The Empowered Dog LLC (2026)

28/07/2025

This is a heartbreaking update to announce.

After a major surgery, a lot of physical therapy, and medication, I have made the difficult decision to suspend in-person training for the foreseeable future.

As much as I miss physically handling and training dogs, it is just not in the best interest of my health.

I am not completely stepping away from training as I will still be offering my services via phone and virtual services. People who have completed my virtual program have seen remarkable results, though I know it can be hard to believe that I can train your dogs virtually. It's because I'm training people and I happen to also be an excellent people trainer. 😉

Thanks for sticking with me for the last decade and thanks for sticking around if you choose to.

11/09/2024

Nothing frustrates me as a trainer more than knowing another trainer failed you and your dog. It's always the same dog.

The anxious dog. The fearful dog. The insecure dog.

The trainer behaves like there's something fundamentally wrong with your dog because they just aren't getting it. Or they blame you, the guardian, the owner, for not doing enough, not practicing enough, not trying hard enough. They can't believe that you are doing everything they told you to do.

Wear them out. Drill obedience. Longer walks. More structure. More more more more. But you are doing everything they told you and your dog is still struggling.

You know your dog is capable. But something just isn't clicking.

Listen, it's not your fault. I know that dog. I had that dog.

Sometimes traditional obedience doesn't fix everything.

Let me say that again louder for you in the back.

Sometimes traditional obedience doesn't fix everything.

You and your dog need a different kind of help. Your dog needs emotional help. And I'm here to tell you that the therapist is IN! I got you. I know how to talk to your dog and I will teach you, too.

It doesn't have to be like this. It doesn't have to be so stressful for either of you.

Wouldn't it be neat if your dog could cope with stress and manage their emotions better? Let's help your dog have an easier time. You both deserve that.

Give me a text or call at 616-209-9690 when you're ready. Help is here.

29/08/2024

The kids are back to school for most families now. As you settle into the new routine, why not do that other thing you've been putting off?

You know what I'm talking about. It's time to train the dog!

You've been putting up with the shenanigans for long enough.

The keep away game.
The jumping.
The darting through the door.
The pulling on walks.

Enough is enough. I can help. You and your dog both deserve quality training that will bring peace to your household and dramatically improve your sanity.

Whether it's a young ornery dog, or one who has anxiety and doesn't know how to manage themselves, or a dog who is fearful, you can count on The Empowered Dog for help.

If you brought home or plan to bring home a new puppy, it's never too soon for puppy training. In fact, a hundred dollars of proactive training under 12 weeks of age is worth thousands of dollars in remedial training later. It's important to work with a trainer who understands puppy development and the key phases of puppyhood.

26/08/2024

Happy National Dog Day!!

Share a picture of your pooch(es) in the comments!

20/08/2024

Did you know that ticks love to hide under leaf litter? As we welcome autumn, it’s very important to check your pets when they come inside. I’d like to introduce you to something I learned when I was a certified pet first aid instructor, and that’s called the nose to tail assessment.

This is a great habit to start with your pets anyway as it will be your first indicator to any medical issues that may also be brewing with your pet.

Start at the nose and look for a damp nose. It shouldn’t be crusty and dry nor should it be dripping. If it’s safe to do with your pet, lift their lips and check their gums. They should be bubblegum pink, not pale or red. Sometimes ticks will embed in the mouth. Do the teeth look good? Next we go up the muzzle to the eyes. They should be clear and evenly dilated. Unevenly dilated pupils can be a sign of shock and warrant a call to the vet. Gently rub your pet’s face and move to check the ears. Ticks hide here, too! Are the ears clean? Do they have an odor? Rub down your pet’s neck and shoulders looking for any lumps or bumps. Check between toes and around paw pads. Rub down their spine and rib cage feeling for abnormalities. Rub down their back legs and check their back paws as well. If they allow you, roll them onto their back to check for ticks in the armpits as well as the groin area. Your pet also has lymph nodes in these areas and their neck, so we are checking for any unusual swelling that could hint at a problem.

If you find any ticks, I recommend using a tick removal product like Ticked Off (Amazon). Any embedded ticks you pull off your pet should soak in a sealed jar with rubbing alcohol. It will kill the tick and preserve it in case it needs to be tested for any diseases like Lyme.

This is a particularly wonderful exercise to start with young puppies so that they are good for handing at the vet and the groomer. If you need help with safely handling your pet, it's time to call a professional for help.

I am currently accepting new in-person and virtual clients for training. 616-209-9690 call or text today!

[Photo courtesy Chelsea Hypes]

08/04/2024

Trained dogs have more fun! We took our little crew to Ohio for the solar eclipse.

Dogs who know how and when to relax get to enjoy a lot more adventures.

07/04/2024

Over the last 8.5 years I've been in business, I've noticed something about the clients, or students, that are working with me.

They want more. So much more.

They don't just want better behavior, they want a better relationship with their dog. They respect their dog as an individual. They want to truly understand their dog.

Empowered owners don't just want me to train their dog for them. They want to be the ones to help their dog, so most of my clients end up with the knowledge close to a novice trainer. I guide and teach the humans, and then they guide and teach their dog. Of course, I step in when it's needed. The joy people experience from having helped their dog is something that never gets old for me to see.

Flexibility is so important with our busy lives these days. It's very challenging for most of my students to be able to commit to six or eight weeks of training at the same time and the same day of the week. The training I offer is very flexible and I even have some self-guided options available. Yes, they really work if you commit the time.

My students want support between their lessons. They want to make sure they're heading in the right direction. I don't want them stuck or confused. Depending on your preferences, I have a variety of options available to provide support between lessons.

The ultimate goal for the vast majority of my cstudents is Adventure. Hiking, boating, and dog-friendly patios are all reasonable goals for most dogs. The education I provide teaches dogs how to relax when it's suggested, how to cope with stress, how to manage their emotions, and how to gain the impulse control needed to handle those dofferent situations.

From California to New Jersey, I have worked with people and their dogs across the country to help them calm their dog's anxiety, improve their manners, and get them out in the world and on the trail.

If this all sounds like what you want from a trainer, it doesn't matter where you live. Options exist for you! Hate talking on the phone? That's okay, I welcome you to text me at 616-209-9690 to learn more. It's never too soon and never too late to get the help you deserve.

25/03/2024

Spring is coming, eventually. You know, real spring!

There are two things that I want to address.

First is your reminder that ticks are active at 45° F and above. Make sure your pets are protected. This year is forecasted to be especially bad after our mild winter. For extra protection beyond what you use from your vet, I love to use Wondercide as a second layer of protection for both my dogs and myself.

Second is that with spring being so close, many of us will want to get out there and start hiking with our dogs. If you had a rough year last year and want things to go better with your dog, give me a call! If you added a new dog and want to teach them how to hike politely with you, give me a call!

I am now enrolling for my Foundations Program which will give you all the solid foundation of training that you could possibly want with your best furry friend. Manners, obedience, relationship building, improved communication, and improved understanding of your dog are all things you can expect to learn in this program.

Busy schedule? No problem. Lessons are pre-recorded for you to watch when it's most convenient for you.

Worried about the canine respiratory virus? No problem. You'll be learning from the comfort of your home! Group classes are included but optional.

Want to take things further? No problem. You can add additional in-home or "out and about" private lessons at your convenience.

Trained dogs have more fun, and so do their owners.

Want to learn more? Call or text me at 616-209-9690 today. Yes, you can text me!

Photo by Chelsea Hypes
Pictured: Quinnleigh, the frosty black dog and Sterling the dark gray dog with a little frost on his muzzle. Muskegon State Park.

25/03/2024

Spring is coming, eventually. You know, real spring!

There are two things that I want to address.

First is your reminder that ticks are active at 45° F and above. Make sure your pets are protected. This year is forecasted to be especially bad after our mild winter. For extra protection beyond what you use from your vet, I love to use Wondercide as a second layer of protection for both my dogs and myself.

Second is that with spring being so close, many of us will want to get out there and start hiking with our dogs. If you had a rough year last year and want things to go better with your dog, give me a call! If you added a new dog and want to teach them how to hike politely with you, give me a call!

I am now enrolling for my Foundations Program which will give you all the solid foundation of training that you could possibly want with your best furry friend. Manners, obedience, relationship building, improved communication, and improved understanding of your dog are all things you can expect to learn in this program.

Busy schedule? No problem. Lessons are pre-recorded for you to watch when it's most convenient for you.

Worried about the canine respiratory virus? No problem. You'll be learning from the comfort of your home! Group classes are included but optional.

Want to take things further? No problem. You can add additional in-home or "out and about" private lessons at your convenience.

Trained dogs have more fun, and so do their owners.

Want to learn more? Call or text me at 616-209-9690 today. Yes, you can text me!

Photo by Chelsea Hypes
Pictured: Quinnleigh, the frosty black dog and Sterling the dark gray dog with a little frost on his muzzle. Muskegon State Park.

08/03/2024

Operation Solo is a pretty amazing group, and we love our vets over at Glenpark Animal Hospital sounds like a win win!

I think I need one for my home office. 🤩

Monday	10:30 - 18:00
Tuesday	10:30 - 18:00
Wednesday	10:30 - 18:00
Thursday	10:30 - 18:00
Friday	10:30 - 16:00
Saturday	11:00 - 14:00

The Empowered Dog LLC

28/07/2025

11/09/2024

29/08/2024

26/08/2024

20/08/2024

08/04/2024

07/04/2024

25/03/2024

25/03/2024

08/03/2024

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