Maddie Messina is a certified applied animal behaviorist with over 7 years of experience. She founded Paws for Thought Dog Training in 2021. She has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University and a Master of Arts in Animal Behavior and Conservation from Hunter College.

Maddie Messina's training philosophy is based on positive reinforcement and science-backed methods. She believes in providing thoughtful, solution-oriented services that tackle complex behavioral issues. She is committed to using methods that do not involve coercion, force, or punishment.

Paws for Thought Dog Training offers a variety of services, including:

• Puppy Prep: Helps families prepare for a new puppy, including how to communicate effectively with the puppy from the start.
• Basic Manners: Teaches puppies and dogs necessary life skills, such as housetraining, socialization, grooming, and obedience skills.
• Behavior Modification: Addresses behaviors rooted in fear, anxiety, or aggression, such as reactivity to dogs, noises, and strangers, resource guarding, and grooming and vet-related issues.
• Separation Anxiety: Helps dogs feel safe and comfortable when left alone through desensitization training.
• Homeschool Sessions: A trainer comes to the client's home to train the dog while the client is away or busy.
• Virtual Training: Offers virtual training sessions for clients who live outside of the service area.

Maddie Messina holds the following certifications:

• Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB)
• Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
• Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer (SAPT)
• Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP)

Maddie Messina specializes in:

• Puppy training
• Behavior modification
• Separation anxiety
• Fearful dogs
• Leash reactivity

Maddie Messina uses positive reinforcement training methods, also known as R+ training or rewards-based training. She does not use aversive methods, such as prong collars, choke chains, electronic collars, or slip leads.

Here are some customer reviews and testimonials:

• Anneke, Devin, and Hudson Monster: "We have loved working with Maddie at Paws for Thought! She helped Hudson learn all the basics in a way that was motivating and fun for him and gave us great tips and tricks as new dog owners. "
• Jessica and Milo Nelson: "It is an absolute pleasure to work with Paws for Thought. They go beyond training and take the time to explain your pup's actions and body language demystifying the reasons behind specific behaviors."
• Shelley, Evan, and Charley Gillman: “The best decision we made last year was to hire Maddie from Paws for Thought to train our new toy poodle, Charley. Maddie worked with Charley in our home for several months, and we couldn't be happier with the results. Maddie taught us how to create a bond of trust and comfort with our pup. I highly recommend Maddie to all humans and dogs!”
• Sarah, Whit, and Monty Scrudato: “We have loved working with Paws for Thought. Maddie has helped us navigate various behavioral issues with our pup, and seeing him make progress in these areas is a testament to her level of expertise. Maddie also always explains the “why” behind everything she does, which has helped us develop a greater understanding of our pup’s overall mindset and feelings.”
• Lynette and Kimi Cooke: “Maddie's warm and calm approach helped to alleviate any concerns I had. I most appreciated how she helped me prioritize the things I needed to worry about in the first few weeks.”
• Rose, Jeff and Barolo Allen: During the first week with our puppy Barolo, we knew we needed to tackle house training and crate training but had no idea where to start. Maddie helped us figure out a plan and teached us essential basics for raising a puppy. Maddie is so patient, extremely knowledgeable, and clearly very passionate about what she does. She explains the science behind why we teach our puppy certain things which helps grow our larger understanding of how to raise a healthy and happy puppy.