Professional background
A career built around better communication with dogs
Tristan Flynn is co-owner of Jollytails and a longtime dog trainer and behaviour consultant. His education and professional designations reflect a commitment to humane training practices and current scientific knowledge about how dogs learn.
Before opening Jollytails, Tristan operated Golden Rule Training, visiting clients at home and providing consultations for aggression, anxiety, and many other behaviour concerns. He has since lectured and presented on complex subjects including dominance, leash reactivity, aggression, daycare operations, and alternate training styles.
Media & public education
Making behaviour knowledge easier to understand
Tristan has been featured as a dog-training and behaviour expert by CTV News, Global News, CBC News, CTV Morning Live, and News 95.7. In 2013 he hosted K9 Connection, a weekly call-in show broadcast across Atlantic Canada on the Rogers Radio Network. He later hosted Jollytails K9 Connection with Sheldon MacLeod in 2015–2016 and appeared in the biweekly Dog Talk segment on Global Morning News.
He is the author and presenter of The Leash Reactivity Blueprint and has delivered global webinars for the Pet Professional Guild on daycare operations and reactive-dog training.
Radio & interviews
Interview topics have included humane alternatives to shock collars, Train Your Dog Month, dog-bite prevention, off-leash parks, leash reactivity, and practical answers to callers’ behaviour questions.
Television demonstrations
His television segments have covered early puppy training, reactive dogs, enrichment, rescue-dog support, impulse control, and equipment that can help families build more comfortable walks.
Selected presentations
Lecture and conference history
Invite Tristan to speak
Tristan is available for interviews, lectures, seminars, and conversations about dog behaviour and training. Email tristan@jollytails.ca to discuss a media or speaking request.
- 2014 — Nova Scotia SPCA Wellness Conference: Dominance in dogs.
- Charlottetown, PEI: A seminar on reactive dogs hosted by the Delta.
- 2015 — Association of Professional Dog Trainers Conference, Dallas: Running a multi-use dog facility.
- 2015 — Atlantic Veterinary College: Dog training and behaviour education.
- 2016 — Pet Professional Guild Summit, Tampa: Reactive dogs.
- 2017 — Pet Professional Guild, Orlando: Alternate training styles.
Subjects for professional and community audiences
Tristan’s teaching has included dominance and aggression, leash reactivity and reactive-dog classes, fostering and assessing rescue dogs, humane training methods, and the practical work of opening and operating a dog daycare or multi-use pet facility.
Practical and ethical
Seminar hosts and rescue organizations have valued his clear explanations, realistic expectations, humane methods, and willingness to explain both what he recommends and why.
Engaging and generous
Attendee feedback has highlighted an entertaining, approachable speaking style and the time Tristan devotes to questions, discussion, and useful next steps.
Professional service
Tristan served on the Association of Professional Dog Trainers Trainers Education Committee in 2016. His broader education work has also included presentations for Dalhousie University, the Nova Scotia SPCA, veterinary audiences, professional trainers, and pet owners.
Professional résumé
Education, certifications & community work
Behaviour & training
Certification history includes Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and Certified Professional Dog Trainer—Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Formal education
Completed a Dog Obedience Trainer program with highest honours through Penn Foster.
Additional designations
Certified Canine Specialist through the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada and certified Canine Life & Social Skills evaluator.
First aid
Certified in pet first aid through St. John Ambulance and in Advanced Animal First Aid for Disaster Responders through Humane Society University.
Nova Scotia SPCA
Implemented the Canine Life & Social Skills training program for the Nova Scotia SPCA and has regularly advised on the assessment and training of shelter dogs.
Ethical practice
Tristan’s approach strongly reflects the humane, professional standards in the CCPDT Code of Ethics.
Always learning
Education shaped by leading voices in the field
Throughout his career, Tristan has had opportunities to learn from and work with internationally respected trainers, behaviour professionals, and veterinary behaviour experts, including Dr. Ian Dunbar, Ken Ramirez, Kathy Sdao, John Rogerson, Dr. Sophia Yin, Dr. Karen Overall, and Victoria Stilwell.
This breadth of education supports the practical, thoughtful approach that has shaped Jollytails training programs and staff development.
A special training partner
Freyja’s place in the Jollytails story
Tristan’s Bernese Mountain Dog, Freyja (2008–2020), earned her Canadian Kennel Club Canine Good Neighbour certification and became a fixture in Tristan’s work. She attended puppy classes, joined demonstrations, and helped generations of local dog families learn.
His teaching at Jollytails has included adult classes and Puppy Level 1, as well as mentoring future trainers through the Jollytails Training and Behaviour Apprenticeship Program.