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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
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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. 

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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. â€‹â€‹â€‹

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​​​​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. 

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That’s why we decided to flip the script. ​​

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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.

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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.
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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Get the life you deserve, with the dog you love.

Certifications and Expertise
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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. 

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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. ​​​​

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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.​

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​​​​​​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.​

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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
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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
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Co-Founder, Director of Training

Zachary Pezanko

pictured with Sstice

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Co-Founder, Head Trainer

Jenna Gericke

pictured with Ddecca

Frequently Asked Questions

Your dog's best life starts
at Affective Canines.

Affective Canines
Veteran Owned and Operated - Est. 2024

Copyright © 2025 Affective Canines LLC
All Rights Reserved

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