Dogly loves Melissa because of Melissa's "every dog is different" view on science-based positive training.
Articles from Melissa:
Why & How to Teach Your Dog the Chin Rest How does your home environment affect alone time success? Have a Puppy or Adult dog who struggles to be alone? Let's make the door a bore! Advice From A Separation Anxiety Trainer: How To Get Your Dog Used To Being Alone Dog Attachment Issues? Try This To Help With Your Dog's Separation Anxiety How To Train A Dog To Stay Home Alone: Tips From A Separation Anxiety Trainer Live Support Group for People and Dogs with Separation Anxiety Concerns Hand Target - The most versatile of beginner behaviors New Dog Basics: Capturing Your Dog's Attention & Eye Contact 3 Part Support Series for People with Dogs with Separation Anxiety Part 3 3 Part Support Series for People with Dogs with Separation Anxiety Part 1 "Look at That" -- Instead of... (barking and lunging on leash) 5 "Tips" On Separation Anxiety In Dogs You Shouldn't Listen To Separation Anxiety, Confinement Anxiety, or Incomplete Crate Training? 3 Part Support Series for People with Dogs with Separation Anxiety Part 2 Live Support Group for People with Dogs Struggling with Fear and Anxiety Live Support Group for People Living with Dogs who are Fearful or Reactive in the Outside World Hi, I'm Melissa! Tell me what you hope to learn from me! Most important thing to teach your new puppy!! Dog Crazies? Puppy Zoomies? What are they!!!!! What is "Leash Reactivity" in dogs? Part 1 Leash Reactivity : Part 2 - Management and Behavior Change Leash Reactivity: Part 3 - Planning Training Sessions Mellow - Reactive Dog Training Edison's Reactive Dog Training Happy Thanksgiving! Hand Touch Training Challenge - Part 2 2019 Content Schedule - Puppies / Tricks / Body Language So you got a puppy! Where to start first - Puppy Socialization!! Train Your Dog Month! Teaching your dog to "SPIN" New Trick - Leg Weaving! Leg Weave Mechanics Reading Your Dog's Eyes & Ears: Dog Body Language Series How to Read the Messages Your Dog is Sending: Dog Body Language Series FIDO COME! How to build a solid come when called! Separation Anxiety in Dogs - There is hope! DIY Mental Enrichment For Dogs - A survival guide! Muzzle Conditioning - Teach your dog to love their muzzle Why & How to Get Your Pup Started with "Marker" Training Loose Leash Walking - Taking it on the road. What I recommend before your walk ever starts so your walk starts right! Nose Work Games for Your Dog What To Do If Your Dog Isn't Used To Being Left Alone Confidence Building for Fearful and Anxious Dogs: Ask the Trainer! For people who want to create a successful "patio" dog. Why & How to Teach Your Dog "Touch" Guided By A Force-Free Dog Trainer Teach Your Dog to Settle Anywhere: Mat Training for Dogs So you want to enjoy walking your dog? Start here! 15 Must Brings When Traveling With Your Dog 7 Tips To Get Ahead of Noise Anxiety for Dogs Scared of Thunder or Fireworks What to expect on the road with your dog, where you're staying, and when things go wrong.... "Go Say Hi" - Teaching calm greetings to your excited pup! HELP! My Puppy won't stop biting me!!! Training tips for your baby shark!Melissa Dallier
ACanineAffinity
Melissa Guides You
Separation Anxiety - Puppies - Enrichment - Reactivity - Manners - WalkingMelissa is Certified
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) - Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)Dogly loves Melissa because of Melissa's "every dog is different" view on science-based positive training.
Upcoming & Past Support Groups
Wed, Jun 1, 2022 7:00 PM ET
Confidence Building for Fearful and Anxious Dogs: Ask the Trainer!
Want to learn confidence building skills for their dogs
Thu, Dec 2, 2021 8:00 PM ET
3 Part Support Series for People with Dogs with Separation Anxiety Part 3
want to learn about helping dogs with separation anxiety
Thu, Nov 11, 2021 8:00 PM ET
3 Part Support Series for People with Dogs with Separation Anxiety Part 2
Want to best prepare for a successful separation anxiety training plan
Thu, Oct 7, 2021 8:00 PM ET
3 Part Support Series for People with Dogs with Separation Anxiety Part 1
Want to take a deep dive into separation anxiety and meet other likeminded dog guardians also struggling.
Wed, Jun 23, 2021 8:00 PM ET
For people who want to create a successful "patio" dog.
want to have a "patio" dog but aren't sure where to start...
Wed, Apr 14, 2021 8:00 PM ET
Live Support Group for People Living with Dogs who are Fearful or Reactive in the Outside World
are living with dogs who struggle in the outside world
My Mission
Hi I'm Melissa and I'm here to help you, a dog guardian, feel more connected to your dog through positive reinforcement based training. I've been a professional dog trainer for 9 years. I am the owner and operator of A Canine Affinity Dog Training where I primarily focus on helping dogs overcome separation anxiety. Additionally I work with guardians to understand how fear affects puppies and dogs, how to read body language, develop a stronger bond with your dog and understand their intrinsic and basic needs. If you want to learn more about how your dog can learn to build confidence through effective, reward based training, join my community. Please know that I can provide you with tools, tips and ways to grow, but for more serious behavior challenges, often working more intensely with a trainer may be the best option. Reach out and we can talk!
A Canine Affinity
The 101s of Behavior
How To Train A Dog To Stay Home Alone: Tips From A Separation Anxiety Trainer
Want to learn how to train a dog to stay home alone without anxiety? Discover how to gradually desensitize your dog to departure cues and create a positive association with alone time with step-by-step guidance from a separation anxiety specialist.
Dog Attachment Issues? Try This To Help With Your Dog's Separation Anxiety
Learn how to address dog attachment issues and ease separation anxiety with this comprehensive training guide from a certified separation anxiety specialist. Discover ways to help your anxious dog cope with departure cues and gradual desensitization techniques.
Advice From A Separation Anxiety Trainer: How To Get Your Dog Used To Being Alone
Learn how to get your dog used to being alone through gradual training steps. Discover how to introduce departure cues like putting on shoes without leaving, and build your dog's confidence in being alone with guidance from a certified separation anxiety specialist.
How does your home environment affect alone time success?
How does the home environment affect separation anxiety training before, during and after you leave the house.
5 "Tips" On Separation Anxiety In Dogs You Shouldn't Listen To
Before we meet for our support group, here are a few things to think about...
Separation Anxiety, Confinement Anxiety, or Incomplete Crate Training?
How to know if it's an alone-time issue or a confinement issue -- and what to do about it.
Nose Work Games for Your Dog
K9 Nose Work Games - perfect for your socially distant/bad weather needs
"Go Say Hi" - Teaching calm greetings to your excited pup!
How to teach your dog calm greetings!
What To Do If Your Dog Isn't Used To Being Left Alone
After so much pandemic-precaution time with everyone at home, is your dog out of practice at being alone? How to know the signs of separation anxiety, what to do, and what not to do to help support your dog.
DIY Mental Enrichment For Dogs - A survival guide!
If you haven't jumped into mental enrichment with your dog because you wonder how to get started, never fear, I'm here to help. Your dog will thank you for the chance to do all the dogly things - sniffing, digging, chewing, running - that keep our dogs their best selves!
Separation Anxiety in Dogs - There is hope!
Does your dog struggle to be alone? The basics, strategies, and ways to help your dog learn to become comfortable...
How to Read the Messages Your Dog is Sending: Dog Body Language Series
Do you know how to read what your dog is trying to tell you? How to decode the stress and calming signals your dog is sending.
Reading Your Dog's Eyes & Ears: Dog Body Language Series
How to know what your dog's eyes and ears are saying to you.
Leg Weave Mechanics
How to set your dog up for success in learning the fun "leg weave" trick with a practicing a few fundamentals first!
New Trick - Leg Weaving!
Have fun with your dog teaching this new trick -- leg weaving. How to do it step-by-simple-step...
Teaching your dog to "SPIN"
How to teach your dog the simple, fun "SPIN" trick -- and why teaching tricks is a wonderful, confidence-building way to exercise our dogs' brains!
Why & How to Teach Your Dog "Touch" Guided By A Force-Free Dog Trainer
Learn to teach your dog one of my all-time favorite, useful behaviors and cues - "Touch." And if your dog already knows it, here's a good chance to have fun brushing up and getting some easy, shared success under your belts!
Dog Crazies? Puppy Zoomies? What are they!!!!!
Has your pup had The Zoomies?! What and why they are, and what should you do when they happen? (Hint: a couple safety watch-outs, but mostly - enjoy, live and let zoom!)
Become A Member
Choose how you want to improve your dog's life with our community of vetted certified experts.
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- Get unlimited training, nutrition, and wellness plans created by the Advocates for your dog
- 14 day free trial
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- Get a plan for your dog and support from the Advocates
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Custom
upon consultation
- Everything in “Action”
- Plus personalized training, nutrition, or wellness support from the Advocate of your choosing or recommended by Dogly
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My In-Depth Series on Behavior
Teach Your Dog to Settle Anywhere: Mat Training for Dogs
Teaching the foundations to "Go to a Mat" for settling in distracting or public settings!
Have a Puppy or Adult dog who struggles to be alone? Let's make the door a bore!
How to lay the groundwork for solving separation anxiety. The door is the scary part -- reduce that fear and you're already on your way!
"Look at That" -- Instead of... (barking and lunging on leash)
Learn how to start a conversation to engage with your reactive dog.
Why & How to Teach Your Dog the Chin Rest
Teaching a valuable behavior - The Chin Rest. Your dog learns to target your hand, or lap, with their chin to earn a reward. Useful for cooperative care and getting your dog's consent in so many everyday situations.
Loose Leash Walking - Taking it on the road.
The skills you need to enjoy walks with your dog and give them everything they need at the same time.
So you want to enjoy walking your dog? Start here!
Get started with these simple beginner exercises to give your dog (and you) long-lasting loose leash walking skills!
What I recommend before your walk ever starts so your walk starts right!
How to get started on the path to relaxing walks with your best friend.
Hand Target - The most versatile of beginner behaviors
From tiny puppies to awesome adults - hand target is for any dog who loves to learn something new and fun! And perfect for targeting your way to success in so many situations!
New Dog Basics: Capturing Your Dog's Attention & Eye Contact
You can't ask your dog's butt for a behavior. Learn to reward eye contact and attention as it happens naturally so that it naturally happens more often!
Why & How to Get Your Pup Started with "Marker" Training
Marker/clicker training -- why it sets up your dog for success and how you both can become pros at it!
What to expect on the road with your dog, where you're staying, and when things go wrong....
Traveling with your dog? How to make it a successful adventure, what to do when things go wrong -- and have fun!
15 Must Brings When Traveling With Your Dog
Your "must pack" list when traveling with dogs and the behaviors every dog needs to know before heading out on an adventure!
7 Tips To Get Ahead of Noise Anxiety for Dogs Scared of Thunder or Fireworks
Are your dogs scared of thunder and other loud sounds? Discover effective strategies to calm your anxious pup during fireworks, thunderstorms, and unsettling noises with step-by-step guidance from a force-free dog trainer.
Muzzle Conditioning - Teach your dog to love their muzzle
Does your dog know how to wear a muzzle? Muzzle training is a wonderful idea for ALL DOGS. If you need to use a muzzle in an emergency situation or vet visit, etc, your dog will already be used to it, not stressed. How to help your dog love this useful tool!
FIDO COME! How to build a solid come when called!
Who doesn't want their dog to come when called -- unfailingly, every single time?! My 3 big rules (and a few trainer's secrets) to creating a solidly successful recall with your dog.
HELP! My Puppy won't stop biting me!!! Training tips for your baby shark!
So you got a puppy. But you didn't realize this adorable pup had a mouthful of razor sharp teeth and he knows how to use them. How to redirect your puppy's mouthy/biting instincts to proper subjects (like toys).
So you got a puppy! Where to start first - Puppy Socialization!!
How to get started with your first priorities for your new puppy: socialization and house-training. Watch as I take you through each in simple steps... have fun and happy training!
Hand Touch Training Challenge - Part 2
Ready to take your "Touch" to the next level with your dog? Here's how to strengthen and proof your "Touch" and even use it to build a solid recall!
Edison's Reactive Dog Training
Why I often use my stuffed dog "Burt" when I start working with a reactive dog -- and watch how you can use a fake dog to work with your own dog on possible triggers in a predictable, safe way.
Mellow - Reactive Dog Training
Does your dog tend to be reactive on leash? Here's a look at how I work with Mellow, who often reacts to other dogs, to set up and reward calm body language -- and how you can do it with your dog.
Leash Reactivity: Part 3 - Planning Training Sessions
How to PLAN AHEAD for success on walks for your reactive dog and YOU -- the few simple steps and how to read your dog's body language for relaxed vs tense.
Leash Reactivity : Part 2 - Management and Behavior Change
The 3 key management tools to help you set up your reactive dog to learn new calm behaviors around triggers whether other dogs, bikes, skateboards, whatever they may be for your dog.
What is "Leash Reactivity" in dogs? Part 1
What is leash reactivity and understanding the why behind YOUR dog's reactions (frustration, excitement, fear?) so we can begin to take the first important steps to help your dog feel calm and stress-free.
Most important thing to teach your new puppy!!
How to make paying attention to you the best thing in the world for your pup!
