Fluff and Feathers

01/13/2025

Wouldn’t it be easier if puppies came with an instruction manual?

If that thought every crossed your mind, then the ‘Your Puppy Blueprint’ Summit is exactly what you need!

My colleague Kelly Fahey has brought together 25+ top experts in dog training and behavior for this FREE event on raising a puppy and surviving puppyhood.

We’re here to help you go from puppy pandemonium to puppy peace.

🐾 What’s in it for you?
💡 Solve your puppy predicaments with expert advice
🐕‍🦺 Understand what your puppy’s behavior really means
🐾 Improve your training techniques to create an even better connection with your puppy
📚 Get reliable, accurate info to guide you through puppyhood
🌟 Enjoy life with your puppy like you always dreamed

I’m thrilled to be part of this event, where I’ll share insights on puppy potty training without accidents. 🐕

The best part? It’s FREE for you! But you need to register to join. 🎉

So, if you’ve ever wondered:

🐶Am I doing things right?
🐶How do I get my puppy to listen

Then this event is for you!

Puppies don’t come with a manual, but this summit is the next best thing. Don’t miss it!

The best part is, all these great sessions can apply to your rambunctious dog, not just puppies.

📅 Mark your calendar: The event kicks off January 27th!
🎟 Grab your free seat now: https://conference.puppyblueprint.com/Melanie

01/13/2025

Hey there! Do you struggle maintaining your dogs attention when you are with them? With having two bassets hounds, I am ALWAYS struggling to maintain their attention, and the smells in the environment are very rewarding to them!

Keeping a dog’s attention, focus, and having them respond reliably to cues can be challenging with dogs who find the environment more engaging than their caretaker! A lot of caretakers have success with their dogs doing behaviors inside, or maybe in their yard, but tend to lose it when going to new places.

Join us to chat about solutions on keeping your dog more engaged with you instead of their environment through a FREE Q&A livestream on Wednesday January 15th at 6:00pmEST.

Sign up using the link below, or comment LIVESTREAM and I’ll message you the direct link! It is 100% free to participate, so you don’t want to miss out! I hope to see you there!

https://summit.decodingyourcanine.com/canatella

01/11/2025

You’re not going to want to miss this free livestream event!

https://summit.decodingyourcanine.com/canatella

01/10/2025

I am doing a free live Q&A called Focus on Me-Anytime, Anywhere

It will be a livestream answering your questions on keeping your dog engaged with you, especially for dogs that prefer to focus on the environment instead of you

Here is the link to sign up!

01/10/2025

Be there or be 🟦 it’s going to be a great event!

🦜Join us on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 11 A to 3 P at That Fish Place - That Pet Place for an incredible day dedicated to our feathered friends!
We’re thrilled to announce a special appearance by Pet Behavioralist and Trainer Melanie Canatella from Fluff and Feathers! Melanie will share her expert insights into bird behavior, training, and nutrition, helping you deepen the bond with your avian companions.
🕊️ What to Expect:
✔️ Expert advice on bird care and enrichment
✔️ Tips for improving bird behavior and training techniques
✔️ Guidance on providing optimal nutrition for your feathered family
This is a perfect opportunity for bird enthusiasts of all experience levels to learn and connect with others who share their love for birds.
📍 Where:
That Fish Place - That Pet Place
237 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA
Don’t miss this free, fun-filled event! Invite your friends and fellow bird lovers, and let’s make it a day to chirp about. 🐦💬

11/26/2024

It’s nearly here! Time is running out to register for the upcoming summit, Decoding Your Canine December 2024 Summit: Discover the secrets to having the pawfect dog. The Masterclass Series covering training, health and well-being, which starts on December 1 USA time (make sure you check the timezone in your location though!) and will run for 5 days.
The complimentary summit will feature 21+ top experts and influencers discussing training, behavioural issues, and more.
Whether it’s dog aggression or reactivity, separation anxiety, emotional responses, health, diet or fitness, there’s sure to be something you won’t want to miss.
And, of course, I’ll also be speaking on keeping positive reinforcement positive!

Here’s what to expect:

21+ dog professionals, trainers & behavior consultants
Reactivity, body language
Mushrooms for dog health
Wholistic Health, Yoga for dogs
Resolving problematic behavior
Understanding trauma, pain & behavior
and so much more …

Click below to register LINK: https://summit.decodingyourcanine.com/melanie

11/18/2024

Well, I’m excited!
I’ve been asked to speak at the upcoming summit, Decoding Your Canine December 2024 Summit: Discover the secrets to having the pawfect dog. The Masterclass Series covering training, health and well-being.
Ness Jones has brought together 21+ top experts and specialists for this complimentary training series on all things dog.
The summit runs for 5 days starting on December 1 USA time (make sure you check the timezone in your location though!) and all you have to do is click this link to sign up for this training series.
(LINK) (please use the special speaker link that has been provided to you so we can track registrations)
https://summit.decodingyourcanine.com/melanie

11/01/2024

Our favorite seasonal enrichment!

10/29/2024

Not all animals like to be dressed up. Be sure to ask your companion if putting the costume on is okay.

If they do not happily wear it or walk away, it’s best to train and condition them to wearing the costume rather than forcing them to.

Wearing costumes is for our enjoyment and benefit, not the animal. I remember my mom dressing me specifically for picture day and HATING the entire experience (sorry mom, love ya). I know we have all been there and done that, and we all have the same feelings towards it. Our animals do too.

Think twice before dressing your pet up this season, and you can always start preparing for next by having a trainer work with you for your animal to accept being dressed up 🙂

09/30/2024

We rescued this lost dog today! Is he yours? In the Havre de Grace, Maryland area found, now he is currently at the Harford Humane Society on a stray hold.

This unaltered male with no chip or collar was running around the area for days. He was constantly being posted in a community page hanging out in the same area near the road. None of the neighbors knew him.

Many people tried to get him to come with them to no avail. He was incredibly fearful, even of us, and did not come easy. Head trainer Melanie Canatella went out this morning to get him after she saw yet another post about him.

Thankfully, Melanie has a lot of experience capturing lost dogs, handling fearful animals, and what to do in tricky situations. She same prepared with leashes, a crate, food, treats, and water to get the dog. It took an hour or so before she finally got him in the car. Never did he bite or try to bite, as we worked at his pace the best we could.

He was given “peace offerings” of treats in the backseat while Melanie drive him to the shelter. Getting him in the crate in the car seemed more challenging than it was worth, so she had him loose in her car. He very quickly warmed up to her. He even jumped into the front seat and later tried to climb into her lap while driving!

He wanted pets by bringing his paw over to his rescuers hand and hooking it, moving it closer to his white chest. He gave a lot of kisses on her arm, and even some on her cheek while she was driving. He quickly warmed up and was SO affectionate.

With all dog rescues we are hoping for reunification! We don’t know the dogs history, and he may have a loving family waiting for him. We do have a backup plan after the stray hold of a adopter and a foster incase he isn’t claimed.

We are offering free training for life for this dog to whomever claims him 💙

09/30/2024

So cool!!

07/24/2024

I’ve really only been posting about this on my Instagram page, but I also thought I would bring it here to Facebook.

I bought a new house! Well, I did a month ago now, and I’m still not moved in. Renovations and building the bird area has been more challenging than anyone had thought time wise, amount of projects needed to get done, and the biggest, financially.

I went into this project with a list of things that needed to get done. Before I bought the house, I had a full inspection, and talking with contractors of all specialities to get quotes for everything. I had the total amount, and added money for unexpected costs (as what happens with home improvement jobs).

Well, I am now WAY over budget because of unexpected things like plumbing issues, structural issues, painting issues, etc. I’ve put over 60 hours into the house myself to try to save costs, but the rest of the projects is just too much for little Melanie to do.

I have started a GoFundMe after being peer pressured into it. I don’t like to ask for handouts, and never have I ever said “let’s crowdfund.” I feel awkward and uncomfortable asking for money like this, but at the end of the day, I need to put my pride aside because my birds (and I guess myself) DESERVE to have a functional environment where we can all thrive.

I am putting the link below for the GoFundMe page for anyone who is interested in sharing this or donating. Here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/donate-to-melanies-journey-of-animal-care-and-recovery

I also am going to point you in various other directions to help support me and my flock.

First, I handmade and sell parrot foraging toys and toy parts. I create toy bundles that are heavily discounted as well. I also have rescue toy boxes where you can send a donation to a rescue directly. I have a site wide sale using code SALE20 for 20% off your entire order. You can view my parrot toys here: https://www.fluffnfeathers.com/all-parrot-enrichment

Second, I have online classes. I have prerecorded classes on various topics on my website right now, but I am also hosting for a week and a half, every evening, discounted classes on various topics. All my online classes are usually $15.00 per participant, but I have them discounted to just $5.00. Not only does this make it more accessible for people, but it also helps me in my journey. You can view my online classes here: https://www.fluffnfeathers.com/group-classes

Third, I sell training aids like target sticks and treat pouches to make your training journey easier! I even sell bundles of these products for a discounted rate (and you can use the same code on these items too). You can view the training aids here: https://www.fluffnfeathers.com/shop-online/training-aids

I also do wholesale for rescues and businesses. Feel free to message me to learn more, or check out the page with more information here: https://www.fluffnfeathers.com/wholesale-program

Lastly, I am a trainer and behavioralist working with ALL species. I literally just got back from working with dolphins, sea lions, parrots, and more from zoos. I have private online and in-person sessions that range anywhere from $75.00-$175.00. You can learn more about my sessions here: https://www.fluffnfeathers.com/private-training-sessions

If you are unable to donate, that is perfectly fine! All I ask is for you to share this to continue to spread the word! Thank you!

07/16/2024

🎉Celebrating Life Together - A Pet Approved Event!
Join Melanie Canatella of Fluff and Feathers at the three-day virtual advocacy event on August 16, 17, 18, 2024.
Register here today:
https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/webinars-events/webinars/celebrating-life-together-a-pet-approved-event/
PRESENTATION TITLE -A Not So Crazy Bird: A Case Study on a Wild Caught Blue-Front Amazon
SESSION DESCRIPTION:
This session is on a unique case study that shows the initial development and progression of training a reactive wild caught, 45 plus-year-old male blue-front Amazon parrot with vision, neurological, and physical disabilities. Crazy Bird would launch and attack anyone relentlessly inside and outside of his cage, severely injuring people. He was deemed unadoptable and was almost behaviorally euthanized.

I will walk you through the steps of utilizing environmental manipulation, working with a fearful parrot, desensitization utilizing a form of counterconditioning called systematic desensitization using negative reinforcement, target training, station training, and step-up training all using force-free methods without the use of aversions.
🐴Come and join us! Please help us be the antidote to harmful training and pet care.
🐶66 sessions over three days.
🐦You can access the recordings for 12 months, and there are great CEUs.
😺Let's join together and create a large platform of ethical and compassionate pet care, shaping the industry one paw at a time.

06/15/2024

We will be having a huge sale on the website coming very soon! I have many toy designs that I have made that are not in my current toy line, as well as additions from Super Bird Creations! Items will be marked 20-30% off.

There will be toy bundles as well as individual toys all for sale with limited stock. There are all natural toy bundles, toys with minimal plastic, and toys that are almost all plastic so you can choose based on your comfortability and birds preferences. There are 13 different toy bundles of all sizes. They’re out together based off of like materials, like size, and like foraging skill.

I will have the items posted very soon on my website www.FluffNFeathers.com

05/23/2024

T minus 10 Days to this EPIC Mason Dixon Pet Expo. You are NOT going to want to miss this. Local vendors (including Fluff and Feathwrs), food trucks, music, animals, sporting events, + more. Fun for the WHOLE family. Bring your leashed pets out to enjoy a day at the Mason Dixon Fairgrounds.

PLUS The first 150 guests will receive a FREE event tote bag. There will something for everyone here at the Expo so do not miss out! We’ll see you there!

https://facebook.com/events/s/2024-mason-dixon-pet-expo-spon/377591295068112/

04/22/2024

This is one easy way to increase foraging complexities in birds. It’s not creating elaborate enrichment (unless you want to). It’s about using what is already in the environment and arranging it for the task to be more challenging.

Jo and Ringo are on a swinging perch. I wanted to give them something to chew with some food inside of it. All I did was take an open shoe box (shout out to my mom who has a shoe addiction), put some food in there, and I put a hole through the bottom, and string it though the perch near their swing.

I could have just left it on the perch and they would have walked over and just chewed it on the perch. Instead, I moved it over to their swing so they would stay on the swing to chew. Adding the moving element was an easy way to make the task more challenging.

I also want to note my hatred for how most people use boxes as enrichment. I do not recommend boxes as enrichment because most people put them at the bottom of the cage, get boxes big enough for the parrot to go in, and other undesirable uses. This can increase reproductive behavior in parrots be providing a nest site for them. It’s not cute. I like to use smaller boxes with the lids off, or to a size they cannot put their head into. Some parrots with a history of reproductive behaviors or disorders I recommend just cutting up the cardboard and putting it on safe cordage for your parrot to still enjoy the easy, inexpensive enrichment, cardboard texture, and foraging opportunities without increasing reproductive behaviors.

Send a message to learn more

04/21/2024

Another event down! Looking forward to working with all our new clients 💙