Q&A Dog Training

07/14/2025

Update🧡

Summer with our squirrely girl and big boy has been eventful so far!🐿️🦭

Riri settled into the fam right away, but like any dog, she needed time to decompress. She’s got a huge heart and even more energy and she’s been keeping us on our toes!

I’ve been tested (not gonna lie), but she’s trying, and so am I. She picks up training fast, and we’ve been working on building those skills in new places and around distractions.

Once she was feeling more at home, we started gently working on her dog↔️dog feelings. One thing I learned quickly? She does not love when Q parties with other dogs. She’s our little hall monitor, patrolling the fun and telling everyone to chill out.

That said, she’s been amazing at checking in, passing by dogs with minimal freakouts, and working through things step by step. Parallel walks, engage/disengage, a quick sniff, and then onto the long line—where she can coexist with the other dog very well. Watching her confidence grow has been the best.

Q and Riri have been thick as thieves since day one. We’re making sure Q gets his own space and time too—he’s truly the most patient man in the world.

Two dogs can be a lot.
Two dogs, one with Big Feelings? Even more.

If you're struggling with your own dog with Big Feelings and need support, the Big Feelings Club is for you. If you're unsure where to even begin with training, let's connect and get you both started on the right path!

07/02/2025

It's my soul dog's 8th birthday!❤️

To many more adventures on land & water. 🌊🌤️

To the best dog in the whole wide world for holding it down for the past 8 years.

Love on your besties hard every single day. They make life extra extra sweet! 🎂🎈🎂

many

06/23/2025

Hi, I thought I'd reintroduce myself since I've got some new folks following along!

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I’m Masina, your professional dog trainer and human coach located in Vancouver B.C. I founded Q&A in 2020 right when the pandemic hit. That was an experience in itself!

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I specialize in helping dogs with Big Feelings and the humans who love them.

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Q’s my 7-year-old Pit/Black Lab—soul dog, bestie, and helper. He'll sometimes tag along to sessions and help me support my furry clients.

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Riri is the new addition to our family. She's a young Rat Terrier, maybe some Chichi in there too and she's got some feelings towards other dogs.

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I've always appreciated the hard work my clients put in with their dogs, and having Riri has added another layer of understanding. It's helping me show up even more clearly for folks I support which I love. I've been enjoying the journey we have been on this far!

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If you’re navigating reactivity or just welcomed a new rescue, I’m here to help you build trust, confidence, and connection—with fun, nonjudgmental support and training that actually makes sense.

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I’m based in Vancouver, BC and offer both in-person and virtual sessions. Let's connect!



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03/11/2025

Did you know we offer 15 minute complimentary discovery calls?!

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If you're struggling with your dog's big feelings and wondering if Q&A is the right trainer to help, book that call to see if we're a good fit. 

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This is your chance too: 

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Ask all your questions about our training style and methods. 

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Share your dog's history and what challenges you're facing.

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Learn how we can support you and your dog on your training journey.

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Every training journey is unique. We want to make sure we're the right fit to help meet your goals. Whether it's leash, reactivity, resource guarding, stranger danger, bringing home a new rescue, or just understanding your dog better, let's start with a conversation. 

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Curious about Decompression Walks? Give us a call. Spots are limited, claim yours today.

We're looking forward to connecting with you and learning all about your dog! 🐕☎️

03/05/2025

It might feel a little scary or nerve racking to put your dog on drugs. But just like how we can benefit from the right prescriptions, dogs can as well. Medication for your dog shouldn't be the last resort - it's just another tool in your toolbox.

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If I come across a dog that I believe could benefit from medication, the first step in our training plan will be getting you to speak with your vet or vet behaviourist. It may take some time to find the right cocktail, but if you trust your team, don't write it off. 

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The proper cocktail shouldn't change who your dog is. It should help your dog regulate their emotions, making it easier for them to process stress and recover from big feelings quicker. 

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Instead of staying stuck in a heightened state of fear, frustration, or anxiety, the right meds can help take the edge off, allowing them to think, learn and make better choices. 
With the right support, you can dive deeper into training and set them up for success.🦮

02/11/2025

That chin rest is the best feeling in the world, am I right??😌

02/04/2025

Flooding is a controversial and often misunderstood training method where a dog is exposed to something they fear at full intensity, without an option to escape. The idea is that they’ll eventually stop reacting but in reality, this often leads to the dog shutting down, increased fear, and even more reactivity later on.

Imagine being terrified of spiders, and someone locks you in a room full of them, telling you to just “get used to it.” 😨 That’s flooding. It’s overwhelming, stressful, and doesn’t actually teach that being how to feel safe.

Instead of forcing dogs into scary situations, we should focus on gradual exposure, training in a safe environment, choice, and trust-building.

Have you ever seen or experienced flooding in training? We've definitely seen it on TV🥴


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02/01/2025

Commence Black History Month ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽

01/30/2025

Consent is Cool 🐾

Consent matters—with your own dogs and especially with dogs you don’t know.

Next time you interact with a dog, try offering an open invitation instead of assuming they want to be touched. Hold your hand out, palm open, and let the dog choose. If they approach, they’re likely seeking connection. If not? Respect their space.

Already petting a dog? Try the Pet-Pet-Pause method:
👉 Give a few gentle pets
👉 Pause and remove your hand
👉 If the dog stays close or comes back for more, keep the scratches going! If they move away, that’s their way of saying, “I’m good, thanks.”

Consent builds trust. Let’s give dogs the freedom to choose when and how they engage with us. 💙

Check out Q&A’s video.

01/27/2025

🧡Big Feelings Club🧡

Reactive dog guardians, this one’s for YOU!

Come join a supportive community designed to help you and your dog thrive. Connect, share, and learn with others who understand the highs and lows when living with a bestie that has big feelings.

$35/month for access to:

•Expert guidance, advice and resources to help you better understand and support your dog

•Member-exclusive perks & discounts

•A space to share your wins, struggles, and everything in between

•Ready to take the first step? Sign up for our newsletter and get a special code to make your first month FREE

Your journey doesn’t have to be a solo one. Let’s feel all the feels—together. 🧡

01/08/2025

🚀 Big Feelings Club is here! 🚀
We're so excited to officially launch Big Feelings Club – a supportive membership community for dog guardians navigating life with reactive dogs. This space is for you if you're looking to connect with people who get it, share stories, get resources, and gain professional guidance along the way. Whether you're just starting your reactivity journey or have been managing your dog's big feelings for a while, you're welcome here! Together, we can create safer, more compassionate spaces for our dogs. Join today and get access to discussion boards, monthly newsletters, exclusive discounts, and more!

www.qandadogtraining.com

06/25/2024

Living with a dog with big feelings can be challenging at times. When they are feeling frustrated or fearful and this can look like lunging, barking, whining, air snapping, growling etc.

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Understanding that these emotions aren't intentional can make a big difference in the way that you communicate. Just like us, our dogs need to decompress after stressful situations. Consider skipping a walk or park visit next time to give both of you a breather.

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Advocate for your bestie when you're out and about. This can sometimes take some practice. Use hand signals to let folks know you two need space. Speak up to communicate effectively, especially when encountering others who insist their dog is FRIENDLY.

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There's plenty of advice out there, some better then others. Trust the journey you're on with your bestie—it's uniquely yours.

Share this post with someone that you know that has a Big Feelings Dog!

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