Behavior Specialties
I’ve worked with dogs of every temperament, and I’m particularly drawn to helping those who need extra support developing trust and confidence.
Anxiety
Fear can be one of the most challenging obstacles for dogs to overcome, and it’s often at the root of other undesirable behaviors. Building a dog’s confidence takes time, and my gentle, patient approach allows each dog to work at their own pace. This patience is crucial for building trust so that your dog feels secure when it’s time to push them a little further. I’ll guide you through this delicate process so that you and your anxious pup feel ready to face the world together!
Reactivity
It’s essential to understand the reason behind a dog’s behavior before responding to it. Reactivity driven by fear requires confidence-building and desensitization, while excitement-based reactivity benefits from structure and impulse control — understanding the difference is key to lasting progress. Because I know firsthand what it’s like to own a dog with severe behavioral challenges, I’m deeply passionate about helping owners navigate and manage reactivity.
Housemates
Working with multiple dogs at once requires extra coordination and care. Multi-dog households also come with unique behavioral challenges, such as resource guarding and differences in energy levels or communication styles. My approach focuses on fostering calm structure, clear boundaries, and mutual respect between dogs. Sadler and I have had proven success helping housemates learn to live together peacefully, and we both have personal experience caring for multiple dogs in our own homes.
We are beyond thrilled with the progress our dog Chico has made thanks to Melissa. Before training, walks were a nightmare—I was constantly being dragged, and it felt like we would never get control. We had tried another training facility with no success, but this completely changed the game. Melissa’s expertise and dedication are nothing short of incredible. Now, Chico can heel and walk without pulling, which is amazing to see.
What stands out about Melissa is her continued support even after the program. She’s always available to answer our questions and guide us in correcting any issues that pop up. While Chico is still working through some dog reactivity, the group classes and Melissa’s guidance have made a huge difference. We’re seeing steady improvement, and I’m confident that, with her help, we’ll get there.
The videos and results you see on this site reflect our personal work and skills developed over years of hands-on experience.
Randall Johns, NY
Training rooted in patience and trust.
