Meet Our Team
Meet our Team at All Paws on Deck
See what the fuss is all about!
Our Dog Training Company
At All Paws on Deck, we offer force-free and humane dog training with a holistic approach. We have two trainers on staff currently who each have their own strengths and specialties. We have been servicing the Langley area for 6 years and look forward to offering great services that meet the needs of our community for many years to come. We focus on education and understanding in order to help people enjoy lives with their dogs again. We are here for all of the ups and downs for you and your dog. We know parenting a dog is not always rainbows and butterflies. It can feel quite lonely at times! We aim to provide services that help you and your dog feel supported, while bringing joy back into your relationship.
Our mission at All Paws on Deck is to educate our students and the public on positive ways to interact with our dogs. We want to make an impact on the way people see and train with their dogs. If we can change even one person’s mind from some older ideas, we will feel like we’ve won. I will always advocate for our dogs and the way that we treat them. I hope to provide understanding into our dogs and tools to build success.
I have been working with dogs and their humans for 10 years. I am originally from New Jersey where I grew up with a Golden Retriever. I was relentless in asking for a dog for 12 years when my parents finally caved. Success! He was much better than the little wooden dog on wheels that I used to take everywhere with me. I started All Paws on Deck in NJ and eventually moved to Palm Beach, Florida where I teamed up with a business owner there to co-own Fetch Palm Beach offering dog walks and training. I moved to BC about 6 years ago where I started up All Paws on Deck once again in Langley, BC. I am certified privately in the US and am a graduate from the International Academy for Canine Trainers here in BC where I received a lot of hands-on experience.
I specialize in prevention, raising puppies, fear, anxiety, reactivity, and light aggression. I love working with new dog owners who maybe feel a bit lost on how to raise their puppy to thrive in our environment and prevent behavioral issues down the road as much as possible. Being able to support them along their training journey and seeing those light bulb moments from both dog and owner, has been amazing.
I also have 2 rescues at home who are both high drive dogs; one of whom was a street dog and tried to jump out of my car window the first week that I had her. Recall and knowing how to work with a high drive dog (hello fellow border collie owners), was a life saver during our first few months together. My passion for rescues, high drive dogs, and recall has only propelled forward since then. I offer private dog training programs with ongoing support so that we can be there to help along your training journey as things change over time.
I love being a dog trainer because I have the privilege of coming into your family to learn all about you and your pup, and how I can help you all along the way. Private training really allows me a window into your lifestyle and how you want to raise your pup; what’s really important to you when it comes to training your dog. I love being able to guide my students in the right direction and even provide multiple solutions for them to be successful. I learn so much along the way which really allows me to help my students the most. (Thank you to everyone who has ever trusted us with their pets, it’s been nothing short of amazing and I wouldn’t trade it for the world).
I am accredited by the Canadian Association for Professional Dog Trainers (CAPDT) and the Professional Animal Care and Training Association of BC (PACTA). The CAPDT requires you to take a certain amount of continuing education classes per year in order to retain your membership which means we are keeping up to date on the latest research! PACTA is an association that approves only humane dog trainers throughout BC using science-based, positive reinforcement methods. We have monthly meetings to discuss how we as a group work with dogs with various behavioral problems which means we have a lot of support from other amazing trainers as well! I love that there is always something new to learn and I will always take any opportunity that comes my way to keep learning.
Michelle has also attended multiple seminars throughout the year such as:
Rescue 101: Navigating the Adoption System
Canine Communication and Body Language
Beyond Basic Obedience: The Power of Enrichment
Working with Fearful Dogs
Dog Behavior Conference (3 day intensive) 2022 and 2023
Decoding Your Canine 2022 and 2023
Separation Anxiety Foundations (Rescued by Training)
What Reactive Dogs Really Need (Marilyn Mele)
KIENO 2024 (Paws Up Dogs)
Parenting Sensitive Dogs: Dog Wisdom Workshop
Barking Up The Right Tree: Month-Long Reactivity Seminar
