Patient & Calm
A patient and calm approach creates a safe and comfortable space where every dog can learn at their own pace.
Meet Carlos
Carlos Calretas:Head Trainer at Tail Tales
Carlos Calretas is Head Trainer at Tail Tales Academy and a professional Animal Behavior Consultant with over a decade of experience working with dogs, exotic animals, and wildlife. Since 2012, he has brought his extensive experience in animal behaviour into family dog training, helping dogs and their people build stronger, more trusting relationships.
Clear Communication
Clear and consistent communication. Simple cues that make training easy to understand.
Problem Solving
Creative problem solving adapts training strategies to overcome challenges and build confidence.
Reliable & Committed
Reliable and committed support. Consistency and dedication to help every dog succeed.
Positive Energy
A positive training environment encourages confidence, curiosity and joyful learning.
- Training dogs and their families since
- 2012
- Countries of zoo and wildlife experience
- 3
- Certified Animal Behavior Consultant
- IAABC
- Living and Learning with Animals (2013, 2016, 2025)
- 3×
Training Philosophy
Carlos believes animals learn best when they feel safe, understood, and motivated to participate. His approach is grounded in science-based training and the LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) framework, prioritising the animal's wellbeing while encouraging choice, trust, and cooperation.
Inspiration
Imagine a trainer who can connect with eagles and exotic animals without saying a single word. That’s Carlos. His journey began in the Portuguese countryside, but his true calling sparked at the zoo: watching free-flying birds choose to collaborate with humans purely out of joy and trust completely changed his perspective. No fear, no pressure — just a genuine, happy desire to cooperate.
If wild animals can trust humans without an ounce of force, your dog can too.
Carlos in action
Professional Experience
Carlos has spent more than a decade learning from some of the best in the field. He trained free-flying birds at Zoomarine in Portugal, completed the Natural Encounters workshop in Orlando, Florida, interned on the “Birds of the World” show at the State Fair in Dallas, Texas, and worked with endangered species at AlWabra Wildlife Preservation in Qatar. He studied behaviour analysis with Dr. Susan Friedman and holds the IAABC certification as a professional Animal Behavior Consultant. Since 2012, he has brought this experience straight into the world of family dogs.
Carlos’s journey
Where it began
Assistant Bird Trainer at Zoomarine, Portugal
Positive reinforcement training of free-flying birds for public presentations. Seeing birds perform voluntarily, always happy to engage, set the course for everything that followed.
January 2012
Natural Encounters workshop, Orlando
A one-week immersive “Professional animal training and management” workshop in Florida.
2012
Birds of the World show, Dallas State Fair
An internship covering animal training, care and management, show logistics and performance.
2012
Helping dogs and their families
Started dedicating his spare time to dog owners, proving pets can learn to do everything voluntarily instead of by force.
2013 · 2016 · 2025
Living and Learning with Animals
Dr. Susan Friedman’s behaviour analysis course (behaviorworks.org), the foundation of his behaviour modification toolkit.
2016
AlWabra Wildlife Preservation, Qatar
Breeding of endangered wildlife, and first-hand insight into how early development shapes adult behaviour.
2018
IAABC certified behaviour consultant
Completed “Animal behavior consulting principles and practice” with the IAABC.
2022
Full-time behaviour and training consultant
Helping many families overcome challenges with their pets.
Today
Head Trainer at Tail Tales Academy
Leading training and education for our trainers and families.
Training Focus
Carlos doesn’t just “fix bad habits”: he changes the environment so your dog is set up to win every single time. Grounded in the LIMA protocol (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive), his approach puts your dog’s mental wellbeing first. Instead of forcing submission, Carlos motivates dogs to choose the right behaviour on their own. The result is an engaged, enthusiastic dog who listens because they want to, with lasting, stress-free results.
Set up to win
Change the environment so the right choice is the easy choice, every single time.
LIMA first
Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive: your dog’s welfare comes first.
Choice, not force
Dogs are motivated to choose the right behaviour on their own, instead of being made to submit.
Results that last
An engaged, enthusiastic dog who listens because they want to, with stress-free results.
Halloween offer
Want to start training right away?
Book a 2-hour online behaviour assessment with Carlos
In a two-hour online session, our Head Trainer and behaviour specialist, Carlos, gets to know your dog, explains what is driving their behaviour and gives you a clear, positive plan to start training right away.
- IAABC Animal Behavior Consultant
- Animal behaviour professional since 2012
- Science-based, force-free (LIMA) methods
Regular price $500Offer price $350
Offer ends in14d 01:27:39
Want to Join Our Training Team?
Join a team committed to ethical, positive reinforcement-based training.
We’re looking for qualified and experienced dog trainers who share our approach to compassionate, science-based training. If you have the skills, knowledge and dedication to support dogs and their families, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply to Join Our Team