Person walking a Great Dane on a leash along a paved park trail surrounded by grass and leafless trees
Smiling woman sitting on a couch with three dogs, including a large goldendoodle wearing a pink bandana.

Peace of mind - For you and your pup.

Choosing someone to care for or train your dog means putting your trust in them. Pet care and dog training are largely unregulated industries, so a business name or job title alone doesn’t guarantee relevant education, experience, or humane practices. Asking about qualifications, training methods, and ongoing learning can help you make an informed choice.

At Terra Nova Canines, I believe you deserve to know who’s caring for your dog and what guides their approach. Get to know me, explore my education and certifications, and learn how they shape the care and training I provide.

Person walking a leashed dog on a snowy city sidewalk
Small green lizard peeking from behind a branch in a leafy terrarium

Hey there, I’m Tara.

My name is Tara and I am a trainer whose passion for animals has been a lifelong journey - and it shows in everything I do. From rescuing “lost” bugs as a child to growing up alongside a menagerie of pets, I have always been fascinated by animal behavior and communication. While attending university, I found myself missing that daily connection and began offering pet care to friends and coworkers, gaining hands-on experience that would shape my professional path.

I am Pet First Aid & CPR certified and a Fear-Free Certified Professional, meaning my approach is always humane, compassionate, and rooted in trust - no aversive tools, ever. I’m deeply committed to continuing education, with focused study in dog body language, proper socialization, and the foundations of effective training. Through live-in pet sitting and long-term care, I discovered how powerful consistent, intentional training can be, watching dogs grow in confidence and skill day by day. That experience inspired me to become a science-based, positive-reinforcement dog trainer.

Educated though the Victoria Stilwell Academy, I have been teaching small group classes since March 2022 - earning rave reviews through thoughtful coaching, attentive listening, and the ability to help teams troubleshoot and progress. I can’t wait to help you and your pup build a stronger foundation for success - together, through positive reinforcement. 🐾

Fun Facts About Me

Personality Type: INFJ
Favorite Book: Behind The Attic Wall
Favorite Game: Dungeons & Dragons
Favorite Drink: A cherry coke
Last Travel Destination: La Paz, Mexico

Certificate of completion awarded to Terra Nova Canines for Fear Free Pet Sitter Certification Program, signed by Dr. Marty Becker, dated January 2, 2022.
Certificate of Completion awarded to Tara Wuennenberg for Fundamentals of Dog Training & Behavior from Victoria Stilwell Academy, dated February 1, 2022.
Certificate of completion awarded to Tara Wuennenberg from Victoria Stilwell Academy for successfully completing Building Your Dog's Confidence on December 26, 2021. The certificate features a blue intricate border and the Victoria Stilwell Academy l
Certificate of completion awarded to Tara Wuennenberg from Victoria Stilwell Academy for successfully completing the Being a Good Pet Neighbor starter course on December 26, 2021.
Logo for Victoria Stilwell Academy of Dog Training & Behavior featuring a silhouette of a woman with two dogs on leashes, with 'Fundamentals' written on a banner above, and the organization name and focus on dog training and behavior surrounding the
PROfur logo with text, protected by PROfur, insurance for pet care professionals.
Gold star-shaped award badge with a black maple leaf icon at the top. Text in the center reads "Canadian Choice Award Winner" in bold black letters.
Fear Free Certified Professional badge with checkmark logo and blue color scheme.
Logo of the Pet Professional Guild featuring large blue and orange letters 'P' and 'G', a line drawing of a dog's head, and the text 'The Pet Professional Guild' with a subtitle 'The Association for Force-Free Pet Professionals'.
Logo of the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers featuring a white dog sitting in front of a red maple leaf with a circular green background.
A membership badge for the Association for Professional Dog Training International featuring the ADPT logo, a silhouette of a person with a dog and a ball, with the word 'MEMBER' and expiration date August 31, 2026.
Logo for Victoria Stillwell Academy with a silhouette of a person holding a leash, flanked by two smaller dogs, the word 'STARTER' in a banner, and the phrases 'Victoria Stillwell Academy' at the top and 'Being a good pet neighbor' at the bottom.
Logo for Victoria Stilwell Academy featuring a silhouette of a woman with two dogs, with the word 'STARTER' across the center.

Education & Certification

Certifications:

  • Victoria Stilwell Academy - Fundamentals of Dog Training & Behavior

  • FearFree Pets: Pet Sitter Certification Program

  • Pet Sitters International & Pet Safety Crusaders: Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals

Continued Education:

Malena Demartini

  • Mission Possible - Separation Anxiety Training

Separation Anxiety Dog

  • DO-IT-YOURSELF Separation Anxiety Program

All Paws On Deck

  • Shadowing/Assisting with puppy & intermediate group classes

Victoria Stilwell Academy

  • Building Your Dog's Confidence

  • Being a Good Pet Neighbor

BravoDog

  • The Basics of Dog Body Language

Memberships:

  • Professional Member, Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)

  • Professional Member, Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT)

  • FearFree Pets: Boarding & Daycare Individual Membership

  • Supporting Member, International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC)

Pet Sitters International

  • Canine to Human Connection

  • Social Development of Puppies

  • The Pet Sitter’s Guide to Safer, Smarter Dog Walking

  • What Pet Sitters Should Know About Resource Guarding

  • Separation Anxiety: How Pet Sitters Can Help

  • Collars 101

  • Harnesses 101

  • Leashes 101

  • Greeting Pets at the Initial Consultation

  • Dietary and Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats

  • Pet Behavior and Body Language

  • Solving Common Behavior Problems in Dogs and Cats

Join Us Today!

Sign up for your free meet & greet!

Have Questions?

Send me a quick note and let’s find the right path for you and your pup!