
“A good dog trainer doesn’t just teach the dog—they teach the human how to understand, connect, and communicate.”
Meet The Team
At Take The Lead, our team is more than just trainers—we’re passionate dog lovers dedicated to helping every pup and their person build a stronger bond. Each of us brings unique skills, experience, and plenty of tail wags to the table, but what unites us is a genuine love for dogs and a commitment to positive, effective training. Get to know the friendly faces who will guide you and your four-legged companion on the path to success!

Sue Wishart
Lead Trainer
Sue was a Junior High/ Middle School teacher for 33 years and had the pleasure of coaching many teams, in many sports, for many years. She has enjoyed teaching dog obedience for 29 years. With her own various-sized dogs, she has competed and achieved titles in Obedience, Rally Obedience, Tracking, Scent Detection, and Drill Team. All have been Canine Good Neighbours and all have been Therapy Dogs. At this time, she has Rein, a 14-year-old Australian Shepherd, and Rowdy, a 3-year-old Corgi.
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Sue is a very experienced trainer/handler and enjoys problem-solving to help all owners achieve success through positive, encouraging, fun training and practice at every class. She delights in seeing dogs and handlers build that very important bond and earn that lifelong trust.

John Reid
Lead Trainer
John has been working with clients as a trainer for four years and currently has a five-year-old German Shepherd named Jayda. Jayda has completed Level 2 Obedience training, Tracking training, and an introduction to Scent Detection. Previously, he has owned and trained an Irish Setter (a hunting dog and family pet) and Springer Spaniels.
John feels that communication is the key to successful training-communication between the trainer and handler, and between the handler and their dog.

Jodi McKean
Assistant Trainer
Jodi has trained dogs much of her life beginning with their first family dog when she was twelve years old. She and her husband have taken part in Hunt Training with their dogs. Jodi has had three dogs involved in the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. Her dogs do Scent Detection, Obedience, Rally Obedience and Sprinter. Jodi has been assisting in classes for 8 years and she loves to see the progress the dogs make especially when the lightbulb goes on for both the human and the dog !
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Jodi has two Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, Keswick is an 8 year old female, Raylan is a 4 year old male and she has a 14 year old Cairn Terrier named Maple.

Bonnie Horncastle
Assistant Trainer
Bonnie has been assisting with Sue Wishart’s obedience classes, at all levels, for the past 25 years and with John for several years. She enjoys the opportunity to help people improve the bond with their dogs and especially enjoys working with shy and nervous dogs to make a connection. Bonnie’s current doggy companions are Shih Tzus, Tabu who is 6 years old and his 3 year old granddaughter Ketu. They are Canine Good Neighbours, Novice Master Trick Dogs and Therapy Dogs. Tabu has also competed in Rally Obedience, Obedience and Scent Detection.

Carolyn Dimock
Assistant Trainer
Carolyn has enjoyed being part of Sue and John’s team for about four years, helping out with level 1, 2, and 3 obedience classes. She knows first hand what it’s like to be on both sides of the training journey. Her two year old miniature Australian Shepherd, Raya has completed level 1 obedience, level 2 obedience and completed her first Rally class.
During your classes she will be there to lend a hand, offer insight, cheer you on, celebrate those breakthrough moments, and share her passion for helping dogs and their humans build stronger bonds together.

Margo McConnell
Assistant Trainer
Margo has two Standard Poodle boys, Oliver and Reese. Oliver is just over 11 years old and Reese is a shy 11 week old pup. Oliver has had 3 levels of obedience, has done Rally Obedience and he has his Canine Good Neighbour. Reese joined our family a few weeks ago after we lost Oliver’s younger brother. Reese’s journey with obedience classes will be starting in the fall with Take the Lead. After finishing a couple of levels with Oliver Margo decided to assist with the training classes. It has been a great experience and she has learned so much over the last 10 years. It has been rewarding watching both dogs and students come together and work as a team. Spending time with and working with your pup is never a waste of time. The bond that you build with them is for life.

Sherree Chandler
Assistant Trainer
Sherree is an experienced handler and trainer. She has been training her own dogs for 30 years in a variety of performance activities. Sherree and her dogs have participated in Obedience, Rally Obedience, Agility, Flyball, Square Dancing, Team Obedience, Scent Detection, Trick Dog and some have been Therapy Dogs. Sherree has been assisting in classes and spreading her knowledge since 2024. Her current dogs are two Cocker Spaniels, one is Kizzy, who is 2 years old, and the other is a 22 month old, Sammy.
Sherree enjoys seeing the dogs progress and watching the people interact with their dogs.
