Our Story
Rewriting the old narrative.
In a country where traditional, punitive training is still the norm, The Dog Tango exists to change the conversation around dogs - showing that when we understand them as individuals and meet their true needs, incredible relationships can blossom.
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Our goal is to help guardians and dogs move beyond outdated “obedience” paradigms toward relationship-centric learning - one grounded in partnership (it takes two to tango!) and a deep respect for both ends of the leash. We believe in:
✨ Using evidence-based methods and enrichment practices that honor a dog’s individuality
✨ Placing welfare first—because when dogs (and humans!) feel safe and understood, they can truly thrive
✨ Fostering collaborative relationships to support both humans and dogs. It takes a village!
✨ Embracing the fact that learning is non-linear. It's always trial and evaluation.
✨ Approaching every case with kind curiosity—seeking to understand before trying to change behavior
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We hope to rewrite the narrative many of today’s pet parents grew up with - showing that dogs, like people, flourish in nurturing, enriching relationships.
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If you’re ready to build a deeper connection with your dog, one rooted in trust, choice, and understanding - we’d love to walk that journey with you.
Cheryl Salvador
Licensed Family Dog Mediator
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - Accredited Dog Trainer
The Founder's Story:
Healing My Inner Child
As a child, I longed for friendship and freedom with our family dogs—mostly Aspins—but grew up in a culture of control and punishment, toward both animals and children. I was often the one caring for the puppies, staying up late to soothe them. We shared a quiet bond that made me feel safe. But as they grew older and harder to manage, they were inevitably chained or caged—treated as “bantays,” not companions, a common practice in many Filipino households. My dream of having a dog I could truly be friends with was constantly broken.
So I made a promise to myself: I wouldn’t get a dog until I had the space, resources, and freedom to raise one with intention and kindness. While waiting for that day, I found comfort in street dogs—Aspin angels who showed up during the hardest times of my life. They’d sit beside me on sidewalks or by the beach, silently offering what I needed most: presence, connection, and a sense of being seen.
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At 31, that promise came true. I brought home Kidlat, a Beagle who turned our life upside down and became the reason I began studying dog behavior. At first, I followed what local trainers taught: aversive techniques that felt painfully familiar. I had lived through that kind of discipline as a child. I knew it didn’t foster growth—it only created fear, anxiety, and low self-confidence.
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So I searched for a better way. I sought out mentors who modeled compassion, science-based understanding, and a vision of training rooted in trust. Their teachings were a true turning point, transforming my relationship with Kidlat and setting me on a path of lifelong learning. With their guidance, I began to see dogs not as beings to control, but as individuals with needs, emotions, and voices worth honoring.
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Today, that little girl who once longed for connection, understanding, and empowerment is reclaiming those values. I now help people and dogs build the kind of relationship I always wished for: one rooted in safety, choice, and mutual respect. In doing so, I’m slowly changing perspectives, rewriting the narrative that all beings—human or animal—thrive in nurturing hands, not under an iron fist.
Meet Kidlat & Botchok
The inspirations and drive that motivate Cheryl to strive and continue her lifelong learning journey.