Background Information/Education:

My name is Meaghan Monahan and I am a lifetime resident of South Boston. I have been working as School Counselor for the last 9 years. I have a Bachelors of Science in Public Health - with Minors in Psychology and Sociology. I also have a Masters of Education in Counseling. My passion for dog training began in 2020. What started out as a hobby, soon turned into a fulfilling part-time job!

How does your education and career experience relate to dog training?

Dog training is more about educating the owner and less about training the dog. My experience in education and counseling has been helpful in me reaching clients where they are at and helping them improve their relationship with their dog. My deep understanding of human psychology and behavioralism has been incredibly helpful in understanding canine psyche and behavior. I am well-versed in the following behavioral concepts: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, negative punishment, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, desensitization, and counter conditioning.

How did you get into dog training?

My parents always told me, “You can get a dog when you have your own place.” As you might have guessed, as soon as I bought my condo, I got a dog! I adopted Parker from Great Dog Rescue New England in April 2020 and started basic obedience and crate training the day he came home. (Fun Fact: Parker’s name was Spiderman before adoption - so I renamed him Peter PARKER. To keep the theme going, I named my business Friendly Neighborhood K9. If you mention this fact during Intake, you will receive $20 off!)

Because he was a quarantine puppy, I did not get to socialize him in the environment as much as I would have liked. I scheduled a training session with a dog trainer in August 2019 and immediately bought a 6-class package. Parker’s trainer felt like he had a good temperament that could lend itself towards a Canine Good Citizen certification - which would allow me to bring him to school with me in the future.

I took a deep dive into anything and everything I could get my hands on related to dog training. I listened to countless hours of dog training podcasts, read books about dog behaviors and psychology, attended webinars, took classes on specific topics, and enrolled Patreon learning accounts. From July 2021 to January 2022, I mentored under Community K9 Boston - an incredible company with a holistic, ethical, and well-researched approach to obedience training and behavioral modification. I will continue to further my education and professional development.

Memberships

International Association of Canine Professionals

Course/Webinar History at Fenzi Dog Sports Academy

• Dealing with the Bogeyman: Helping Reactive and Fearful Dogs - The Play Way

• Management for Reactive Dogs

• Calming Games for High Arousal

• The Fenzi Method: Cutting Corners to Loose Leash Walking

What is your dog training methodology?

Taking into account canine genetics, nutrition, health, and lifestyle - I will work with you to address your dog’s behavioral concerns through a whole-dog approach, beginning with the Layered Stress Model. I will start by gathering an in-depth history of your dog and his/her presenting behavioral concerns. After the intake interview, I will develop a training curriculum to match your desired approach (e.g., balanced training, force free), daily habits, and training goals. We will work towards improving the relationship with your dog, providing biological fulfillment and enrichment, and establishing clarity in your communication.

What kind of tools do you use?

The tools used in sessions are entirely based on the owner’s preference. I may make recommendations for tools, but none will be used without the owner’s permission. I have experience using the following: flat buckle collar, martingale collar, slip lead, Herm Sprenger prong collar, Starmark training collar, harness, long-line, Flexi, Mini-Educator ET-300 e-collar. I do NOT/will NOT use head-haltis or choke chains.