Capable canines wall of fame
Eloise
This clever cutie tackled some big puppy challenges like a pro!
We successfully traded an abundance of pee pads for a porch-potty, established a solid safety plan to help her understand that toys are much tastier than electric cords and helped her master alone training and settling into her confinement area with ease.
No more escape artist antics for this girl! So proud of your hard work!
Guardian Review:
"Melissa did an amazing job training Eloise. From our first session, it was clear how knowledgeable, patient and genuinely caring she is. Eloise responded to her guidance and the progress we saw in a short time was incredible. Melissa not only trained Eloise, she also gave me the confidence and tools to continue everything at home. I'm beyond grateful for her dedication and skill. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a trainer who truly cares about both dogs and their owners." - Noelle L.
Timber
Where to even start with this big, loveable sweetheart?
While her goofy personality always shone through, Timber struggled with fear and under confidence. Sudden movements and new objects were super spooky and she struggled with reactivity to other dogs.
Timber has done incredible work building her bravery! She is now a pro at navigating spooky objects and has made massive strides in staying calm and less reactive around other dogs. Timber, you are an incredible learner and an incredibly resilient girl. So very proud of the way you've worked through some pretty big feelings.
Guardian Review
"We had an incredible experience working with Melissa. We worked with her over several sessions from November 2025 to March 2026, and the progress we saw in that time was honestly amazing. From the start, it was clear that her approach is both knowledgeable and thoughtful. She takes the time to explain the “why” behind what she’s doing, and everything felt practical, effective, and aligned with how we wanted to support our dog.
Melissa is also one of the kindest, most empathetic, and non-judgmental people we’ve ever met. Dog training can feel overwhelming at times, but she made the whole process feel manageable (and even enjoyable). She really took the time to understand both Timber’s needs and ours, and we always felt supported, never judged, even on our more chaotic dog-parent days.
We originally reached out for help with Timber’s front door greetings (aka performing a full-volume husky protest until guests pet her - jumping included if they hesitate) and her reactivity to other dogs. Melissa helped us understand Timber’s big feelings instead of just trying to “shut them down,” and gave us practical tools to manage those moments while building her confidence. We’ve seen such meaningful improvements, and more importantly, we feel like we understand our dog so much better.
One thing we especially appreciated was how well-rounded the training was. We did in-home sessions, but also worked in parks and with carefully selected “helper dogs,” which let Timber practice in controlled, real-world situations. That kind of setup made a huge difference and gave us confidence outside the house too.
And the ultimate review: Timber absolutely loves Melissa, which says everything. I genuinely think Melissa would be amazing for anyone; whether you have a puppy and want to start off on the right foot, or you’re navigating challenges like reactivity. She brings so much knowledge, compassion, and understanding to her work."
-Devon B
Marley
This brave little guy used to feel overwhelmed by anything on wheels - especially skateboards and scooters. Those fast-moving objects used to trigger some pretty big feelings, making walks on shared pathways stressful for the whole family. By using positive associations and controlled exposure at a pace where he could truly succeed, he is now able to see the skateboard and check back in with his guardians for praise and cookies instead of barking, lunging, and ground-pawing.
Marley, you are a resilient boy, and we are so happy that walks have become the fun family adventures they were always meant to be.
We are so proud of this absolute champ!
Guardian Review:
"I personally can attest to how beneficial and helpful this training has been with reactivity to skate boards and scooters. Our dog became a raging lunatic every time we encountered one of these. We had to plan our walks where there may not be any. After these sessions he is much more able to cope, as we now have the tools to help him do so. It’s ongoing diligence in awareness and reinforcing the training we learned, but now we can go anywhere on a walk. Thanks Smarty Paws!!"
- Laurie K.
Miro
High-fives for Miro, our favorite reformed ball bandit!
Miro used to think that stealing other dogs balls and playing an endless game of keep away was the best part of the park.
We are so proud of the progress he’s making! Miro is doing a fantastic job choosing recall over the chase, and has shown incredible progress dropping and giving the ball back instead of running off with it.
He’s proving that being a listener is just as much fun as being a comedian. Keep up the great work buddy!
Guardian Review
"I have a wonderful, handsome, sweet pup whose idea of a good time at the dog park was stealing another dog's ball and then running away any time I got near him. After a year of frustration and failure, I worked with Smarty Paws, and the difference is like night and day. While he's still got an eye for balls that aren't his, he now listens when I call him and is quick to relinquish his prize for some praise (and often a treat). Two thumbs (paws?) up for Smarty Paws Dog Training."
-Doug B.
