MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member

 
International Association of Animal    Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

Supporting Member Dog Division

 Dallas Obedience Training Club (DOTC)      

BOD Member and Trainer

             American Kennel Club (AKC)              Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

 PET TECH - First Aid & Care for Your Pets   Certified Pet 1st Aid & CPR Instructor

Melissa has been working with dogs for over fifteen years and in 2007, she established Pets & Their People Dog Training, LLC.

Melissa and her dogs have dabbled in many dog sports and activities such as competitive obedience, agility, flyball, rally, and tracking.

Melissa's methods of training are based on developing an understanding of the dog's behavior and then building on the relationship between human and canine in order to create a trusting and committed partnership.

In 2011, Melissa earned the credential of Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA).

She is also a Certified PET TECH Instructor (CPTI) and teaches Pet First Aid & CPR classes throughout the year. Click here to learn more about classes.

Melissa's quest for knowledge is never ending! Melissa attends many lectures and seminars on animal behavior and training throughout the year.

In addition to training, teaching and working with dogs, Melissa has a full time corporate position in Medical Staffing. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Texas Wesleyan University.

Before her corporate life, Melissa spent several years working production in the entertainment industry filming commercials, music videos, made-for-TV movies, cable TV movies, and motion pictures throughout the state of Texas. She is also currently writing a screenplay.

Melissa frequently contributes training and behavior articles for The Burb, a local publication distributed in Las Colinas, Valley Ranch, and Coppell, Texas.

Melissa lives in Irving, Texas and shares a home with her husband Mike, a tankful of African Cichlids, and an Australian Shepherd named Bishop. 

Photo courtesy of Suzanne Webb 2014
http://www.canine-chaos.com/
 

SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, and CONTINUING EDUCATION

Dr. Susan Friedman: Living & Learning with Animals, Springfield, Virginia, June 2017

John McGuigan: Northwest School of Canine Studies, Seattle, WA April 2017

FetchMasters: Positive Gun Dog Training, Addison, TX February 10-12 2017

Ken Ramirez: Austin, Texas Spring 2016

Kathy Sdao: Addison, Texas Spring 2016

Suzanne Clothier: CARAT Level 1.1; St. Johnsville, New York, May 21-22, 2015

Dr. Kirby Wycoff and Suzanne Clothier: The Reflected Relationship: Assessment & Suitability in Animal Assisted Therapy; St. Johnsville, New York, May 23-24, 2015, October 25-26, 2014

Suzanne Clothier Seminar: Head and Heart in Balance; Wolf Park, Indiana, August 8-10, 2014

"Three Timely Topics with Nicole Wilde", Grapevine, Texas May 3-4, 2014

"The Art and Science of Animal Training Annual Conference" Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals (ORCA), Denton, Texas 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009

Ken Ramirez Weekend Seminar: Training Excellence and Problem Solving; Houston, Texas Feb 15-16, 2014

The Art and Science of Animal Behavior; Dr. Sophia Yin, Columbia, Maryland September 7-8, 2013

Mirror Method USA Beginners Class; Murchison, Texas, May-June 2013

Drives, Brakes & Steering: Keeping Your Dog in the Think & Learn Zone™, Suzanne Clothier, Grapevine, Texas February 23-24, 2013

"Relationship Based Training" with Suzanne Clothier; Texas 2012, 2004, 2003

TAGteach International Primary Level Completion; Arlington, Virginia June 9-10, 2012

"The Well Adjusted Dog: Secrets to Understanding Canine Behavior" with Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman; Arlington, Virginia April 9-10, 2011

Seminars with Dr. Ian Dunbar; Texas 2011, 2009, Baltimore, Maryland 2010

(APDT) Association of Pet Dog Trainers Annual Educational Conference 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010

Roger Abrantes/Nicole Wilde; Dallas, Texas May 2010

"A Relationship Based Approach" with Suzanne Clothier, Trainer's Workshop Hawks Hunt Farm; New York 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006

"Strengthening Your Core & More" International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC); Houston, Texas April 24-26, 2009

PET TECH Instructor Training; Chicago, Illinois September 27-29, 2008

"Working with Fearful Dogs" with Nicole Wilde; Fort Worth, Texas February 23, 2008

"Demystify Evo Devo! (Evolutionary Development) with Ray Coppinger & Ken McCort; Austin, Texas, February 15-17, 2008

Kay Laurence & Sue Sternberg; Dallas, Texas 2006

"A Weekend with Jean Donaldson" Austin, Texas February 26-27, 2005

"A More Complete View" with Suzanne Clothier; Wolf Park, Battle Ground, Indiana June 11-13, 2004

"Behavior" with Ted Turner; Austin, Texas 2004

"A Workshop for Dogs and Their People" TTOUCH Seminar; Plano, Texas, November 16, 2003

"The Complete Dog Conference: Perspectives on Canine Behavior, Training, and Problem Solving" with Dr. Roger Abrantes, Brenda Aloff, Andrea Arden, Sarah Kalnajs; Madison, Wisconsin, September 19-21, 2003