Maddie Messina
, a certified applied animal behaviorist with over 7 years of experience, empowers families to nurture deep and fulfilling relationships with their canine companions. Inspired by a desire to go beyond basic obedience, she founded
Paws for Thought Dog Training
in 2021. This practice was built on the principle of providing thoughtful, solution-oriented services that tackle complex behavioral issues often unresolved in traditional group classes.
Maddie Messina’s
training philosophy is rooted in science and positive reinforcement. She uses reward-based methods that are humane, ethical, and stress-free for both the dog and the owner. She believes in educating clients and providing them with the tools they need to continue training their dogs on their own.
Paws for Thought Dog Training
offers a variety of services, including:
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Puppy Prep:
Helps new puppy owners learn how to communicate effectively with their new puppy from the start.
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Basic Manners:
Teaches puppies and dogs necessary life skills such as housetraining, socialization, grooming, and obedience commands.
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Behavior Modification:
Addresses complex behavior issues rooted in fear, anxiety, or aggression.
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Separation Anxiety:
Helps dogs feel safe and comfortable when left alone.
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Homeschool Sessions:
A trainer comes to the client’s home and trains the dog while the owner is away.
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Pre-Puppy Consult:
A virtual consultation for families preparing to bring home a new puppy.
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Virtual Training:
Available 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 the following areas:
- Puppy training
- Behavior modification
- Separation anxiety
- Leash reactivity
- Fearful dogs
- Urban-anxiety
Maddie Messina
uses positive reinforcement 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:
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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. “
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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.”
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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!”
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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.”
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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.”
Maddie Messina
has been featured on the Dear Dog It’s Us podcast.
