Melissa graduated with distinction (high honors) from the prestigious Victoria Stilwell Academy and holds a VSA-CDT certification for positive reinforcement dog training. She is the first and only VSA-CDT (Victoria Stilwell Academy-Certified Dog Trainer) dog trainer in Utah and prides herself on not using tools like shock collars, choke chains, or any fear or pain based methods. "I stick with cultivating positive communication with you and your dog. My goal is to teach you how to communicate with your dog resulting in a deeper, positive, and trusting relationship. Together, we will teach your pup what to do instead of what not to do."
Certifications:
VSA-CDT, Fun Scent Games, AKC Fit Level 1
Dog training services include
- Reactive dog training
- Puppy training
- Agility training
- In home training
- Off leash training
- Deaf dog training
More info about Melissa Thomas's dog training:
All obedience training, positive reinforcement snake avoidance, scent games, agility workshops, private lessons
Behavioral issue focus:
Most behavioral and minor level reactivity.
Dog training methods:
I only use positive reinforcement training methods.
Why I became a dog trainer:
I've always had a passion for animals. Growing up, all of my "critters" had names starting with the letter "T", hence the name "Training to a T" was born. One of those animals, Taz, was a Great Pyrenees puppy. His story is below. TAZ - WHY I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT DOG TRAINING Taz became one of the family in the late 90's after we took a trip to the west desert for a college class. We were out searching for latitude/longitude markers when we stumbled upon a make-shift shelter. Somebody had stacked leftover palettes in a small structure to use them for target shooting. Inside, were seven tiny Great Pyrenees puppies with no food or water. After several hours hiking around and not seeing any signs of their mother, there was no way we were leaving them. We brought them home and found homes for all of them, except Taz, who we kept. The puppies were only four weeks old. After consulting with our vet, he determined a sheep herder had probably taken them away from their mother. Unfortunately, it is common for sheep herders to do this so their dogs will pay attention to the sheep, not the puppies. In this particular occurrence, our vet thought the sheep herder took them into the desert and abandoned them. Taz and his litter mates didn't receive the proper time with their mom, or the proper socialization, so he was a handful. We stuck with him throughout his life and it was during that time, I became interested in training. If I had known the science behind dog training then, I could have helped Taz a lot more. It is in his memory, and as a tribute to him, that I want to help train dogs. I want to teach you how to communicate with your dog in a positive way, while both parties are learning and having fun."
My favorite part of being a dog trainer:
Being able to help the dog and human teams overcome the behavioral issues they have and achieve their goals.
My #1 dog training tip:
Meet your dogs needs, use enrichment, and have patience with your pup.
See The Best Dog Trainers In Other Cities Near Salt Lake City
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Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you
David Adams is a man of many passions, but his love for dogs stands above all. He is not only a dog lover, but also the founder of an innovative platform called Sniffspot. This unique platform connects dog owners with private property owners who are willing to rent out their space for off-leash playtime. While the idea of Sniffspot was initially conceived by his wife, Rebecca, David has been the driving force behind its remarkable success, tirelessly overseeing its growth and development.
David's dedication to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for dogs to play, explore, and socialize is evident in his unwavering commitment to Sniffspot. He strongly believes that dogs need ample space and opportunities to stretch their legs and have fun. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to build a network of private property owners across the country who share his vision and are willing to offer their space for the benefit of dogs and their owners.
Despite his busy schedule, David always finds time to indulge in his passion for the great outdoors. He loves nothing more than exploring new hiking trails and embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures. Whenever he is not working on Sniffspot, he can often be found hiking or visiting multi-acre fenced sniffspots with his two beloved dogs, Soba and Toshii. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys the fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and the sense of freedom that comes with being in nature.
David is based in Salem, MA.
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