Meet Melanie Uhde | Dog Trainer & Behaviorist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Uhde and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Dogs are our best friends, reliable helpers when we don’t feel well, protectors when we’re in danger, and really everything we humans look for in a companion. The relationship we build with dogs is exceptional, unique, and unseen in nature given that we are completely different species. I feel incredibly lucky that I have an amazing bond with my GSD but unfortunately, millions of dog owners don’t get to experience this bond because of the challenging behaviors of their dogs. In fact, 1 million dogs are surrendered to shelters by their owners due to anxiety, aggression, or reactivity, and 4.5 million severe dog bites are registered every year in the US. These are staggering numbers and even more shocking given that we live in a world with thousands of dog trainers and access to endless information on YouTube or Google. So what are we missing here? Why are we unable to crack the code with our dogs? I went on the journey to decode what’s really going on and founded Canine Decoded along the way to fill the gap between the ideal life we picture ourselves having with our dogs and reality where 2 out of 5 owners re-home their dogs because they couldn’t find the right help. Today, the method my team and I developed, coined “Better Together”, is being used by volunteers and fosters of rescue organizations where I also serve on the board, to help rehabilitate rescue dogs and find them forever homes successfully, breaking the cycle of rehoming.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
When it comes to “training” our dogs, we either become too mechanical where we try to follow a specific protocol regardless of the dog’s personality or too one-sided where we fall into bribery or harsh corrections. Neither will develop a “thinking” dog that enjoys solving problems and loves working with the owner. Instead, I make sure that dog owners hone into their dog’s strengths to create a lifestyle that will empower both humans and dogs to overcome any challenging behavior. I get excited when dog owners tell me that they tried something new with their dogs that both enjoyed. While completing my Ph.D. in Biology, parts of my studies were focused on animal neurology and I still continue to study everything there is to learn about canine psychology and behavior. I understand what’s truly going on in our dog’s brain and know how to leverage the science of motivation to see true, long-lasting improvements with dogs that no other trainer wanted to take on. I often say that we need to start “dating” instead of “owning” our dogs and this is reflected in what I teach. The toolkit I provide encompasses manners, calmness, novelty, activity, and engagement, helping anyone and any dog, from puppy to senior, and it’s never just about teaching a command like “leave it” or applying conventional behavior protocols like Constructional Aggression Training. It’s about doing things that are right for both, the dog and the owner, which makes each of our training plans unique and personalized. No two dogs and no two humans are the same, which is particularly important when working with challenging dog behaviors. That also means taking risks because 90% of our clients have tried professional dog training before with no lasting results or have been told that they can’t be helped. We see success because what we provide is so much more than just dog training or behavior modification. We give dog owners the peace of mind that it is possible to live a happy life together and the confidence to master any situation they’re facing because humans and dogs truly are BETTER TOGETHER.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta is amazing to go on hikes (with or without a dog) so I would take my friend on a hike along the Palisades. For less stringent activities, we would stroll along the Beltline and stop at Krog street for some snacks. And in the evening, the Lawrence in Midtown is a must, right after taking a stroll through Piedmont Park.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Many amazing people have helped me along the way. I want to give shoutouts my co-trainer and friend Nat, who is helping with everything to keep the business running and my husband who has always supported my wild dreams. In regard to dog training, I respect Michael Ellis and his way with dogs, which highlights how amazing the relationship between humans and dogs can be and has taught me a lot about what’s possible.

Website: www.caninedecoded.com

Instagram: @caninedecoded