The Companion Coach

The Companion Coach The Companion Coach was created with one goal in mind: to help humans and their furbest friends communicate better

08/29/2025

Your dog’s opinion of the treat matters more than yours.

In my last reel I talked about food as a humane tool for training new behaviours.

This time I wanted to show the value of different foods. I offered blueberries to five dogs—only one ate them. Could I train Ellie with blueberries? Probably (though I know she LOVES beef liver). The other four? Nope. I’d need something higher value if I wanted to train them.

There’s plenty of research showing positive reinforcement is effective. If it feels like it’s not working for you, maybe it’s not the method. Maybe it’s the food. If your dog doesn’t see value in it, why would they work for it?

*And yes, before the trolls come: only one dog actually sat (not half). The sit wasn’t the focus—I was showing the value of food, and the “sit” was just a suggestion. I said okay and moved on.*

Interested in talking more about sessions? Comment your dogs name and I’ll send ya a message 😊🐾

08/27/2025

Dog training isn’t about bribing with treats… unless it’s bath time 😉🐾.

Food is just a tool — what really matters is how we use it. Timing, environment, and body language are huge pieces of the puzzle (and the ones most people overlook). But that’s only scratching the surface. Reinforcement history, schedules, criteria… the list goes on.

That’s the nerdy side of training I love teaching — the why behind the what.

If you’re ready to stop feeling like you’re speaking a different language from your dog, you’re in the right place!

✨ Follow for more of the science-y, practical stuff
✨ DM me if you’re curious about private sessions
✨ Or drop a comment: what’s one little thing you do when you ask your dog to sit? Do your eyes shift, do you step right or back, raise your hand, or even wiggle your fingers?

Let me know⬇️😊

I’m serious about this, btw.There’ve been a few times where I’ve run into clients outside of sessions, and the first thi...
08/03/2025

I’m serious about this, btw.
There’ve been a few times where I’ve run into clients outside of sessions, and the first thing they say is how busy they are. But they’re working on it, or they’ll call me eventually for the next session.

Life is busy. Changing behavior in ourselves and our dogs takes time.
As long as you’re seeing progress, I know I’m doing my job and that you’re happy.

Anyway, keep killing it at life and talk soon ✌🏻

07/29/2025

Dog training is filled with little nuances. Stuff certified trainers like me are trained to notice. But if you’re DIYing it, here’s what I would share:

Your dog just did something you’re not a fan of.
Now ask yourself:
1. What would I rather they do or feel in that moment?
2. What activities can I start doing to teach that end goal behavior?
3. Are those activities fun and full of things my dog enjoys, like food, play, or praise?
4. Are we growing closer as we work through the mistakes and the milestones?

The thing I didn’t mention in the reel? Timing.
When people say, “positive reinforcement doesn’t work,” I usually find their timing is off.

If you’ve been trying to train on your own and feel stuck, I’m here to help you troubleshoot and move forward with confidence.

Drop your dog’s name below if you’re interested and I’ll reach out 🐾

07/24/2025

Btw, bribing your dog or pulling them away from the situation doesn’t invite learning either.

In the brain, there’s something called the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex.

Amygdala: This is the brain’s alarm system. It processes fear and threat responses.

Hippocampus: Stores context, memories, and past experiences—especially around fear.

Prefrontal Cortex: Handles rational thinking, impulse control, and focus.

So our goal in behaviour modification is to calm the amygdala (reduce the threat), update the hippocampus (build new memories), and create space for the prefrontal cortex to come online—if it’s fully developed (which often isn’t the case in adolescent dogs). That way, the dog can actually learn new behaviours while under threshold.

If you’re ready to help your pup feel safe and supported, I’d love to be part of that journey. Comment your dog’s name and I’ll reach out!

Vulnerability is a skill that needs to be strengthened within ourselves. I’ve been practicing it for 10 years now. It’s ...
07/17/2025

Vulnerability is a skill that needs to be strengthened within ourselves. I’ve been practicing it for 10 years now. It’s no coincidence that this practice started when I began eating again lol 😉

It’s not the most comfortable skill, and the emotional hangover is real 😅. But vulnerability is what connects us. It reminds us that we’re not alone.

Here are some inner musings. Instagram shows the highlights and the positives, but rarely do we see what’s happening behind the scenes of people’s lives.

Comments and DM’s are always open if you want to add your own 😊

This post was inspired by my own late-night searching: “How do I make my business better?” “Wait, I have to show proof o...
02/17/2025

This post was inspired by my own late-night searching: “How do I make my business better?” “Wait, I have to show proof of before-and-afters with my clients? That’s the only way to prove success and get more clients!?” “Ugh, here’s another thing I’m apparently doing wrong in marketing.”

The anxiety, the worry, and all the “Here’s the one mistake you’re making” posts can make us forget how much effort we’ve already put into our journey.

So please enjoy this post—you’re doing amazing, and I’m so proud of you! 😊🐾

According to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, there’s an optimal level of arousal for learning to take place. However, just like u...
01/28/2025

According to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, there’s an optimal level of arousal for learning to take place. However, just like us, dogs can slip into a more relaxed or frustrated state, making it harder for them to focus and learn.

If your dog slips into a relaxed state, check if they need a nap. If they’re not tired, try getting them engaged with exciting toys, introducing new challenges, or offering some physical or mental exercise to get their energy up.

If your dog is frustrated or anxious, give them breaks, try calming techniques like massage or soothing music, or create a quiet space for them to reset. Letting them sniff or lick something can also help them decompress.

Remember, self-regulation is a process, just like it is for us. We all learn to regulate our emotions at different stages in life, and the same goes for our dogs. Take it one day at a time and celebrate those small wins for both yourself and your dog!

Make sure to scroll all the way to the last goal—it’s where I’ve saved the most important one 😉❤️I’ve come up with a few...
12/31/2024

Make sure to scroll all the way to the last goal—it’s where I’ve saved the most important one 😉❤️

I’ve come up with a few fun New Year’s Resolutions you can easily do with your dog anytime this year! Forget ‘New Year, New Me’—you and your dog are stepping into 2025 with an open mind and a playful attitude.

I’m still here to guide you with obedience training, education through play, and body language. And if you’re planning a field trip but feeling a little nervous, reach out to me for support while you plan. I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you and your dog will achieve this year!

Have any other resolutions to add? Leave a comment—I’d love to hear them, and I’m sure other pet parents would love the inspiration! 🐾

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family to yours! ❤️Ellie (our CEO) has an important announcement for all her...
12/25/2024

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family to yours! ❤️

Ellie (our CEO) has an important announcement for all her fellow pups: She hopes Santa spoiled each and every one of you and that your day is filled with love, laughter, food, more food, and even more food!

I also want to thank all the humans for being part of our journey this year. I’ve loved playing, petting, teaching, talking, and celebrating all the small wins your dogs have achieved!

Stay tuned for Ellie’s New Year’s picture—she’s going to look adorable! 😂

Before becoming a dog trainer, I spent years in counseling positions helping men and women heal and thrive. During that ...
12/13/2024

Before becoming a dog trainer, I spent years in counseling positions helping men and women heal and thrive. During that time, I encountered many different anger styles, ranging from those who didn’t allow themselves to feel anger at all, to others who became very volatile and had little self-control in the face of this emotion—and everything in between.

What I learned is that every single person feels anger. The key is learning how anger shows up for you and then using that insight to take specific actions that help you become more comfortable with it.

You’re not a bad person if you feel anger towards your dog, partner, child, or friend. In fact, I’d argue that you’re actually awesome for recognizing and naming how you’re feeling in your relationships.

My DMs and comments are open for your thoughts. Feel free to share this post with a fellow pet parent as well. ❤️

Let’s put a face to The Companion Coach!Hey, my name is Amanda, and I’m a certified dog trainer based in the Milton/Halt...
12/10/2024

Let’s put a face to The Companion Coach!

Hey, my name is Amanda, and I’m a certified dog trainer based in the Milton/Halton area of Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦.

I started my business because everywhere I turned—on TV, YouTube, Instagram, and even in my own neighborhood—all I saw were dominance-based training methods. The relationship-building aspect between humans and their dogs was often missing entirely.

I’ll never forget when another trainer turned to me and said, “Oh, positive reinforcement is great for puppies…” as if older dogs needed punishment-based tools to learn. That moment made me realize how important my voice and perspective are in this industry.

Too often, I hear stories about how dogs are treated, and it drives me to do better—for the dogs and their humans. My goal is to help dogs learn in a humane environment that’s built on patience, love, joy, and fun. I also aim to equip pet parents with the skills and knowledge they need to avoid relying on tools that could cause more harm than good.

Every animal (us included) deserves a safe place to learn, grow, and make mistakes.

So, welcome to my page! Take a look around, get to know me, and feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect and be a part of your journey with your dog.

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Milton, ON

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