The Upper Paw

“We were experienced dog owners, but it had been 14 years since having a new puppy in our home. Melissa helped us re-orient to setting the tone of implementing structure first and followed up on targeted areas where we were having difficulties. Our pup knows when Ms. Melissa shows up it’s time to work and there are going to be some new rules around here by the time she leaves. She helped us get back in control quickly and also had extreme patience in educating our nine and eleven year old human children on how to properly train a puppy as this was their first time being involved in the training and discipline process. If debating on whether or not to bring Melissa in, don’t hesitate! The investment pays off financially and in household peace!”
– Tracey L.

“When our family found out that we would soon be bringing home a 3-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever, we immediately contacted Melissa. A few months prior, we had to put down our beloved older dog and decided at that time if we got a new puppy, we needed professional assistance to help us with training. Prior to bringing Murphy home, our family arranged a phone meeting with Melissa, including our two daughters to discuss appropriate preparations for our new puppy. She provided much appreciate step by step training instructions. This made the transition seamless when we actually brought Murphy home. Melissa was available for in-home visits working one on one with each of us on ways to best engage with Murphy. We could tell from the start that her philosophy and techniques were going to develop a very special well-behaved pooch. We are constantly receiving complements on how well-behaved Murphy is ESPECIALLY for a lab puppy. We couldn’t be more pleased with the guidance Melissa has provided throughout this process. Having a calm, well adjusted family dog has been a most welcome experience for our family.”
– Tia S.

“I adopted Bear, a super affectionate yet timid pup, when he was a year old. Between me being a first time dog owner and Bear being in a shelter his whole life, we both had a lot to learn. I live in a condo building in downtown Chicago, where the noise and distractions had Bear overstimulated. In the matter of a few hours, Melissa was able to transform our walks from a pulling competition to a structured stroll! We started the session with a comprehensive lesson on leadership mentality and dog psychology. Learning not to humanize interactions with Bear was key – this isn’t just dog training, it’s human training! Living in a building with lots of neighbors, we focused on ways for Bear to maintain a calm state of mind when indoors, creating a balanced environment for both of us. By setting boundaries and rewarding with different types of resources in the house, Bear and I built a bond and now he trusts me as his leader. His confidence has grown so much in just a few months! I truly can’t imagine what it would have been like had I not met Melissa. She took the time to learn about both me and Bear, clearly not using a one-size-fits all approach to her training. With her guidance and knowledge, Bear and I both went from being anxious to being a dynamic duo. Even our neighbor now calls him ‘The Star Student’. I highly recommend Melissa – any pack would benefit from her expertise.”
– Diana T.