Specialties
At Cedarwoods Canine School, we believe that basic obedience is the foundation of a strong, respectful relationship between you and your dog. Our training program follows a clear, proven curriculum designed to build reliable obedience in real-world situations. We offer in-person sessions at your home or another agreed-upon location, providing convenience and consistency. As training progresses, your dog will be exposed to a variety of distractions and taught to respond to your cues with focus and reliability—regardless of the environment. We also address common problem behaviors such as jumping, pulling on the leash, or ignoring commands, helping you build a calm, responsive companion. Our goal is to equip you and your dog with the tools for lasting success, built on clarity, consistency, and trust.
History
Established in 1993.
Cedarwoods Canine School has proudly been a family owned and operated business since 1993. Our mission is to foster a sense of goodwill between pet owners and the local community in Western Washington. Our highly qualified trainers assist in creating excellent K-9 companions.
Founders Ron and Carol McGrady set a strong foundation when they first established the obedience school by offering a unique type of basic obedience training. The courses have been proven to create well trained dogs by utilizing the dog’s natural desire to please their owner. Their methodology creates cherished pets, as well as strengthens the bond between you and your dog.
Dog training is still a family affair today with son Sam McGrady as owner and lead trainer.
Meet the Business Owner: Sam M.
Sam began his career working with dogs in 1988 by assisting a canine trainer in Skagit and Island Counties. After completing a 1.5-year mentorship, Sam and his father, Ron, began to help train people and their dogs in Whatcom County using parks and various other facilities. In 1993, Cedarwoods Canine School was formed where, together, Sam and Ron have trained thousands of dogs over the years. Sam became Lead Trainer in 2013 when Ron passed away, and he has continued to train dogs and their owners for over 30 years.