Maureen Lydon

Owner/Head Trainer

Hi, I’m Maureen, the trainer behind Confluence Canine. With over 10 years of hands-on experience and a deep passion for helping dogs and their people thrive together, I specialize in building relationships that bring out the best in both ends of the leash.

I’m certified through the AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator program, hold NePoPo® Gold and Silver School credentials, and earned my University of Dog certification. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of dogs—from high-drive working breeds to sensitive rescues—helping them overcome behavioral challenges and develop confidence through clear communication, structure, and play.

My training philosophy is built around one simple idea: confidence creates calm. By using games and relationship-based methods, I help dogs learn to handle frustration, accept feedback, and make better decisions on their own. The result is a balanced, resilient dog—and a stronger, more joyful connection with their human.

I know what it takes to bring out the best in a dog with big feelings; my own Belgian Malinois went from a challenging behavior case to earning titles in one of the most demanding dog sports in the world. That journey fuels my commitment to every client and every rescue I work with.

If you’re ready to help your dog grow in confidence and clarity, I’d love to help you get there—together.

My Dogs

Alina (right) was raised and trained in Austria by one of my first mentors and is often referred to as “the origin story”. Working with Alina and logging miles of alpine hiking adventures was what shifted my path and moved dog training from a hobby to a career. With exceptional temperament and balance of drives, Alina is ideally suited for being handled by clients and working around client dogs. Additionally, Alina is trained to compete in Nosework and Rally Obedience.

At 10 months old, he found his way into my heart and home. While very sweet in temperament, he was 70 lbs of fast moving muscle and sharp edges. The challenges of teaching house manners to a dog that was fully grown but acted like a 10 week old puppy has fundamentally shaped the mission of Confluence Canine and has impacted the lives of many dogs. Merlin’s journey demonstrates what is possible when the human starts from a place of understanding and acceptance of where their dog is right now, and uses that understanding to inform the path to their goals. We started running Canicross last year, leading to the joke that he can now add "pawsonal" trainer to his resume.

Certifications & Achievements

Graduate of the NePoPo ® Gold & Silver Schools.
University of Dog Certified Trainer
AKC Certified Evaluator
First Aid & CPR Certified
Veterinarian Endorsed Behavior Trainer
Licensed and Insured

Learn more about the NePoPo® system here

Michael Bellon and Bart Bellon and BCBB are the owners of the NePoPo® trademark, the teaching concept and the Know-How and intellectual property related to it. All trademarks used with permission.