Michael Ellis School For Dog Trainers

The Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers offers a variety of training programs including in-person events, recorded classes, and webinars. Recorded classes cover topics such as Obedience Intensive, Behavior Modification, Puppy Development, and E Collar training. Webinars address specific topics like Focused Heeling, Approaches to Teaching the Out, Pros and Cons of Modern Ecollar Training, Dealing with Reactivity, Training with Markers, and the Importance of Variable Reinforcement.

The Michael Ellis Membership provides access to “Recordings of Selected MES Classes,” all pre-recorded webinars, Michael’s Video Training Journal, Practical Tutorials, monthly live Q&A sessions with Michael, and priority access to sign up for Michael’s in-person events. All content is accessible online with an active membership and does not expire.

Pricing Summary

The Michael Ellis Membership costs $70 per month, with a 10% discount for yearly payment, making it $63 per month. Individual webinars are priced at $45 each, and collaborative webinars are $79. Pool rentals are by appointment, with prices for a specified number of dogs and an additional $20 per extra dog.

Policies

Membership content does not expire as long as the membership is active. Videos cannot be downloaded and require internet access. There may be website downtime for maintenance. For pool rentals, all newcomers must complete at least one introductory option to be signed-off for open practice rentals, ensuring comfort and knowledge of rules and surroundings. Food rewards are not allowed in the pool area.

Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers (MES) is an internationally renowned institution founded in 2009 by Michael Ellis and his wife Carol, primarily focused on teaching and improving the skills of dog trainers. Michael Ellis, with over forty years of experience in competitive dog sports, practical working dog training, and companion dog training, is known for his clear, concise, and patient teaching style. He has significantly influenced international dog training culture, advocating for reward-based training in protection sports and thoughtful methodologies across all disciplines.

MES offers various training formats including in-person events, recorded classes, webinars, and a comprehensive membership program, which can be accessed by dog owners interested in advanced training concepts or learning directly from Michael Ellis. The school’s 3-acre campus in Santa Rosa, California, features a 2500 sq ft training room for obedience, agility, and bite work, a regulation dock diving pool, a school store, and amenities for students.

Michael Ellis personally conducts the majority of lectures and teaching, supported by other staff members for coaching and practical portions, and occasional guest teachers. The school has successfully trained nearly 2000 trainers, many of whom have become well-known and sought-after professionals in the dog training industry.

Accomplishments

Michael Ellis is an internationally renowned dog trainer with over forty years of experience in competitive dog sports, practical working dog training, and companion dog training. He has taught diverse groups including competitive sport trainers, police departments, the US Military, search and rescue groups, service dog organizations, and pet dog trainers. Before opening MES in 2009, he traveled full-time for over 12 years, conducting more than 300 seminars across the US, Canada, Europe, South America, Mexico, and Australia.

He has been a competitor in Mondioring, French Ring, IGP/Schutzhund, AKC Obedience, and Dock Diving, and served as a decoy/helper for national-level competitions. Michael was a past president of the American Working Malinois Association and a former board member of the US Mondioring Association. He has bred working Malinois under the kennel name Loups du Soleil for thirty years, recognized as one of the most successful breeders in North America. The school has helped nearly 2000 trainers, with many graduates becoming highly sought-after professionals.

How to Get Started!

To access online content, clients need to log in to their account on the website. For the Michael Ellis Membership, clients can sign up monthly or yearly. For pool rentals, sessions must be scheduled by appointment and paid at the time of booking. Newcomers to the pool facility must complete an introductory session to be approved for open practice rentals.