About TopDog’s Muttessori
We may not be the cheapest or quickest option in town but we vow that we are in this business for YOUR dog. Every decision we make is based on keeping your dog safe, happy, and moving toward better behaviours.
TopDog's Muttessori was built on a simple belief: every dog deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
More than 25 years ago, Kathy Currie-Eyers envisioned a place where dogs would be treated with compassion, taught through science-based methods, and given the skills they needed to become valued members of their families. That vision became reality in 2005 and laid the foundation for the TopDog philosophy that continues to guide us today.
In 2025, TopDog officially entered its next chapter when Kathy retired and the business was incorporated under the leadership of her daughter, Jacki Currie. While our leadership evolved, our mission never changed: dogs come first. Every decision we make is based on what's best for the dogs in our care, while empowering the people who love them.
Today, TopDog's Muttessori proudly calls Orillia home and has become a recognized leader in force-free, relationship-based training and enrichment. We believe confidence creates capable dogs, education creates confident owners, and strong relationships create lifelong success. Rather than simply teaching obedience, we focus on helping dogs think, problem solve, regulate their emotions, and build trust, while giving owners the knowledge and skills to continue that success at home.
Our inspiration comes from the Montessori philosophy of learning through exploration, choice, and purposeful experiences. After becoming a mother herself, Jacki saw the incredible impact that structure, independence, and thoughtfully prepared environments had on children's learning. She recognized that dogs thrive in much the same way. That realization became the heart of TopDog's Muttessori, where enrichment, learning, and positive experiences are woven into every day.
Over the years, our commitment to excellence has been recognized with numerous awards across Ontario, including multiple Readers' Choice Awards in Barrie, Orillia, and Simcoe County, the Canadian Choice Award, and the Ontario Business Award. While we're incredibly grateful for these honours, our greatest achievement will always be the thousands of dogs and families whose lives have been strengthened through positive, force-free training.
Whether your dog joins us for enrichment daycare, day school, private training, group classes, or overnight care, our goal remains the same: to build confident dogs, educated owners, and stronger relationships that last a lifetime.
Because at TopDog's Muttessori, we're not just training dogs. We're helping families build better lives together.
Why We’re Different from Large Group Daycares
Large group daycares often lack structure and rules. Dogs may play until exhausted, which can be fun, but they often pick up unpleasant habits like:
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Barking or bolting out gates and doors
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Rough play or barrier/leash aggression
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Lack of mental stimulation
An average large daycare risks becoming a glorified dog park, where subtle bullying or miscommunication may go unnoticed due to staff not being trained in dog body language.
Structured, Safe, and Tailored Play
At TopDog’s Mutt-e-Ssori, dogs still run and play with friends, but every activity is structured. Our staff is trained in dog body language and uses their energy to maintain a calm, controlled environment.
Every dog receives an assessment to understand their personality and is matched with suitable playmates. Daily routines focus on:
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Group obedience and manners
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Personalized structured play
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Mental and physical enrichment
Montessori-Based Enrichment Model
Our unique Montessori-inspired schedule includes:
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Play
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Enrichment activities (puzzles, toys)
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One-on-one training
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Group training
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Lunch & scheduled rest
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Repeat
Smaller, structured groups allow us to focus on each dog’s individual needs, desires, and play styles, leaving them content, enriched, and well-behaved.