Melissa | Prof. Dog Trainer
@training2at.bsky.social
🐾 Private & Group Training
🐍 Shock-Free Snake Avoidance
🦮 Canine Good Citizen
🦴 Workshops
🐶 Gift Shop
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ Friendly
Pronouns: She, her, hers
https://linktr.ee/train2at
🐍 Shock-Free Snake Avoidance
🦮 Canine Good Citizen
🦴 Workshops
🐶 Gift Shop
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ Friendly
Pronouns: She, her, hers
https://linktr.ee/train2at
"Manage the behavior"
In other words, this means prevent your dog from practicing whatever behavior is problematic. Close, the blinds, put up a baby gate, walk at different times, etc. Management is the first step in any training plan.
#dogs
In other words, this means prevent your dog from practicing whatever behavior is problematic. Close, the blinds, put up a baby gate, walk at different times, etc. Management is the first step in any training plan.
#dogs
February 13, 2026 at 2:01 PM
"Manage the behavior"
In other words, this means prevent your dog from practicing whatever behavior is problematic. Close, the blinds, put up a baby gate, walk at different times, etc. Management is the first step in any training plan.
#dogs
In other words, this means prevent your dog from practicing whatever behavior is problematic. Close, the blinds, put up a baby gate, walk at different times, etc. Management is the first step in any training plan.
#dogs
Behavior is communication
Dogs don't misbehave. They communicate unmet needs, stress, fear, or confusion.
When we listen, behavior changes faster. Take the time to study your dog's behavior and what that means. You'll find you understand your best friend much better.
#dogs
Dogs don't misbehave. They communicate unmet needs, stress, fear, or confusion.
When we listen, behavior changes faster. Take the time to study your dog's behavior and what that means. You'll find you understand your best friend much better.
#dogs
February 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Behavior is communication
Dogs don't misbehave. They communicate unmet needs, stress, fear, or confusion.
When we listen, behavior changes faster. Take the time to study your dog's behavior and what that means. You'll find you understand your best friend much better.
#dogs
Dogs don't misbehave. They communicate unmet needs, stress, fear, or confusion.
When we listen, behavior changes faster. Take the time to study your dog's behavior and what that means. You'll find you understand your best friend much better.
#dogs
Now available to free subscribers for a limited time.
How to Socialize an Older Dog Successfully
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
How to Socialize an Older Dog Successfully
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
February 9, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Now available to free subscribers for a limited time.
How to Socialize an Older Dog Successfully
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
How to Socialize an Older Dog Successfully
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
"Trigger Stacking"
One stressor? Manageable. Five stressors in a day? Explosion.
Behavior often reflects everything that happened before. When a lot happens at once, it's called "trigger stacking."
#dogs
One stressor? Manageable. Five stressors in a day? Explosion.
Behavior often reflects everything that happened before. When a lot happens at once, it's called "trigger stacking."
#dogs
February 6, 2026 at 2:01 PM
"Trigger Stacking"
One stressor? Manageable. Five stressors in a day? Explosion.
Behavior often reflects everything that happened before. When a lot happens at once, it's called "trigger stacking."
#dogs
One stressor? Manageable. Five stressors in a day? Explosion.
Behavior often reflects everything that happened before. When a lot happens at once, it's called "trigger stacking."
#dogs
JUST PUBLISHED
Available to both free and paid subscribers
Prepping for your Pup: Items to include in their Emergency Kit
This article includes a list of items to gather for an emergency kit, and includes a digital download pamphlet for paid subscribers.
Substack link in bio.
Available to both free and paid subscribers
Prepping for your Pup: Items to include in their Emergency Kit
This article includes a list of items to gather for an emergency kit, and includes a digital download pamphlet for paid subscribers.
Substack link in bio.
February 4, 2026 at 10:05 PM
JUST PUBLISHED
Available to both free and paid subscribers
Prepping for your Pup: Items to include in their Emergency Kit
This article includes a list of items to gather for an emergency kit, and includes a digital download pamphlet for paid subscribers.
Substack link in bio.
Available to both free and paid subscribers
Prepping for your Pup: Items to include in their Emergency Kit
This article includes a list of items to gather for an emergency kit, and includes a digital download pamphlet for paid subscribers.
Substack link in bio.
Timing Matters More than Treats
Your marker tells your dog exactly which behavior earned the reinforcement.
If you have late timing, you are giving unclear feedback whereas if you have clear timing your pup will learn faster. Timing is essential for clear communication.
#dogs
Your marker tells your dog exactly which behavior earned the reinforcement.
If you have late timing, you are giving unclear feedback whereas if you have clear timing your pup will learn faster. Timing is essential for clear communication.
#dogs
February 4, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Timing Matters More than Treats
Your marker tells your dog exactly which behavior earned the reinforcement.
If you have late timing, you are giving unclear feedback whereas if you have clear timing your pup will learn faster. Timing is essential for clear communication.
#dogs
Your marker tells your dog exactly which behavior earned the reinforcement.
If you have late timing, you are giving unclear feedback whereas if you have clear timing your pup will learn faster. Timing is essential for clear communication.
#dogs
JUST PUBLISHED
Now available to paid subscribers.
How to Socialize an Older Dog Successfully
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
Now available to paid subscribers.
How to Socialize an Older Dog Successfully
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
February 2, 2026 at 10:00 PM
JUST PUBLISHED
Now available to paid subscribers.
How to Socialize an Older Dog Successfully
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
Now available to paid subscribers.
How to Socialize an Older Dog Successfully
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
Progress isn't linear
Setbacks don't mean failure. They mean learning is happening. Behavior change looks messy before it looks better. That's normal.
#dogs
Setbacks don't mean failure. They mean learning is happening. Behavior change looks messy before it looks better. That's normal.
#dogs
January 28, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Progress isn't linear
Setbacks don't mean failure. They mean learning is happening. Behavior change looks messy before it looks better. That's normal.
#dogs
Setbacks don't mean failure. They mean learning is happening. Behavior change looks messy before it looks better. That's normal.
#dogs
Now available to free subscribers!
Help! I have a reactive dog. What do I do?
Link in bio
Help! I have a reactive dog. What do I do?
Link in bio
January 26, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Now available to free subscribers!
Help! I have a reactive dog. What do I do?
Link in bio
Help! I have a reactive dog. What do I do?
Link in bio
"Mark your dog's behavior"
When you "mark" your dog's behavior, you make a short staccato noise using a clicker or a verbal noise like "yes!" or "good!" Then purpose is to tell your dog they did the behavior correctly.
Don't forget to reward your pup after the mark!
#dogs
When you "mark" your dog's behavior, you make a short staccato noise using a clicker or a verbal noise like "yes!" or "good!" Then purpose is to tell your dog they did the behavior correctly.
Don't forget to reward your pup after the mark!
#dogs
January 23, 2026 at 2:01 PM
"Mark your dog's behavior"
When you "mark" your dog's behavior, you make a short staccato noise using a clicker or a verbal noise like "yes!" or "good!" Then purpose is to tell your dog they did the behavior correctly.
Don't forget to reward your pup after the mark!
#dogs
When you "mark" your dog's behavior, you make a short staccato noise using a clicker or a verbal noise like "yes!" or "good!" Then purpose is to tell your dog they did the behavior correctly.
Don't forget to reward your pup after the mark!
#dogs
Your dog isn't being stubborn.
If a behavior isn't happening, it's not defiance. It's missing skills, unclear communication, or too much difficulty.
Dogs do what works for them. Our job is to make the right choices easier.
Ask yourself, "what can I do to make this easier for them?"
#dogs
If a behavior isn't happening, it's not defiance. It's missing skills, unclear communication, or too much difficulty.
Dogs do what works for them. Our job is to make the right choices easier.
Ask yourself, "what can I do to make this easier for them?"
#dogs
January 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Your dog isn't being stubborn.
If a behavior isn't happening, it's not defiance. It's missing skills, unclear communication, or too much difficulty.
Dogs do what works for them. Our job is to make the right choices easier.
Ask yourself, "what can I do to make this easier for them?"
#dogs
If a behavior isn't happening, it's not defiance. It's missing skills, unclear communication, or too much difficulty.
Dogs do what works for them. Our job is to make the right choices easier.
Ask yourself, "what can I do to make this easier for them?"
#dogs
Prepare for an Emergency
· Create a plan for your animals - Who will take care of them if you aren't able?
· Microchip & tag your animals or update your current microchip.
· Get your dog comfortable in a crate.
· Create a 72 hour kit/first aid kit for your animals.
#dogs
· Create a plan for your animals - Who will take care of them if you aren't able?
· Microchip & tag your animals or update your current microchip.
· Get your dog comfortable in a crate.
· Create a 72 hour kit/first aid kit for your animals.
#dogs
January 19, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Prepare for an Emergency
· Create a plan for your animals - Who will take care of them if you aren't able?
· Microchip & tag your animals or update your current microchip.
· Get your dog comfortable in a crate.
· Create a 72 hour kit/first aid kit for your animals.
#dogs
· Create a plan for your animals - Who will take care of them if you aren't able?
· Microchip & tag your animals or update your current microchip.
· Get your dog comfortable in a crate.
· Create a 72 hour kit/first aid kit for your animals.
#dogs
JUST PUBLISHED
Now available to all subscribers, free and paid.
Your Dog's Safety Plan: What Happens When You Can't Get Home
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
Now available to all subscribers, free and paid.
Your Dog's Safety Plan: What Happens When You Can't Get Home
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
January 19, 2026 at 2:30 AM
JUST PUBLISHED
Now available to all subscribers, free and paid.
Your Dog's Safety Plan: What Happens When You Can't Get Home
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
Now available to all subscribers, free and paid.
Your Dog's Safety Plan: What Happens When You Can't Get Home
Read on Substack (Link in bio where necessary)
"Choose your Reinforcers."
When you train your dog, you will want several types of reinforcers. Some high-value, some low-value. Most often these are treat rewards, but for many dogs, toys, scent games, & life rewards are also possibilities. Work with your trainer for help determining!
#dogs
When you train your dog, you will want several types of reinforcers. Some high-value, some low-value. Most often these are treat rewards, but for many dogs, toys, scent games, & life rewards are also possibilities. Work with your trainer for help determining!
#dogs
January 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"Choose your Reinforcers."
When you train your dog, you will want several types of reinforcers. Some high-value, some low-value. Most often these are treat rewards, but for many dogs, toys, scent games, & life rewards are also possibilities. Work with your trainer for help determining!
#dogs
When you train your dog, you will want several types of reinforcers. Some high-value, some low-value. Most often these are treat rewards, but for many dogs, toys, scent games, & life rewards are also possibilities. Work with your trainer for help determining!
#dogs
Training isn’t about controlling your dog.
It is about communication.
It is about setting dogs up to win.
It is about meeting needs before asking for skills.
Control creates compliance.
Understanding creates reliability.
#Dogs
It is about communication.
It is about setting dogs up to win.
It is about meeting needs before asking for skills.
Control creates compliance.
Understanding creates reliability.
#Dogs
January 14, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Training isn’t about controlling your dog.
It is about communication.
It is about setting dogs up to win.
It is about meeting needs before asking for skills.
Control creates compliance.
Understanding creates reliability.
#Dogs
It is about communication.
It is about setting dogs up to win.
It is about meeting needs before asking for skills.
Control creates compliance.
Understanding creates reliability.
#Dogs
Harnessing Your Dog's Sense of Scent.
Now available for free subscribers on Substack.
An excerpt: "This approach can be used for anything with a scent and studies have shown that dogs create stronger associations when scent is involved…"
To read more, visit our blog at the link in our bio.
#dogs
Now available for free subscribers on Substack.
An excerpt: "This approach can be used for anything with a scent and studies have shown that dogs create stronger associations when scent is involved…"
To read more, visit our blog at the link in our bio.
#dogs
January 12, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Harnessing Your Dog's Sense of Scent.
Now available for free subscribers on Substack.
An excerpt: "This approach can be used for anything with a scent and studies have shown that dogs create stronger associations when scent is involved…"
To read more, visit our blog at the link in our bio.
#dogs
Now available for free subscribers on Substack.
An excerpt: "This approach can be used for anything with a scent and studies have shown that dogs create stronger associations when scent is involved…"
To read more, visit our blog at the link in our bio.
#dogs
MYTH BUSTING
🚫 “Positive reinforcement is just bribery”
"Bribery" happens before a behavior to beg for it.
"Reinforcement" happens after a behavior to strengthen it.
One creates confusion.
The other creates learning.
You aren't bribing them, you are teaching them how to succeed in your world.
🚫 “Positive reinforcement is just bribery”
"Bribery" happens before a behavior to beg for it.
"Reinforcement" happens after a behavior to strengthen it.
One creates confusion.
The other creates learning.
You aren't bribing them, you are teaching them how to succeed in your world.
January 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM
MYTH BUSTING
🚫 “Positive reinforcement is just bribery”
"Bribery" happens before a behavior to beg for it.
"Reinforcement" happens after a behavior to strengthen it.
One creates confusion.
The other creates learning.
You aren't bribing them, you are teaching them how to succeed in your world.
🚫 “Positive reinforcement is just bribery”
"Bribery" happens before a behavior to beg for it.
"Reinforcement" happens after a behavior to strengthen it.
One creates confusion.
The other creates learning.
You aren't bribing them, you are teaching them how to succeed in your world.
When trainers say a dog is “above threshold,” it's valuable information that the pup is too excited, stressed, or overwhelmed to learn in that moment.
Give your pup a break and try again later. Meeting them where they are is the key to success.
Give your pup a break and try again later. Meeting them where they are is the key to success.
January 9, 2026 at 2:00 PM
When trainers say a dog is “above threshold,” it's valuable information that the pup is too excited, stressed, or overwhelmed to learn in that moment.
Give your pup a break and try again later. Meeting them where they are is the key to success.
Give your pup a break and try again later. Meeting them where they are is the key to success.
Harnessing Your Dog's Sense of Scent. Using scent to train your dog on obedience behaviors.
Available for paid subscribers now. Temporarily available for free subscribers on Jan 12th.
Check it out for free now! You will be supporting our small business and receive valuable info! Link in bio.
Available for paid subscribers now. Temporarily available for free subscribers on Jan 12th.
Check it out for free now! You will be supporting our small business and receive valuable info! Link in bio.
January 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Harnessing Your Dog's Sense of Scent. Using scent to train your dog on obedience behaviors.
Available for paid subscribers now. Temporarily available for free subscribers on Jan 12th.
Check it out for free now! You will be supporting our small business and receive valuable info! Link in bio.
Available for paid subscribers now. Temporarily available for free subscribers on Jan 12th.
Check it out for free now! You will be supporting our small business and receive valuable info! Link in bio.
Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Merry Christmas!
The Beatles song "A Day in the Life" has a frequency only dogs can hear. In 2013, Paul McCartney verified he added the frequency!
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
October 31, 2025 at 11:00 PM
The Beatles song "A Day in the Life" has a frequency only dogs can hear. In 2013, Paul McCartney verified he added the frequency!
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
Debunking Myths: Pitbull Bans Work
In 2019, Ledy VanKavage of Best Friends Animal Society worked on a study that found BSL (Breed Specific Legislation), unfairly targets certain dogs and breeds. In addition, another 2019 Veterinarian study found most Veterinarians believe bans are not effective.
In 2019, Ledy VanKavage of Best Friends Animal Society worked on a study that found BSL (Breed Specific Legislation), unfairly targets certain dogs and breeds. In addition, another 2019 Veterinarian study found most Veterinarians believe bans are not effective.
October 27, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Debunking Myths: Pitbull Bans Work
In 2019, Ledy VanKavage of Best Friends Animal Society worked on a study that found BSL (Breed Specific Legislation), unfairly targets certain dogs and breeds. In addition, another 2019 Veterinarian study found most Veterinarians believe bans are not effective.
In 2019, Ledy VanKavage of Best Friends Animal Society worked on a study that found BSL (Breed Specific Legislation), unfairly targets certain dogs and breeds. In addition, another 2019 Veterinarian study found most Veterinarians believe bans are not effective.
Every dog behavior has a reason; Nothing is random or unpredictable if you know dog behavior. Each dog's behavior comes from the set of circumstances, triggers, and history of the animal.
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
October 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Every dog behavior has a reason; Nothing is random or unpredictable if you know dog behavior. Each dog's behavior comes from the set of circumstances, triggers, and history of the animal.
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
Debunking Myths: More Dangerous
According to the American Pitbull Foundation, Pitbulls passed 82% of the time on temperament tests compared to 77% with the general dog population, disproving that they are more dangerous than other breeds.
#dogs #pitbull #pitbullawareness #myth
According to the American Pitbull Foundation, Pitbulls passed 82% of the time on temperament tests compared to 77% with the general dog population, disproving that they are more dangerous than other breeds.
#dogs #pitbull #pitbullawareness #myth
October 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Debunking Myths: More Dangerous
According to the American Pitbull Foundation, Pitbulls passed 82% of the time on temperament tests compared to 77% with the general dog population, disproving that they are more dangerous than other breeds.
#dogs #pitbull #pitbullawareness #myth
According to the American Pitbull Foundation, Pitbulls passed 82% of the time on temperament tests compared to 77% with the general dog population, disproving that they are more dangerous than other breeds.
#dogs #pitbull #pitbullawareness #myth
When you mark a good behavior immediately, it connects the action with getting a reward! Make sure to reward after the click!
Training to a T, LLC is a positive reinforcement trainer out of Utah. Give us a follow for more dog-related information!
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
Training to a T, LLC is a positive reinforcement trainer out of Utah. Give us a follow for more dog-related information!
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
October 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM
When you mark a good behavior immediately, it connects the action with getting a reward! Make sure to reward after the click!
Training to a T, LLC is a positive reinforcement trainer out of Utah. Give us a follow for more dog-related information!
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip
Training to a T, LLC is a positive reinforcement trainer out of Utah. Give us a follow for more dog-related information!
#dog #dogtraining #dogtrainingtip