Meaghan Summerbell
Meaghan is an all around Dog-Guru. Raised by Akitas, they were prepped for a life in the animal training industry since birth. With a background in daycare, boarding & training, Meaghan has worked with thousands of dogs over the last 10 years, with hundreds of dog breeds and mixes. Their training experience extends to cats, horses, goats, and more!
At home, they have six dogs and two cats: Katie, 11 yo Chug, Molly, 10 yo Chug, Josie, 10 yo Bully mix, Brad, 11 yo Golden Retriever mix, Dio, 5 yo mini Dachshund, Dani, 4 yo German Shepherd mix, Daphne, 7 yo DSH, and Stori, 6 yo DSH. Meaghan co-founded the GoodPaws dog training app in 2020, and joined as co-owner for Urban Pawsibilities in 2021 just prior to the opening of the facility.
Training Philosophy
We use positive reinforcement centered training plans to modify behavior. But what does that mean, and how does that differ from other training methods? There are a lot of misunderstandings and misconceptions about dog training, dog behavior, and animal behavior in general. To make a long story short, humans have been trying to use punishment as a technique for changing animal behavior for a very long time. What scientists have found, through thousands of studies of hundreds of different species, is that if you are trying to teach any organism, any new behavior, punishment - decreasing the likelihood of a behavior - is not as effective of a teacher as reinforcement - increasing the likelihood of a behavior. Animals learn faster, with more retention, and with better accuracy when we use positive reinforcement centered training plans to modify behavior.
Services
Urban Pawsibilities offers a variety of dog training services, including:
- Daytraining: A drop-off program where dogs receive 1-on-1 training, potty breaks, and playgroups. Available in half-day and full-day packages.
- Daystay: A basic care and training program for dogs who are comfortable in confinement. Daystay clients receive a shorter report card with pictures, whereas Daytraining clients receive detailed resources to continue training at home.
- Group Classes: Classes cover varied topics from basic manners, socialization, leash reactivity, separation anxiety, and more. Classes meet for 1 hour a week for 6 weeks on a consistent schedule.
- Private Training: One-on-one coaching with a professional trainer to build real-life skills. Available onsite and in-home.
- Consultation: A 30-minute phone consultation with a head trainer to discuss specific needs and decide on the right training program.
- Puppy Training: Puppy Preschool, Puppy Kindergarten, Puppy Social Hour, and Private Puppy Training.
Pricing:
- Daytraining:
- Full Day: $155/day or $750 for a 5-pack
- Half Day: $100/day or $485 for a 5-pack
- Daystay: $90/day or $435 for a 5-pack
- Group Classes: $260-$300 per 6-week series
- Private Training:
- Onsite: $145 for a single session, $430 for a 3-pack, $700 for a 5-pack
- In-Home: $175 for a single session, $850 for a 5-pack
- Online: $145 for a single session, $430 for a 3-pack, $700 for a 5-pack
- Consultation: $60 deposit
- Puppy Preschool: $160 for a 4-week series
- Puppy Kindergarten: $300 for a 6-week series
- Puppy Social Hour: $35 per session or $130 for a 4-pack
- Private Puppy Training: $850 for a 5-pack
Certifications
Meaghan is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA), a Karen Pryor Academy Clicker Training Partner (KPA CTP), a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), and a CGC evaluator. Meaghan has completed coursework such as the Puppy Start Right for Instructors course through Karen Pryor Academy, Living and Learning with Animals taught by Susan Friedman, Training Across Species, an immersive course with Ken Ramirez, the Aggression in Dogs Mastercourse with Michael Shikashio and more. They are working towards becoming a certified canine behavior consultant and certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT).
Specializations
Meaghan finds working with fearful and reactive dogs, puppies, and new dog guardians especially rewarding.
Training Methods
Meaghan uses positive reinforcement centered training plans to modify behavior. This means that she focuses on rewarding desired behaviors to increase their likelihood, rather than using punishment to decrease unwanted behaviors.
Customer Reviews
Jen Milano: “I wanted to make sure people are aware of how wonderful the team at Urban Pawsibilities is. We've worked with most of the trainers, whether for a walk, a day training, or a private lesson. Every time, I am really amazed. Boo is a rescue who has a rough history - he's a fearful reactive dog who definitely is selective with who he trusts. The fact that he now walks into Urban Pawsibilities with confidence to see his human friends melts my heart, but also enforces for me that Boo has found a great foundation for helping him navigate the world more fearlessly. I'm looking forward to the new year, continuing his training with this team and even engaging in group classes. Whether you have a well adjusted dog or a more fearful one who needs support, I can't more highly recommend this team.”
Aparna Balasubramani: I can’t even express how much you guys have helped Kimchi over the last 1.5yrs! We started seeing a big change in her this summer when we took her out to bars/food carts etc. She no longer barks or asks for attention from us when we are eating and stays so calm! This past Saturday we had like 10 people over to our house including a 1.5yr old kid, and she did so well. Even our friends who have seen her ever since we’ve had her notice the change! Thanks so much to all of you ❤️
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
