Alex Onitsuka, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, LSHC-S, FFCP

• Certified Behavior Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
• Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)
• Low Stress Handling Certified-Silver (LSHC-S)
• Fear Free Certified Trainer (FFCP)
• Certified Animal Reiki Practitioner
• Certified Puppy Behavior Consultant
• Certified Pet Food Nutrition Specialist
• Certified Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist
• Certified Advanced Canine Nutrition Specialist

Hi, I’m Alex.

Since 2017 I've spent countless thousands of hours in dog rescue and shelter environments, all while observing, studying, practicing, learning from/with other humans and thousands of wonderful unique personalities of incredible canine teachers (a.k.a. dogs), and it is very clear that there are a lot of misunderstood dogs in shelters, rescues, AND in homes - they’re everywhere!

One of my life's missions is to help as many dogs as possible to connect with their humans - for shelter and rescue dogs, and for dogs who have homes.

I was born with a lot of sensitivities and for most of my life I've had various difficulties with my health - as a result, I often wish and dream to simply be happy and comfortable in my own skin, to find peace in the present moment - this is something that I do my best to find for myself, and share with others, especially with very special shelter and rescue dogs.

Mister Amore and The Dog Decompression Center makes this possible!

Scroll down on this page for more about Mister Amore.

The Mister Amore, maybe a Chorkie, about 9 lbs

• Canis Familiaris
• Dog Trainer
• Dog Behavior Consultant
• Dog Behavior Specialist
• Dog Behavior Expert
• Teacher of Fear Free & Low Stress Handling
• Can be very particular and very expressive
• Connoisseur of treats, food, toys, various dog gear
• Life Partner
• Best Friend
• Lifelong Learner
• Business Partner

The first time I saw Mister Amore was early February 2018 at a rescue in the Bay Area.

Before I gave in to doing an overnight foster with the hopes of failing spectacularly, it took 9 months of watching him be unsuccessful and misunderstood in countless meet and greets with potential adopters + unsuccessful and misunderstood during countless interactions with volunteers and shelter staff + a lot of behavioral deterioration over 9 months at the rescue.

I very quickly learned that in addition to the already known laundry list of behavior problems, Mister Amore also had A LOT of severe separation related behaviors - something I had almost zero experience with! Juggling his already known laundry list of behavior problems + adding A LOT of severe separation related behaviors was a lot. There can be a lot of emotions, on both sides! We have made a lot of progress, but we are not perfect - there are still things we work on daily to continue developing our relationship + help him be as happy and comfortable as possible.

Behavior change can be nonlinear, and at times, there can be a lot of emotions on both sides, but of all the incredible canine teachers I’ve had the privilege of sharing time and space with, the Mister Amore clearly stands out as #1.

Learning that behavior change can be nonlinear, and learning to be the advocate and stable base that Mister Amore can rely on is very ongoing. I do my best to remind myself: I am doing the best I can with what I have, and for that to be enough + to also give the kindness I give dogs to myself.

More About Us:

Alex Onitsuka Full Bio: https://behaviorincontext.com/alex-onitsuka-bio

Mister Amore Full Bio: https://behaviorincontext.com/the-mister-amore-bio

The Dog Decompression Center: https://behaviorincontext.com/the-decompression-center