Get your puppy off to a great start with puppy life skills training.
About Us
Michelle Payson, ABC Certified Professional Dog Trainer
I help families understand and connect with their pups, to build healthy daily habits that prepare them for a lifetime of epic adventures together. Every family has a unique plan for sharing life with their dogs. Some families want to travel with their dogs, some like staying home and walking in the neighborhood, and others want to participate in dog sports or competitions. No matter what your training goals are, it all starts with how you live with your dog on a daily basis. Being kind-hearted, understanding, and supportive of your dog provides the foundation for a life filled with adventures together. We wouldn't have it any other way!
Michelle has actively been involved in training family dogs for 15 years. She is focused on providing effective and convenient solutions to her clients' dog training needs via virtual training, private in home lessons and group classes. Michelle specializes in resolving fearful, reactive, and aggressive dog behaviors, because these issues can be most problematic for her clients and their families. Michelle Payson Dog Training is well respected and referred by local veterinarians, groomers, boarding facilities, and other pet care professionals.
Michelle is a Graduate with Honors of Animal Behavior College and a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Michelle also provides training and education to students studying to become professional dog trainers as an Animal Behavior College Mentor Trainer. Michelle has an extensive education in dog behavior and training, and continues her professional development by remaining current on industry literature, continuing education opportunities, and via an extensive support network of accomplished dog behavior and training professionals. Michelle is also an American Red Cross Pet CPR and First Aid Certified Instructor, and Doggone Safe Be a Tree presenter. Michelle is currently working on discovering Wyatt's hidden talents, her rescued Border Collie mix in training.
Training Philosophy
We provide customized training plans based on scientifically-proven positive reinforcement dog training and behavior modification methods. Training should be simple and rewarding for both you and your dog.
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Early Puppy Training and Socialization
Standards of Care for Behavior Modification
Dominance Theory should not be used in Dog Behavior Modification Training
A Well Trained Dog is a Relaxed Dog
Anyone can teach your dog a particular obedience cue. To prevent future behavior problems, it takes a professional to ensure that your dog is not only skilled in obedience, but is content to relax with your family in daily life. Training done properly results in a dog who offers behavior versus always having to be told what not to do. Teaching your dog to confidently relax in various environments results in a confident and happy dog versus a demanding or anxious dog who doesn't know how to calm himself. Happy dogs result in happy families! Let us help you achieve your training goals.
Continuing Education
Courses
Aggression Cases A-Z - Michael Shikashio CDBC, President of IAABC
Dog Parkour Instructor Certification - International Dog Parkour Association
Puppy Socialization: Is this puppy normal or a "lemon"? - Fear Free Pets
Sociability vs. Aggression Thresholds in Dogs - Sue Sternberg
Ken Ramirez Seminar
Dog-Dog Group Dynamics Healthy Interaction vs Aggression - Sue Sternberg
TACT: A Training Program for Dogs that Are Fearful or Reactive Toward People
Behavior Evaluation - Seminar-Lecture - Body Language, Aggression, and Testing for the Ideal Dog - Sue Sternberg
SAFER Session Two: ASPCA SAFER Equipment & Handling - Shannon Gramann; Heather Mohan-Gibbons, MS, RVT, ACAAB, CBCC-KA
Helping Adopted Dogs Adjust to New Homes - Patricia B. McConnell, PhD, CAAB, Author
Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor Course - Grisha Stewart, MA, CPDT-KA is an author, seminar presenter, and dog trainer who specializes in dog reactivity.
The Impulse Re-Homing Phase - Jennifer Shryock founder of Family Paws Parent Education Through their two national programs, Dogs & Storks® and the Dog & Baby Connection™.
SAFER Session One: Canine Assessment: SAFER Overview and Research - Emily Weiss, PhD, CAAB
A Recipe for Behavior Modification Success: Behavior change for dangerous problems using antecedent control Angelica Steinker, M.Ed, CAP2, CDBC, PDBC, NADOI- Certified, to explore and investigate the power of Antecedent Control Procedures in Behavior Change Programs.
Introducing Fun and Educational Games Into Your Group Classes - Angelica Steinker, M.Ed, CAP2, CDBC, PDBC, Certified NADOI.
The Pitfalls of Negative Reinforcement - Jean Donaldson, principle instructor of The Academy for Dog Trainers, and award-winning author of The Culture Clash, Mine! A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs, Fight! A Guide to Dog-Dog Aggression, Dogs Are From Neptune, and Oh Behave! Dogs From Pavlov to Premack to Pinker and her latest book, Train Like a Pro.
Dog Park Etiquette & Safety. Learn About Dog-Dog Play - Carol Byrnes CPDT-KA author of "The What is My Dog Saying" PowerPoint DVD series.
Defensive Dog Handling: Leash Skills and Body Language - Trish McMillan Loehr, MSc, CPDT
Inclusion for Success - Jennifer Shyrock founder of Family Paws Parent Education Through their two national programs, Dogs & Storks® and the Dog & Baby Connection™.
The Effect of Human Body Language on Dog Behavior - Heather Mohan-Gibbons, MS, RVT, ACAAB, CBCC-KA; Trish McMillan Loehr, MSc, CPDT
Learn How To Teach Kids To Be Safe Around Dogs – Joan Orr Doggone Safe co-founder.
BOOM! Puppies and Noise 2012 - Helen Nicholls, CPDT-KSA, CDBC
Canine Communication: Understanding Canine Body Language - Heather Mohan-Gibbons, MS, RVT, ACAAB, CBCC-KA
Integrating Your Services With The Veterinary Community - Join Sherrie Yuschak, RVT, VTS (Behavior)
The Canine Emotional Detox, The Missing Link - Diane Garrod is a Guild Certified Tellington Touch Practitioner, Dog Scouts of America Troop Leader, Canine Life and Social Skills Instructor (C.L.A.S.S.), Treibball Instructor and an expert in dog challenges (aggression, high level reactivity, sound sensitivities, separation anxiety and more).
Canine Communications: Dog Introductions - Trish McMillan Loehr, MSc, CPDT
Recommended Reading
General Training
The Other End of the Leash, Patricia McConnell
How to be the Leader of the Pack - And have Your Dog Love You For It, Patricia McConnell
For the Love of a Dog - Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend, Patricia McConnell
How to Behave so your Dog Behaves, Sophia Yin
Clicker Training
Clicking with Your Dog, Karen Pryor and Peggy Tillman
Getting Started - Clicker Training for Dogs, Karen Pryor
Click to Calm - Healing the Aggressive Dog, Emma Parsons
Training Tricks and Other Fun Stuff
The Only Dog Tricks Book You'll Ever Need, Gerilyn Bielakiewicz
Click Your Way to Rally Obedience, Pamela Dennison
Behavioral Concerns
How to Right a Dog Gone Wrong, Pamela Dennison
Behavior Adjustment Training, Grisha Stewart
Click to Calm - Healing the Aggressive Dog, Emma Parsons
The Cautious Canine, Patricia McConnell
I'll be Home Soon, Patricia McConnell
Feeling Outnumbered - How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household, Patricia McConnell
Feisty Fido, Patricia McConnell
First Aid
Pet First Aid - Cats and Dogs, Bobbie Mammato and Susie Duckworth
Resources for New Dog Trainers
Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training Volumes 1-3, Steven Lindsay
The Science and Technology of Dog Training, James O'Heare
How Dogs Learn, Burch and Bailey
The Human Half of Dog Training, Rise Van Fleet