Meet Our Trainers
KIM ZIPPEL
Kim’s dog background began in 1986 when she took her first dog, a Siberian husky to obedience school. She became involved with the training academy as an assistant trainer and eventually became a full time trainer with the academy. Kim and her partner opened up a full time training centre with dog grooming and Calgary’s first doggy daycare in 1990.
In 1997, Kim purchased Especially For Pet’s and incorporated grooming, daycare and dog training into the business. Kim now owns and operates Blue Ribbon Kennels along with her husband, Harry in Bragg Creek, Alberta. She teaches obedience classes once a week at Especially For Pets and also offers classes at her training facility at home.
Kim acquired her first Rottweiler in 1987. “Willya” introduced her to the competitive obedience ring, the conformation ring, the schutzhund field and tracking field. In 1991 Kim and Willya earned the #1 Rottweiler in obedience and #2 Working Dog in Canada. Since then, she has taken another female Rott, “Wynot”, to her Ch. And CDX level of obedience. She currently enjoys working with her male Rottweiler, “Barlowe”. Barlowe and Kim have teamed up to obtain a Can.Ch.,Motch, TT,TD,Can/Am RE, Am.UD. In 2007 Barlowe was #2 Rottweiler in Canada and #4 Working Dog. In 2008, He was #1 Rottweiler and #2 Working Dog in Canada. She is also thoroughly enjoying working with her Giant Schnauzer, Twist. To date, Twist has her CD with all scores above 195 and is working towards her CDX title.
Kim is a great supporter of the Southern Alberta Rottweiler Rescue. She is currently acting as the fundraising coordinator and is an occasional foster home for some of the rescues.
Kim shares her home southwest of Calgary with her wonderful husband, four super dogs and three great cats.
SUZANNE MAH WOO
Metropawlitan Dog Training was founded by myself and my beloved Akita, C.C., in 2006.
Over our 12 years together, C.C. and I accomplished the impossible dreams: we were the first ever in Alberta to win the highest scoring Akita in Obedience, posed as the poster and demonstration team for the St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog Team in Yellowknife, and successfully taught numerous dog owners how to create the same relationships with their dogs—from raising puppies to rehabilitating behavior issues in adult dogs.
C.C. was the first of her kind—a true Metropawlitan. Beautiful, noble, well mannered—a dog that you could truly take with you anywhere and be able to relax and enjoy her company. She was a dog that was welcome in places where generally dogs were prohibited. She was loved by those who swore they would never love a dog. She became the inspiration for the vision of Metropawlitan Dog Training.
Combined with an Animal Science degree from the University of Alberta, a Canine Training and Behavior Specialist certification from the Triple Crown Dog Academy in Texas, and over 5 years of real world experience both in and out of the competition ring, my skills and knowledge as a trainer and instructor has allowed CC and I to recreate Metropawlitans for numerous dog owners alike.
In her last few years, C.C. had one more gift to give – she taught my two new successors – two German Shepherds, Cavalli and Kimora to help her carry on her ambassador roles for her kind. Both have become teachers in their own rights. With the two of them at my side, I have learned much in understanding how to fulfill both a human and a dog’s natural innate needs – both on and off the competitive sport field. I have learned much in understanding and communicating with dogs in their own language, in being able to honor and respect the rules and boundaries they live by in their pack order, in being able to use these skills to communicate our human expectations to them in a manner that is clear and fair, and in being able to share the secrets of their world with pet owners and lovers just like you.
With C.C.’s passing, she has left behind a legacy for me and my pack to go on fulfilling—a gift that we had the privilege of sharing, and now one we would like to share with you:
Creating the Art of a Balanced Relationship
We welcome you to join us on our journey of helping you create your very own Metropawlitan!