Welcome to Connected Dog Training!

Hi, I’m Nate.

I’m the owner and trainer behind Connected Dog Training.

When I first began training dogs, I was taught a very traditional style of dog training. The focus was largely on obedience and compliance, and tools like e-collars were a normal part of the process.

The more dogs I worked with—especially dogs struggling with fear, reactivity, and aggression—the more I began questioning that approach.

I realized I didn’t just want to know how to stop a behavior.

I wanted to know why the behavior was happening in the first place.

That question completely changed the way I train.

Today, my approach is positive reinforcement, connection-based, and trauma-informed. Instead of asking, “How do we make this dog obey?” I’m much more interested in questions like:

What is this dog communicating? What do they need? Do they feel safe? And how can we help them make better choices?

That doesn’t mean we ignore difficult behavior. We teach skills, set boundaries, manage the environment, and work toward meaningful change. But we do it without relying on fear, pain, or intimidation.

I also believe dog training should be about more than the dog.

A huge part of my job is helping you understand the dog you’re living with. I want you to recognize what your dog is communicating, understand why certain behaviors happen, and know what to do when things get difficult.

Because I don’t believe you need a perfectly obedient dog.

You need a dog you understand—and a dog who trusts you.

That’s what Connected Dog Training is about.

Connection over compliance.