Welcome to Foxy and the Hound Animal Training,
where science meets compassion!
Behaviour consultations and animal training in Edmonton & area by a Registered Veterinary Technologist and Board Certified Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behaviour.
My goal is to help guardians and their pets thrive. Every pet deserves to feel safe, confident, and understood. If your pet struggles with reactivity, fear, or anxiety, you’re not alone—and I’m here to help.
At Foxy & the Hound, I specialize in science-based, force-free, positive-reinforcement training designed to strengthen the bond between pets and their families. Whether your dog lunges on walks, your cat hides from visitors, or you’re simply looking to improve communication, I create personalized training plans that fit your pet’s needs. My approach is rooted in welfare, positive-reinforcement and the latest behavioural science, ensuring that training is ethical, and as stress-free as possible for both pets and their guardians.
Positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding desirable behaviours, making learning enjoyable for your pet while strengthening trust and communication. This method is backed by science and proven to be the most humane and lasting way to teach new behaviours and modify unwanted ones—without fear, intimidation, or punishment.
I will never use punishment, inflict pain or cause fear.
Meet Your Trainer:
Shelby Mildenberger
Registered Veterinary Technologist | VTS (Behaviour) | KPA CTP | Elite Fear-Free Certified Trainer & Veterinary Professional | Low Stress Handling Certified
Training should be a positive experience for both pets and their people. As 1 of 4 Board-Certified Veterinary Technician Specialist in behaviour (VTS-Behavior) in Canada, I bring together veterinary knowledge, modern behavioural science, and compassionate training techniques to help pets learn in a way that feels safe and natural. My training focuses on welfare and ensuring your pets needs - physical, mental and emotional - are being met.
The world of animal training is unregulated, meaning anyone can call themselves a trainer, even without proper education or ethical training methods. That’s why I’ve dedicated my career to earning top industry certifications, staying up-to-date with the latest research, and committing to the highest standards of animal welfare. With years of experience working with dogs, cats, and their guardians, I ensure that every pet receives science-backed, humane training focused on improving their quality of life.
I am a VTS in Behaviour (Veterinary Technician Specialist). That means I completed thousands of supervised behaviour cases, advanced education, and a board examination specifically in canine and feline behaviour, fear, anxiety, and aggression. It is the highest behaviour credential a veterinary technician can earn and is recognized by veterinary governing bodies.
Because of that, pet insurance plans that include behaviour coverage can reimburse my services, since they are provided under a medical behaviour framework rather than general obedience training.
I work with dogs showing reactivity, fear-based aggression, and unpredictable behaviour, especially when pain, trauma, or nervous system dysregulation is involved. These cases require medical-level behaviour modification, not just training.
I do not use aversive tools (prong collars, e collars, leash corrections, intimidation, flooding, or punishment), because they:
• increase redirected and defensive aggression
• worsen anxiety and stress
• damage the human–animal bond
• and make dogs less predictable and more dangerous long-term
Instead, I use evidence-based behaviour modification, nervous system regulation, desensitization, counterconditioning, and safety-focused management plans designed to keep both dogs and humans safe.
I’ve worked with hundreds of aggressive and reactive dogs, including dogs with bite histories, severe fear, and complex cases involving medical issues, trauma, or genetics. These are not beginner cases.
How Does It Work?
Comprehensive Consultation – We’ll discuss your pet’s behaviour, challenges, and goals in detail, along with any past training experience, current management in place and medical history, whether in person or virtually.
Customized Training Plan – I’ll design a management and training plan tailored to your pet’s specific needs, using humane, science-backed techniques. You will get a copy of this emailed to you after your session.
Ongoing Support – Training is a journey! I’ll provide expert guidance, troubleshooting, and encouragement every step of the way to support you and your pet.
Why Foxy and the Hound?
The name Foxy and the Hound comes from my two beloved dogs—Foxy, my Pomeranian Chihuahua mix, and Eddy, my Pomeranian Corgi mix (aka “the Hound”). Foxy is a rescue who makes me laugh every single day with her big personality and sassy attitude. Eddy is truly the best boy and was my Karen Pryor Academy training partner, always eager to learn and work alongside me. They have both taught me so much about training, patience, and the deep connection we share with our pets. Just like them, every pet is one-of-a-kind, and my mission is to help pets and their families communicate, trust, and thrive together.