Local Dog Trainer Holds Grand Opening Of First Brick-And-Mortar Store

It has been nine years in the making for dog trainer Ineke Turner as she opened her first brick-and-mortar business, Turner & Pooch Dog Training, in a grand opening on Tuesday afternoon.

(From left to right) Tiffany Acari, Peterborough Chamber media and member relations; Ineke Turner, Turner & Pooch owner and Nigel Broersma, Chamber member relations coordinator performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Turner’s first business.

The business provides dog training classes either in groups of up to four or private lessons alongside a trainer.

This is the first business that Turner has opened since her nine years as a dog trainer.

"I am scared out of my mind but I’m really excited to be here and help people with their dogs,” she said.

Turner was training dogs at Del Crary and Millenium Park for the past nine years. The rapport and relationships she developed working at the parks gave her the confidence to open her first store according to Turner.

“I've always wanted to have an indoor space just to be able to provide more service to people,” she explained.

While most businesses have suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic, it provided the opposite effect for Turner. She noticed that several households were taking in more dogs as pets to aid in mental health during the height of the pandemic.

“With a lot of covid puppies, I was able to have that opportunity a lot quicker,” said Turner.

Turner & Pooch Dog Training is located at 142 Simcoe St. in downtown Peterborough.

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