FAQ

For those pursuing 1x1 in person training, the initial consultation and all follow up sessions will take place in your home or an agreed upon neutral location.

If utilizing Day School or Board and Train Options, much of your pets training may happen in public, in the trainers home, and/or in your home depending on your pets individual learning goals.

For those interested in online training, the sessions take place via Zoom.

The core of our mission surrounds helping to support those in our community living with dogs who have displayed aggressive behaviors, to lead everyone to the safest and most responsible management and/or resolution of those behaviors.
We’ve chosen to specialize in the area of fearful and aggressive behaviors because there aren’t enough trainers who have chosen to do so.

All that we ask of you is the utmost honesty and transparency about yours and your dogs’ history, as well as honesty regarding your comfort level working with your dog. We can’t begin to lead you in the right direction unless we have all of the pertinent information.

While many trainers have a wide range of experience, are well educated in learning theory and Applied Behavior Analysis, they don’t all have a specialized field of study! Think of us like the specialists your primary care physician refers you to.
Visit our About Us page to learn about the Certifications of our Head Trainer, Angelina. Our trainers and their apprentices have specifically worked through Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs Master Course, taught by world renowned experts in the field. All employees of Teach a Dog to Fish have reviewed and extensively studied the work of the Veterinary Behaviorists, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAAB) and Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (ACAAB). All employees are held to a LIMA and Progressive Reinforcement Training Standard.

You can read about the development of the LIFE framework here.

Progressive Reinforcement Training essentially means teaching by reinforcing and training desired behaviors, interrupting and preventing undesirable behaviors without the intentional use of physical or psychological intimidation, and taking into consideration the learner’s physical health and emotional state. Educating oneself with the goal of employing humane, effective training based on the latest scientific evidence.

A Family Dog Mediator (FDM) has expanded their field of study well past training and behavior consulting.
FDM's begin with a QuickStart Assesment of each animal based on their L.E.G.S.--each individual's Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self--because each plays a critical role in that animal's behavior.
Family Dog Mediators evaluate these four L.E.G.S and work to bridge understanding between Human and Canine. Mediation is designed to prevent future stress, relieve current stress, and work through past stressors that have caused a breakdown in trust and understanding between you and your dog. We’ll also help by giving you the tools to change behavior so that you can live happily with your pet!

You are a much more important part of the training process than I am, but you don’t have to be the ONLY one doing the training. ​If the stress of adding another task to your to do list sounds daunting, we also offer Day School options (on a case by case basis) where our trainer does much of the training homework for you. This can be a great option for busy families who want the best for their dogs and don’t mind maintenance training once new behaviors have been taught, but just don't have enough hours in the day to teach it all themselves.