{"id":17,"date":"2023-11-27T14:09:46","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T14:09:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fluentfido.com\/?page_id=17"},"modified":"2026-02-14T09:27:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T09:27:40","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fluentfido.com\/index.php\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hi, I’m Maria and that adorable canine below is my doghter<\/em> Soneca! I am passionate about fostering harmonious relationships between dogs and their owners. I created Fluent Fido with the idea of focusing on effective communication to strengthen the bond between pets and humans. I run this with my dear husband Nick, an aussie bloke. In 2017, I started working with my own dog out of curiosity about how dogs learn and a desire to give them the best life possible. My first steps in what I call the path to “Positive Reinforcement” started in Brazil, at the EFAC school of Veri Martins and Tomas Szpigel in 2021 and continued with the Specialization Course in Positive Reinforcement Training conducted by Bruno Leite in 2022. Soon after I moved to Europe where I continued my studies in Canine Health & Nutrition Diploma with the British College of Canine Studies and at present I am studying to become a Canine Osteopath with the London College of Animal Osteopathy. I am a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) through Malena DeMartini<\/strong>, as well as a Certified Fear Free Professional, working with science- and evidence-informed, stress- and force-free methods, with ongoing education in canine emotions and welfare and a special interest in stress physiology and pain\u2013behaviour links.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

My mission: to bridge the communication gap between dogs and their owners. We believe that by unlocking the language of dogs and empowering owners with techniques and strategies that focus on positive reinforcement, pet owners will create positive and lasting change in their relationship with their pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My approach to working with behavioural modifications: identify and address any underlying issues<\/strong> that may be contributing to a dog\u2019s problematic behaviour. By delving deeper into these potential causes, I can provide you with long-term solutions<\/strong> rather than quick fixes. Each session will be different<\/strong> because I always start from the premise that each dog is an individual<\/strong> and my work is to understand what each dog wants or needs. So, if you decide to work together, we will begin with a questionnaire that you will fill out at your own pace followed by a 1-hour consultation<\/strong> in which we will focus on the key issues and I will propose methods to solve them but always being respectful of your pups time to do so. Behavioral modifications don’t happen overnight for us, humans, and they certainly won’t happen that fast for our beloved pets either. It takes time but in the end, it is always rewarding. One of the fundamental aspects of effective communication is teaching dog owners to observe and interpret their pet\u2019s body language. Dogs communicate primarily through non-verbal cues<\/strong>, such as facial expressions, body posture, and tail wagging. By becoming attuned to these signals, you will better understand what your dog may be feeling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that my methods are not a one-size-fits-all <\/strong>solution but rather emphasizing the importance of a holistic perspective. If you are still unsure about working together, you can book a 15-minute consultation so we can get to know each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My certifications<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Courses:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Canine Behavioral Training Course (1 year), EFAP – 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specialization Course in Positive Reinforcement Training and Behavior Analyses (1 year), CEAP – 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canine Health & Nutrition Diploma, British College of Canine Studies – 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canine Systemic Anatomy and Physiology, London College of Animal Osteopathy – 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canine Pathology and Diseases, London College of Animal Osteopathy – 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canine Neurophysiology, London College of Animal Osteopathy – 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canine Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics, London College of Animal Osteopathy – 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Canine Behaviour and Psychology, London College of Animal Osteopathy – 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Science of Fear, Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior – 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dog Cognition and Emotion, Duke University – USA, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal Emotions, Karoline Westlund, ILLIS Animal Behaviour Courses – 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlocking Resilience, Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior – 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fear Free Certification – 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) Malena DeMartini – 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Thinking Animal: Cognition and its Role in Behavior – 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Seminars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Role of Emotion in Aggressive Behavior, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Role of Arousal in Aggression, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Heritability of Aggression, 2023<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Links Between Digestive Health and Aggression in Dogs, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responding to Dog Bites \u2013 Before, During, and After, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bites of Biology and Behaviorism: Aggression On the Inside and Out, 2023<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Conferences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2021 – International Dog Training Seminar, ABMeVec<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2025 – Congresso Nacional de Comportamento Canino, Amigo Fiel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2025 – The Dog Behavior Conference, VSA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Unlocking<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Separation<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"IAABC<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Fear<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Certificate<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi, I’m Maria and that adorable canine below is my doghter Soneca! I am passionate about fostering harmonious relationships between dogs and their owners. I created Fluent Fido with the idea of focusing on effective communication to strengthen the bond between pets and humans. I run this with my dear husband Nick, an aussie bloke. … <\/p>\n

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