Visit Michelle’s personal dog training business page here!
How long have you been working as a dog trainer?
Six years professionally.
What inspired you to become a dog trainer?
My heart and soul dog, Banjo. To support him, I needed to understand the “why” behind his behaviors and get educated on consent, advocating for him, and teaching him to feel safe in his world. With force-free teaching and support, Banjo thrived. I was inspired to guide and support other dogs and their guardians through behavioral challenges and basic life skills!
What kind of training do you specialize in?
Dogs with big feelings! In my private practice (The Paid Pup), I focus on dogs who are shy, fearful, frustrated, or over-stimulated by environmental stimuli. We investigate the underlying “why” of the behaviors, and I teach both dog and guardian coping skills to safely navigate life with big feelings.
What’s your favorite high value snack? (For yourself)
French fries!
What’s one accomplishment you’re especially proud of in your training career?
Helping transform a once shut down, extremely fearful dog into a confident PNW adventurer.
Why do you swear by positive reinforcement?
(We know it works, but we want to hear your why!)
I believe that the way we live with and teach our dogs is bigger than even R+. Of course R+ is the most effective way to teach without causing harm, but zooming out, being adamantly force-free is a way of life. When we change our mindset about dogs from power and control to curiosity, cooperation, and agency—they thrive, and we can learn some of life’s most poignant lessons from them—if we just listen.
What’s one piece of advice you wish every dog guardian knew?
It’s hard to choose one thing! It’s important for guardians to know that they get to decide how they want to live life with their dog, and which skills/behaviors they want to teach. The general public has been fed so much misinformation about dogs that many guardians think normal, healthy canine behaviors are “bad”—so I want them to loosen up, let expectations go, be silly, and have fun with their dog.
If you weren’t a dog trainer, what would you be doing instead?
Ideally, I’d be a stay at home dog.
Do you currently have any pets? Tell us about them!
I have a 10lb Chihuahua mix named Rilo. He is a brilliant and behaviorally complicated little guy. He loves food, play, his people, small novel objects, walks, sniffing every inch of his environment, and his heating pad. He doesn’t love being approached by strangers (especially masculine looking ones), movement or touch around him while he’s resting or sleeping, or dogs who give him a hard stare down—all understandable. He’s part comedian, opinionated influencer, hardened lawyer, and acrobat. He’s quite the guy.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Teenage Dirtbag!
If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
New Zealand.
If you were a dog, what breed would you be and why? 🐾
Probably my chosen breed—Chihuahua. I’m small, opinionated, and sassy, and I will speak up if my boundaries are crossed. I’m also extremely loyal, love my small circle of trusted people, love nature and adventure, and love to be cozy as heck.
