By nurturing both heart and mind, we don't just teach your dog behaviors - we change their entire outlook on life.
- Zachary Pezanko,
Affective Canines co-founder
Our Why
While in the military, we saw a trend in dog training that seemed to dominate every method, program, and philosophy: a focus on just teaching behaviors, commands, or simply gain control. Yes, learning skills is undeniably important, but we saw this approach often left something critical overlooked—emotional fulfillment.
Dogs are not robots to be programmed. They are emotional, complex beings with needs that go far beyond "Sit", "Stay", and "Here". Yet, the vast majority of trainers treat dogs like an instruction manual, ignoring the deeper bonds and well-being that come from understanding and fulfilling a dog’s emotions.
We realized this gap in the industry doesn't just affect dogs—it also impacts handlers and owners. For pet dog owners, their dogs feel less like fun companions and more like an overwhelming responsibility. For working dogs, handlers struggle to be fulfilled themselves by having unmotivated partners.
Without emotional fulfillment, even the most “well-trained” dogs often exhibit stress, frustration, or anxiety. Overall, life with our dogs is just not as fun as it should be.
That’s why we decided to flip the script.
At Affective Canines, we won’t just teach your dog to “Sit” or “Stay". While the vast majority of “dog trainers” focus on obedience and surface-level behaviors, that’s not good enough for us, or your dog. We go deeper.
We prioritize your dog’s emotional and psychological well-being, creating lifelong change that goes well beyond basic commands.
Why We’re Different
Dogs are more than just learners; they’re intelligent, social animals with unique needs, biases, fears, and motivations. While most trainers focus on compliance, we focus on connection.
Yes, we’ll teach your dog the same obedience skills you’d expect from any program—but we believe that’s only part of the journey. True transformation comes from addressing the root causes of your dog’s challenges, not just adding obedience commands.
Who We Are
What We'll Do, Together.
Emotional Fulfillment
Our approach addresses the emotional needs of your dog first, helping them feel secure and confident. We meet your dog’s needs through play, relationship-building, socialization, and off-leash freedom. We'll make your dog sure of themselves and their lives, creating lifelong benefits.
Getting Dogs to
Love Their Lives
Play is the foundation of a happy, healthy relationship between dogs and us. Through purposeful play, we help both dogs and people rediscover the joy of life together. Whether it's games, building skills, or learning new things, we use play as a powerful tool to improve behavior and create lasting memories.
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Saving Dogs Through Proper Training
Every dog deserves a chance at a happy life, and proper training is crucial in preventing behavioral issues that can lead to dangerous situations. By working with dogs facing behavioral challenges, we aim to save lives, offering hope and solutions for both dogs and owners dealing with difficult situations.
Creating Lasting Solutions
Our goal isn’t to create a perfectly trained robot—it’s to build a fulfilled, confident, and emotionally stable dog. By the end of our program, you won’t just have a dog who listens; you’ll have a dog who thrives.
By focusing on emotions over mechanics, we have a unique approach to dog training that strengthens the connection between humans and their dogs. For us, training isn’t just about what your dog does—it’s about how they feel. And that makes all the difference.
If you’re ready to give your dog the gift of true emotional transformation—without sacrificing the practical skills you need— Affective Canines is here for you. Together, we’ll create a better future for both you and your dog.
Get the life you deserve, with the dog you love.
Certifications and Expertise
A Higher Standard of Care
Dog training certifications are more than just credentials on a piece of paper - they're a reflection of a trainer's commitment to expertise, professionalism, and client-first practices. In an industry where anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, even a "certified" one, real certifications ensure you're working with someone who has met rigorous standards and is dedicated to achieving the best results for both you and your dog.
At Affective Canines, we strive for excellence in everything we do. Our continued passion for dog training, stemming from years of experience training Military Working Dogs, drives us to continually learn and grow, seeking knowledge and inspiration from some of the best and brightest minds in the world.
Our Foundation: Inspired by Four-legged Heroes
It's an absolute honor to say our military careers were with working alongside Military Working Dogs. Witnessing their intelligence, loyalty, and unmatched drive firsthand taught and empowered us to dedicate ourselves to our craft. They give us their daily best, and they deserve nothing less. We’ve carried lessons they've taught us into every aspect of our dog training approach. Whether we're training pets or working dogs, our mission is to unlock the full potential of every dog by building partnerships rooted in play, understanding, and purpose.
Our co-founder Jenna’s commitment to excellence in dog training is evident in her relentless pursuit of knowledge and growth. One of her proudest achievements is graduating from Dr. Melanie Uhde’s prestigious Triple Helix course—a program renowned for its scientific depth and rigor. This highly advanced curriculum challenges trainers to master the intricate relationship between canine genetics, biology, and behavior, pushing them to elevate their understanding to new heights.
Graduating from this demanding program reflects Jenna’s commitment to staying at the forefront of science-based training. It equips her with the tools to deliver cutting-edge, compassionate training methods that go beyond surface-level obedience, addressing the root causes of behavior to ensure lasting results.
Blending Science and Emotions: Jenna's Triple Helix Journey
Building a Better Future
for our Dogs
We envision a future where every dog experiences a life of emotional fulfillment with their human companions—a future where we can truly save dogs' lives by addressing the root causes of behavioral challenges and fulfilling their emotional needs.
By focusing on understanding dogs on a deeper level, we aim to prevent the misunderstandings that lead so many dogs to shelters, or worse.
Through innovative, science-backed training methods grounded in play, we empower owners to build stronger, life-saving bonds with their dogs, unlocking their potential to thrive as happy, well-adjusted members of the family and community.
Together, we are transforming not just the lives of dogs, but the world we all live in—one relationship at a time.
Our Team
Co-Founder, Director of Training
Zachary Pezanko
pictured with Sstice
Co-Founder, Head Trainer
Jenna Gericke
pictured with Ddecca
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What kinds of dogs do you train?While our background is in Military Working Dog training, we also specialize in training any and all kinds of pet dogs. Whether your dog's young or old, big or small, well-mannered or aggressive, we don't turn any dog away.
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Will my dog listen to me after training?Absolutely—and that’s the very foundation of how we train. Our goal isn’t just to have your dog listen to us in a controlled training environment; it’s to teach your dog to understand and respond to you in the real world, where it matters most. Through our methods, we ensure your dog learns skills in a way that is directly transferable to your home, your routines, and your unique relationship with them. We work with you, showing you how to use every-day communication and play to build trust and respect. By the end of our training, your dog won’t just “know commands”—they’ll understand how to collaborate with you as a team, no matter what life throws at you. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about them listening to a temporary trainer; it’s about them listening to you. And that’s exactly what we specialize in.
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Will I need to keep training my dog after the program?Our training is designed to seamlessly fit into your life. The skills and behaviors your dog learns during our training together are easily sustainable, meaning they’ll become a natural part of how you and your dog interact every day. Instead of setting aside extra time for "training," everything we teach your dog integrates into your regular routines—whether it’s how they walk with you, respond to you, or behave at home. Once your dog understands what’s expected, it’s just about living your normal life together while enjoying the benefits of their improved behavior. We set you and your dog up for success so training isn’t something you have to keep doing—it’s simply your normal!
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What happens if I can't make a session?Life can be unpredictable, so if you can't make a session for whatever reason, no worries! Just let us know and we'll reschedule you for another time and day and pick up right where we left off, no questions asked.
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How long does training take?Training timelines can vary depending on your dog’s unique personality, learning history, the specific issues we’re addressing, and you as the owner. While some dogs may show noticeable progress in just a few sessions, others—especially those dealing with complex behaviors like aggression, reactivity, or anxiety—often require a more extended and consistent approach. There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline, because every dog (and every household) is different. What sets our programs apart is the level of ongoing support we provide. With 24/7 virtual coaching access, you’re not limited to progress only during scheduled lessons. You’ll have the ability to check in, ask questions, and send videos in real time—so we can adjust strategies and reinforce learning between sessions. This level of support helps accelerate progress, maintain momentum, and ensure you're never navigating training challenges alone.
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Can you help with specific issues like leash pulling or separation anxiety?Of course! Our training programs are customized to address specific issues such as separation anxiety, leash pulling, reactivity, and more. Through a combination of private lessons and 24/7 virtual support, we’ll work with you to create a plan that resolves these challenges and gives your dog their life back.
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What tools do you use?We use a variety of tools tailored to each dog’s unique needs and training goals. These may include leashes, collars, slip leads, prong collars, e-collars, and especially toys for play. It's important to know, not every dog will need every tool. We carefully assess each dog and only use the tools that best suit their temperament and training requirements. Our approach ensures all tools are used responsibly and fairly, to give your dog the best shot at living their best life with you.
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Will my dog be trained off-leash?Off-leash freedom is one of the greatest gifts you can give your dog. It builds confidence and allows them to experience the world with freedom while still being reliable. That’s why all of the dogs we train will be worked toward off-leash reliability, as long as it fits your situation and goals. Whether you want full off-leash control or just better reliability in everyday life, we’ll create a plan that gives you and your dog the best possible training experience.
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What do I need to bring to training sessions?Once you book a package with us, we'll reach out to you through e-mail giving you all the tips and tricks you'll need to succeed with us. Don't worry, we make training as easy as possible for you, as it should be. We’ll guide you through everything to ensure you’re fully prepared!
