Affinity Canine

Affinity Canine Building and maintaining the human-canine relationship through effective communication, clear expect

Recently adopted Tilly joined us from Love-A-Stray Dog Division Non-Profit Rescue while she was looking for a home. You ...
07/15/2026

Recently adopted Tilly joined us from Love-A-Stray Dog Division Non-Profit Rescue while she was looking for a home. You know the saying, scared of their own shadow, that was Tilly. We made confidence building fun for her. She went to stores like Sierra and Hollywood Feed, hikes etc. She did know a little obedience before but definitely was hesitant. She left having all her obedience and loose leash walking (sit, down, come, leave it, no etc) even in public places. She was adopted into an amazing home just a few weeks ago. We love working with our rescue partners.

Dog “training” isn’t a quick fix, it’s dedication to helping teach them the ways of a human world in ways they understan...
07/13/2026

Dog “training” isn’t a quick fix, it’s dedication to helping teach them the ways of a human world in ways they understand. And most importantly it is life long. We as humans are always learning and growing, so are our dogs.

We are here to help guide you to having the relationship and companionship you’ve been wanting with your dog. Here is a story about Marco, one of our current fosters.

Marco is approximately 11-12 months old Cane Corso, adoptable through Mutts in a Rut Rescue. This poor boy came to us the day before the big snow storm in January. He was found in a crate in a home where sadly his owner had passed away. He was estimated to be about 5-6 months old and only 20 pounds (he should have easily been more than double that size). He was covered in f***s and urine as he had no choice.

Fast forward he is now fully house and crate trained, walks beautifully on a loose leash (just a slip leash), knows sit, kennel up, leave it, no, off, and come. From living in horrible conditions being used to going to the bathroom in a small crate, scared of the world outside, and now is a dog who is thriving. At the vets office he just sits or lays down calmly even with many people and dogs coming in and out. He’s gone to Lakewood Truck Park and was my calm companion with all those distractions of people, dogs and food. Trips to Home Depot, Cabela’s, and hikes in the metroparks with multiple other dogs.

Marco knew nothing about how to behave in a human world or even being clean. Now he is thriving just waiting for his next adventure.

Do you want your dog to learn and build a solid foundation and relationship with you? We are here to help.

Private one on one lessons are $150/each lesson in your home. Learning in your environment (and other environments if desired when you/they are ready).

Then there is this eyeless wonder, Clay. Clay was attacked by his mom at just 3.5 weeks old and relinquished to get the ...
07/12/2026

Then there is this eyeless wonder, Clay. Clay was attacked by his mom at just 3.5 weeks old and relinquished to get the care he needed. He needed both eyes removed due to the severe damage. He just turned a year old. In many ways Clay is a normal dog, but I’ve had to adjust how I work with him. One of our challenges has been finding ways to exercise this young boy. He is terrified of walks (continued work in progress). The otherwise extremely food driven dog wants nothing to do with it. So we have been working on ways to burn energy in the yard (still making very slow progress of trying to go for walks). He can be afraid of new objects (even things like bully sticks). We do very slow introductions and work at his pace. One of our biggest accomplishments lately has been learning flirt pole. It’s basically a leather rag at the end of a rope that is attached to a pvc pipe. He went from terrified of the rag and just learning to be around it, to finding it fun to chase it, to catching it, and now tugging it. Then to find another game to play I introduced a soccer ball. Again terrified of its existence and just coexisting to sniffing it which lead to chasing it if I kicked it (follows by the noise as it rolls in the grass and scent to find). Now we play a game of fetch with it. This has taken a lot of patience and adjustments to get to this point, but the outcome one tired and happy boy. Well worth every hour spent.
Challenging dogs are often the most rewarding, seeing their growth and sense of accomplishment. And best part is we build an amazing relationship as we go.
Dog training isn’t just about sits and downs. For our pet dogs it’s about finding fulfilling activities and functional obedience to live in a human world. Have more fun with your dogs in fulfilling ways for both human and dog!

I have been horrible at social media, but I figure the best way to get back to it is sharing Violet’s journey to becomin...
07/11/2026

I have been horrible at social media, but I figure the best way to get back to it is sharing Violet’s journey to becoming a service dog. Violet is a Rough Coat Collie and 10 weeks old. She has been with us a week now and already establishing routines and learning what’s acceptable behaviors in our human world. From learning teeth don’t belong on humans, furniture etc. Crate and house training. No jumping up on humans or counters etc. introduction to the leash and understanding how it feels not to have tension on the leash. Learning recall (come command). This is where we start. She has been here a week and sleeping through the night quietly and comfortably in her crate. Building a solid foundation in our relationship through clear communication. No fancy tools, just food, toys, affection, harness, leash, and myself. Knowing when to interrupt behaviors, when to ignore, and when/what to praise are key foundation pieces.

Address

Cleveland, OH

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+14407816997

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