Jonesboro, AR
Michelle Hill
Michelle Hill started training in 2007, apprenticing under several trainers in Atlanta while studying at Penn Foster for a degree in Dog Obedience Training Instruction. Her goal was to become a Service Dog Trainer. She continued to apprentice under well-known trainers in aggression and rehabilitation. In 2009, she was involved with The Humane Society of the United States' End Dog Fighting Campaign, teaching CGC and Agility Skills.
She moved to Rochester, NY in 2010 and apprenticed with a Holistic Trainer, learning about training the dog as a whole, for body, mind, and spirit. She fell in love with Rally Obedience. From 2012-2017, she trained in Retail settings, being Certified by both PetSmart and Petco. With Petco, she was a Mentor who trained other trainers.
In 2017, she left retail and opened Michelle Hill Dog Training Academy to focus on training Service and Therapy Dogs. She also works with The Beck Center for Veterans to help Owner Train Service Dogs for local Veterans. In 2018, she started writing for a UK magazine called Dogs Monthly as a Behavioral and Training Expert. In 2021, she joined the Arkansas Paws in Prison Foundation as the trainer for the McPherson Women's Unit.
Training Philosophy
Michelle Hill believes in positive reinforcement training methods and emphasizes the importance of understanding canine psychology. She believes that all behavior is driven by reinforcement and that dogs learn from the consequences of their behaviors. She is a strong advocate for force-free training and believes that punishments do not work in training or education.
Services
- Service Dog Program: Weekly sessions lasting 18-24 months, teaching owners how to train their dogs while developing the dog's behaviors, alerts, and responsibilities.
- Private Coaching: In-home training weekly for advanced training of obedience and behavior modification, including additional resources for extra training tips and assistance during business hours.
- Service Dog Etiquette For Businesses: Educating staff on how to interact with service dog handlers and informing them of what they are allowed to ask by law.
- Behavioral Consultation: Video call to observe the dog's behavior in the home environment and discuss challenges. Planning a training strategy to make the home less stressful for the dog and owner.
- Animal Assisted Therapy: Teaching therapists how to use their dogs in Animal Assisted Play Therapy during counseling services, including human and canine training basics during weekly sessions.
- Phone Consultation Session: Discussing behavioral issues or training services over the phone.
- Therapy Visits: Training for individuals who want to take their dogs to nursing homes and hospitals to visit other people. This program includes an evaluation to determine the dog's training level and what is needed to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test and Therapy Dog Certification.
- Therapy Dog Training: For therapists who want to learn to use their dogs in their practice or counselors in schools. This program includes training basics for both humans and canines, such as body language, marker training, potty training, social skills, basic-advanced obedience, leash walking, and practice specific skills such as anxiety/depression alerts, behavior interrupts, and reading dog behaviors.
Certifications
- Certified Service Dog Coach
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer
- Certified Service Dog Trainer
- Canine Behavior Consultant with IAABC
- Certified Trick Dog Instructor with Do More With Your Dog and AKC
- Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with AKC
Specializations
- Service Dog Training
- Therapy Dog Training
- Behavioral Consultation
- Obedience Training
- Puppy Training
- Aggression Rehabilitation
- Animal Assisted Therapy
Training Methods
- Positive Reinforcement
- Force-Free Training
- Operant Conditioning
- Marker Training
- Body Language Training
- Leash Walking Training
- Social Skills Training
- Basic-Advanced Obedience Training
- Trick Training
Customer Reviews
- Karen Vinson & Kiera SDiT: "Michelle is an awesome trainer and I highly recommend her. She’s very patient and calm, but most of all, very knowledgeable. We look forward to every session!"
- Dani Huskey & Gus Mobility SD: "Michelle is amazing! She is our 2nd trainer, and I’m so thankful we found her!! She is professional, tries to be flexible, and loves what she does....and it shows! I would highly recommend her!!"
- Steve Rerucha & Sam Therapy Dog: “Michelle is an awesome trainer and individual. Sam and I have been training with Michelle for a year now and despite current obstacles to training, Michelle has found a way to help us stay on track with our training. She is always available to answer questions and help us with any problems that arise. Her knowledge of dogs and training is extensive and she always has a plan to help. When we were quarantined last spring and summer Michelle started us trick dog training and that was and continues to be so much fun and very rewarding. We have had Zoom Calls, classes online, text messages, and phone calls to help in our training. Michelle is also active in training service dogs for our veterans. I would highly recommend Michelle as a trainer without any hesitation.”
Media Appearances
- Writes for a UK magazine called Dogs Monthly as a Behavioral and Training Expert
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.
