Dog training at your home · Lisbon, Montijo, Alcochete, Moita and Pinhal NovoCalmer at home. More confident outside.

Personalised dog training at your home, using positive reinforcement. We train where the behaviours actually happen, so what your dog learns in the sessions makes a difference in everyday life.

Ask for help on WhatsApp →912 953 108

5.0 · Reviews on Google

Inês Almeida sitting on the grass, hugging a dog

Inês AlmeidaCertified in canine ethology

A plan for your dogFor your dog's age and needs

Private sessionsJust you, your dog and the trainer

At your homeIn your dog's real surroundings

Positive trainingNo fear, pain or punishment

How I can help

What do you need help with?

Every dog is different. Pick the situation closest to yours and we'll talk about it.

A new puppy

Toilet training, biting, routines, socialisation and learning to be alone without stress.

Pulls on the leash

Tiring walks, constant distractions and trouble staying focused.

Reacts to other dogs

Barks, pulls, stares or seems unable to stay in control when they see another dog.

Can't be left alone

Barking, destruction or restlessness whenever you leave the house.

Has fears

People, noises, the car or specific situations that make them uncomfortable.

I want to teach the basics

Recall, sit, down, stay, self-control and good routines at home.

The Smartdogs approach

I don't just train dogs. I teach people to understand them.

The goal isn't a dog that obeys for the sake of obeying. It's building communication, trust and tools that make sense in each family's real life.

Understanding what is behind the behaviour.
Setting clear, realistic goals for your routine.
Training where the problem happens.
Giving you tools to keep going between sessions.

The process

How it works

We talk

You tell me what's going on, what you've already tried and what you'd like to change.

Initial assessment

For adult dogs, a first session to get to know the dog, the family and the routines, and to set goals. With young puppies we start straight away.

Private sessions

One-to-one sessions at your home, with exercises adapted to your daily life.

Independence

You learn to apply the strategies yourself and the sessions become less frequent.

Training that fits

Services

Training starts with an initial assessment, which lets us get to know the dog, understand their needs and choose the best approach for the work ahead.

Puppy training

A good start: routines, toilet training, biting, socialisation and calm.

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Two dogs sitting and waiting in the garden

Obedience and life skills

Reliable recall, self-control and useful everyday behaviours.

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Behaviour problems

Fears, anxiety, reactivity, destructiveness and being left alone.

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Black cocker spaniel walking on a loose leash

Walks and leash training

So the walk stops being the worst part of the day.

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Personalised training

For cases that do not fit neatly into one box.

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Not sure where to start?

Describe the situation in a couple of lines and I will tell you what makes sense.

Talk to me

Inês Almeida training with Chase, who is sitting and looking up at her

Meet Smartdogs

Hi, I'm Inês.

I'm a dog trainer certified in canine ethology by CCVL, and I work exclusively with positive reinforcement, with no punishment, fear or pain. I believe that understanding a dog's behaviour is the first step to helping them.

Every dog is unique, so training adapts to their personality, pace and needs, and to the reality of the people they live with.

I completed the Advanced Course in Canine Ethology at CCVL, with Sílvio Pereira, four courses with Ian Dunbar, a veterinarian and behaviourist who is one of the world's leading references in positive reinforcement, and a professional internship at Pet to Pets with Eduardo Luizi.

Advanced Course in Canine Ethology · CCVL
4 Ian Dunbar courses
Pet to Pets internship
Behaviour modification

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Where I come to you

Areas I cover

Sessions take place at your home. If your area isn't listed, ask anyway.

Montijo Alcochete Moita Pinhal Novo Lisbonand nearby

Reviews on Google

What owners say

5.0Reviews on GoogleSee them all on Google →

Nuno BorgesJune 2026Google

Trainer Inês Almeida, from Smartdogs, successfully solved, in just 5 sessions, a problem that had dragged on for 11 months. I found Joca, a mixed-breed dog, on the street and adopted him. Joca couldn't get into the car and, for 11 months, I tried several approaches, always without success. (…) In the 5th (last) session, I managed to get Joca into the car without using food and take a trip of about 55 minutes with him.

Translated from Portuguese

Sofia AmorimJune 2026Google

Ninja started training with Inês as a Jack Russell full of energy, anxious and responding to practically no commands — he really was a handful! With Inês's patience, dedication and methods, we saw an incredible change: Ninja is much more disciplined, calm and responds to commands easily.

Translated from Portuguese

Carla Sofia SantosJune 2026Google

If you're looking for an excellent trainer, I highly recommend Smartdogs. Inês is incredibly attentive, dedicated and patient. Through positive reinforcement, she teaches us the right strategies to deal with the most challenging behaviours (…) Happy has always been a dog who took his time to trust and to let strangers come close, but Inês's empathy won him over from the very first second.

Translated from Portuguese

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Before you start

Frequently asked questions

If you can't find your answer, send me a message and we'll talk.

My dog is already old. Is it still worth it?

Yes, it is. 🐾

Dogs keep learning throughout their lives. Training adapts to each dog's age, history, personality and abilities. With an older dog, we can work on new behaviours, improve habits, reinforce skills they already know, or simply help them cope better with certain everyday situations.

The pace may be different and the goals adjusted to their needs, but age does not stop learning. ❤️

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on the case and on the goals we want to work on. There is no set number of sessions for every dog. The initial assessment lets us understand the main needs and define a suitable training plan, without committing you to a fixed number of sessions from the start.

Do I need to be present at the sessions?

Yes, and it's essential. 🐾

The goal isn't just to train the dog, but also to teach you to understand and work with them. You're the one who will apply what we learn day to day, long after the session ends.

That's why a big part of the work is giving you the tools to carry on training at home and build the learning into your routine.

What is positive training, in practice?

It's teaching the dog what we want them to do, instead of punishing them for what they do wrong.

I work without shock collars, prong collars or methods based on fear, pain or intimidation. Instead, I use positive reinforcement, rewards, play and other strategies that help the dog understand what we're asking and learn in a safe, calm way.

How much does it cost?

The price of the sessions depends on the dog's age and on the area where they take place, as travel varies with distance.

For young puppies, no prior assessment is needed. We can start training straight away and build good habits and routines from early on.

For adult dogs, training starts with an initial assessment, where I get to know the dog, understand the main difficulties and we set the goals of the work.

If you'd like to know the price for your case, send me a WhatsApp message with your dog's age and your location and I'll explain everything.

Need help with your dog?

Tell me what's going on. I always reply, and I'll tell you honestly whether I can help.

WhatsApp me 912 953 108