Los Lukes

Live peacefully with your dog. / Vive en paz con tu perro. I'm Matt Chan, KPA CTP (that means I'm a certified dog trainer through Karen Pryor Academy!).
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Helping people live more peacefully with their dogs is a passion for me. It means more people and their dogs can live in better harmony, and less dogs will be surrendered to animal shelters. Having worked in animal welfare management for over 15 years, I know what it is that often causes dogs to be given up: too jumpy, too mouth, not sociable, can't be walked down the street without pulling, barks

and lunges at people/other dogs/cats/traffic. My goal is to deter all of this, by helping people learn how to communicate better with their dogs. I'll help people understand their dogs better, understand their breed better, and help the relationships all around. Because training time is bonding time. Visit loslukes.com to Book Now!

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Soy Matt Chan, KPA CTP (¡eso significa que soy un entrenador de perros certificado a través de la Academia Karen Pryor!). Ayudar a las personas a vivir en paz con sus perros es una pasión para mí. Significa que más personas y sus perros pueden vivir en mejor armonía, y menos perros serán entregados a refugios de animales. Después de haber trabajado en la gestión del bienestar animal durante más de 15 años, sé qué es lo que a menudo hace que los perros se den por vencidos: demasiado nerviosos, demasiado boquiabiertos, poco sociables, no se puede caminar por la calle sin tirar, ladran y se abalanzan sobre las personas. /otros perros/gatos/tráfico. Mi objetivo es disuadir todo esto, ayudando a las personas a aprender cómo comunicarse mejor con sus perros. Ayudaré a las personas a comprender mejor a sus perros, comprender mejor su raza y ayudar a las relaciones en general. Porque el tiempo de formación es tiempo de vinculación.

¡Visite loslukes.com para reservar ahora!

08/17/2024

BE the FLAME You Want to See 🔥

Wave 1 of the Fall ‘24 LOS LUKES Collection has arrived! Tap the link in bio to go straight to the Merch Shop!

Being the Flame you want to see means:
It’s up to you to make the difference in the world that you believe in. ❤️‍🔥

For LOS LUKES, that means leading the way to help people share their best lives with their animals by learning greater behavioral knowledge and training abilities.

💚🩷🧡

🔥Featured Models🔥

Kaylee
Alli with Husky mix Bear .twigandarrow
Kendra .belle
Karen & Kyle with their Labradoodle Koda

06/12/2024

Hey! Luke and I haven’t seen you guys as much on social lately~but not because we aren’t thinking of you! We’re just so busy creating our first-ever book. ✨ I’m doing all the writing and illustrating, he does all of the inspiring and modeling.

So much helpful stuff on the way with the book, including:

•illustrated how-to’s
•illustrated body language charts, presented in brand new ways
•guided action plans to help you keep the peace in your home—and keep the community you live in safe.

🔥You’ll want to get a copy for everyone with a dog you know.

RELEASE DATE: 2024!

xoxo,
Matt Chan, KPA CTP, CAWA

05/31/2024

Love to still be working with this little boy for over 4 years now~

I first met gentle, blind Justin at my last animal shelter, where I had the honor of helping him find the most amazing home with his mom .am.julie.ann and dad (and sister Asherah).

Most of the time in animal sheltering, you don’t get to see the life full of love and friendship they go on to share with the family you counseled for adoption. You just have to imagine it. And sometimes quite honestly; hope for it. You think about Capitan, and Bart, and Koda (so, so many Kodas), and Baxter, and BeeBee, and Monkey, and Banana, and Mystique, and Rogue, and Gambit, and thousands and thousands of others. You just hope you did the best for them, and that they’re out there, happy. No longer in distress, or fearful of their surroundings. You did your part, so that others can do theirs~

Through Los Lukes, and as a friend, I get to know that with little Justin, and for an animal shelter professional now primarily trainer, that means the world. Thank you Julie & Kevin, for the best life you give your special little boy.💗

xoxo,
Matt

04/20/2024

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to beautiful LOS LUKES model Willow ! 🧁🩶

Willow is 8 majestic years young today! Beyto, I’m so proud to get to work with you, and best of all, be your friend. 🖤 Love you girl!

xoxoxo
MC

Pictured: Willow with her mom in Solvang, at Pismo Beach, and on the beach with my boy Luke (and making him look short)

💗

04/07/2024

It’s Get to Know Me: The Final Four Edition 2024! 💪🏽

This time, I’m selecting 4 Core Aspects
in 4 Core Training Areas to know about me.

✨My 4 Definitions of Training:

Behavior:
Teaching you how to understand behavior, manage it, and modify it as needed—and behavior modification goes both ways.

Emotional Signals:
Teaching you how to read your dog better; and even read your own self better.

Enrichment:
Teaching you how to fulfill an animal’s needs in life.

Cues:
Teaching your dog, and you, the cues you both need to best communicate together.

✨My 4 Training Values:

Patience:
With yourself, with your dog, and with the training process.

Empathy:
Putting yourself there. And using that to guide your decisions and interactions.

Compassion:
Recognizing what an animal is discomforted or pained by, and using that to guide your approach.

Love & Dedication to Your Dog:
Without it, we’ll only make it through two weeks of training total.
With it, we will best be able to achieve all of your goals.

✨My 4 Training Principles:

Force-Free Methods

Positive Reinforcement-Based

Clicker Training Karen Pryor Clicker Training

High EQ (Emotional Intelligence)

✨My 4 Favorite Dog Handling Supplies:

Round leashes from Mendota. Always round. Your hands will thank me later when you switch from flat nylon!

Freedom Harnesses from 2 Hounds Design. Precisely engineered, and as an added bonus, they design the coolest colors and patterns of any harness supplier.

Martingale collars, also from 2 Hounds Design . The cinch they create keeps a dog from slipping out of the collar.

Clicker Training Musts: Clickers from shop.clickertraining.com, and treat bags from Doggone Good Clicker Company.

OVERTIME BONUS 🏀

✨My 4 All-Time Favorite Basketball Players:

Michael Jordan #23
Kobe Bryant #8 #24
Scottie Pippen #33
Shawn Kemp #40
😎

Matt Chan, KPA CTP, CAWA

03/28/2024

Swipe to find out! >

Collected here are some of the Reviews from my student-clients, plus a special message at the end.

These are the student-clients who persevered. 💪 Who dedicated themselves to making life better for their dog, their family, their community, their neighbor, their own selves.

It isn’t easy. I have started the training for at least twice as many as the clients featured here who only made it for a week, two weeks. And I really don’t know what happened for them after that. I can say:

It takes longer than that! Commit yourself to longer than that. Those who do—they come out the other side, and enter a whole new world they didn’t know was even possible.

Let your friends know: Life-changing dog training is here, in Central California. 🌵

Matt Chan, KPA CTP, CAWA
CEO, Los Lukes

03/22/2024

Tomorrow is a VERY SPECIAL DAY…

It’s the 1-Year Anniversary of LOS LUKES! 🍾 I’m so excited to celebrate this special landmark and wanted to personally share my gratitude with you.

THANK YOU for making Los Lukes so successful this past year. I’ve had too many amazing clients than Instagram even lets me tag here, so I’ll just say: If you’ve been a
student-client of mine, THANK YOU. If you’ve been a fan of Los Lukes, THANK YOU! We accomplished a lot together, we made life more enriched and fulfilling for your dogs and cats, we made it more peaceful for your family–and you made
Los Lukes the enormous success that it is.

To my fans and friends all over the country–from Virgina, to South Carolina, to Texas–thank you for all of the many ways you have supported me this past year.

You have helped make Los Lukes what it is: a way to provide positive reinforcement-based, force-free training to anyone who has asked for help with their dog, and sometimes cat.

I also want to say a special thanks here to my dog training mentor, Nan Arthur, and to Karen Pryor Academy (KPA). Nan was my Faculty Instructor at KPA, where I formally learned dog training and graduated in 2021. I owe so much of my knowledge in dog training & behavior to Nan and what she taught me during the year that I studied under her tutelage. And I owe so much of Los Lukes’ success to KPA and the expertise, formal education, and standing in animal welfare and animal training that they imbued me with.
Thank you Nan, and thank you KPA.

I’m so thankful for this opportunity I have to help my community members in Santa Maria, CA and our surrounding areas. Please continue to support Los Lukes through sharing, whether by social media or word of mouth.
Let the Central Coast know–help is here! It doesn’t have to be a struggle.

I’ll help you solve whatever the issue for your dogs and cats, before it becomes unmanageable.

Here’s to another amazing year! 🤘🏽

xoxo
Matt Chan, KPA CTP, CAWA

📷: With my kids Luke & Mercedes. I had to make sure to include at least one pic where Mercedes was scowling for the camera.

Karen Pryor Clicker Training Beacon of Hope Dog Behavior and Training

03/18/2024

Tag one or more friends in the Santa Maria area who could use a SCHOLARSHIP to DOG TRAINING.

Now through March 31st, 2024, we’re accepting applications for new students to our first ever Los Lukes Scholarship!

Applicants must apply by emailing: [email protected]. Read the Press Release below for full details!

We’re offering this scholarship in celebration of our 1st Anniversary on 03/23/24. 🥳

SANTA MARIA, CA-
Dog training will soon become much less challenging for one area family.

Los Lukes, LLC, positive reinforcement-based dog training in Santa Maria, is offering its First Annual Los Lukes Scholarship. The Scholarship will provide a fee-waived package of dog training classes from Matt Chan, KPA CTP, CAWA. Los Lukes is now accepting Scholarship applications by email at [email protected]. Entries will close on
March 31st, 2024, and the winning submission will be notified by April 5th, 2024.

Applicants must send the following information: applicant’s full name, contact phone number, city/town of residency, dog’s name, a summary of what behaviors and skills they would like their dog to learn, and why they wish to be considered for the Scholarship.

“The Scholarship coincides with Los Lukes’ first anniversary,” said CEO, Owner, and Certified Dog Trainer Matt Chan. “March 23rd will be our 1-Year mark, and we wanted to celebrate it in a very special way—by giving back to our Santa Maria-area community.” Chan said the mission of Los Lukes is to keep families together by helping them live more peacefully with their dogs.

“I have a unique perspective as a dog trainer. With my very extensive experience in animal sheltering starting in 1999, I’ve worked firsthand with animals being surrendered due to solvable behavior problems. My goal with Los Lukes is to get ahead of it, and solve those before the family gives up on the dog or cat,” said Chan, who is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and Certified Animal Welfare Administrator. Training is performed using force-free principles and positive reinforcement, utilizing Clicker Training as the primary learning method.

03/14/2024

Posted now at Waller Park City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks. The poster says it all. Watch my Reel from February 20th, 2024 for the backstory.

03/01/2024

Yesterday was Maverick’s big Graduation Day! 🎓

It’s been so much fun helping Maverick acquire well-rounded life skills, including being around other dogs and strangers, and being confident in a wide variety of environments.

I want to thank his mom Christina , who has been so dedicated to his training to ensure long-term success.

That makes all the difference! •The client-students who are committed are the same ones who succeed with their dog.•

The converse is true as well; you can’t succeed without the commitment.

It takes more than a couple weeks, and it can take more than a couple months. Every dog, every person is unique.

It’s been a blast Maverick! Congratulations on your big day!! I’m SO PROUD of you little guy!! 🤍🎉🥳

02/15/2024

UPDATE! Stryder has been adopted! THANK YOU to everyone who shared our post!

✨Special Adoptable Dog Post! ✨

One of my incredible training clients is fostering adoptable Stryder here. Read below to hear more about Stryder and contact his foster!

I’ve had a chance to spend a lot of time training Stryder, and he is an AMAZING boy!! He is so loving and makes such a personal connection. And he learns ridiculously fast—he makes it TOO easy! Read on here! 🐕

What’s your secret? I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours!

I’m Stryder, and I’m a 3-year-old, neutered male, German Shepherd ready for a new home!

I’m an affectionate, loyal boy who loves to keep life entertaining. (For proof, just watch me play catch with myself!)

I love my people. I love to listen to you talk; and I love it when we walk. I don’t even need to go that far~I’d rather take it easy with you.

I love my car rides, playing with my doggy friends, and following you around the house. I’ll be your cool, not-so-mysterious shadow.

I’ve been awesome with most dogs I’ve met in playgroups, and I’ve enjoyed meeting people of all ages too.

Most of all, I just love being with people and basking in the attention. I’ll go wherever they are—shopping centers, restaurants, parks—and seek out people to complement my handsome looks.

And if we don’t even go anywhere? Fine—all the more time to cuddle with you.

I’m also vaccinated and microchipped, and come with a package of training sessions to help you get started. You’ll even get to meet my trainer during your meet and greet with me!

Contact my foster mom Darlene at [email protected] to learn more and meet me!

02/12/2024

Celebrating the Year of the Wood Dragon 🐉

~Wood symbolizes growth and expansion~

~The Dragon symbolizes strength and kindness~

And so much more~

Happy Lunar New Year from LOS 卢克 and The Chan 陳 Family!

馬特, 賓士, 奧德麗娜, and 卢克
🌚

02/10/2024

My 2024 #2 Top Dog Toy Brand: Benebone!

Benebone makes some of the most satisfying toys I’ve ever found for dogs. They’re made primarily from a very hard, very durable, non-edible nylon.

Benebone toys help satisfy the need to chew something hard. And that’s important because:
✨It feels good to them
✨It relieves stress (ever chew gum just because you need to chew something?)
✨It’s been found to be crucial for dental health
It’s a canine instinct; and the more instincts we can satisfy, the happier we all are (and furniture saved).

Bebenones come in many varieties of shapes (and I’d like to see even more—keep them coming !) and the stick shapes are some of the best. They look like the real thing, feel a lot like it, and don’t splinter.

Toys are best used strategically and in a Toy Rotation. Message me if you would like assistance with meeting your dog’s needs through strategic toy usage!

Pictured: Presenting my Luke with his brand-new Benebone Maplestick, made with real maple wood…followed by a couple wild moments later! 🤪🪵

02/06/2024

UPDATE: Tony has been adopted! Thank you to everyone who shared his post!

✨Special Adoptable Dog Post!✨

One of my incredible training clients is fostering adoptable Tony here. Read below to learn more and use the below contact info if you’d like to meet Tony! 🐕

Hey up there! Hi! Down this way. Little guy here!

I’m Tony! I’m a 2-year-old, neutered male, Frenchie mix, and I’m all ready for a new home.

Everything about me is ‘mini’-sized! I mini-hop and mini-gallop, to go along with my mini-legs. Everything’s mini that is, except for my heart and my love for you…those things are BIG!

I think my stout little size only makes me more dashing. But for some reason…I always hear someone giggling in the background when I start my mini-zoomies.

And I’m SO affectionate. That’s my favorite thing, just getting loved on and giving you my love. I’ve never met a person I haven’t liked (is there such a thing?)! For me, it’s so easy to just want to share cuddle time with you.

I love going out for car rides with you too. A perfect day for me would start with a mini-massage from you and end with watching the sunset together at the beach.

I’d be an amazing fit for SO many families! I can take it easy and be super-chill, or I can mini-hop into the car and go for a road trip with you. I’ve lived with dogs and can quickly figure out who I vibe with and who just…smells weird. My trainer will also be at your meet and greet with me, and if you have a dog they’ll help find my best dog-dog match.

Best of all? Someone who loves to be affectionate back with their dog. That’s what I’m looking for in my adopter and guardian. I’ll make you laugh, I’ll make you get out and be active, I’ll make you stay home and be lazy, and I’ll make you mist up thinking about just how adorably precious I am.

It’s the mini-legs, isn’t it? 🤎

I’m also vaccinated and microchipped, and come with a fee-waived package of training sessions with a certified, positive reinforcement-based trainer to help you get started.

Contact my foster mom Darlene at [email protected] to learn more and meet me!

01/27/2024

My 2024 #3 TOP Dog Toy Brand: Nylabone

Counting down to #1, Nylabone is my Third-Favorite Dog Toy Brand.

Dog Appeal:
The Hardness of Nylabone toys

Most dogs find enjoyment and stress-relief in biting into hard toys. Although they may not be as cute to us people as stuffed animals tend to be, it’s often exactly what a dog needs more than a soft toy–which can have their own place too.

Having a variety of hard chew toys provides enrichment and stimulation, something we all desire. Make sure your dog gets that same opportunity we seek for ourselves.

Most Nylabone products are hard-style chew toys. They also produce awesome Creative Play toys for tug, fetch, and treat-dispensing.

People Appeal:
Hard toys tend to work the teeth better than softer, which is also crucial for dental health. They’ll often feature ridges and nubs that help clean the teeth and promote fresher breath.

Additional Features:
✨Unique Flavors: Try different flavors to find your dog’s favorites.
✨Unique Shapes: Try a variety. Keep it interesting!
✨Chew Meter: Toys range from Gentle Chewing Style to Extreme Chewing Style.

Supervision:
Most toys are best utilized when being actively supervised, and Nylabones are definitely one of them. Watch to ensure your dog is not breaking pieces off and consuming them. If you find that happening, either increase the chew hardness, or discontinue and work to find a different brand or product.

Luke here is chewing on the Nylabone DuraChew Power Chew Ring. 🐕

Message me if you would like help building an appropriate toy supply for your dog!

01/24/2024

✨Special Adoptable Dog Post!✨

One of my incredible training clients is a rehoming specialist, and Remi here is one of the dogs I’ve trained and helped prepare for adoption. 🐕

Be my Forever Valentine? ♥️

Hey there! I’m Remi, and I’m a 6.5-month-old, spayed, Terrier/mixed heritage girl!

I’m an affectionate cuddlebug with a lot of puppy energy. I love showing how much I like you by claiming you with one of my leans: I’ll push my butt up against your legs and just lean and squish into you. It’s kinda like me giving you a little candy heart that says: BE MINE 💗

I might be a teenage puppy and still growing up, but I’m already a big, strong girl. I love playing with other dogs and showing off all my athleticism with them. Right now, I think I like bigger dogs who can keep up with my size and strength the best!

You know what else I like? Just the other day I got to visit the beach for the first time…and I loved it! I mean, at first I thought maybe I was on some other planet. And then I saw all the other dogs having fun, and I wanted to try it too! I was SOOO good around all these new people and dogs I’d never seen before. Maybe we can go for beach trips together too! We’ll be HOT STUFF! ❤️‍🔥

And I love training time with my family and my dog trainer. My trainer always tells me how fast I pick things up, because I’m so good at focusing on you. And also, because training time is so fun! I get nothing but yummy treats, loving pets, and lots of praise. It’s like getting a bag full of U R CUTE and LUV U hearts every time! 💕

Most of all, I love our cuddle time. I’d be perfect for someone who wants to snuggle together on the couch and share some kisses and watch movies (maybe some rom-coms please?) And then, we can share these hearts together always:
TRUE LOVE 💘
ONLY YOU 💘
I’M YOURS 💘

I’m vaccinated and microchipped, and come with a fee-waived package of training sessions with a certified, positive reinforcement-based trainer to help you get started. You’ll even get to meet my trainer during your meet and greet with me!

Contact my foster mom Darlene at [email protected] to learn more and meet me!

in Santa Maria, California

01/21/2024

My Favorite Harness:
The Freedom No-Pull Harness from 2 Hounds Design
🤘🏽
Site:
https://2houndsdesign.com/collections/freedom-no-pull-harness

Why It Matters:
A well-engineered harness can make all the difference in how your dog walks with you. The Freedom Harness is the best-designed harness I have yet to find.

All-Important:
Not being able to slip out of the harness. The Freedom Harness prevents slipping out when properly fitted. As a Dog Trainer, as a Shelter Director, I’ve seen too many instances of slipping out, due to either inappropriate fit, or a poorly-engineered harness.

The Real Magic 🪄:
The front clip connection helps mitigate the Opposition Reflex. That means it helps it feel less like you are pulling them; so then they in turn pull less. I’ll discuss this more in my next Reel, Part 3 of our Loose Leash Walking Series!

Additional Special Features:
✨Soft, velvet understrap to prevent chafing and promote comfort
✨2 connection sites: the front clip and the back clip
✨A double connection leash can be utilized, or the leash can be connected to either site
✨Incredibly durable and strong

Colors & Variety:
The Freedom Harness comes in a bunch of cool colors and patterns, and they’re constantly creating new varieties. Here, I’m showcasing the Jellybean, which Cassidy is also wearing, while Levi is rocking the Jellybean Spice. 🍭

More on harnesses and the Opposition Reflex coming soon!

01/14/2024

✨Special Adoptable Dog Post!✨

One of my training clients is a rehoming specialist, and Ava here is one of the dogs I’ve trained and helped prepare for adoption.

Check out her bio + pics here, and contact her foster family using the contact info below to learn more. If you would like to meet her, I’ll join your visit for a behavioral consult, *plus* her adoption comes with 3 fee-waived training sessions with me! 😎✨

Go on a McDonald's date with me? 🍟

I'm Ava, and I'm a 2 /12-year-old, spayed female, petite!, Terrier/mixed heritage dog ready for a new home.

I'm a playful, happy-go-lucky girl with lots of snuggles to share with you! I could curl up tight against you for hours while you Netflix or Hulu or Xbox or whatever you do. (Just don't be surprised if I gotta zoomie around the house for a few minutes in between our shows.)

As much as I love to bounce around with my toys and play keep away from you (you aren't gonna be fast enough 😝), the biggest thrill for me is setting sail for new adventures with you!

For me, that's: going for walks, going over to friends' homes with you and hanging out, and *DROOOOL* going through drive-thrus with you. I'll take the #6 Combo please.

I bond closely with my people, and I enjoy playing with teenage children and above the most. I might be best as an only dog in the home.

And my most favorite thing of all is just sharing the moment with you. You know I'm my happiest when you see me bounce into a room with my big smile, and just come melt into you. And yes...I *would* like fries with that.

I'm vaccinated and microchipped, and come with a package of training sessions to help you get started. You'll even get to meet my trainer during your meet and greet with me!

Contact my foster mom Darlene at [email protected] to learn more and meet me! ✨

01/05/2024

✨Lots of new faces here, so I figured it was the perfect time for my first Get to Know Me!

So here we go...

Favorite foods: Chinese and Thai

Favorite movie: The Crow 🐦‍⬛🔥

Favorite splurge: Hair care

Heritage: My father was from Hong Kong, and my mother was from all over, incl. Anaheim, CA. I’m Half-Chinese / Half-Caucasian (nope, not Italian or First American!). I love being a combination of cultures~and I too have a passion for combining things, and the unique new thing that creates.

Favorite skincare secret: Vegetarian since 1997, mostly vegan since 2023

Favorite colors: 💚🖤 and especially anything vivid

SOOO WILD: I also work with wildlife at Pacific Wildlife Rescue in San Luis Obispo. We heal and release raccoons, possums, and all types of birds–crows, ravens, herons, owls, pelicans, grebes, and more.

1999: The year I began working in animal welfare and animal sheltering. What, it’s my 25th Anniversary since I first began! Crazy. I’ve learned and grown so much since then, and always working to make what I do better. I’ll always be beyond grateful for that experience.

2000: The year I went back to college, and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Mass Communications

2008: The year I got back into animal welfare

2017: The year I achieved certification as a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator

2021: The year I achieved certification in dog training. Forever grateful to Karen Pryor Academy!

2023: The year I launched and established LOS LUKES 🏴‍☠️

2024: SOMETHING AMAZING 🩷🧡

xoxo,
Matt Chan, KPA CTP, CAWA

Photo & hair by .twigandarrow

12/31/2023

Yep, I have the one pose and I’m OK with that.

I want to say a huge 🎉 THANK YOU 🎉 to all of my fans who follow me here and TikTok, who believe in and support LOS LUKES and our mission to elevate humane animal training.

And I want to thank the hundreds of student-clients and your dogs, cats, and birds for training with me at Los Lukes this past year. It’s been such an honor to get to connect with you, and help you with all of your behavioral and training needs.

🥂Cheers to an amazing 2023 and inaugural year of Los Lukes, and here’s to another special, life-changing year in 2024. 🍾

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Sí, tengo una pose y estoy bien con eso.

Quiero decir un enorme 🎉 GRACIAS 🎉 a todos mis fans que me siguen aquí y en TikTok, que creen y apoyan a LOS LUKES y nuestra misión de elevar el entrenamiento animal humano.

Y quiero agradecer a los cientos de estudiantes-clientes y a sus perros, gatos y pájaros por entrenar conmigo en Los Lukes el año pasado. Ha sido un gran honor poder conectarme con usted y ayudarlo con todas sus necesidades de comportamiento y capacitación.

🥂 Saludos por un increíble 2023 y el año inaugural de Los Lukes, y por otro año especial que cambiará vidas en 2024. 🍾

12/28/2023

Me & Luke hope you’re having a happy end to your 2023~
Our Loose Leash Walking series got a little rained out last week! Coming SOON!

12/20/2023

INTRODUCING: 15-Minute Sessions! 🥳

15 minutes of dog or cat training, $32

If you’re short on time in your schedule, this is a perfect way to accomplish some training time each week. We’ll power through 15 minutes of training time, and you’ll also receive reminder notes of everything we worked on.

Now booking sessions for 2024! 🎉

Message me here on social media, email me at [email protected], or simply call or text.

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PRESENTANDO: ¡Sesiones de 15 minutos! 🥳

15 minutos de adiestramiento de perros o gatos, $32

Si tienes poco tiempo en tu agenda, esta es una manera perfecta de lograr algo de tiempo de entrenamiento cada semana. Realizaremos 15 minutos de entrenamiento y recibirás notas recordatorias de todo en lo que trabajamos.

¡Ahora reservando sesiones para 2024! 🎉

Envíame un mensaje aquí en las redes sociales, envíame un correo electrónico a [email protected], o simplemente llámame o envíame un mensaje de texto.

12/05/2023

Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘A tired dog is a happy dog’? Well…it’s not quite true.

An enriched dog, and a loved dog, is most likely a happy dog.

Getting a dog tired just to get tired isn’t the same thing as feeling enriched and feeling connected with you. They may or may not be happy; it’s not defined by them getting tired.

For my animal shelter friends, balance physical exercise with mental enrichment whenever possible. (Along with simply quiet, destress time when possible.)

For potential student-clients, I’ll work with you on how to appropriately enrich the lives of your dogs, like I’m doing with and her dog Buddy.

The connection and the love—that’s up to you. (Although I’ll be giving some too while there.💗)

Those are the happy dogs.

/

¿Has escuchado alguna vez la frase “Un perro cansado es un perro feliz”? Bueno… no es del todo cierto.

Un perro enriquecido y amado es muy probablemente un perro feliz.

Cansar a un perro sólo por cansarse no es lo mismo que sentirse enriquecido y conectado contigo. Pueden ser felices o no; no se define porque se cansan.

Para mis amigos del refugio de animales, equilibrar el ejercicio físico con el enriquecimiento mental siempre que sea posible. (Junto con momentos de tranquilidad y relajación cuando sea posible).

Para estudiantes-clientes potenciales, trabajaré con ustedes sobre cómo enriquecer adecuadamente la vida de sus perros, como lo estoy haciendo con y su perro Buddy.

La conexión y el amor, eso depende de ti. (Aunque también daré un poco mientras esté allí. 💗)

Esos son los perros felices.

12/03/2023

Heyyy…..don’t wrinkle your nose about training!

It doesn’t have to be long. You can spend about 5 minutes of training time per day once we start training together (usually weekly).

So: if feeling overwhelmed or anxious about just starting training, let this give you some confidence that you’ll be able to accomplish it. I usually ask for 1-2 training sessions per day for 10-15 minutes each. But you can do what you can do. So even that special 5 per day will accomplish amazing things.

This post is dedicated to all the ~many~ wonderful people I’ve met and who follow me here, but haven’t yet started training with me. ☺️

One of my newest students this week said, “I’m just worried I’m going to fail.”

I said, “You’re not. Because I’m right here with you.”

🐕‍🦺: Chevy (he actually loves training time)

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Videos

HAPPY BIG 18!! This past weekend we celebrated my girl Mercedes’ 18th birthday with some rock climbing in San Luis Obispo. 🍰 I’m so forever proud of her. She is my Helper Cat in training, helping me train my clients’ dogs on calm behaviors around cats. She has survived megacolon, and the subtotal colectomy surgery we performed to help save her from it (thanks to @vetsurg_ventura and @drcourtneydvm! 🥳). She’s lived with diabetes for a full 10 years now, and thrived. And she has been with me in every mountain-climbing step of the way since 2006, when I adopted her from the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA @caspca in our home state of Virginia. (We do say Virginia is for Lovers after all. ♥️) Mercedes is proof that you can overcome the most challenging of odds with an unrelenting spirit for it; and you can do what no one else thought was possible. xoxo MC #cattrainer #clickertraining #cattraining

A Behind the Scenes look at one of the methods I train with to dissuade dogs from Resource Guarding. Note: We are several steps in already here, so this is not where we would start if you have two or more animals, and Resource Guarding is an issue in your home. In this exercise, we’re teaching Beanie, on the right, that if her sister Sookie is getting high-value food, she can be more relaxed about it, because she will also receive food for that calm behavior we’re capturing and shaping. Eventually, we will reinforce her with pets and praise and not food—sometimes someone else might have food that we don’t. This exercise is being supervised and performed by a professional—please don’t practice on your own. / Una mirada detrás de escena a uno de los métodos que enseño para disuadir a los perros de la protección de recursos. Nota: Ya hemos dado varios pasos aquí, por lo que no es por donde empezaríamos si tienes dos o más animales y la protección de recursos es un problema en tu hogar. En este ejercicio, le enseñamos a Beanie, a la derecha, que si su hermana Sookie recibe alimentos de alto valor, puede estar más relajada al respecto, porque también recibirá alimentos por ese comportamiento tranquilo que estamos capturando y moldeando. Este ejercicio está siendo supervisado y realizado por un profesional; no practiques por tu cuenta. #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

💥 My Fireworks Desensitization Protocols! 💥 What I love about these is that they are a modification, rather than a medication, to address the behavior. These help change how your dog or cat responds to a stimuli that causes Fear, Anxiety, and Stress. These Protocols do something that medication doesn’t quite do, and it’s a major distinction. As well, sometimes both are needed. I recommend working with myself or other Certified Dog Trainers who can help you prepare your dog or cat for July 4th. There is much more nuance to them than we can fully demonstrate here. We still have time! 💪 / 💥 ¡Mis protocolos de desensibilización de Fireworks! 💥 Lo que me encanta de estos protocolos es que son una modificación, en lugar de un medicamento, para abordar el comportamiento. Estos ayudan a cambiar la forma en que su perro o gato responde a un estímulo que causa miedo, ansiedad y estrés. Estos protocolos hacen algo que los medicamentos no hacen y no pueden hacer. Recomiendo trabajar conmigo o con otros entrenadores de perros certificados que puedan ayudarlo a preparar a su perro o gato para el 4 de julio. ¡Todavía tenemos tiempo! 💪 #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

Some of my star students from the past week! Love getting to help make life more peaceful for you and your families! 💗 Chip Frank @amydolan1212 Chai @jobieyarn Cass & Levi Jeter @melias_1990 Tater #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

Love my amazing students!! You are all coming so far! 🤘🏽 Lucy @janataka1969 Vinny Ella Canella @lindsey.salto Shelby @janataka1969 Val xoxo, Matt

A few of my amazing, beautiful, and brilliant students! Charli Toby @janet_ox Callie @janet_ox Mamba @janet_ox Fishlee @princess_kortni Lucy @princess_kortni 💗 you guys!! xoxo Matt #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

A few of the beauties I’ve been working with this past week, including what we’re working on! Elsa, well-rounded life skills and social confidence @melias_1990 Sprocket, walking skills and advanced cues @jacquesuejensen Aster, appropriate dog-dog play @zorrosmommy Cookie, well-rounded life skills @blankishhhhh1 Vinny, confidence with dogs, pedestrians, and visitors Such a pleasure to work with you and your parents! 💗 You are each so special! #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

Get excited! 🔥 LOS LUKES Book Update! Coming Summer 2024 🔥 #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

Posted now at Waller Park @santamaria_recandparks. The poster says it all. Watch my Reel from February 20th, 2024 for the backstory. #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

Just a few of my ✨beautiful✨students from the past week! I feel so thankful to have the chance to be part of each of these dogs’ lives and make a difference, and to work with each of my student-clients and help them communicate with and understand their dog better. 💗 Lucky Chai @jobieyarn Mia @violetl02 @krystalluna03 Buddy @jackeyhendryx Shy ¡Te veo pronto! #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

Just a few of the beautiful dogs I’m training…and these are ~just~ from yesterday’s sessions! So lucky to help these dogs and their parents achieve their training and behavior goals! 🐕 Hank & Lola, Golden Retriever siblings @two.nauti.pups @hollylynrundle Luna, Aussiedoodle Dyno, German Shepherd X @rosa_hermosa19 Ava, Terrier X @zorrosmommy Sookie, Dalmatian X Beanie, Mixed Heritage Dog Sólo algunos de los hermosos perros que estoy entrenando... ¡y estos son sólo de las sesiones de ayer! ¡Qué suerte poder ayudarlos a alcanzar sus objetivos de entrenamiento y comportamiento! 🐕 #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

Don’t use dog parks for socializing your dog. Connect with me instead. I can help you find ways to get your dog some dog-dog socialization, and help you assess the safety of any given off-leash dog area. Share this with everyone who needs to hear it. #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

GIVEAWAY! 🔥 Everyone who shares this vid will be entered into a drawing for a giveaway from the brand new, upcoming LOS LUKES merch line, Be the Flame ❤️‍🔥 New black tees available in: Sunset Blvd Gold 🧡 Neon Green 💚 Fiery Fuschia ❤️‍🔥 ~See the ending for a Sneak Peek~ Watch this vid for a special message from me, then share as a Story. If your profile is private, just DM me to show me your share 😎 This vid is all about: encouragement. You CAN have enough time to train your dog! Just watch, and see. 😏 One winner will be drawn on Friday, February 23rd and notified via Instagram. Good luck, and thanks for sharing! 🤘🏽 #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining @clickertraining

A few of my current students and grad students, each so special to me: Justin @i.am.julie.ann @pismodetailing Asherah @i.am.julie.ann @pismodetailing Mia @violetl02 Stryder @zorrosmommy Maverick @beagleluv Ava @zorrosmommy Piecito @luzg9 I’m so thankful for each of these dogs I get to spend time with and train. It’s so personally and professionally gratifying to see them and their guardians come so far. They are each so precious! I cherish my time with all of my students. 💕♥️🤍 / Algunos de mis estudiantes actuales y de posgrado, cada uno de ellos tan especial para mí: Justin @yo.am.julie.ann @pismodetailing Asherah @i.am.julie.ann @pismodetailing Mía @violetl02 @zorrosmommy Maverick @beagleluv Ava @zorrosmommy Piecito @luzg9 Estoy muy agradecido por cada uno de estos perros con los que paso tiempo y entreno. Es muy gratificante personal y profesionalmente verlos a ellos y a sus tutores llegar tan lejos. ¡Cada uno de ellos es muy valioso! Aprecio mi tiempo con todos mis alumnos. 💕♥️🤍 #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

✨Part 4 of our Loose Leash Walking Series! Training ‘Touch’ and ‘Look at Me’. Thanks to Elsa for being such an amazing student (and so adorable!!!) 🤍 and to her mom @melias_1990 for working on the homework so hard between sessions! That’s what it takes to really internalize the learning~the dedication and commitment from the dog’s guardian and parent. Way to go Michelle and Elsa! 🤘🏽 #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

Part 3 of our Loose Leash Walking Series! 🦮 Discussion of: How to mitigate your dog feeling like ~you~ are pulling them, and how that makes them pull less. Very often, front-clip harnesses reduce or even eliminate that cause and effect reaction, because of where the clip is located—not on their back or neck. 🐕 I highly-recommend the Freedom Harness from @2houndsdesign 🥇 #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

This is Part 2 of our Loose Leash Walking Series. We work on the cue ‘Let’s Go’, which helps your dog know when to go, and that we’ve cued them to walk in the way we’re training them—with a loose leash. #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

My #1 Requested Dog Training Skill: Loose Leash Walking! VIDEO 2/2: This is Part 1 of our Loose Leash Walking Series. I created this to help give you an overview of how I train dogs to walk smoothly on-leash. Please watch both vids, with additional videos to come soon! #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

My #1 Requested Dog Training Skill: Loose Leash Walking! VIDEO 1/2: This is Part 1 of our Loose Leash Walking Series. I created this to help give you an overview of how I train dogs to walk smoothly on-leash. Please watch both vids, with additional videos to come soon! #dogtrainer #clickertraining #dogtraining

When meeting a wary dog like Sookie here… Don’t force it— Treat-Retreat! 1) Toss high-value treats to them, like cheese. 2) Toss kibble or biscuits PAST them. 3) Repeat over and over. This method encourages dogs to be able to leave us, then also engage in the behavior of RETURNING to us. It also makes it valuable to leave us, but more valuable to stay in place or come closer to us. 4) Try to inch your high-value treats closer and closer to you. Keep tossing kibble away from you every other time. This push-pull gives wary dogs agency to leave you and to not feel like you are so zoned in on them. Pretty soon, they’ll start zoning in on you. Many thanks to Dr. Dunbar and many other trainers who came before me and realized and shaped the beauty of Treat-Retreat. #dogtrainer #dogtraining #clickertraining @zorrosmommy