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(C) McKaynine Training Centre 2014
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Established in 1999, McKaynine has become one of the premier training facilities in South Africa. From humble beginnings of two classes per week, we now offer over 30 classes per week from five different branches, including puppy socialising classes all the way to advanced obedience, tracking, agility and tricks! Our philosophy is simple - effective training that’s kind to dogs and people. Not only are the modern techniques of positive reinforcement scientifically proven to maximise learning, it’s super easy and results are quick to see. Handlers are treated with respect and empathy - we do our best to make your lessons fun and enjoyable. McKaynine has multiple instructors and assistants in order to supply the demand for our classes. We have very strict criteria for our instructors and operate an on-going quality control system to ensure that our high standards are maintained. Our main goal is to give the handlers the tools to train their dog to be a reliable and calm companion. To this end we encourage handlers to build trust with their dog and to make paying attention a rewarding hobby for the dog. We treat our handlers with respect and compassion. When a handler makes a mistake it is handled with empathy and understanding - if handlers knew everything then they wouldn't have to attend classes!  Our atmosphere is friendly and fun for people and dogs.    We welcome all breeds of dogs, including cross breeds and "pavement specials". Some of the breeds we have had at our centre in the past have ranged from Chihuahuas to Saint Bernards and  Griffon Bruxellois to Neopolitan Mastiffs. We have a diverse variety of breeds attending our classes. We are very proud of this achievement as it illustrates that our techniques are suitable for any kind of dog, whether it's an 80kg Boerboel or a 2kg Yorkshire Terrier. Dogs and handlers are encouraged to advance at their own pace - we will NOT expect Border Collie type speed from a bulldog. We do our utmost to ensure that your training sessions are stimulating, interesting and enjoyable and we never push dogs or handlers past their limits. We boast a crew with impressive credentials all round. Plus they’re just plain swell folks!
About Us
Shannon McKay - Chief Instructor (Honeydew) & Branch Manager (Honeydew) Instructs Puppy Group and Advanced Obedience • MSc (Zoology) from the University of the Witwatersrand • BSc Honours (Zoology) with distinction from the University of the Witwatersrand • Senior Animal Behaviour Consultant™© : Canine 1998 -  Animal Behaviour Consultants of Southern Africa™© • Author of multiple research projects on scent work and behavioural development in dogs • Full member of the  Association of Pet Dog Trainers (USA) • Gold Super Pup trainer (SP# G0903/4) • Contributor for  All About Dogs,  Showdogs,  Dog Star Daily • Trainer of the first scat dog in South Africa • Guest speaker on radio shows, seminars and specialist breed club function • Cert. Companion Animal Behaviour - University of Pretoria, Veterinary Faculty • Founder of the Canine Culture & Learn Canine Education Initiatives • Member - Kennel Union of South Africa • Honorary Life Member - SA Great Dane Association • Trainer of animals for television and print commercials and expert evidence in court cases • Owner and handler of record setting Great Danes in SA agility • Shannon owns and works Great Danes, a German Shepherd and a crossbreed Steve McClean - Senior Instructor (Honeydew) Instructs all Obedience Grades, Working Trials, Tracking & Manwork • Canine Culture© Obedience Instructor merit certificate • Formerly the training director of the Meridian Rottweiler League • Gold Super Pup trainer (SP# G0903/3) • One of the few qualified working trials assistants in South Africa • Official assailant at KUSA National Working Trials for the five years • Member - Kennel Union of South Africa • Steve owns and works a Malinois Yolanda Beukes - Instructor (Honeydew) Instructs Beginner & Intermediate Obedience • Canine Culture© Obedience Instructor merit certificate • Silver Super Pup trainer • Yolanda owns and works Great Danes Ruth Bots - Instructor (Honeydew & Delta) Instructs Beginner & Intermediate Obedience • Canine Culture© Obedience Instructor merit certificate • C04 DOGWISE: Introduction to Canine Behaviour and Training Certificate (SAVC CPD Accredited) • Dip. CABT   with distinction (Advanced Diploma in the Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training • Associate Member CAPBT SA (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers, South Africa) • Silver Super Pup trainer • Ruth owns and works a Labrador and Boxer Leon Koekemoer - Instructor (Honeydew) Instructs all Obedience Grades • Canine Culture© Obedience Instructor merit certificate • Silver Super Pup trainer • Leon owns and works a Golden Retriever Maria Branco - Instructor (Honeydew) Instructs Beginner & Intermediate Obedience • Canine Culture© Obedience Instructor merit certificate • Silver Super Pup trainer • Maria owns and works Labradors Clive Whittall - Instructor (Honeydew) Instructs all Agility Grades • Silver Super Pup trainer • Clive owns and works Border Collies and a Malinois Landie Coertse - Instructor & Branch Manager (Midstream) Instructs Beginner & Intermediate Obedience • Canine Culture© Obedience Instructor merit certificate • Silver Super Pup trainer • Landie owns and works a Ridgeback Ady Hawkins - Instructor & Branch Manager (Delta) Instructs Puppy Group • Canine Culture© Obedience Instructor merit certificate • Gold Super Pup trainer • Ady owns and works terriers and crossbreeds Sam Walpole - Instructor (Delta & Honeydew) Instructs Beginner & Intermediate Obedience • Canine Culture© Obedience Instructor merit certificate • Silver Super Pup trainer • Sam owns and works a Whippet, Italian greyhound and crossbreed Janine da Silva - Instructor & Branch Manager (The Reeds & Groenkloof) Instructs Puppy Group & Beginner Obedience • Dogwise Canine Behaviour Psychology (Thinking Pets) • Animal Behaviour, Confi Pup - Adult Dog, Beginner Agility • Advanced Diploma - Fundamentals of Canine & Feline Behaviour (COAPE SA) • Gold Super Pup trainer • Janine works a Great Dane Dene Louw - Instructor (Honeydew) Instructs Beginner Obedience, Agility and Puppy Group • Canine Culture© Obedience Instructor merit certificate • Silver Super Pup trainer • Dene works Border Collies Nadia Meyer - Administration Manager (Midstream & Honeydew) Assists in Obedience & Puppy Group • Bronze Super Pup trainer • Nadia works a Labrador Leanne Williams - Instructor (Honeydew) Instructs K9 Yoga and Brain n Body • Leanne has received extensive physiotherapy training under the expert tutelage of Ansi vd Walt MScPhysio • Leanne works Siberian Huskies
About us