About Us

Oz Dog Boarding & Training was created to provide a more thoughtful, training-focused approach to dog boarding. Built on a foundation of experience in veterinary medicine and the management of dog daycare and boarding facilities, Oz offers care that goes beyond supervision alone.

With over five years of hands-on experience working with dogs at every stage, Oz blends structured training into each dog’s stay. While formal Board & Train programs are available, all boarding dogs are introduced to core skills such as crate training, loose leash walking, impulse control, placement, and more.

Each stay is tailored to the individual dog, allowing time to reinforce good habits and work through specific challenges as needed. In addition to in-home boarding, Oz Dog Boarding & Training also offers Day Stay & Train programs and one-on-one training sessions to support dogs and their owners with practical, real-world results.

Meet the Trainers

Allisyn, Owner and Lead Trainer

My name is Allisyn, and I am a professional dog trainer with a background in veterinary medicine as well as the management of a dog daycare and boarding facility. I have loved dogs for as long as I can remember, and over the past 7+ years I have gained extensive, hands-on experience working with them at many different levels. My work has ranged from pet walking and in-home pet sitting, to assisting in emergency veterinary care, to providing private behavioural training for dogs with a wide variety of needs and challenges.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to see dogs in both high-volume facility settings and quiet home environments, which gave me a deeper understanding of how stress, overstimulation, and lack of individual attention can impact a dog’s well-being. During my time in the field, I recognized a clear and growing need for personalized, in-home dog boarding—particularly for dogs who struggle in traditional kennel or daycare environments due to anxiety, reactivity, or difficulty coping with constant noise, confinement, and rotation. This experience is what inspired me to create a boarding option that prioritizes individualized care, structure, and emotional safety, allowing each dog to feel supported, understood, and truly at home.

Andrée (Dre), Trainer

From the moment I was brought home from the hospital, dogs have been an integral part of my life. With a profound passion for these incredible creatures, I’ve dedicated myself to ensuring that every dog I encounter thrives in a balanced and nurturing environment. With two years of professional dog training experience under my belt, I currently share my life with three beloved Saint Bernards who are my entire world.

My journey with Saint Bernards hasn’t always been easy. In the early days of owning my first Saints, I faced a heartbreaking struggle with pack fighting that left me in tears and feeling hopeless. Realizing that the situation needed to change, I sought help from a reputable trainer and enrolled my dogs in a week-long board and train program. That experience was a turning point for me; I discovered that my dogs weren’t the problem—I was. I had not taken my role as their owner, leader, and handler seriously enough. I expected them to just know how to behave without guidance.

During a pivotal one-hour go-home session, I learned that I had a choice to make: either change my lifestyle and lead my dogs toward a more structured life or continue to let chaos reign. I understood that my dogs weren’t fighting because they were “bad dogs,” but rather because I was not advocating for them or clearly setting boundaries. This revelation ignited my true passion for dog training and inspired me to help others live in harmony with their pets rather than in fear and anguish.

With many years of breeding Saint Bernards, I poured my heart into ensuring that each puppy began their lives with the utmost care and preparation. It fills me with pride to say that many of my puppies were nearly potty trained by just eight weeks old. I am devoted to desensitizing, socializing, and training them to the best of my ability, instilling lifelong skills such as sit, down, and proper crate training before they embark on their journeys to their forever homes.

While my specialty lies in nurturing young pups, my adaptable training approach allows me to connect with and guide dogs of all ages. I believe that the key to a harmonious relationship between dogs and their humans is rooted in understanding and trust.

When I'm not training dogs or caring for my Saint Bernards, you'll find me enjoying the great outdoors—particularly fishing with my wonderful husband or spending quality time with my furry companions. My love for dogs is not just a profession; it’s a way of life, and I am eager to share that passion with you and your canine family members.

Luna & Knox (Allisyn’s pups)

My two demo dogs - each serving very different, but equally important, roles in training.

Luna (left) is my go-to demo dog. She’s the more balanced of the two and incredibly adaptable. She’s almost chameleon-like with other dogs’ energy—soft and patient when a dog needs reassurance, but confident and appropriately assertive when clearer boundaries are needed. One of the biggest reasons I use her so often is that I can trust her completely: even if another dog gets in her space, lunges, or snaps at her, she remains steady, neutral, and non-reactive. Because of this, she’s ideal for teaching proper play, helping dogs practice neutrality, and providing a calm, safe presence for dogs that are still learning how to regulate themselves around others.

Knox (right) is what I call a recovering reactive dog, and his role is very intentional. Under my leadership, he stays steady and neutral, but he naturally brings more intensity and edge. I use him as a second-in-command when it’s time to increase difficulty—especially with reactive dogs, and particularly male-to-male reactivity. His presence adds controlled pressure, allowing me to proof behaviors and help dogs learn to stay regulated as the challenge level rises.

Together, Luna and Knox allow me to meet dogs where they’re at—and then safely, intentionally raise the bar without overwhelming them.

Our story

Oz Dog Boarding & Training was born from a lifelong love of dogs and a deeply personal journey that shaped the way I (Allisyn) approach every dog I work with. Years ago, I was a struggling dog owner, raising a dog who was highly reactive to both people and other dogs. I felt the fear, frustration, and heartache of watching a dog who wanted to connect but didn’t know how. It was challenging, exhausting, and at times, heartbreaking—but it was also a turning point that inspired me to dedicate my life to helping dogs and their humans overcome similar struggles.

Through patience, understanding, and targeted training, I was able to help Oz reach his full potential. Over time, he transformed into a confident, happy dog who loved people and thrived living in a household with two other dogs—something I never thought possible. That experience showed me the incredible power of individualized care, consistency, and compassion. It’s a lesson that guides every session, walk, and boarding stay I provide today.

I named my business Oz Dog Boarding & Training after my soul dog, Oz, to honour his memory and to continue his legacy by helping dogs like him—dogs who may be labelled “reactive” or “difficult,” but who are simply misunderstood and in need of guidance, love and leadership. Every service we offer—one-on-one in-home training, personalized boarding, structured outings, or special event handling—is designed to give dogs the individualized care, structure, and confidence-building they need to thrive. At Oz Dog Boarding & Training, we believe every dog has the potential to live a happy, fulfilled life—and we are here to help them get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Day Stays, In-home One-on-one Sessions, Regular Boarding, Board & Train, and K9 Wedding Handling

  • Our Day Stays are from 7am-6pm and your dog can attend up to 9 hours.

  • Absolutely! This is exactly why we keep small groups and structured days. There’s no forced interaction, and it’s actually super beneficial for reactive dogs to safely build neutrality around other dogs. 

  • Our Day Stays are in Steinbach, Manitoba. Any boarding dogs stay the night at my house in La Broquerie, Manitoba. 

  • Yes, for one-on-one sessions we will travel to your house. The first 25kms are included in the price, anything after that is 0.75 per km.