Mary-Lou Halliday, Owner and Operator of Aloha K9 Training & Pet Resort, is a Certified Master Dog Trainer with over 23 years of professional experience.

Specializing in working dogs, aggressive dogs, and behavior problem-solving, Mary-Lou works with all breeds, sizes, and ages, believing every dog is trainable with the right approach.

An animal lover from childhood, Mary-Lou knew at just seven years old that she wanted to become a dog trainer. In 2002, she graduated from the Master Dog Trainer program at Canada West Canine Centre in Salmon Arm, BC. The following year, she was invited to join the Saskatoon City Police Department as a K9 handler but chose instead to move to Huntington Beach, California, to pursue opportunities at Sirius K9 Academy. Over nine years, she gained extensive hands-on experience, teaching obedience and field trip classes, therapy dog programs, in-home private lessons, and in-kennel training. She also decoyed for protection training and earned certifications as a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and in Pet CPR and First Aid. Currently she has developed and instructs a Dog Bite Prevention Seminar for the Saskatoon & Regina Sherrif’s Department.

Mary-Lou has trained and certified her personal dogs in therapy work, narcotics detection, personal protection, advanced obedience, scent detection, dock diving, weight pull, and as Canine Good Citizens (the US equivalent of the CKC’s Canine Good Neighbor). She recently lost her resilient blind, one-eyed 16-year-old Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix, whom she rehabilitated as a puppy and later welcomed back into her care. She currently shares her home with two rescued three-year-old German Shepherds and has just welcomed a new puppy – another German Shepherd - whom she will be training in protection sports.

Mary-Lou believes that obedience is the cornerstone of resolving behavior problems and serves as the foundation for any advanced training. Her passion stems from a commitment to helping dogs stay in loving homes. She firmly believes that most dogs end up in shelters not because they are "bad" but because their owners lacked the tools, patience, and knowledge to raise them successfully. As a trainer, her mission is to equip dog owners with the skills they need to bring out the best in their pets.

In addition to her dog training expertise, Mary-Lou is certified in Graphic Design, Life Coaching, and multiple energy-healing modalities, including BodyTalk, Reiki, and Access Consciousness. She also studies animal communication, which adds a unique perspective to her approach. After returning to Canada in 2014, she initially focused on energy healing until her love for dogs led her to establish Aloha K9 Training & Pet Resort in December 2022. Since then, her business has flourished, earning accolades such as Best Dog Trainer in Regina - Community Votes 2023, 2024 & 2025 and two Canada Choice Awards for 2024 & 2025 and the Consumer Choice award in 2025.

For Mary-Lou, dog training is more than a profession—it’s a lifelong passion. With a deep understanding of canine behavior and years of experience, she is dedicated to helping you build a balanced, happy relationship with your dog. Training your dog is an investment, and when done right, it pays off in ways that last a lifetime.

“Thank you for trusting me to guide you on this journey. I look forward to working with you and helping your pack thrive!” ~Mary-Lou