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About Michelle

Dogs have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. For over 20 years, I’ve lived, learned, and grown alongside dogs. Those experiences sparked a deeper interest in how dogs learn and how people can communicate more clearly with them.
 

I've shared my home with some truly special companions, including Comet, the dog who inspired Comet 'n' Cloud. Though Comet passed in 2013, he continues to shape how I think about training and what it means to live well with dogs. He remains woven into the memories of our daily life—camping adventures, the beautiful chaos of raising three kids, and all the ordinary moments in between.

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Those experiences taught me that good training isn’t about perfection. It’s about building trust, confidence, and a relationship that works in everyday life.

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An Educator at Heart

Before becoming a professional dog trainer, I spent more than 25 years teaching adults. That background shapes everything I do. Training isn’t just about dogs — it’s about helping people understand, communicate, and feel confident in the process.
 

I focus on clear explanations, realistic expectations, and meeting both dogs and guardians where they are. Learning should feel supportive, not overwhelming.
 

In many ways, dog training feels like a natural extension of my work in adult education — learning to communicate clearly across a language barrier, breaking skills into manageable steps, and helping learners succeed without pressure or shame. You could say I've gone from teaching English as a second language to humans to teaching 'human' as a second language to dogs. 

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Training Philosophy

My approach is grounded in positive, ethical, science-based methods that prioritize kindness, clarity, and communication. Training should feel calm, engaging, even fun. Not stressful or rigid.


The goal isn't a perfectly trained dog. It's a dog who feels comfortable in the world and a guardian who enjoys life together — at home, out in the community, and everywhere in between.


Thoughtful training also recognizes that mental work is real, necessary work for dogs, just like walks, play, or physical exercise. When dogs' brains are appropriately engaged, they're better able to settle, regulate their emotions, and move through the world more calmly.

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Experience & Credentials

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