About
Melanie Babendreier, founder of Joyful Obedience Dog Training, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a Certified Trick Dog Instructor, and a AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
“I don’t believe that dogs are stubborn, or mean, or bad. They just want to know what they’re supposed to do,” she says. “So many people are frustrated with their dog’s behavior, but have never shown them, or don’t know how to show them, what they DO want. You can see the relief in the dog’s eyes when they realize how easy it can be to make their owners happy.”
Instead of forcing dogs to behave, Melanie changes dogs’ brains through exercises and games that are fun and enticing. She looks for what individual dogs need and trains specifically for that. For example, if a dog is worried and scared of their environment, Melanie will work on the dog’s confidence and optimism. If a dog is hyper-vigilant and barking at the window incessantly, she’ll teach them to seek calmness.
Melanie’s training is all about giving dogs the choice to do what she asks. Dogs respond to her positively because she comes to them with patience and kindness. She does not believe in aversive training, but instead finds a way to engage dogs through joyful exercises and games.
”I don’t believe that dogs are stubborn, or mean, or bad. They just want to know what they’re supposed to do!”
- Melanie L. Babendreier, CPDT,-ka, CTDI, CGC Evaluator
