enjoy with a look to say "don't enrich my life!" in favour of the safety and comfort that he had missed out on for his first year. His was a quiet love, and he wouldn't ever push for affection or attention, but would bask in it for as long as you were willing. He had a soft spot for the cats, and was the babysitter to foster dogs coming in. He was probably the most gentle soul I have ever met.

BOOMER
'The Fun Police'
Quality Control Manager,
​Activities Director
Boomer joined the Mapleton Bark team from Moscow, Russia in 2019 after being found as a freezing puppy on the street. Boom is an exceptional teacher for children learning how to work with dogs. He often participates in dog testing for both reactivity and social group suitability, and is a great big foster brother to dogs and cats coming into our home for a soft place to land. When he isn't hard at work he can be found channeling his inner lap dog, lazing in the yard, or trying to coax one of the other dogs into a game of chase.

MAZE
'The Amazing Mango'
Adventure Guide, Woo Girl
Maze joined our family in February 2020 from Moscow, Russia where she was rescued from the city streets where she was surviving as a puppy with Parvo. Her enthusiastic presence and joyful spirit never fail to inspire and challenge me! Her hobbies include toad seeking, chasing bubbles, and singing to kids.

RIGGS
Resident Trick Star,
​Tester of Fences and Patience
This sweet boy came into our home as a foster in October 2020 and quickly showed us that he had chosen us as his forever family in no uncertain terms. He is currently working towards his next trick dog title. In his spare time Riggs enjoys building his talents in scent work and exercising his incredible jumping skills. He is one of the most challenging creatures I have ever met, and has taught me more in his almost 3 years than I thought possible.

ARLO
'Sir Arlington Nibblesworth, Conqueror of Hearts'
Dog in Training, Occasional Rodeo Clown,
Novice Trick Horse
Arlo was purchased from an auction in Alberta by someone who didn't want to see him sold for meat. He came home in July 2021, showing signs of minimal and poor handling. He has been a journey in remedial work, and encouraged me to dive into courses in horse training and relationship building as well as enlist the assistance of a trainer and coach to guide us in some of our ...trickier... moments. 

He enjoys snacks, bareback lounging, making me question my life choices with his questionable ones, and being my heart...if my heart was a creature hell-bent on self destruction with impossibly good hair.