In Stride Pet Dog Training LLC

In Stride Pet Dog Training LLC My name is Amy Schuller, I am a Certified Fear Free Professional Dog Trainer and an APDT Member. Thank you for trusting me with your dog’s journey.

Hi, I’m Amy Schuller, Certified Fear Free Professional Dog Trainer and founder of ISPD Training! 🐾

With years of experience and a deep love for helping dogs and their people thrive together, I specialize in positive, science-backed, and fear-free training methods. Whether you're raising a new puppy, working through reactivity, or simply want to build better communication with your dog, my goal is

to create a supportive environment where learning is fun, kind, and effective—for both ends of the leash. I can’t wait to work with you!

Congratulations to the pups and their families from the Puppy Graduate program! September 16th 💖🐾 What an amazing job yo...
09/20/2025

Congratulations to the pups and their families from the Puppy Graduate program! September 16th 💖🐾

What an amazing job you all did continuing to build on your pup’s skills, abilities and confidence! The growth, dedication and love of your best friend’s future success into adolescence was a gorgeous sight to behold. Keep up the splendid work! 🙌

We all missed you Kevin on our last day of class. 🐶

Great information 💖🐶🐾🥰
09/19/2025

Great information 💖🐶🐾🥰

Great information 💖🐾🐶🐶😉
09/19/2025

Great information 💖🐾🐶🐶😉

Rushing➡️Risky!
It's a big deal for dogs to accept. Many just don't if it's rushed.
There are proven ways to help with these introductions.
Whether you want a permanent new dog as an additional family member or maybe just want your friend's dog to visit your home and have yours comfortable (and who knows, maybe even a friendship)!

Neutral areas.
What does that even mean?
It means somewhere your dog has a low attachment to.
No history, no scent left there and no emotions attached. It isn't their territory.
Yards are certainly not usually neutral and streets may not be either (if one dog or the other has visited).

Parallel walks.
You may need a few but watching body language is key here.

Inside the home.
Avoid those sparks and remove items that can cause issues (or restrict access).
Food.
Rewards.
Beds.
Couches.

Even affection being shown by you towards can cause an issue.

Yes, this is very much a cautious approach.
Why?
Because I don't think there isn't a trainer out there that hasn't seen the damage caused when this is rushed by people.
We are called in when it has gone very, very wrong.

Do it right.
Take your time and give this your absolute best, slowly.

Things to remember 🐶🐾💔😓
09/19/2025

Things to remember 🐶🐾💔😓

Great information 💖🐾🐶😉
09/19/2025

Great information 💖🐾🐶😉

We throw the word “reactivity” around way too easily.
Bark at a dog? Reactivity.
Lunge at a jogger? Reactivity.
Spin on the lead? Reactivity.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth — most of the time, what we’re calling “reactivity” is just… a dog being a dog.

Take Aslan, the Australian Shepherd currently staying with me. On paper, he’s a conformation-bred Aussie — a show dog, bred for looks. But Aslan is a walking contradiction. He’s aloof with strangers, fiercely loyal to his people, has chase drive for days, is highly food motivated, and shows a level of protectiveness that is classic Aussie. He’s not just a pretty face — he’s got the heart and soul of a working dog.

And here’s where it gets interesting: the very traits that make him who he is are also what people would label “reactivity.” He’s hyper-aware of his personal space, and if someone barges in uninvited, he lets them know. He’s alert, he’s responsive, and he takes his role seriously. To the untrained eye, he might look like a “problem dog.” To me? He’s exactly what he was bred to be.

It’s also worth saying that Aslan’s owners have gone above and beyond to understand this dog. They’ve worked tirelessly to meet his needs, to provide training, outlets, and structure. They’ve even gone to great lengths to investigate underlying health issues — things that could have been adding fuel to the fire of his reactivity. This isn’t a case of a neglected or misunderstood dog. This is a dog whose humans are doing the work — and he’s still a dog with big feelings, big instincts, and big needs.

The reality is, we’ve deliberately selected dogs over generations to show us very different traits. Anyone who has owned both a working-bred dog and a conformation- or pet-bred dog will tell you they think, behave, and operate differently. And sometimes, the lines blur — you get a show-bred dog who carries all the intensity and drive of a working-bred one, or a working-bred dog who has a softer, more easygoing temperament you might expect in a show line. These “outliers” can be challenging for owners because they don’t fit the expectations that usually come with their type — but that’s exactly why understanding the individual dog in front of you matters more than anything.

We have to stop acting like barking, lunging, and growling are moral failings or behavioural disorders. Generations of breeding have shaped dogs into what they are today. And we — humans — did that. We decided what traits mattered: appearance for the show ring, drive for the field, guarding instinct for our property or our homes. Then we get mad when those traits show up in a way that’s inconvenient for us.

A high-drive, working-bred dog stuck in a city flat, under-exercised and under-stimulated, is going to “react.” A show-bred dog pushed into endless social situations they find overwhelming is going to “react.” This isn’t broken behaviour — it’s predictable behaviour.

Instead of slapping the label “reactive” on every dog that expresses a big emotion, we need to ask ourselves:
🔍 What did we breed this dog for?
🔍 Are we giving them a job or outlet for their drives?
🔍 How are we contributing to this situation?

Aslan isn’t a teddy bear. He’s a dog with purpose, and when you meet him where he’s at, he shines. The problem isn’t him — it’s the expectation that he should ignore his genetics, suppress his instincts, and behave like a robot.

“Reactivity” isn’t a disease to cure. It’s feedback. It’s communication. It’s information about the dog in front of you. And it’s time we stopped blaming dogs for doing exactly what we bred them to do.

So very true 💖🐾🐶😉
09/19/2025

So very true 💖🐾🐶😉

Did you know your dog’s behaviour could be linked to what’s in their bowl?

Nutrition isn’t just about keeping a dog fed, it’s the foundation of their health. When key nutrients are missing, it can show up in surprising ways:
✨ Mood changes
✨ Behavioural issues
✨ Chronic pain or discomfort
✨ Poor response to treatment

In fact, dogs can re-present with the same behavioural signs even after successful therapy, not because the therapy failed, but because diet and underlying health problems weren’t addressed.

Nutrition fuels mood, movement, and behaviour at the most basic level, right down to amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

That’s why understanding nutrition is such a vital part of the Dynamic Dog Course. It gives professionals the knowledge to see the bigger picture, and help dogs thrive.

Great information 💖🐶🐾🥰
09/18/2025

Great information 💖🐶🐾🥰

Great information 💖🐶🐾😉
09/18/2025

Great information 💖🐶🐾😉

Thinking of adding a puppy to your family? 🐶❤️ Timing is key!

Here's a few points to consider before bringing home that adorable new furry friend:

✨ Wait until your kids are at least 4-5 years old—older kids can better understand how to interact safely.
✨ Be aware that puppies and babies/toddlers together can be really hard work and even risky — young children developmentally lack the awareness to read a puppy’s body language and to follow your directions and instructions, which can lead to total chaos and even accidents or bites. Hence why we recommend waiting until your child is older.�✨ Ensure your family can commit time for training, supervision, and play.
✨ Make sure you’re financially ready for this big commitment - think training, grooming, vet bills, food, equipment, etc.�✨ Make sure your home is puppy-proofed and provides a safe, calm space.�✨ Avoid big life changes like moving house or welcoming a new baby—stability matters!�✨ Choose a puppy whose energy level matches your family's routine.

This list could go on and on! So make sure to get in touch if you need help with this tricky decision.�
Remember, raising a happy, well-mannered and confident dog takes time, love and patience.

Mel xox

Great information 💖🐶🐾😉
09/18/2025

Great information 💖🐶🐾😉

Understanding the Risks of Suppressing Canine Emotions: 🐶💔

It is essential to understand that suppressing our dogs' behaviour and striving for them to appear "FINE" (Feelings Inside Not Expressed) can be extremely risky and detrimental for everyone involved. Instead, our goal should be to encourage our dogs to express their emotions and communicate when they are worried, happy, anxious, or frustrated. 🐶💔

🐾 By allowing our dogs to express their emotions, we create an open dialogue and build a stronger connection with them. Just like humans, dogs experience a wide range of emotions, and it is crucial that they feel comfortable expressing them.

🐾 When dogs exhibit signs of stress or discomfort, it serves as a valuable signal that something is amiss. By addressing and understanding the root cause of their emotional response, we can better meet their needs and provide appropriate support. 🔄🔍✅

🐾 Suppressing our dogs' emotions can lead to a variety of negative consequences. Bottling up feelings may result in increased anxiety, aggression, or even health issues. It is far safer and more constructive to create an environment where our dogs feel safe expressing themselves. 🚫🙈

🐾 Encouraging emotional expression in our dogs allows us to work together with them to overcome challenges or fears. By acknowledging their emotions, we can implement effective training techniques, seek professional help if necessary, and tailor our approach to suit their individual needs. 💪💙📚

🐾 Ultimately, the aim is to foster a positive emotional state for our furry friends. By promoting emotional well-being and giving them a voice, we can create a harmonious and fulfilling relationship with our dogs. Let's remember that their emotional needs are just as important as their physical ones. 🌟🐕💗



Yes please 💖🐾🐶😉
09/18/2025

Yes please 💖🐾🐶😉

Many people have been told not to comfort their dogs when they’re scared, because it might “reinforce the fear.” Let’s set the record straight:

• Fear is an emotion, not a behavior.

• Emotions cannot be reinforced.

• Comforting a dog helps lower stress hormones, teaches them to feel safe, and builds resilience for the future.

When you offer comfort, you are not “coddling” your dog - you are meeting an important emotional need that supports long-term behavior change.

👉 If your dog struggles with fear or anxiety, our team can help. We specialize in building practical training plans that give dogs (and their families) real relief. Learn more about our programs here: https://petharmonytraining.com/services/clients/

Address

245 Crawford Street
Fitchburg, MA
01420

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 8pm
Sunday 9am - 8pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when In Stride Pet Dog Training LLC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to In Stride Pet Dog Training LLC:

Share

Category

Our Story

We as our dog’s caregivers want to create an environment in which our dogs will be set up for success and where both parties are having fun doing so! This can be done by creating an easily understandable and predictable sequence of events. For example dogs need rules and clear boundaries to understand what is expected of them. A calm and fair handler will in turn nurture a calm and reliable dog. In my training I use a lure and reward method of training. The lure helps in the acquiring of skills and the reward (treat/toy/praise) helps reinforce the skill just learned. When the dog understands the command the reward allows him/her to know the action was correct. There will be corrections being done in the form of, the removal of the treat, praise, or toy. A leash correction may be done but only if the handler is certain that the dog knows the command but hasn’t followed through.