No, you’re not “ruining” your dog.
Positive, force-free dog training for dedicated dog parents
If you’re reading this, you’re probably the kind of dog owner who’s read the books, follows at least two trainers on YouTube, and hangs out in dog-focused Facebook groups.
It all seems so straightforward in theory—but in practice:
You let your puppy outside for the 500th time, and they immediately come back in and pee on the carpet.
No matter how many toys you give them, their favourite thing to bite is you. And let’s not even start on how they swallow Every. Actual. Thing.
You’re emotionally and physically exhausted from feeling like a monster just sitting in the other room while they scream in their crate. But also—they absolutely must learn to quietly nap alone or you’ll lose it.
That’s where I come in.
Certified trainer. Positive Puppy Pro. Shame-free support system.
Hi, I’m Alissa—Toronto’s Positive Puppy Pro and the human behind The Dog Next Door.
I help overwhelmed dog parents escape the puppy blues and raise calm, confident dogs without spiralling into shame, second-guessing, and anxiety-fueled Google searches at 2 a.m.
Everyone else sees how cute your puppy is. You’re the one living with the 24/7 biting, barking, peeing, eating machine, not to mention the crushing pressure to do everything “right.” There’s endless advice online, but knowing who to trust (and how to actually make it work in real life) is another story.
I started The Dog Next Door for you: the caring, dedicated dog parent who wants the best for their pup without having to add “part-time dog trainer” to their resume. Whether your dog is 12 weeks or 12+ months, I’ll help you breathe easier, trust yourself, and finally enjoy the dog you worked so hard to bring home.
Your Positive Puppy Pro: Alissa Nenoff, CPDT-KA
Lots of people fall in love with animals when they’re a kid—but most of them don’t go on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology, raise service dog puppies, and work with exotic species like lemurs, kangaroos, foxes, skunks, and caimans. (In case it’s not clear: I did that.)
More about me (so you know you’re in good hands):
I’m a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, which is where all the letters after my name come from.
I’ve studied animal behaviour for nearly a decade, from dogs to wild animals (via a zoo outreach program).
I raised a bombproof service dog puppy. She couldn’t “go pro” due to hip dysplasia, but on the upside, I got to keep her!
After my B.Sc. in Animal Biology, I got a Diploma in Animal Behaviour Science and Technology through the Companion Animal Sciences Institute.
I’m also a proud graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy Puppy Start Right Instructor Course.
I’ve recently completed Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs Master Course.
I’m constantly learning the latest techniques through seminars and courses on animal training and behaviour.
It’s true, I am currently enrolled in Kim Brophey’s L.E.G.S. Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation Professional Course
I’m also a proud member of Thrive! to ensure I am always evolving to meet the needs of my human and dog clients.
Why “The Dog Next Door” isn’t just a cute name
City dogs live in a totally different world. Loud traffic. Unexpected bikes. Off-leash dogs, kids on scooters, and street meat on every corner.
Most training programs don’t focus on the urban survival skills your dog needs to be a good neighbour. And group classes don’t have the time or space to prepare your (easily overwhelmed) puppy to ignore that pile of trash on the sidewalk while a construction crew jackhammers behind you.
City dogs need a different kind of training, starting from day one.
One that:
Prepares your dog to stay calm in loud, rapidly changing environments
Teaches you how to read your dog’s cues before they have a meltdown
Helps you socialize them properly, not just have them go everywhere and hope for the best
Builds real-world confidence in puppyhood, so you’re not playing catch-up when adolescence hits like a freight train
What makes me different from other dog trainers?
As Toronto’s Positive Puppy Pro, I specialize in private puppy tutoring (aka day training) using positive reinforcement methods. I have a degree in animal science (yes, that’s a thing), I’ve raised a service dog, and I’ve helped families across the city raise puppies they’re proud of.
But street cred only matters if you can trust the beliefs underneath it. Here are mine:
There’s no room for shame and blame in dog training. If shaming people (or dogs) changed behaviour, the internet would be full of perfect puppies. I’ll never judge you for using training tools that make you feel safe.
“Perfect” looks different for every dog. We’ll make a plan that works for you, your dog, and your life.
Puppy blues are real, and you’re NOT a bad dog parent for not loving every second.
You don’t need to be a trainer. You just need one in your corner.
It takes more than “sit” and “stay” to raise a great dog. I go beyond basic manners to build real-world skills, like pro-level socialization and teaching you to read your dog’s body language.