Amanda Gagnon Dog Training

06/01/2026

Had a great chat with Julie Zeilinger at Kinship! Do you see your dog as family? Check out the article.

Read on for the top indicators that your dog sees you as their family, not a stranger.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day, to all of the great mother’s of this world.

05/04/2026

Some light field notes from The Gambia.

When I ask after dogs here, most people respond casually, as if they are ever present—woven into the fabric of life.

I see them around every corner, under every cart and bench. They pop in and out of alleys, with fur that is noticeably as red as the sand all around us.

In tourist areas, they gather and lounge, like many other places I’ve been. They come immediately if called and inspect the food on offer, turning up their nose at subpar options.

Guard dogs work the night shift in walled terraces or compounds. They are more effective than the walls themselves at keeping out thieves and, I’m told, dogs are far more vigilant than human security guards.

I will return home pondering the many ways humans can integrate with dogs as they work to survive and thrive in this world. Africa always makes me feel inspired, grateful, and in awe of the brilliant variety of creatures and ways of living in this world.

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04/24/2026

Experts who are paid for their expertise should NEVER capitalize on their client’s vulnerability.

It hurts people.
It hurts dogs.

And it’s the sort of thing that gets me fired up.
Check out the blog this week.

If you’ve ever had an expert scare you senseless then claim they could solve all of your problems, this one’s is for you.
p.s. no dog trainer should EVER make you feel that way.

03/31/2026

The AGDT annual Easter Egg Hunt is afoot!!

Sign up to join us in Central Park for some fun and games!! We’ll use our dog’s miraculous noses to find eggs stuffed with treats and prizes!!!

All profits go to ACC, the hardest working dog lovers I know. They are busy saving local dogs and you can help! You do not have to attend to donate.

This event will be completely booked so don’t wait! Grab one of those last few spots — late morning still had a few when I checked! Link in bio.

And don’t miss Salon Riz’s cameo appearance. The Riz crew will be with us giving fairy hair to the humans!!

03/24/2026

Tonight was Luca’s first night of puppy kindergarten.

PK is all about introducing pups to the complex social world that we humans bring them into. We help them learn to be cool in the chaos. They’ll have to be around dogs at the dog park, near strange humans on sidewalks, and around sounds like sirens and fireworks in this precious life we share with them.

Oh yeah. They might even need to hang out in a bag. This little guy hopped straight in for a nap when the time came. Good job, mom!

03/12/2026

https://www.amandagagnondogtraining.com/fieldnotes/thedogsofspring

On dogs, mythology, and what early spring mud has to do with all of it.

02/24/2026

02/17/2026

We often think of love as something expressive — touch, enthusiasm, affection.

But a quieter form of love lives in shared time.
In my work, I’ve found that one of the strongest predictors of success in a
dog–human relationship is the ability to share space together without constant
instruction, entertainment, or demand.

Presence teaches regulation.
Proximity builds trust.

Shared experience creates a common language.
Love doesn’t always arrive as emotion.
Sometimes it arrives as time.

How do you and your dog spend time together?

Sometimes I make exceptionally perfect snowballs for Drago. He likes to demolish them in midair.

02/06/2026

I spent time at Westminster, observing its unique culture.

Backstage hums with talk of bloodlines, tradition, legacy, and preservation. There is rich gossip, high emotion, and singular focus. Dogs are surrounded by career handlers, proud owners, nervous sponsors, and attentive press — each expressing their own versions of devotion and adoration.

On the sidelines of the ring, seasoned pros marvel over details of form, function, line, and gait. In the ring, dresses and suits sparkle with pomp and flash. Faces stay serious, heavy with the gravity of each moment. Hands shake. Combs and treats appear from invisible pockets. Assistants rush in with spray bottles at every break.

Dog shows tease out conflicting human narratives about love.
What shapes does love take? What stories do we tell about devotion, tradition, ritual, and care? When does it feel magical and beautiful — and when does it become something else?