About Flourishing Fido
At Flourishing Fido we believe in using modern, positive reinforcement based training methods that promote a fun and harmonious learning environment for dogs and their families.
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We specialize in puppy training that is designed with key puppy developmental stages in mind. Utilizing a proactive approach, we aim to prevent and mitigate common behavioral problems while encouraging good manners early.
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Our goal is to educate new puppy parents on how to provide quality training and socialization opportunities that help build confidence and optimism in their puppies.
Our puppy consults will help you tackle all things puppy; from housebreaking and mouthing to fundamental relationship building exercises that will allow your puppy to flourish!
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While working with puppies is our passion at Flourishing Fido, dogs of all ages can benefit from the Flourishing Fido way. We provide services for dog owners looking for effective and humane training and for those needing help with moderate behavioral issues.
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We also believe that recall is one of the most important behaviors you will ever teach your dog, thus we offer focused lessons and classes all about building value to coming to YOU. Off-leash skills can enrich the life of your dog and we want to help you achieve this, so you and your dog can enjoy each other even more.
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Our thoughtfully tailored, rewards-based training plans are designed to set the foundations for a well-behaved companion for life.
Meet Our Trainer
Jessica Ackerman, B.S., CPDT-KA, FDM, CCMT
Jessica has been a lifelong animal lover and dog enthusiast. She started volunteering as a dog walker at her local humane society in high school and received her undergraduate degree in Animal Science. She spent the next decade building a successful career in the animal care field that allowed her the opportunity to work with many different animal species including farm animals, wildlife, and non-human primates.
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In 2017, Jessica got a new Rottweiler puppy, Reese, who began to exhibit behavioral problems when she reached adolescence. Jessica sought the assistance of a local positive reinforcement trainer to help with Reese and immediately resonated with the positive, science-based approach to behavior modification.
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After catching the training bug, she left her position as an Animal Care Supervisor and started a job as a Dog Training Assistant at a local Dog Training Academy. During her years as a Dog Training Assistant, she mentored under some of the most accomplished dog trainers in the Pittsburgh area and was able to hone her dog training skills. ​Committed to continued education, she also graduated from the CATCH Canine Trainer’s Academy in 2019 and became a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) in 2021. She also recently became a certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM) in 2025.
Dedicated to behavioral wellness, Jessica went on to work with shelter animals and received Fear Free Shelter Certification as well as a certification in Animal Shelter Behavior Management.
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As a Certified AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Jessica started teaching puppy classes at Lucky Paws Pet Resort and become passionate about taking a proactive approach to dog training that is aimed to prevent behavioral problems before they occur and teaching families to enjoy their puppies and nurture their development. Thus, she founded Flourishing Fido with the goal to help more dogs flourish!
Credentials
Certifications:
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed
Certified Family Dog Mediator - FDM
Certified Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy Evaluator
Certified CATCH Canine Trainers Academy – Dog Training & Behavior – Basic Pro Graduate
Animal Shelter Behavior Management Certified via The University of the Pacific and Humane Network
Fear Free Shelter Program Certified
Certified Canine Massage Therapist
Certified in Pet CPR and First Aid
Membership and Continuing Education:
Member of The Alliance of Modern Pet Professionals - Pittsburgh
