Welcome to CanineSidekicks!

I'm Niomi Smith - an "everything dog" person who has dedicated my life to helping people build, rebuild, and strengthen their relationships with their dogs. I believe every dog deserves safety, communication, clarity, and a meaningful place alongside their human companions.

I have been training dogs since 2004, and became professionally certified in 2013. Over the years, I have evaluated well over 10,000 dogs and worked with an incredible range of temperaments, breeds and behavioural challenges.

My areas of specialization include puppy development, sport dog development, and behavioural rehabilitation for complex challenges (Human/Dog/Environmental Reactivity and Generalized anxiety).

At CanineSidekicks, my goal is not simply obedience - it is helping dogs and handlers develop true communication, trust, confiidence and teamwork.

I am proud to be launching CanineSidekicks Service Dogs Inc. This very special endeavour has a mission to develop and certify some of the best-trained service dogs Canada has ever seen through ethical, welfare-focused, and highly skilled training practices.

I have bred, raised and trained German Shepherd Dogs since 2011 for personal and family protection. I previously bred, raised and showed Pomeranians (AKC/CKC) for 5 years. I am currently raising and training German Shorthaired Pointers for hunting, sport and Conformation. I am starting to raise and train Labrador Retrievers for Service, Hunting and Family companions.
In 2018 I began offering Board and Train services for Rehabilitation/recovery and Service Dog development. This programming is highly specialized and has seen continuous success. I have been able to recover dogs that others have said were "hopeless". I have also developed several PTSD Support and Mobility Support Service Dogs. These dogs are still active and working alongside their human.
I have developed programming for several other trainers to start or expand their business. I have had the opportunity to also provide mentorship services to some of these trainers. I am currently streamlining services to be delivered online. This means more training access and support, no matter how far away you are. My passion is dogs, and I am looking forward to sharing my years of accumulated knowledge, tips and tricks with you!

Competitive Resume

I have trained and trialed in many venues. My competitive resume includes the following:

  • SCH/IPO/IGP(BH-IGP3, 2 x High in OB, Multiple High in Tr, High in Pr, High in Trial)

  • UKC/AKC Rally-O (Novice-Advanced, Multiple High in Class, Multiple High in Trial)

  • AKC Obedience (Novice/Open, Multiple High in Class, Multiple High in Trial)

  • Service Dogs of America temperament testing - FO (3 x Passes)

  • NADAC Agility (Several 1st/2nd Place Standings in a variety of classes)

  • Herding instinct tests (Multiple Passes - German Shepherd Dogs and Pomeranians)

  • CKC/AKC Canine Good Citizen (Also previously an Evaluator for CKC).

  • *All competition team dogs are BHOT or HOT

Red Rhino vom Ironhide

"Big Kahuna", BH Test