Melissa Weaver, Certified Instructor and Dog Trainer

About the Trainer:

I have a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Zoology from Olivet Nazarene University. I've always loved animals since I was little and harbor a special place in my hearts for dog specifically.

I've worked in Alaska on a remote glacier caring for and working with sled dogs as well as trained pet animals in homes. I've worked extensively with Leader Dogs for the Blind and Guide Dogs of the UK training guide dogs for people who are blind and then instructing each person how to use their guide dog.

Through my experiences I've developed both traditional handling skills and more positive handling techniques such as clicker training. I look forward to being able to use my experience and skills to work with you and your furry friend.

Training Methods

Melissa is a positive based trainer with a background in traditional training as well. Her training focuses on using positive rewards, such as food, games and toys to stimulate each dog to not only enjoy learning but to learn at their optimum learning capacity. While Melissa does use corrections, they are not in the form of a chain or collar but rather in the environment, termed environmental corrections. This includes the use of firm vocal commands, a stamp of the foot to gain attention, or a sudden surprise, to name a few, and is only used as necessary.

Having experience in both traditional and positive methods Melissa has found that a more positive based method will not simply train your dog but rather teach your dog a behavior that, when reinforced, will not only last longer but require less continual management of the behavior in the future. Melissa strives to teach you not only how to accomplish behavioral skills but to open up communication between you and your dog so you might understand the why of each behavior. Melissa's philosophy is that it's not about the equipment you use on a dog but rather, how you use it that makes all the difference.

*Melissa is also able to accommodate the traditional style of training using a chain correction collar if an individual client insists they would rather use that but would encourage any client to come to class with an open mind, at least trying the positive training style.

Services

Behavior Consultation $75

• Includes hour and half in home consultation, completed written report (report includes dog history and history of behavior, possible origins of the behavior, options for managing/changing behaviors and a behavioral plan), 30 minute follow-up and report review via the phone
• This is strictly observation and advice, no training is done

*Anyone who wishes personal training will be required to have a behavioral consultation
*10% discount on first personal training session with referral

Personal Training $65/hr

• Each session lasts one hour and is done in home
• The session is specified and individualized to each client's needs
• hours are flexible to accommodate varying schedules
• Most clients will need around 6 sessions to fully train, or detrain, a dog for a behavior
• Price includes cost for gas mileage within a 40 mile radius
• Outside of 40 mile radius client will be asked to pay $0.55/mile

Puppy Class $90 for 6 weeks or $20/session

6 week course (ages 10-24 weeks)

Topics: socialization, loose leash healing, sit, puppy manners, common behaviors to avoid and prevent, basics of potty training, developmental stages of learning in puppies

Basic Obedience $72/6 weeks or $15/session

6 week course (ages 24 weeks and up)

Topics: loose leash healing, basic socialization, sit, down, stay, basic manners, basic distraction, common problem behaviors

Advanced Obedience $72/6 weeks or $15/session

6 week course (ages 24 weeks and up)

Topics: review of previous commands, complicated distraction, recall, non-reinforcement markers/reinforcement markers, introduction to targeting using NRM and RM

Class NOTES:

• Classes will be held once a week for 6 weeks.
• There will be a maximum number of 8 clients per class (one dog per client).
• Please bring collar (nylon or chain), nylon leash, treats/toy to classes
• A behavioral consultation must be scheduled and conducted before personal training can commence
• All dogs attending classes must be free from aggression towards people or other dogs.
• If a dog is portraying aggressive tendencies the client will be asked to leave
    the class until consulted by trainer

All dogs must have current vaccinations for their age (and provide proof) for:
    Distemper, Rabies, and Bordetella

All dogs must be current on their flea control

To sign up for a class or to schedule consultations
- or -  personal training session please call: 419-423-4445