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Melvin Jones

@godfirstdogtraining

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God First Dog Training transforms dogs through structure and balance while strengthening owners in leadership, responsibility & faith. 🐾🙏🏾

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🐶✨ Now Open: God First Dog Training ✨✝️

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new business and our new website!
Whether you’re looking for expert training or a faith centered approach to life with your dog, we’re here to help.

At God First Dog Training, our mission is to strengthen the bond between you and your dog, and for those who desire it, to grow in your relationship with Christ along the way.

We offer:
• Private Training Sessions
• Puppy Training
• 4-Week Board & Train
• Behavior Modification
• Basic & Advanced Obedience
• Off-Leash Training
• Faith-Based Canine Discipleship

📍 Learn more and get started at: godfirstdogtraining.org

Thank you for your support as we begin this journey. God bless and let’s get to work. 🐾

#GodFirstDogTraining #DogTrainingWithFaith #ChristianDogTrainer #ObedienceAndFaith #FaithBasedDogTraining #BoardAndTrain #JesusAndDogs #scvdogs #dogpsychology #godfirstdogtraining #animallovers #privatedogtraining #dogtrainer taken in Santa Clarita, California by @godfirstdogtraining

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a year ago

DON’T JUDGE THE STORY BEFORE YOU SEE WHAT GOD DID WITH IT. 🙏🏾🐾

I was formerly incarcerated. I carried a past that could easily make someone hesitant to trust me with their dog, in their home or in their life. I understand that.

But prison is also where God met me and a dog program helped me understand something deeper about following Christ: trust is built through relationship, consistency, guidance and surrender.

God was patient and consistent with me until I learned to trust His direction. And through following Him, He transformed not only my heart ♥️ but my ability to lead.

That’s what I see in dogs every day. Sometimes the dog labeled reactive, aggressive or difficult simply needs someone willing to understand what’s underneath the behavior, establish trust and communicate clearly.

Maybe people aren’t so different.

My past tells you where I’ve been. My testimony tells you what God can do with a surrendered life.

So before you judge the man or the dog by the history, give transformation a chance to introduce itself.

God First. Relationship. Trust. Structure. Freedom. 🐾✝️ #GodFirstDogTraining #GodFirst #jesus #MyTestimony #GodsGrace JesusChangedMyLife by @godfirstdogtraining

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25 days ago

If you are a rescue, contact Vix. #freedogtraining by @godfirstdogtraining

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6 days ago

🐾 A DAY IN THE LIFE 😎ME & THE PACK ✝️

Around here we start with the same principles I try to live by: Exercise. Discipline. Affection.

Before the dogs get the freedom they want we put in the work they need. We walk. We train. We practice patience, boundaries, obedience and self-control. Then comes affection.

And truthfully my relationship with Christ isn’t much different.

I can’t ask my dogs for discipline while living undisciplined myself. I can’t expect them to follow my leadership if I’m unwilling to follow God’s.

So after pouring into the pack I make sure somebody is pouring into me. 🙏🏾 I get to church. I stay connected to godly men. I keep checks and balances around me, because leadership begins with followership.

Dog psychology teaches me that structure creates clarity, clarity builds trust and trust creates freedom.

My faith teaches me the same thing.

God First → Relationship → Structure → Discipline → Affection → Freedom.

The dogs don’t lose their freedom because I give them boundaries…they gain greater freedom because they’ve learned how to operate within them.

And that’s something God continues teaching me about my own life.

🐕 I lead the pack.
✝️ Christ leads me.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” Matthew 6:33

This isn’t just dog training. It’s discipleship in motion.

God First Dog Training
Connection Over Correction.
Structure Creates Freedom. 🐾🙏🏾 by @godfirstdogtraining

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12 days ago

🎓🐾 LAINEY GRADUATED!

When Lainey came to God First Dog Training she was pulling on the leash, reacting to other dogs and struggling to follow direction. But those behaviors weren’t the whole problem they were symptoms of a dog that needed clearer communication, structure and consistent leadership.

And sometimes…we’re not that different.

We pull toward things that aren’t good for us. We react out of fear, frustration, anxiety or past experiences. We ignore direction and wonder why life keeps feeling out of control.

A dog needs a calm confident leader but before we can become the leader our dog needs we have to learn to become disciplined followers ourselves.

That’s where Jesus changed everything for me.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

Today Lainey is learning that freedom doesn’t come from having no boundaries. Freedom comes from understanding them. 🐕‍🦺

And the same is true for us.

If your dog is pulling, lunging, reacting or ignoring direction, don’t wait for the behavior to become harder to change. Get help early.

And if you’re the one reacting to everything, pulling in the wrong direction or struggling to find peace and discipline there’s Someone you can call on: Jesus. 🙏🏾

And through my God First Canine Discipleship Program we work on both ends of the leash helping you grow in faith, discipline, leadership and relationship while learning how to provide those same things for your dog.

God First → Relationship → Structure → Discipline → Freedom.

🐾 Train the dog. Disciple the handler. Transform the relationship.

DM me “DISCIPLESHIP” to learn more. ✝️🐾#godfirstdogtraining #god #dogsofinstagram #privatedogtraining by @godfirstdogtraining

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21 days ago

FROM REACTIVE TO RESPONSIVE 🐾🙏🏾

Lainey came to my Board & Train pulling on the leash, reacting to dogs and struggling with recall. But the truth is…I used to be reactive too.

I didn’t always know how to protect my peace. I didn’t always come when God called. Yet He kept pulling on my heartstrings 🙏🏾patiently teaching me how to surrender, trust and follow His lead.

That’s what God First Dog Training is about. Your dog may need help with barking, lunging, pulling or reactivity but maybe God is working on the other end of the leash too.

Through my Canine Discipleship Program, we work on both: helping your dog become more balanced while helping you grow in leadership, faith and connection with God.

🐾 Train the dog.
🙏🏾 Strengthen the human.
✝️ Put God first.

Because sometimes the breakthrough your dog needs…begins with you.

God First → Structure → Freedom. #godfirstdogtraining #animallovers #chuches #dogtrainertips #people by @godfirstdogtraining

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23 days ago

Late nights or early morning working with the dogs…early mornings seeking God. 🐕🙏🏾

Mark 1:35 tells us that Jesus got up before daylight went to a solitary place and prayed. That reminds me that before we can effectively lead anything we first have to know how to follow God.

Dog training teaches me the same principle every day.

A dog needs structure, consistency, patience, discipline and clear leadership to become balanced. Spiritually we’re no different. God gives us boundaries not to restrict us but to protect us. He corrects us because He loves us. And sometimes repetition is necessary because just like these dogs 🐶 we don’t always learn the lesson the first time.

So while everybody else is sleeping, I’m still putting in work on the dogs, on the vision and most importantly on myself.

God First → Relationship → Structure → Discipline → Freedom.

Train the dog.
Sharpen the mind.
Strengthen the spirit.
Give God the glory. 🙏🏾🐾

#GodFirstDogTraining #GodFirst #FaithAndDiscipline #DogPsychology #DogTraining ChristianDogTrainer FaithOverFear StructureCreatesFreedom ConnectionOverCorrection PurposeDriven by @godfirstdogtraining

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8

a month ago

Just a chill day putting in work with the pack 🐕💪🏾staying productive, building structure and beating this California heat! ☀️🥵

Training doesn’t always have to be intense. Sometimes it’s about enjoying the process, strengthening the relationship and finding peace together.

God First → Relationship → Structure → Discipline → Freedom. 🙏🏾🐾

#GodFirstDogTraining #PackLife #DogTraining #StructureCreatesFreedom #ConnectionOverCorrection DogTrainerLife GodFirst by @godfirstdogtraining

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a month ago

BE STILL. 🐾🙏🏾

Mochi’s Board & Train starts with one of the most important lessons: impulse control. Learning to settle, let distractions pass and find peace knowing she has guidance.

Sometimes the first step isn’t doing more it’s learning to be still.

The same lesson God teaches us: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

God First → Guidance → Peace → Freedom. 🐶✝️#GodFirstDogTraining #Mochi #BoardAndTrain #DogTraining #ImpulseControl CalmDog DogPsychology BalancedDogTraining DogTrainer StructureCreatesFreedom ConnectionOverCorrection CalmConfidentLeadership FaithBasedDogTraining BeStill Psalm4610 GodFirst TrustTheProcess DogTrainingJourney by @godfirstdogtraining

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3

a month ago

🚨 GOD FIRST DOG TRAINING PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT 🐕🙏🏾

Today at Central Park, I watched a woman let her Cane Corso out of the car already excited and barking at passing dogs 🐕while she was still fumbling with her keys, purse and getting herself situated 🤦🏾‍♂️

Meanwhile, I’m walking my pack thinking, “Lord…please don’t let her lose that leash.” 😱😬🫣🫢😧😥

And truthfully I wasn’t worried about my pack 💪🏾I was worried about her dog! 😂 I’m protecting mine and I haven’t met a dog yet that convinced me he could whoop me! 💪🏾🐕🤣

But seriously this is a SAFETY TIP for every dog owner:

Don’t move excitement move calmness.

If your dog is barking, pulling, overstimulated or exploding with excitement don’t immediately open the door and bring that energy into the environment. Let them settle. Get yourself situated. Make sure you have control of the leash. Then move forward.

What you move is what you get.
Move excitement ➡️ you get excitement.
Move calmness ➡️ you begin teaching calmness.

Protect your dog, other dogs and the people around you. Responsible ownership starts before the dog ever gets out of the car.

🙏🏾 God First → Structure → Freedom

#GodFirstDogTraining #DogSafety #DogSafetyTips #PublicSafetyAnnouncement #CentralPark ResponsibleDogOwnership CaneCorso DogTraining DogPsychology PackWalk CalmConfidentAssertive LeashSafety DogTrainer BalancedDogTraining StructureCreatesFreedom TrainDontBlame ProtectYourPack SafetyFirst by @godfirstdogtraining

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8

a month ago

🐕🙏🏾 YOUR PACK MATTERS.

Just like we need healthy relationships to grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually, dogs need a healthy pack to feel secure, connected and stable.

That’s why I’m at Real Life Church today surrounding myself with the right people, hearing the right Word and staying connected to a community that helps me grow.

My dogs need a healthy pack to stay balanced and I do too.

That’s what God First means to me: putting myself in the right environment, under the right guidance, with the right relationships.

God First. Healthy Pack. Healthy Life. 🙏🏾🐕✝️

#GodFirst #GodFirstDogTraining #RealLifeChurch #HealthyRelationships #HealthyPack DogPsychology FaithFirst SpiritualGrowth IronSharpensIron FaithAndDogs PurposeDriven StructureCreatesFreedom by @godfirstdogtraining

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2 months ago

Wake up. Pray up. Walk in gratitude. 🙏🏾🐾

Every morning is a gift from God a new opportunity to be present, grateful 🥹 and intentional. Even our furry companions are blessings entrusted to us.

Dogs respond to the energy we carry so before you grab the leash check your spirit. Prayer changes your perspective. Gratitude changes your attitude. And the right attitude changes how you lead.

Be present. Appreciate the moment. Love your dog. Lead with purpose.

God First → Structure → Freedom. 🐕✝️

#GodFirstDogTraining #Gratitude #DogPsychology #FaithFirst #PresentMoment by @godfirstdogtraining

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13

2 months ago