We, is basically me, the owner: Anne Lill Kvam. In addition to Anne Lill Kvam, you may meet guest lecturers or other collaborators in our courses.

The ethical standard is very very important for us, and both you and your dog shall be assured that all teachers you meet are all of the same high ethical standard. We will never use punishment (“positive punishment” in the technical language), or yelling or angry voices around dogs. If the dogs do anything wrong, the responsible are us humans as we have arranged things wrongly. And for this, we cannot punish anyone else.

Any of my teachers will be educated with IDTE from me or Turid Rugaas (or similar from their country), and most of them will have one or more specialisations on top.

What we all share, is a strong affection to dogs, respect for dogs’ language and their rights. In addition, of course we also care for the dog owners. Everyone shall feel and be cared for with us.

Right now we are in a trial period of not offering traditional classes but rather private lessons. My experience ahs shown that both dogs and owners learn better when they are alone with me. Less distractions, less stress, less noise, more fun and concentration. More value for your money and your time. And as time passes, we may put you in a group with some suitable other dogs and humans, and you can carry out some valuable socialisation and training.

About me, Anne Lill Kvam
I founded my company, in Norway called Troll dog school, back in 1996. That was the time when I quit a safe job as a computer engineer at Buskerud University College, and went to work with dogs full time.

Until then, dogs was my hobby and pleasure, and an item of expenditure rather than an income. I graduated at Turid Rugaas Dog Trainer Education in 1995, feeling that I really had found  my  proper niche in this world.

I have had a dog in my life ever since I was 8 years old. And always a different breed. There are so many fantastic dogs, and I always wanted to learn more. The different dogs I had have taught me each one their share of the syllabus.

As a little girl I had to watch my little dog being punished by grandma. She actually hit the dog. I was only 9 years, and I saw how scared my dog was, and realized that she couldn’t possibly understand what she was being punished for. My other dogs have taught me other lessons. Ina, my well invested confirmation money, taught me the lesson which was the best of all: tracking! 

The first track together with a dog in my life, was with Ina, one of the most beautiful bearded collies of Norway according to the Norwegian Kennel Club and the judges. Since that day searching and search games have been my focal point. The fabulous feeling of discovering a new universe, which happened when I was walking behind my beautry queen in the forest. I could see that she was following exactly where I had  walked. Rounding an ant hill, passing a rock or a tree – she was in my foot prints. And there was no cheeting, she didn’t see where I went. I wish for all of you who care for your dog to get a similar experience with your own dog.

My first “professional” dog was Dirham, a tervueren. Him and I received the A-certification for search and rescue in Norway, way back in the 80’s. 

After I graduated from Turid Rugaas’ IDTE, I have travelled the world and taught and been taught every year. Lifelong learning is truly thrilling!

I have learned about aggression from Ian Dunbar, Sue Sternberg, Turid Rugaas, Amber Batson and a few more probably. I have attended courses with Bob & Marian Bailey, Ingrid Schallenberger, Karen Pryor, Terry Ryan, Alan Bauman, Lars Fält, Kina Molitor, Marie Fogelquist, oh so many fantastic people to meet and to learn from! Karen Overall, Julia Robertson (wonderful things learned from her), Conor Brady, Anders Hallgren, Jenny Nyberg, Cristina & Aurelien Budzinsky, Sarah Heath, Anne McBride, Elisabeht Kershaw, Rïse VanFleet, I loose my breath from all this wonderful teachers. Thanks to each and all of them.

In 1997 I travelled to Angola. To work for UN and Norwegian People’s Aid. My task was to train dogs to detect landmines, and later to educate local men to become dog handlers. 2.5 years I was out there, in the Mine Dog Team, Angola. Together with dog people and explosive specialist from Norway, Europe, and some remote corners of the world.

Nowadays, I work with less dangerous things, like teaching dogs to track down people, finding lost objects, selecting the correct type of tea bags, or simply walk nicely on the leash or not to hunt joggers.

I share house and days with Tyra, a wonderful and wilful Icelandic Sheepdog, aged 11 months as I write this.

I hope she and I will have many good years, with dog friends, searching for things, tracking, good walks, and the daily breaks on the couch as well, and all of this together.