About Us

Michelle Payson, ABC Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Michelle Payson 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 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 if 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/Whippet 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