The Team

Psst... want to know a secret? Easy Breezy Dog Training isn’t your typical dog training service. We don’t just train dogs, we train YOU too! That’s right, our mission is to create a harmonious, tail-wagging life for you and your furry companion.

With over 15 years of experience, we’re pros at reinforcing positive behaviours, satisfying your dog’s needs, and building a healthy bond between you and your pooch. And guess what? We promise to have a blast while doing it!

Our Service Areas

Easy Breezy Dog Training proudly serves a wide stretch of Ottawa and beyond:

  • East & Central Ottawa: Rockland through to Nepean (with Kyla)

  • West Ottawa: Arnprior through Kanata (with Scarlett)

No matter which side of town you’re on, you’ll get the same Easy Breezy approach,  positive reinforcement, enrichment-based strategies, and a whole lot of fun.

Meet Kyla

Kyla, our founder, is a Certified Dog Trainer with a passion for helping dogs and their humaKyla and Breeze, German Shepherd mixns thrive. She’s been working with dogs (and their lucky owners) for years, and she’s got the credentials and the stories to prove it!

A Dog Training Pioneer

  • In the early 2000s, Kyla founded one of the first Cage-Free Dog Kennels, which she successfully ran until selling it in 2009.
  • She earned her Certified Dog Trainer designation from the Ottawa Canine School in 2017 and continues to expand her skills through ongoing seminars, workshops, and advanced training, ensuring clients benefit from the most up-to-date, science-based methods.

Scent & Nose Work Credentials

Kyla is deeply passionate about scent work and canine nose work and is currently an Associate Nose Work Instructor (ANWI) with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW). She is actively completing her certification requirements.

About NACSW:

  • The National Association of Canine Scent Work is the organization that developed and governs K9 Nose Work® in North America

  • NACSW focuses on humane, science-based training that builds confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving through scent work

  • Instructor certification requires extensive education, hands-on teaching hours, and ongoing professional development


Kyla’s Volunteer Work

Giving back to the community is a huge part of who Kyla is:

  • Ottawa Humane Society Volunteer: Kyla has volunteered for over 20 years, first with her dog Storm in the Companion Animal Program and in recent years as a Canine Behaviour Interventionist, training pooches who have behavioural issues so that they could be adoptable.
  • Facilitator for the OHS’ L.E.A.D. program, where at-risk youth train shelter dogs in a two-week program that transforms lives.
  • Instructor in the Leash Leaders Program at Ottawa Technical High School, teaching students how to train their assigned dogs.

Community Contributions

Beyond dogs, Kyla is a rockstar when it comes to event management. Since 2010, she’s been a Volunteer Coordinator with Heritage Canada, managing events like Winterlude, Canada Day, the Junos, and the Illumination Ceremony.

A Member of the Pack

Kyla is a proud member of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a group committed to dog-friendly, humane training techniques and professional development.

As Seen In...

As a small business owner, Kyla has had the honour of being featured in TV shows, podcasts, and digital publications. These appearances highlight everything from new product launches to her innovative training methods and entrepreneurial journey.

Check out the links below for a peek into Easy Breezy’s story. Each feature is a snapshot of our journey to bring better lives to dogs and their humans.

Whether you’re welcoming a new puppy or trying to teach your old dog some new tricks, Kyla has your back with personalized, flexible programs that work for everyone.

Invest in a happier, more enriched household with Easy Breezy Dog Training, where training is fun, effective, and (of course) breezy!

Click on images below to open links.
                

 

Meet Scarlett

Scarlett MacKenzie, CPDT-KA, FFCT, FDM has been helping dogs and their people build stronger relationships since 2005. She began her career in Alberta, offering obedience training and pet sitting, and quickly discovered her passion for fostering communication and understanding between people and their best friends.

 

In 2012, Scarlett created Petiquette classes, designed specifically to support reactive dogs and enthusiastic greeters in learning how to stay calm when encountering other dogs in public.

While living in St. Hubert, Quebec, she immersed herself in the French language to assist francophone clients and became a member of the Regroupement Québécois des Intervenants en Éducation Canine (RQIEC).

Now based in Barrhaven, Scarlett wears many hats in the dog training community. She’s a trainer, Canine Good Neighbour Evaluator, bite prevention educator, pet first aid instructor, and Companion Paws Evaluator. For Scarlett, the best part of her work is witnessing the moment when a dog finally understands what their person is asking, ears perked, head tilted, and that unmistakable “aha!” expression shining through.

Scarlett is an LGBTQ2S+ ally and does not discriminate against anyone or any breed of dog.

Credentials:

  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer — Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)

  • Fear Free Certified Trainer (FFCT)

  • Family Dog Mediator (FDM)

  • Pet First Aid Certified Instructor

  • Canine Good Neighbour Evaluator

Community:

  • Chair of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (2021–2023)

  • Anti-BSL advocate promoting behaviour-based, science-driven laws

  • Delivers emergency preparedness presentations with the Pembroke Fire Department and OSPCA (Renfrew)

  • Winner of the Community Votes award for Renfrew County Pet Training in 2023, 2024, and 2025

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Meet Melissa — our Lead Enrichment Coordinator! 

Melissa has been working in the pet industry since 2020 and has always had a huge love for animals. Her experience includes pet nutrition, animal handling and dog behaviour, with time spent at Global Pet Foods, Tenth Line Animal Hospital, Spoiled Rotten Dog Daycare, and currently REN’S Pets. She also keeps busy walking dogs on the side because apparently there’s no such thing as too many dogs in your day. 

As Easy Breezy’s Lead Enrichment Coordinator, Melissa will play a big role in helping plan and lead the fun, enriching and purposeful activities that make our daycare a little different.
Melissa is also currently working toward becoming a certified dog trainer, and we’re so excited to have her bringing that knowledge and experience to the Easy Breezy team.
Her favourite part of working with dogs? "Helping the quieter or more unsure pups come out of their shells and watching their individual personalities start to shine." 

She can’t wait to get to know all of our Easy Breezy dogs and become part of their daycare adventures!

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Meet Dan our Enrichment Guide 

After 31 years with Canada Post, where he spent his days crunching numbers and maintaining application software, Dan officially retired in December 2025 and decided it was time for a career change, one that involved a lot more fur. 😂
Dan has always had a huge soft spot for dogs. Over the past 28 years, he has rescued four Rottweilers through the Humane Society and SPCA, so it probably wasn’t a surprise to anyone that retirement quickly turned into working at a dog daycare!


He joined Spoiled Rotten Dog Daycare in November 2025, where he discovered just how much he enjoyed spending his days keeping dogs safe, engaged and happy.
Now, as an Enrichment Guide at Easy Breezy, Dan helps create the kind of daycare experience we believe in, safe, structured, clean and filled with opportunities for dogs to play, learn, sniff, explore and settle.

You’ll find Dan helping with enrichment activities, supervising the pack and making sure everyone is having a fun (but appropriately Easy Breezy!) day. 

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Meet Finlay, Kyla’s Loyal Sidekick and Co-Trainer!

Finlay isn’t just Kyla’s dog, he’s her trusty companion and star co-trainer! This adorable Sheepadoodle works alongside Kyla to demonstrate obedience skills, teach proper play etiquette, and is the star in her book Brain Games For Your Dog. He’s an invaluable part of the Easy Breezy team, helping clients and their pups learn and grow.

Finlay has brought his own set of quirks and challenges, from separation anxiety to barking at EVERY passing dog or person. Navigating these hurdles together has given Kyla firsthand insight into the realities many dog owners face. Finlay’s journey has not only strengthened their bond but also inspired creative solutions that Kyla now shares with her clients, ensuring training is relatable and effective for every dog and their human.

When they’re off the clock, you’ll find Kyla and Finlay hitting the trails with friends, kayaking together, attending ratting trials or enjoying some well-deserved snuggle time. Finlay’s zest for life and playful spirit make every adventure unforgettable!

 

The Story Behind Easy Breezy Dog Training

Easy Breezy Dog Training was inspired by Breeze, a sweet German Shepherd mix who left an unforgettable paw print on Kyla’s life. Kyla adopted Breeze as a young dog to help with her first business, a Cage-Free Dog Kennel. Breeze took her role seriously, keeping the other dogs entertained, exercised, and happily tired out.

But Breeze’s journey wasn’t always easy. As a rescue who had experienced abuse as a puppy, she faced challenges like a fear of men and separation anxiety. With patience, love, and dedication, Kyla helped Breeze overcome her fears, turning her into a confident and loyal companion. Her favourite adventures included kayaking and running alongside Kyla's bike, always eager for the next outdoor escapade.

After a remarkable 12.5 years of love, loyalty, and countless memories, Breeze crossed the rainbow bridge in 2018. Her legacy of resilience, joy, and companionship lives on through Easy Breezy Dog Training.

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No matter where you wag your tail, east from Rockland to Nepean or west from Arnprior to Kanata, the Easy Breezy crew has you covered. We’re all about turning chaos into calm, zoomies into zen, and puppy mayhem into manners. With a dash of science, a sprinkle of humour, and a whole lot of tail wags, we’ll help you and your pup live your best life together.