Meet Micki

Calm greetings and nose boops,

Thank you for taking the time to research the right dog trainer for you and your canine companion. No matter where you and your pup are in your journey, my goal is to create a safe training container that feels collaborative, fun, and supportive. I believe every dog and human relationship is unique. That’s why it is so important to foster flexibility, openness, and caring attention to the individual needs on both ends of the leash. I will teach you how to tune into your dog’s body language and utilize science-backed positive reinforcement methodologies to cope with stressful situations. If you are looking to achieve harmonious cohabitation and learn tools to help you communicate with your dog more effectively long-term, I would love to meet you!

I am passionate about puppy socialization, child and dog safety, youth education, creating “care with consent”/cooperative care, and creative canine enrichment. My experience caring for my own uniquely challenging dogs inspired me to learn effective and humane ways to help them navigate this often chaotic human world. In 2021, I followed my passion for dog training to join the continually developing and forward-thinking community of dog professionals in Portland, Oregon. I chose to attend Whole Dog Academy because investing in my local community and establishing support for dogs and their guardians is so important . There I was able to observe and collaborate with highly regarded Portland trainers and behaviorists. I then became a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

An especially challenging topic in training that I am deeply committed to is providing support and resources to guardians dealing with severe aggression and unsafe situations in which medical intervention and even behavioral euthanasia may be considered. I know from personal experience how deeply emotional this can be. You don’t have to go through it alone.

As a competitive athlete for many years, I experienced first-hand how a caring and motivating coach produced a more cohesive team and enthusiastic, successful players. These experiences continue to shape my coaching style and how I relate to all learners, whatever their species. I believe each one of us is connected to a bigger social and natural network, and the energy we exude and embrace is contagious. My goal is to help dogs and their guardians relate to one another more deeply and inspire love and connection in the broader community. We hold so much in our bodies, and our dogs do too. Let’s help each other unleash the tenderness.

A sincere thank you to all of my clients past and present for your trust and engagement. You are my greatest teachers.

With compassion.

Micki Chernyk, CPDT-KA