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My Approach to Training
My Approach to Training
I focus on more than just obedience. I take a holistic approach to creating a balanced, functional, and enjoyable relationship between you and your dog. Think of it like relationship coaching. When your dog understands what’s expected, feels secure in their environment, and can navigate the world with confidence, life becomes easier and more fun for both of you. Training isn’t just about solving problems but about giving your dog and you the skills and confidence to live together harmoniously.
Every dog/human combo is different, and training should reflect that. I tailor my approach to each dog’s unique needs, temperament, and motivations, while making sure training fits into your daily routine and also feels right to you.
I build fair and effective training plans centered on:
Trust and respect
Teaching you how to better understand your dog's behaviors and identify what they may be needing from you so they can trust you have their back.
Clear communication
Identifying ways to clearly and consistently communicate with your dog using shared language.
Calmness and neutrality
Reduce stress by helping your dog stay level-headed and manage instincts in different environments.
I take a real-world approach to training, teaching practical skills that make everyday life easier. Together, we’ll define what an ideal life with your dog looks like and build an achievable training plan. This could mean improving leash manners, teaching your dog to settle in busy environments, building reliable focus around distractions, or just learning something new together—no matter what, my goal is to make training feel natural.
Interested in working together?
Check out my training services or fill out an intake form to get started.
Melissa
Melissa
Owner & Trainer
Owner & Trainer
I started training as a foster and volunteer with local rescues—mostly dogs who needed extra behavioral support coming out of the shelter. I focused on helping those dogs settle and adjust to their new environments, working closely with experienced trainers to deepen my skills. During that time, I also offered structured boarding and walking for clients who needed more support at home or on walks, which eventually led me to pursue formal training full-time.
My background in neuroscience helps me understand how stress, learning, and environment shape behavior—not just in dogs, but in people too. My years in project management taught me how to build goal-driven training plans, track what’s working, and adapt based on the needs of the dog-human team in front of me.
Today, I offer training and boarding in the greater Seattle area. Outside of client work, I spend time taking continuing ed classes myself, exploring local parks and dog-friendly events with Jameson, or at home crafting or drawing silly pet portraits for friends :-)
Jameson
Jameson
Assistant Trainer & Director of Purchasing
Jameson arrived in 2021 as a foster dog with significant reactivity toward other dogs. With time, structure, and a lot of work on both our parts, he made steady progress and eventually made it clear he was staying for good. He’s proof that reactive dogs can change, often more than we expect.
These days, Jameson helps in quiet, steady ways as our Assistant Trainer: participating in training demos, walking alongside client dogs, or offering neutral presence during training sessions when dogs benefit from calm exposure.
He takes his treat procurement responsibilities very seriously—sampling all new inventory for quality assurance.
Outside of work, Jameson enjoys activities like scent work and barn hunt, and visiting the many dog-friendly breweries in Seattle.
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