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Author Profile
Amanda Cruz
I grew up in the Central Valley, on the west side of Tracy, CA. Growing up in the country, we had every domesticated animal imaginable, and some not so domesticated. The only notable exception was a cow. (It's on my bucket list to someday have a cow and name her Macushla.)
I remember being about 10 years old and begging my parents for Joel Silverman's VHS tapes for Hollywood Dog Training. Once they bought it I began training our German Shepherd, Cheyenne. It's fascinating to see how the right movements and behavior can unlock a whole new world in your relationship with your dog.
Although my sole focus is not dog training, I attend workshops and seminars with Mike, read books and listen to podcasts. We share a passion for helping people and a love for dogs. It's a perfect fit.
Communicating Across Species: Making Sense in Their World
One of the most powerful ways to connect with our dogs is by learning to communicate in a way they understand. Dogs rely on body language, tone of voice, and predictable routines more than words. Seeing the world through their eyes allows us to translate our intentions into signals they can interpret. Dogs look to us for guidance, especially in uncertain or overwhelming situations. Calm posture, gentle movements, and consistent cues help them feel safe. In contrast, rushed, i
engageddogtrainer
2 days ago1 min read
Dogs Build Their World Through Connections and Associations
Dogs don’t think in the same way humans do. Their understanding of the world is built from experiences, associations, and social connections. Every smell, sight, and sound becomes linked to emotions, memories, and expectations — and these associations shape how they navigate life. Think about a dog who hesitates to enter a busy park. Maybe they had an overwhelming experience there before — a dog barked too loudly, someone reached for them too quickly, or a sudden noise startl
engageddogtrainer
3 days ago2 min read
The World Is Big, Fast, and Full of Surprises
When we look at the world, we see streets, houses, and people moving about. For our dogs, it’s a very different story. Their world is shaped by smells, sounds, movements, and energy — a sensory reality far more intense than ours. Understanding this is the first step toward seeing life through their eyes. Dogs experience smells the way we experience sights. A tree on a quiet street can tell them which dogs passed by, what they ate, or even how long ago they were there. A simpl
engageddogtrainer
4 days ago2 min read
A Real-Life Reminder: Safety and Common Sense in Dog Ownership
Today was a scary reminder of why training, awareness, and common sense are so critical for dog owners. We were outside in our front yard with a client’s dog, one of our own, and our granddaughter, when a car drove by with the windows down. There were several small dogs in the back seat, and as they passed, they all started barking and jumping. Then, in the chaos, one of the little dogs fell out of the car window and landed on the pavement. Thankfully, the dog was unharmed —
engageddogtrainer
5 days ago2 min read
Advocacy in Action — How to Speak Up, Create Space, and Protect Your Dog
Part 4 of the “Advocating for Our Dogs” Series Understanding the importance of advocacy is one thing. Acting on it — consistently, confidently, and kindly — is another. Many owners hesitate because they worry about being “too pushy” or upsetting others. But advocating for your dog isn’t about confrontation. It’s about calm leadership, clear communication, and protecting your dog’s emotional safety. Step 1: Create Space One of the simplest, most effective ways to advocate is b
engageddogtrainer
6 days ago3 min read
When to Step In — Real-Life Moments That Require Advocacy
Part 3 of the “Advocating for Our Dogs” Series Knowing when to advocate for your dog can be as challenging as understanding their signals. You want to support them without overreacting, but you also don’t want to wait until a situation escalates. Learning to trust your instincts and recognize moments that require intervention is a cornerstone of effective advocacy. Advocacy Starts With Awareness You’ve learned to read your dog’s subtle signals — the head turn, the pause, the
engageddogtrainer
7 days ago3 min read
Reading the Signs — How Dogs Tell Us They’re Uncomfortable
Part 2 of the “Advocating for Our Dogs” Series One of the hardest parts of advocacy is knowing when to step in. Dogs communicate constantly, but their signals are often quiet — easy to miss if we’re not looking closely. Learning to notice these subtle cues is the first step toward confidently protecting and supporting them. Subtle Signals Speak Volumes Before a dog reacts — barking, lunging, or avoiding — they often give early warnings. These might be almost imperceptible if
engageddogtrainer
Nov 103 min read
Advocating for Our Dogs: What It Really Means and Why It Matters
Part 1 of the “Advocating for Our Dogs” Series One of the most loving things we can do for our dogs is also one of the hardest: learning to be their advocate. Not in a loud or confrontational way — but in a calm, confident, compassionate way that helps them feel safe in a world they don’t always understand. Advocacy isn’t about bubble-wrapping our dogs or sheltering them from every uncomfortable moment. It’s about understanding who they are, recognizing what they’re telling u
engageddogtrainer
Nov 93 min read
The Power of Structure - part 6
Structure + Freedom — Creating a Happier, More Balanced Dog Part 6 of the “Power of Structure” Series One of the biggest misconceptions about structure is that it somehow limits a dog’s joy or expression. People often imagine that clear boundaries and predictable routines take away the fun, spontaneity, or affection that make life with dogs so meaningful. But the truth is the opposite. Structure and freedom are not opposites.Structure is what allows freedom. When a dog under
engageddogtrainer
Nov 83 min read
The Power of Structure - part five
Mike pushing a stroller and walking a dog. Structure Through Tools — Leashes, Tethers, and Guided Movement Part 5 of the “Power of Structure” Series Tools often get misunderstood in the dog training world. To some people, a leash inside the house or a tether on a dog bed feels restrictive or unnecessary. But when used thoughtfully and ethically, these simple tools are some of the kindest ways we can help our dogs succeed. They allow us to guide behavior, prevent overwhelm, an
engageddogtrainer
Nov 73 min read
The Power of Structure - part four
Teaching a puppy to place on a pink cot. The Place Command — How Stillness Builds Stability Part 4 of the “Power of Structure” Series If there’s one skill that can transform a dog’s behavior at home, it’s the place command. To the outside world, it might look simple — a dog resting on a bed or cot while life happens around them. But in reality, “place” is one of the most powerful tools for creating calm, building impulse control, and teaching a dog how to settle in the middl
engageddogtrainer
Nov 63 min read
The Power of Structure - part three
Daily Routines That Make Life Easier (For Both Ends of the Leash) Part 3 of the “Power of Structure” Series One of the most comforting things we can offer a dog is a predictable rhythm to their day. Routines don’t just keep life organized — they create emotional stability. They help dogs understand when it’s time to move, when it’s time to rest, when to expect activity, and when the world is quiet. Dogs who know the flow of their day carry less tension. They settle more easil
engageddogtrainer
Nov 53 min read
The Power of Structure - part two
Structure as Safety — Why Predictability Calms the Overstimulated Dog Part 2 of the “Power of Structure” Series If you’ve ever lived with a dog who seems constantly “on,” easily overstimulated, or anxious in new situations, you’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming the world can be for them. Some dogs bark at every sound, pace when the environment gets busy, react quickly to movement, or struggle to settle even after physical exercise. To the human eye, it can look like disobedi
engageddogtrainer
Nov 43 min read
The Power of Structure — part one
Part 1 of the “Power of Structure” Series What It Really Means When people hear the word structure , it often brings up the wrong image. They picture strict rules, rigid schedules, or a household where the dog is constantly corrected or micromanaged. It can sound cold, controlling, or the opposite of the loving, playful relationship most owners want with their dogs. But in the world of dogs, structure means something completely different — and far more supportive. Structure i
engageddogtrainer
Nov 33 min read
Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey - Part Six
Redefining Success — The Journey Continues Part 6 of the “Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey” Series By the time we reach this point in the training journey, something begins to shift. The early frustrations start to make more sense. The challenges that once felt overwhelming now feel like part of the process. And somewhere along the way, we realize that success doesn’t look exactly like we first imagined — it looks better . Success, Rewritten When most people start tra
engageddogtrainer
Nov 23 min read
Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey - Part Five
Beyond Obedience — Building Real-Life Skills Part 5 of the “Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey” Series Many people start training with a list of commands in mind: sit, stay, come, heel. And while those skills matter, they’re only the surface of what training is really about. Obedience alone doesn’t prepare our dogs for the real world — life does. Every sound, scent, and movement in the environment adds complexity that no classroom can fully recreate. That’s why the goal
engageddogtrainer
Nov 13 min read
Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey - Part Four
The Emotional Mirror — What Our Dogs Reflect Back Part 4 of the “Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey” Series Our dogs are incredible observers. They may not understand every word we say, but they are masters at reading tone, body language, and emotion. Long before we speak, they’ve already noticed the tension in our shoulders, the change in our breathing, or the frustration in our movement. That sensitivity is one of the things that makes dogs such remarkable companions
engageddogtrainer
Oct 313 min read
Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey - Part Three
The Pace of Progress — When Growth Feels Slow Part 3 of the “Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey” Series Progress in dog training rarely moves in a straight line. One day, your dog seems to “get it” — they walk calmly past distractions or settle when asked — and the next, it feels like everything fell apart. Those ups and downs can be discouraging, especially when you’ve been putting in consistent effort. But here’s the truth: that’s not failure. That’s learning in motio
engageddogtrainer
Oct 303 min read
Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey Series - Part Two
The Leash and the Learning Curve Part 2 of the “Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey” Series The leash is one of the simplest tools we use in dog training — and one of the most misunderstood. We clip it on expecting it to act like a quiet agreement: you walk beside me, and we move together. But to a dog, that six-foot strip of material can mean something entirely different. It limits how they explore, how they communicate, and how they express curiosity about the world.
engageddogtrainer
Oct 292 min read
Expectations in Our Dog Training Journey Series - Part One
The Picture We Paint — Expectations vs. Reality When we bring a dog into our lives, we usually have a picture in mind. We imagine peaceful walks through the neighborhood, a dog who sits politely when guests arrive, and a life that feels balanced and easy. We dream of that deep connection — the kind where our dog seems to understand us without words. And that vision is beautiful. It’s what draws so many of us into dog training in the first place. But the truth is, that picture
engageddogtrainer
Oct 283 min read
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