"LEADING THE WAY WITH FREEDOM & PLAY"

Coaching Humans for Canine Connection

Achieving a balance between a strong, happy dog and an obedient, predictable companion is essential. At Allegiant Canine, we utilize a balanced approach to reset your dog's nervous system, build the behaviors you want, and extinct the ones that have taken your peace. Using freedom in nature and biologically appropriate game play, we focus on straightforward, affordable, and customized human coaching to enhance the training of your pet for a lifetime of freedom with your family!

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Apollo is absolutely crushing every milestone and training, freedom, and play. Socialization is going extremely well, and at the beginning of next week, we are planning to re-integrate him with some dogs that he has had Beef with in the past.

#DogTraining #NashvilleTN #DogsOnInstagram #CanineBehavior.

Apollo realistically needs a home within the next two weeks. Help us by sharing his story if you’d like.

Look who’s back for a couple weeks of Off Leash finishing and social proofing!

He’s done incredibly well, and I am super proud, but I am biased haha.

#shepherdmix #adoptme #foreverhome #dogsofinstagram

I really HATE Before & After posts that don’t show 100% of the meaningful work that was done. But the sad reality is that I cannot ask the person in this video for permission to show you that footage because he is not with us anymore.

This consult was done before I started wearing a bite suit. I was too defensive. Not my best eval. But I told Apollo’s owner to do two things: start taking him into the park on a 50 ft long leash and explore and start playing all out voracious tug while I procured a suit.

This young man was working night shifts and still tried to make time for just five mins a day of freedom and play and the occasional obedience drill.

5 lessons was all he could really afford, but he did the work of giving Apollo what he needed biologically.

When he tragically lost his life following a horrible motorcycle accident, I knew that it would take a deep commitment from his family to either keep or rehome Apollo.

They surprised me with their follow through and have inspired me in so many ways. They’re practically family to me.

Our ask is that you share this with someone who you believe would give Apollo everything he needs. The love. The freedom. The play.

Free follow up training for life from yours truly 💕 ❤️‍🩹

#adoptme #rehoming #dogtraining #caninerehabilitation #nashvilletn

And

10 Things I Stopped 🛑
Once I Knew Better 🐶 🐕

* Layer ecollar pressure over all obedience
* Using obedience to rehabilitate behavioral issues
* Low level ecollar usage for weeks at a time
* Softening clients to the ecollar
* Hiding from the word punishment
* Primarily focusing on work instead of freedom and play
* Using redirection and distraction instead of punishment
* Using food to soften my presence to the dog
* Initiating conflict with dogs who needed to see that strangers could be cool
* Walking dogs on 6ft leashes for an hour a day.

#dogtraining #aggressivedog #caninerehabilitation #offleashtraining

Apollo is really settling in nicely. His nervous system is healing. His working brain is craving activity. So this week, we really get to work.

Predictability = Freedom = Fulfillment = Rehab = Belief System Extinction = a New Creation

Super excited to find a home that worthy of this beautiful, driven, intelligent guy.

#adoptme #dogsofinstagram #dogtraining #nashvilletn #offleash

Huge shout out to Kate and JB who have just completed 5 private lessons and who had the courage to revisit the exact spot where he dragged her to chase cats, deer, people, etc.

It’s my job to show people success not only where they’re comfortable but where they have struggled.

Congratulations Kate & JB!

#dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #nashvilletn #caninebehavior

First person who can guess where this hidden jungle in East Nashville is gets a free one hour consult or private lesson!

#dogtraining #offleashtraining #dogsofinstagram #nashvilletn

I first met Apollo five days after my birthday last year, and in the consultation, he put a couple of little punk bites in on me… Nothing super serious, but I could tell he was not getting what he needed biologically, and we installed that system with the owner who tragically passed away after doing a really nice set of five private lessons this past year.

When I came out to reevaluate Apollo, I could genuinely tell that he was looking for his person, and he was letting people pet him more than he ever had… He’s looking for someone to tell him what’s next, so this amazing family sponsored a 2 to 4 week board and train to get him on the right track and find him a new home.

If you know of someone who’s looking for a sidekick, please shoot me a direct message, text message, or shoot me an email at matt@allegiantcanine.com.

#behavioralrehabilitation #caninebehavior #rehoming #adoptme

How to do the AK9 3x5

The 3x5 is the 3 active drive states of engagement, freedom, play, and work, for 5 mins each, totaling 15 mins a day.
I learned this concept through a highly skilled trainer named Jay Jack @nextleveldogs
Freedom is a high arousal, low attention state where I want the dog to put relevance exclusively on other things. I achieve that by not giving a bunch of commands and markers but instead exploring with the dog and allowing him to pee, poop, chase, sniff, run, jump, socialize, etc.

Play is a high arousal, high attention state where the dog is accessing the aggressive persona through play with tag, tug, and fetch. I must be sincere and access prey drive by letting the toy run along the ground away from the dog.

Work is a low arousal, high attention drive state in which the dog is channeling energy into a task like walking, shaping, or positional obedience. I always keep these short because to the dog they can be kind of lame.

Finally, Rest is a low arousal, and low attention state where the dog can take naps, sunbathe, chew on a benebone, or wander around calmly. I need to sometimes leave them be. Work can help with rest to show inevitability and acceptance, but it’s not replaceable. This is what the dog does 98.96% of the day. Do the math.

Finley is available for adoption through @russellrescue_tn and is an incredible dog in every way. He’s 🤏🏼 this close to being off leash trained which we will tackle over the next 2-3 sessions.
#biologicalfulfillment #playwithyourdog #timemanagement #lifehack #DogTraining

Not all spaces are okay to bring your dogs at certain times, especially if they are reactive, and there are three of them. It’s too much.

To be honest all spaces are not dog spaces, but if dogs were prepared for these situations, the level of dog fatigue that the general public is experiencing would be much lower.

Props to the Lowe’s worker who followed protocols and pumped the brakes to meet Marlee a little slower and just kept walking.

I genuinely love people, and love them more than dogs actually, which might surprise some of you. If the young lady in the video wants some training, I’m willing to do a judgment-free in home consultation.

#reactivedogs #dogfatigue #dogsinpublic #dogtrainer #nashvilletn

If I could use only one dog training Tool, it would be a 50 foot leash. #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #nashvilletn #dogtrainer

It’s really as simple as that sometimes. These two humans have done a pretty excellent job at fulfillment, which is why it’s time to take certain prey drive behaviors off the table when we’re in the work (low arousal, high relevance) context.

Lots of great brands out there. My two favorites are @dogtraofficial and @ecollartechnologies (ARC-X and Mini Educator).

#ecollar #preydrive #chasingrabbits #dogtraining

When I lead with play, I can tell a massive difference in fulfillment and cooperation between the owner and their dog.

Food is valuable. We did some food work with this handsome cowboy corgi, but food is misused a loooot.

I don’t want food to give me a false positive about how the dog is feeling about me.

With Mr B this isn’t a problem. We’re best buds. But I saved the food till later because I want him to know he’s going to get what he needs most - play.

Once I have a clear & contingent communication system, I have predictability and can give more freedom.

Thats real dog training.

#playbaseddogtraining #leadwithplay #playwithyourdog #dogtrainersofinstagram

DROP IN SESSIONS AVAILABLE
Just a reminder that drop in sessions are still available for existing clients and for new clients following an in home session!

Pricing is available on the website!

This is a great way to squeeze in some fulfillment at the hands of a trained professional while you’re working thru your busy schedule!
#dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #nashvilletn

Group class tomorrow at 9 AM at Evans Park in Spring Hill! $35 for clients, $10 for AFJ adopters, free for AFJ Foster’s!

🚨 Aggression is usually a symptom—not the root problem.

Most dogs don’t become aggressive because they’re “bad dogs.” They become aggressive because important needs are being overlooked.

The three most common contributors we see are:

1️⃣ Lack of biologically appropriate engagement for the dog’s age, breed, and disposition.

2️⃣ Lack of clear boundaries and structure in the home.

3️⃣ No consistent contingency for behavior—meaning the dog doesn’t clearly understand what behaviors lead to good outcomes and which behaviors don’t.

When dogs have appropriate outlets, clear expectations, and consistent communication, confidence grows and conflict decreases.

Aggression isn’t solved by ONLY correcting behavior. IT IS solved by addressing the lifestyle and relationship that created it.

Have you experienced aggression with your dog? Which of these areas do you think made the biggest difference?

👇 Let us know in the comments.

#DogTraining #AggressiveDog #DogBehavior #CanineBehavior #playbased

I asked chat gpt to make a carousel based on my media content and this is what it created. I don’t hate it. If a computer can figure it out, I think you can too!

This is a long one, but there are some things that very good people are missing because they are being LAZY, and making freaking ridiculous excuses

I freaking love you guys and just wanted to give a shout out to some clients who deserve credit for their hard work!

#dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #nashvilletn #slightedge

Join us this Saturday at Evans Park at 9 AM in Spring Hill for our first Group class of the year!

#dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #nashvilletn #groupclass

I cannot tell you how many times this has happened …
#Dogtrainer #punishment #dogsofinstagram #nashvilletn #caninebehavior

A couple takeaways from my time back in France #dogtraining #nashvilletn #france

Sooooo, I have a little news for you guys! I am a very private person, and so is my girl, but we wanted to make this announcement when the time was right, and now is the time!

I have had a handful of life changing moments in my 38 years on this earth, and meeting Mariya has been the single most valuable gift God has ever given me.

I couldn’t possibly earn or deserve her. She’s a diamond in the rough like few people will ever understand. She’s loyal, hardworking, family oriented, and she knows exactly who the eff she is.

My baby, my little Scorpio, my princess, and soon to be my queen, I love you more than I can express in these words.

#love #engaged #proposal

I would be willing to bet money that Judy watched every single board and train session that I posted on YouTube each day throughout this last four weeks… This is how the handoff lesson should be going.

When the client has more trust in their dog than I do, that’s a huge encouragement because it means that they have watched every little step.

Great job Judy and Apollo!
#DogTrainer #DogTraining #BoardAndTrain #NashvilleTN

INSTAGRAM LIVE 🎥
Vet visit, inevitability, distractions, dog fatigue, upcoming vacation, board and trains
#dogsofinstagram #dogtraining #nashvilletn #caninebehavior

Sometimes we get bored and learn a new language 🇺🇦 I think the last time that I worked her like this was about a year ago when we met Cleo‘s owner at the park. Stop working your dog and start enjoying them. #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #nashvilletn #americanbully

I think I might be more distractible than Mila is this morning 🤪 🤪 #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #nashvilletn

Over the last two years, there are dozens and dozens of dogs and handlers who have experienced massive rehabilitation leading to lifelong freedom and the rebuilding of their dysfunctional relationships.

The way that I accomplish this is drastically different from 98% of trainers out there, and every single type of misbehavior responds to this system.

Follow us here and on YouTube to see the why and the how behind this approach, and please fill out a training questionnaire on our website to book an initial session so that we can start healing the relationship between you and your dog.

This program will give you increased predictability by focusing on a balance of exposure and structure that will iltinately provide you peace and freedom instead of resentment and frustration.

I could not do what I do without the work of trainers like Jay Jack, Larry Krohn, Ivan Balabanov who actually create lifelong results for owners and their dogs instead of masking what’s actually there.

#dogtraining #nashvilletn #behaviormodification #dogsofinstagram

Penny living her best life patiently waiting adoption from @russellrescue_tn

When dogs are learning to set and keep boundaries, it is SO HARD sometimes to not get involved and NOT to put weight into the interaction.

(This whole session is uploaded to YouTube if you want to see how the rest of the walk went)

They both needed to learn here: JB needed to see that when she initiates conflict I’m not going to just come in and rescue her. And Apollo needs to learn that coming in too hot will cause problems and that space is respect.

This is not the first time they have met, and we all enjoyed an off leash hike after this. I interrupted more than usual, but this is something that he’s been doing with Mila as well.

It was more realistic and they both learned. When I say OUT I mean it.

#dogbehavior #offleash #dogtraining

I took Apollo out to the local Dollar General to say hello to one of his human friends who got to meet him on week, one.

We made a little breakthrough on the two week mark of his board and train, where he was actually willing to start playing tug with me!

One of the reasons that I am fading out the use of food for behavioral issues is that it often masks the dogs true feelings about themselves, the handler, the environment, triggers, which is bad because it will create a false positive if I’m not careful.

If a dog is willing to commit to a solid game of tug, their emotional state and self image is not lying to me. A dog does not have to play to stay alive.

It’s nothing sexy or flashy, and it doesn’t have to be… Just happy dogs learning what freedom is like.

#DogTrainer #playwithyourdog #Caninebehavior

@amieledford just out there letting pigs fly �🐖 🐖

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"LEADING THE WAY WITH FREEDOM & PLAY"

Coaching Humans for Canine Connection

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