A golden retriever running through snow on a large frozen lake under a partly cloudy sky.

Oakville’s premier positive reinforcement dog training academy

Better dogs for better days.

When dogs understand their world, life together finally feels simple.

About Us

Hi, my name is Megan! I'm a certified professional dog trainer, accredited by the Karen Pryor Academy, and the founder of Head Over Paws, a positive reinforcement dog training and hiking company based in Oakville and the surrounding areas.

I've loved animals for as long as I can remember. Growing up alongside retrievers is where my connection with dogs began, and today, that connection lives on through my golden retriever, Frank. She's my companion, my training partner, and a big part of what has shaped my work.

My passion for dog training really took root when I worked at my local animal shelter. There, I saw the same heartbreaking story play out: dogs being surrendered because their families didn't know how to navigate life with them. Or a dog that pulled too hard on walks, jumped on guests, or barked at every person passing the window. These behaviours weren't character flaws. They were communication breakdowns, and without the right support, they could lead to surrendered dogs and heartbroken families.

Those experiences stayed with me and shaped the kind of trainer I wanted to become. I went on to earn my professional certification through the Karen Pryor Academy, specializing in animal behaviour through positive reinforcement and science-based methods. I graduated alongside Frank, who has been by my side throughout the journey.

That's why I do what I do, and I'm so excited you're here.

I can't wait to share my passion for dogs, training, and helping families with you!

With gratitude,

Megan Head, KPA-CPT

Founder, Head Over Paws

A young woman with blonde hair and a brown sweater sitting outdoors with a golden retriever dog on her lap, smiling at the camera. There are trees, a wooden fence, and a garden in the background.

Our Approach

A girl lying on the grass with a black dog, both smiling and looking at the camera. The girl has light skin, blonde hair, and is wearing a blue shirt. The dog is black with some white markings and is wearing a harness. Dog training orientation

Every training journey begins with a thorough assessment of your dog’s behavior, environment, history, and daily routine. This allows us to identify underlying needs, motivations, stressors, and to ensure that training is both effective and appropriate for your dog as an individual.

Step 1 - understand your dog

A woman sitting on the grass with multiple dogs, surrounded by green trees under a blue sky.

Training is delivered using positive reinforcement methods grounded in learning theory and behavioural science. Through clear communication, structured practice, and thoughtful reinforcement, we teach skills that help dogs navigate the human world with confidence, reliability, and emotional stability.

Step 2 - teach with clarity

A white dog sitting on a raised outdoor lounge chair on a wooden deck with a backyard scene that includes a lawn, bushes, and trees with autumn foliage, and neighboring houses in the background. The sky is partly cloudy.

Step 3 - support the family

Lasting change happens when the whole family is supported. We focus on owner education, practical application, and real world implementation so that training seamlessly integrates into daily life, creating sustainable results and a strong human dog bond.

Our Services

Head Over Paws DOG TRAINING_SERVICES
BEHAVIOURAL CONSULTATION
$200.00

A 2 hour onboarding and behavioural consultation session.

  • Mandatory for all new clients.

  • This session goes far beyond basic obedience. We take a deep dive into your dog’s behaviour history, daily routines, environment, and emotional needs to identify the root causes of challenges - Not just the symptoms.

  • The outcome is a personalized training program designed for your dog and their environment.

  • HST Extra

Onboarding & Behavioural Session

Private 1:1 Training

PRIVATE 1:1 SESSIONS
$150.00

Our most popular service, 1-hour sessions

  • These sessions are fully customized and focus on both ends of the leash - understanding your dogs behaviour, communication, and building practical, real-world skills.

  • Training happens in your dog’s real environment, where behaviour actually shows up, so progress is meaningful and sustainable

  • Behaviour consultation necessary for this service and a minimum of 3 sessions is mandatory.

  • HST Extra

ADVENTURE HIKES
$50.00

1-1.5 hour hikes

  • Fun enrichment meets real-world training - off leash.

  • Structured off-leash group walks that turn the outdoors into a classroom. Part enrichment, part training — your dog gets to be a dog while reinforcing everything we've worked on.

  • Rotating locations: lakeside trails, off-leash trails, escarpment hikes

  • Prerequisite: Assesment and Train & Transfer sessions required , so recall is reliable and every dog on the trail is safe

Adventure Hikes

TRAIN & TRANSFER
$120.00

1 hour sessions (amount of sessions set during behavioural consult).

  • Also known as Walk & Train. Built for busy professionals or families

  • During these sessions, your dog is trained directly in real-life environments - parks, in neighbourhoods, and around every day distractions.

  • This allows skills to be built through consistency and repetition, while still ensuring those skills are transferred back to you so they last long-term.

  • Behavioural consultation necessary for this service.

  • HST Extra

Train & Transfer

What Our Customers Are Saying

“Cloud was a rescue with anxiety and aggression issues. Megan did a wonderful job connecting with Cloud, training our family, and Cloud is a much happier member of our family. We were so impressed with Megan’s approach. She’s a natural! “

— Former Customer

A young girl with braided hair and dressed in blue medical scrubs sitting on grass, hugging a large brown dog with a happy expression, in a fenced outdoor area with a black bench and lush green trees in the background. Book now.  Order Now
A happy client after graduating from Karen Pryor training programs. A woman and a large fluffy dog sitting on the floor of a pet store aisle, with shelves full of pet food and supplies behind them. Book now in Oakville, Hamilton, Burlington, Milton

Megan was fantastic with her approach, and tips to help keep our dog engaged and mentally stimulated. It was amazing to see how much they improved!

— Former Customer

If you're interested in working with me, have a question or just want to say hi, please complete the form and we will get back to you within 48 hours.

info@headoverpaws.ca
(289)936-2620

Get in Touch

Golden retriever dog wearing a graduation cap, sitting on a blue mat in front of a wall with a neon light decoration. Karen Pryor certification.  Book now for +ve training.

Follow Us On Social