At Salty Paws, it's not only about obedience training. It's about teaching your dog to be confident, giving them the tools to having a calm mindset, as well as how to play, go on outings and LOVE the life you live, TOGETHER!

about me

I'm here to help you realize what it's like to have a dog that understands what you are asking, is treated with fair expectations, and can go anywhere with you. You will have the knowledge and tools to back up your commands and ensure that your dog is safe and fulfilled. Your dog will have the ability to live a life of fun and adventure while making memories that you both enjoy.

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Watching your dog run through the waves at the beach with you.

Having people over and knowing your dog will not jump on them.

Spending a holiday at the house and your dog staying on their "place" cot instead of begging at the table.

Knowing your dog will prioritize its relationship with you more than outside distractions.

Pushing a stroller or enjoying a coffee in your hand while walking your dog on a stress free loose leash.

Opening the front door and your dog not running out.

Do you wish to have a life full of moments like these?

There were two things embedded in me from a young age, a love of dogs and a love of the ocean and outdoors.

With that, comes a life I wish all dogs and their owners could share. It’s not unusual to find me training dogs on the beach and enjoying boat days with my dog Blu.

The freedom of a well-trained dog running around the beach and living their best life will never get old to me.

Hey, I’m Zac and I’m the trainer behind Salty Paws Dog Training.

One of those dogs was a rescue with a wild side that loved to run out the front door and begin a game of chase that luckily never landed her in front of a car. In came our families amazing trainer (check out Keely from Ruff Rules because we just love her) and the start of an obsession with dog training.

That wild pup became trained and we as a family were changed forever with a new found passion for training.

Years later, my younger brother was given a service dog who absolutely changed his life. If you’ve ever seen the magic a service dog can provide, you’ll be a believer that dogs change people’s lives.

Fast forward a few years later and I was the one in need of some healing. Being a college kid during the pandemic came with its own set of challenges.

Every trainer has a story behind them…

In my family, dogs heal people. I was always surrounded by dogs growing up. They were great dogs but not necessarily trained dogs.

Little did I know quite how much a fuzzy little, long coat Shepherd puppy named Blu would become my best girl and also my biggest challenge. At that point, I was the student both in school and out of school.

My days were divided between being a college student at Florida Gulf Coast University and also an unofficial dog training student learning how to meet the needs of a very challenging and highly reactive Shepherd.

When I say that I spent hundreds of hours working with Blu, that’s not an exaggeration. She is 70lbs of both my biggest obstacle and greatest blessing that has led me to a life wanting to train other dogs.

The two of us left college with an entrepreneurship degree and a desire to change as many relationships as possible between people and their dogs.

Some dogs start off with a salty attitude... that was Blu! As a puppy, she seemed to be part bear and part shark.

When I say Blu was hard, I mean HARD but we hit the ground running and started training at 8 weeks.

Around the time she was 6 months old, Blu and I went to college together. At that point, training took a sudden detour and all the hard work seemed to get tossed to the side. Living in a college apartment setting was a disaster for a dog like Blu as there were untrained dogs around every corner.

I was now the frustrated owner of a highly reactive dog and had no choice other than to train as if her life depended on it.
Reactivity is no joke and it's definitely not for the weak.

I can tell you that love alone is sometimes not enough and I realized that we had some work to do on the foundation of our relationship.

With tons of training and attempting every method in the books, Blu went from salty to sweet. There were tears, there was frustration, there was a ton of trial and error, but there were also methods that eventually managed her reactivity and brought success.

MEET BLU - THE DOG BEHIND SALTY PAWS

"Don’t give up on the hard dogs. They will give you something you never knew you needed" - unknown

There is a trainer out there for every dog and Blu is a testament to that. I will forever credit her for being the dog that changed my life and gave me the passion to help other dogs and their owners.

If you get the chance to meet her, she gives the best kisses, has a huge smile, shows off her tricks and LOVES treats!

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Whether you're dealing with puppy obedience, an anxious rescue pup, the desire to have off-leash freedom with your dog, or simply want to strengthen the bond between you and your dog, there's no time like the present to get started.

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By starting today, you're laying the foundation for a more fulfilled future filled with understanding, trust, joy and adventures. We're here to support you every step of the way! We believe that every moment presents an opportunity for growth, learning, and transformation - both for you and your dog.

Salty Paws helps dogs and their owners all over Palm Beach and Broward County. We have worked with dogs in Wellington, Boynton Beach, Delray, Boca Raton, Parkland, Coral Springs, Pompano, Hollywood and Davie.