About Wayne Dorman
Kelowna Dog Trainer/Behaviourist

About the Dorman Philosophy

Although WAYNE DORMAN does not profess to be a "dog whisperer", many of his devoted clients would beg to differ. When asked about his philosophy of training dogs, he has to search for words to express himself because much of his canine knowledge is instinctive.

He cites the example of dogs in the wild, before domestication. They lived in packs and had a leader who regulated their behavior and kept the pack in harmony with each other and with nature. Indeed, even the wild dogs of today, found in Africa and Australia, follow this pattern of existence. Only the dog with the strongest ALPHA QUALITIES becomes the leader. The pack develops a pattern of respect for, and obedience to, him. He completes the system by protecting them and keeping the peace within the pack.

There is order in the pack because this systematic pattern creates a strong sense of security which leads to harmony within the pack (family)

Our doggie pets know instinctively what being the ALPHA dog is about. When they come into our families (packs), they are happiest when they know who is the leader. If we start treating them as leaders, they will try to live up to the honour by taking charge; snarling, snapping, even biting if they don't get their own way. Giving them their own way (in desperation), only serves to re-enforce their "leader" status, which naturally extends to those outside the household who might present a threat to the pack. Now you are dealing with ANTI-SOCIAL, even ATTACK dogs who may have to be "put down" for the safety of the community. And all because they thought they were the "protectors" of their packs.

Wayne Dorman knows that these animals can be re-trained to become happy, calm members of a harmonious family. He knows, also, that there are dogs who are naturally "submissive" types.. And when they find themselves in a pack (family) where there is no strong leader, the stress can be debilitating. These are the dogs who are labeled "fearful", "timid"," nervous","neurotic", or just plain "nutty".

What this all adds up to is that dog owners must take on the responsibility of being the pack leader. , the ALPHA human. Wayne sees this as the formula for well-behaved pets in a naturally harmonious setting. Your dog needs affection, firmness in demanding what is expected of him//her, and above all, a feeling of belonging to a happily secure pack.

About Wayne Dorman, Kelowna Dog Trainer

WHO IS THIS YOUNG MAN…

….who exhibits such extraordinary rapport with your dog and mine? Born in South
Africa, and brought up in a world of a maritime emporium business, he was no friend of Apartheid. He attended the best of integrated schools, and chose his companions from all walks and races of life.

While destined to follow his father's chosen career of hospitality management, Wayne grew up among family members and friends who bred and trained dogs. Even as a boy, his special talent for handling these animals was apparent and he was rarely without a canine companion.

Educated in Hotel Management at a renowned Swiss school, Wayne's young adult experiences included working at five diamond-rated hotels in England, Australia, and Switzerland. In 1999, he was sponsored by Joe Fortes' well-known seafood restaurant in Vancouver for a 6-months work experience. This was followed by a sponsorship from Westin Grand.

He Finds His Life's Work

He had settled in Vancouver as one of the managers of the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel when a serious car accident in 2003 changed the course of his destiny.  Recuperating over a 22-month period, he acquired a beagle named Kingsley whom trainers had classified as "untrainable".  "Kingsley started it all," Wayne has been known to say.  Working with his new pet, expressing the firm kindness and respect that dogs warm to, Wayne "persuaded" his unruly beagle to become a well-behaved, sociable member of his family.  It was at this point that Wayne Dorman knew he had found his life's true calling.

Despite negative responses to his decision, he felt he had to follow his heart, and he set about his plan with foresight and determination.

Wayne completed courses from two accredited schools of Canine Behavior, both these schools  recognized by the Private Post-Secondary Commission of B.C.  In 2005, he moved his family, including the beagles Kingsley and Mia, to Kelowna where he had determined he would find his future. Planning for the development of a training school for dogs, he never stopped investigating and learning as much as he could from any source available.  To that end, Wayne has traveled to Seattle, Miami, Los Angeles, and  Sacramento in North America, and overseas to Ireland and England where he was privileged to associate with such experts as Cesar Milan and Dr. Ian Dunbar.

His determination to make Kelowna the center for his ambitions was expressed to an interviewer who asked, "Why Kelowna?"  Without hesitation Wayne replied, "Kelowna is a city of dog lovers looking for answers to their canine problems.  I'm thrilled to have a share in finding solutions for them."

His Dream Comes True

It took a while for the Dogzies Day School and Training Centre to get under way. In the meanwhile, Wayne worked at a number of pet-related jobs in Kelowna, getting to know the area and the people. Finally, in October of 2006, his dream came true. Dogzies Canine School of Excellence opened its doors at 101-1836 Underhill Street!

Wayne's joy in his work is contagious and it spreads throughout the Centre, affecting the dogs, their owners, and the cheerful staff.  His team has grown continuously since Dogzies opened in 2006.  Starting with the invaluable help given him by John and Marjorie Rutherford (of Pets & People) while the Centre got underway, it has expanded to include a permanent full time staff.  Part –time and associated staff are also a part of the team, including Perle Nickells, Literary Consultant for the Dogzies Website, and Deborah Sorensen, Business Advisor.

Perhaps the most gratifying thing for Wayne is that though they had no extra funds for advertising the new project, the word that there was a special kind of dog trainer in town seemed to spread like a fresh breeze throughout the world of pet lovers in the Valley!

Amazingly, since opening in 2006, Wayne Dorman has actually observed, assessed, and worked with several thousand dogs in the area. Some of these animals had behaviour problems which seemed insurmountable, and their owners were having to consider euthanasia as the only solution. Wayne's work with most of these dogs has resulted in a continuance of their lives in much happier family homes. The number of dogs that have responded to the Dorman method of training is continuing to grow; his reputation in the community grows too, as happy dog owners spread the word of his extraordinary influence on canine behaviour and response.