Call me at 916-968-3111 for gentle, positive reinforcement (force free), reward-based Dog/Puppy Training (by phone or in-person), Leash Training, Agility Training and Dog Walking in Carmichael, Fair Oaks and the surrounding regions of Sacramento, California.
Dog training by phone or video is available every day of the week. Same day, emergency, evening and weekend appointments are also available.
Call The Pet Agency for availability at:
916-968-3111
Customized, In-person training and guidance to Create and Maintain a Lasting Bond between You and your Dog.
Individualized, force-free, positive reinforcement, non-confrontational, reward-based Dog Training and behavioral assessments are available at your home, public parks or other convenient locations where you frequently interact, walk and/or play with your dog.
My training method (for all training categories) and overall approach is founded on an array of evidence-based concepts such as reward-based behavior modification, counter-conditioning plus desensitization and environmental enrichment learned during my Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Human and Canine Life Sciences program from Bergin College of Canine Studies.
I apply core Fear Free training principles during all encounters with your pet. These principles include gentle and positive experiences which avoid any use of force, punishment or intimidation in all encounters to alleviate a pet's stress, anxiety and fear to model for your how you can build a solid bond of trust with your pet.
Behavioral Issues Assessment/Training
My focus during problem behavior training is to help you understand your dog's behavior, emotions, body language, instinctual drives and needs and equip you and your family with the knowledge, skills and techniques to meet those needs so you can change your dog's adverse emotional responses to external environmental triggers.
This multi-faceted training approach will help reduce/eliminate undesirable behaviors and condition desirable behaviors while increasing your dog's happiness and satisfaction so both you and your pet will more readily enjoy your relationship.
Each behavioral training engagement is individually customized to you and your dog's unique wants, needs and requirements. Prior to applying any behavioral techniques, I gather a detailed history of your dog's background, behavior issues/triggers, living environment, family interactions and other factors so I can create a unique training plan that will focus on the techniques most likely needed to achieve a successful outcome (such as enriching the environment or a specific behavior technique like desensitization).
To rule out a chemical imbalance or other physical/medical issue/condition with your dog that may be causing the undesirable behaviors, I recommend a full exam be performed by a veterinarian prior to starting any training addressing behavioral issues.
General Dog Handling, Daily Management, Common Commands Training
My general dog training sessions focus on dog handling and daily management skills such as elimination training, crate habituation and basic proactive behavior commands (such as sit, wait, come, walk, drop it, leave it, take it and watch me).
Specialized Training Categories
If you would like specific, customized training for puppy training/socialization, advanced leash training using a head halter / head collar, agility training, scent work, service/therapy dog training and classes (note that no classes are currently scheduled), please see below for more information about each of those services.
Individual Puppy Training
I provide customized, individual training and behavior consults for puppies. (Note: Small size breed dogs are puppies up to 8-10 months of age, medium size breed dogs are puppies up to 12-15 months of age and giant breed dogs are puppies up to 15-24 months of age)
Even though a dog can be considered a puppy for up to 2 years (24 months), the first 16 weeks (first 4 months) of any breed of puppy is the single most important time to socialize and train all breeds of puppies to address emerging adverse behavioral issues (such as biting) and condition desired behaviors (bite inhibition) in order to prevent persistent problems in your adult dog in the future.
Contact me at 916-968-3111 as soon as you get your puppy so we can address any adverse issues and mold/condition desirable behaviors in those first 16 weeks to help your puppy be the best it can be when the puppy grows into an adult dog.
Advanced Leash Training
Head halter / Head collar
Walk your big, strong dog with ease using a Fear Free certified type of dog walking tool called a head halter / head collar leash
A head halter / head collar leash is a specialized leash that gently goes around a dog's nose and mouth that gives the dog owner more directional control over the dog as well as reduces tugging and pulling compared to a standard circular neck collar. The head halter is very gentle on the dog and makes walking your dog a more joyful and pleasant experience.
During our head halter appointment, I will show you how to acclimate your dog to a head halter leash. Second, I will show you how to use the head halter leash to more easily walk and gently control your dog's direction instead of your dog pulling you making walking your dog a joyful outing.
Please contact me at 916-968-3111 and ask for the head halter leash training that will make walking your big dog easier and fun. I will usually be able to fit the head halter leash training into my schedule within a few days or week from the time you contact me.
Agility Training
I provide relaxed and fun, reward-based agility training where your dog can learn to run a course around pylons and over jumps. Agility training is generally available all year.
Please contact me at 916-968-3111 around 2 weeks before you would like to meet for agility training to setup an appointment and location for the agility training.
Scent Work Training
Scent work training, where I show how fun it is to get your dog to find specific scents and is very mentally and physically stimulating for your dog, is generally available all year.
Please contact me, 916-968-3111, at least 2 weeks before you would like to meet for scent work to setup an appointment and location for the scent work training environment.
Service Dog/Therapy Dog Training
I also provide Service Dog/Therapy Dog training on a customized basis that works around your schedule. Please call me 3 months in advance for details and times at 916-968-3111.
Puppy Preschool Class (Puppy Socialization)
(Note: No new group puppy classes have been scheduled. Please check back here or call me for availability)
Customized puppy preschool class is for puppies 7-12 weeks of age who are up to date on vaccine boosters and who have written health clearance from their veterinarians to attend class and/or engage in puppy socialization activities.
The first 16 weeks of a puppy's life is the single most important time to socialize puppies to prevent behavior problems in the future. Puppy socialization can be achieved with classes as well as with your own individualized puppy socialization program where you expose your puppy to an array of environmental stimuli to mold the puppy into a well behaved adult dog.
Please call me at 916-968-3111 if you would like more information about puppy classes. (As noted above, no new puppy classes have been scheduled. Please check back here or call me for availability.)
Training Outcomes/Effectiveness
Training duration and effectiveness for all categories vary from dog to dog depending on the frequency, intensity and severity of your dog's issues, past history, current physical health status (as verified by a veterinary exam), general temperament and the commitment and consistency of the dog owner/handler in applying recommended techniques as demonstrated during training sessions.
It is not possible to guarantee a pet's problem behaviors can be fixed, resolved or remain resolved. No amount of training can resolve a dog's behavioral issues caused by ongoing medical problems (such as persistent pain, infections, and/or chemical imbalances).
For highly complex cases with multiple concurrent factors that require a multi-disciplinary, team-based approach, I will recommend the University of California Davis (UC Davis) Veterinary Medicine Behavioral Service for an evaluation.
Training Price Ranges
In-Person Training
$180 per one (1) hour session
The number of in-person training sessions needed to resolve or reduce adverse behaviors varies depending on the severity and number of your dog's issues you want addressed, the number of dogs involved, the number of other pets involved (such as cats), the number of people involved as well as the amount of preparation, research, planning, documentation and follow-up required.
The number of training sessions can also vary based on the type of training requested (Behavior issues, General Commands, Leash, Agility, Scent, Service and/or Puppy) and if the pet owner wishes to engage their dog in multiple training categories.
Note: In-person prices apply to the Carmichael and Fair Oaks California regions.
Current IRS standard mileage rates apply for any in-person training location more than a few miles beyond the boundaries of Carmichael and Fair Oaks California.
Phone/Video Training
$60 - 30 minutes
$120 - 60 minutes
Auxiliary Support Services
(customized product/service research requests, personalized pet product shopping, pet product evaluations, customized pet training documentation)
$60 - 30 minutes
Dog Walking
$60 (30 minutes)
$120 (60 minutes)
Each training engagement needs your approval to a brief training agreement, that includes terms and a liability acknowledgement, prior to starting any training sessions.
I will send the agreement electronically by email or text (whichever method you prefer, or both methods) for your review and return to me if you agree to the terms.
Please inform me if you need a paper version of the agreement so I can print it out for you to read and sign before we start our training session.
Michelle is a Fear-Free Certified Animal Trainer. The Fear Free certification has equipped me with the capability (as your dog trainer) to work in partnership with veterinary teams to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress and improve a dog's emotional well-being during veterinary care and home care.
I provide force-free, reward-based behavior modification training and handling at all times with your dog. I refrain from using any methods such as direct force, choke chains, prong collars or shock collars that would cause your dog to feel pain or experience fear.
Michelle is also a Certified Puppy Start Right Preschool Instructor which has provided her the skills to help you successfully enjoy your new puppy as it starts out its life with you.
Michelle has a Master of Science (MS) degree in Human and Canine Life Sciences from Bergin College of Canine Studies.
I have been successfully applying gentle, loving, reward-based dog training as well as dog walking for over 20 years.
Dog walks are 1/2 hour or 1 hour in length from a client's home and include physical exercise and environmental enrichment (sniff breaks to explore the the environment through the dog's keen sense of smell). These walks are designed to satisfy a dog's innate need to interact with the external environment in a variety of ways so when they come back home to you they are satisfied and tired from the physical and mental stimulation.
Dog Walking Plus is a walk and train combination where leash training, head collar training and/or other dog walking related training issues such as pulling, lunging, barking and related issues are addressed with you while walking your dog. Dog training price ranges apply to Dog Walking Plus (Walk and Train) ($180/session).
Dog Walking Price range
$60 (30 minutes)
$120 (60 minutes)
Dog walking is currently provided Monday - Friday (from 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM during summer/early fall and 8 AM to 12 PM during winter/spring).
Contact me at 916-968-3111 for availability.
I and any people who work with me are fully insured (professional general liability insurance).
The Pet Agency's Sacramento County business license is #GNB32016-03145.
To review customer experiences with my services or to provide your own experience, please see my Yelp page or Google Business page.
For any other questions about my services please call or text message me at 916-968-3111.
I am a fully mobile dog/pet training and dog walking business servicing the Carmichael, CA and Fair Oaks, CA regions as well as the surrounding Sacramento area (note a travel charge based on the current IRS standard mileage rate is applied to areas a few miles beyond the boundaries of Carmichael, CA and Fair Oaks, CA).
The Pet Agency
Carmichael, CA 95608
916-968-3111
