If you feel overwhelmed by your dog’s behaviour and dream of calm, peaceful walks through the neighbourhood, you’re not alone. Many pet parents face the same challenges. But there’s hope.
Meet Amanda Malott, a relationship-building dog trainer and owner of The Companion Coach. Certified by the Canine Academy and the Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Amanda launched her business in 2023 to help local dog owners in Milton and surrounding areas with behavioural dog training.
Originally a counsellor for women in substance recovery, Amanda had a side business of boarding dogs for seven years. Seeing behavioural issues in dogs repeatedly inspired her to shift to training, knowing she could make a difference.
“With counselling, you have to take a passive approach, listening… paraphrasing… and I really wanted to take a more active approach, helping people solve their problems,” says Amanda.
Amanda brings her expertise directly to your home, ensuring your dog learns in a familiar, comfortable environment. Most of her clients are pet parents in need of help with modifying their dog’s habits.
Some common issues Amanda encounters include leash reactivity, fearfulness of other dogs, excessive barking, and pulling on walks. She also helps pet parents navigate the challenges of raising a new puppy.
Amanda’s training approach centres on five parts:
- Science-Based Approach: She bases all training on evidence-based research, ensuring it aligns with the dog’s natural instincts and abilities.
- Positive Reinforcement: Amanda rewards desired behaviours with treats, praise, and play.
- Force-Free Learning: She creates a learning environment free from fear or intimidation.
- Individualized and Compassionate Training: Amanda tailors her training plans to match the dog’s personality and specific needs, as each dog is unique.
- Lifelong Learning and Bonding: Learning goes beyond Amanda’s teachings. She equips you with the tools to continue to learn and bond with your dog by teaching you how to interpret your dog’s body language, cues, and more.
The Companion Coach’s services range from reactivity and puppy programs to basic obedience. The first session is typically an assessment, allowing Amanda to understand the dog’s needs and tailor the training plan accordingly.
After the assessment, Amanda works with the pet parent to focus on the agreed-upon areas of improvement, such as greeting manners at the front door, loose leash walking, or leash reactivity.
Leash reactivity is when a dog is walking with their owner, and they see another dog. Some dogs, even if the other dog is far away, will start lunging, barking, growling, etc., while many dogs have a hard time with eye contact.
“It’s unnatural for them to cross each other face-on, and many dogs have issues with this,” Amanda explains, “this can become an issue because they aren’t well socialized at 10-16 weeks.”
Typically, people need at least three sessions to grasp the concept. On average, most will need five to seven sessions. “It’s all very much whatever’s specific to their family,” she explains.
Pet parents may have questions about an activity Amanda assigns them, but she’s always around to guide them. “Both pet parents and the pups are in a learning phase,” she reminds the owners. It can take time, but she’s confident you’ll see a positive change if you stick with the plan.
One of Amanda’s favourite success stories since starting The Companion Coach is Shira, a Wheaton terrier who started as one of her dog boarding clients. Rescued from a trailer park, Shira developed intense reactivity and now requires antidepressants.
Amanda describes the experience vividly, “I’ve been working with Shira for a while now, and her mom has been doing the homework and is great at managing the behaviour. Now Shira can walk around dogs and males without losing her mind.”
Amanda plans to continue with dog training and work toward becoming a behaviouralist, working with more challenging cases.
The Companion Coach is on the approved list for dog trainers with the Oakville/Milton Human Society to help with dog rescue, as well as another group up in Owen Sound. You can also find Amanda on her website and Instagram.
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