Our Trainer
Michelle Jackson
Journey to Become a Dog Trainer
It all started with a dog named Shooter back in the late 90’s. I adopted Shooter when he was 1 year old and had only had 1 family before me. Shortly after adopting him, I realized that he had a lot of problems with people. At that time I was just like anyone else who adopted a dog from a rescue. Back then the only training techniques I knew about was choke chain training. The problem is every time I corrected him with the choke collar he would turn around and bite me. This happened several times so after about a month, I called the rescue and told them I could no longer keep him. He was too dangerous. They said ok, but since he has a bite history now, they will euthanize him. I knew he wasn’t that bad, he was just being triggered by what I was doing. So I started private lessons with a trainer using positive reinforcement and Shooter responded very well. As I continued to work with Shooter I was amazed at his transformation. And this is what inspired me to become a dog trainer!
Over the years, Shooter demonstrated many different problem behaviors - First he didn’t like people, then he had an incident at the bark park then he didn’t like other dogs. However, he was super smart and over the 16 years that I had him, I taught him so many tricks, obedience, and got him into agility. However the real story is that over that 16 years, he taught me! I learned so much from Shooter. Not many people can say that about their dog. I am every grateful for investing in Shooter as he helped me become the person I wanted to be, patient, hard working, and a problem solver. Shooter lived to be 17 years old and I treasure every day that I had with him!
Qualifications & Misson
Certified obedience dog trainer, Michelle Jackson has over 20 years of dog obedience training experience, specializing in reactive dogs. Certified by Animal Behavior College and by PetSmart whose certified obedience training program was developed by leading animal behaviorists including Suzanne Hetts, Pamela J. Reid, PHD, & Terry Ryan.
To provide clients with the best possible obedience dog training service, Michelle is determine to stay on top of the newest techniques and advances in animal behavior by participating in numerous seminars given by outstanding professionals.
Formal training and seminars completed to date include:
Certified Obedience Dog Trainer, Animal Behavior College
Accredited Pet Training Instructor, PetSmart
Training Skills for Trainers Clinic by Brenda Aloff
Advanced Clicker Training by Kathy Sdao, M.A.
The THIRD WAY Foundations by Chris Bach
Advanced Trainer’s Clinic by Brenda Aloff
Get Connected Trainer’s Clinic by Brenda Aloff
Agility Puzzle – Putting the Pieces Together by Linda Brady
Suzanne Clothier’s RCT Skills for Reactive Dogs
Dog Agression Training with presentations from Jean Donaldson, Susan Friedman, Kellie Snider, and more