My name is Melissa Cushman and I have been training dogs for over 20 years both professional and as a hobbyist. I worked in the Veterinary field as a Veterinary Technician for over 10 years while also working with dog training clients. My personal dogs have been trained in a variety of dog sports such as agility, tricks, rally, obedience, carting, mushing, service dog tasks and scent detection.
For over 4 years I worked with Dawn Scheu of Willow Service Dogs LLC doing virtual service dog training before starting my own business training online. Which means I am uniquely qualified to help you from anywhere in the world with remote training.
I continue my education at Fenzi Dog Sports Academy where I strive to stay up to date on the most recent advances in science based dog training and learn from other trainers who are at the top of their fields. Ensuring I am always teaching with the most effective and positive methods. In 2023 I earned my Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Sports Foundations Training Certificate.
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I am a Control Unleashed Certified Instructor a program designed by Leslie McDevitt that is especially helpful for reactive dogs, sports dogs and new puppies, for more information about this program check out my blog on the topic.
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I am a certified Family Dog Mediator a program created by Kim Brophey CDBC, BA, she is an applied ethologist, certified dog behavior consultant, creator of the Dog Key™ software, author of "Meet your Dog" and developer of the L.E.G.S.® dog behavior model which the Family Dog Mediation Certification program is based upon. This program teaches you to look at each individual dog and assess their needs based on their individual L.E.G.S.®. if you want to learn more about this check out my blog on the topic.
I specialize in Scent Based Service Dog Tasks for gluten and allergen detection but enjoy teaching all aspects of dog training. I believe in positive science based dog training. Dog and handler should enjoy working and spending time together as a team.
I am an O.D.O.R. Service Dogs Inc. Obedience and Scent Detection Evaluator as well as an AKC CGC Evaluator, Trick Title Evaluator, Farm Dog Test, AKC Fit Dog Instructor, Temperment Test Evaluator and AKC Fetch Judge. Click the read more button below to learn more about my dog training education.
ABOUT ME
Meet My DOGS
Gunther
Gunther odl Dhaquira de Fremery SWN TKI CLASS -BA OPAT OGAD DN
Gunther is a Bouvier Des Flandres born in the Netherlands. He is trained in gluten detection, item retrieval, search for a person, autism support and deep pressure therapy. He also enjoys learning new tricks to earn trick dog titles. His favorite toy in the whole word is his ball! His new favorite sport is Dock Diving. He earned his AKC scent dog novice title (completing 3 qualifying runs in containers, interior, exterior and buried) in one weekend! He loves his people and spending time where ever they are.
Freya
Faisca Lieke V.H. Molengat RN ACT2 ACT1J NDD TKP VHMA OPAT CCC1 TEAM1 TEAM2 OGAD ACT1 ACT2
Freya is a Bouvier Des Flandres she was born in the Netherlands. She is a Gluten Detection Service Dog and also performs other tasks such as item retrieval. She is training to compete in dog sports such as Agility, Rally, the Fenzi TEAM program, Nose Work and Obedience. She recently earned her Rally Novice and Novice Draft Dog title. Her favorite thing in the world is to be with her people either cuddling on the couch or training and learning new things.
Toby
Blu Majic's Steal Your Breath TKI NDD
Toby is a Blue Standard Poodle he was born and bred in Florida, U.S.A.. He is finishing his gluten detection training and mastering his public access skills. He recently earned his Novice Draft Dog Title in his first trial with only a few weeks of preperation. His favorite sport at the moment is agility!