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If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
Bred For Life is a professional dog training/pet care business dedicated to helping pet owners and pets live happy lives together with loving, respectful relationships.
I am a certified dog trainer who has a passion for all animals.
I use the Foundation style training methodology which will provde solid long term results. This is accomplished using the principles and disciplines that have been proven in dog training. Your dog learns and progresses while building a solid foundation which is how you achieve meaningful success that remains long term with the proper reinforcement. Your pet will be transformed without losing their unique personality. The end result will produce a well mannered, well behaved pet that will also demonstrate calmness, contentment, a willingness to engage and will display more affectionate behaviors. I work with all breeds, ages and behavior types.
All training plans are customized and personalized according to YOUR goals for your dog, and your specific situations. I offer private lessons which occur in your home, mine or online as opposed to a kennel or group environment. This allows for a comfortable, stress free setting for both you and your dog while providing the proper focus needed to achieve results quickly.
Whether you are interested in puppy training, basic obedience, proper leash walking, housebreaking, or behavior modification, look no further. Why not get your dog started on the right path now. You will not be disappointed with the amazing results.
When providing pet sitting, your pet will be treated as they were my own. You will have peace of mind knowing your pet, as well as your home is in responsible, caring hands.
I love every aspect of my job. I enjoy the opportunity to meet so many people and to work with so many unique and wonderful pets. My services have given me the opportunity to not only form long term client relationships, but friendships as well!
Please take a moment to check out my reviews.
Overview
Hired 103 times
2 similar jobs done near you
Background checked
1 employee
12 years in business
Business hours
SunClosedMon8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Payment methods
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Top Pro status
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2025
2024
2019
2017
Services offered
Dog training package
Dog size
Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs)
Small (16 - 25 lbs)
Medium (26 - 40 lbs)
Large (41 - 70 lbs)
Dog training type
Private lessons
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.
Excellent 4.9
95 reviews
5
97%
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2%
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Read reviews that mention:
Laura D.
Nov 15, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
We cannot say enough amazing things about Joyce. When we adopted our first dog, Bella-a 6-year-old former puppy-mill mom-she was terrified of everything. Anxious, shut down, and unsure how to function in a real home, she needed someone with incredible patience and skill. Joyce was exactly that.
Joyce guided us through every step, helping Bella come out of her shell and learn how to simply live without fear. She understood Bella’s trauma and moved at a pace that was gentle, thoughtful, and unbelievably effective.
Then we adopted Bella’s son, Jessie-a chaotic, high-energy 2-year-old who acted like he’d had twelve cups of coffee for breakfast. Somehow, Joyce worked her magic again. She taught us how to train him to the point where he’s unbelievably obedient-he can literally stay in “place” for as long as we ask. We look at him sometimes and wonder if he’s even the same dog.
She has transformed both of our dogs’ lives-and ours. We are beyond grateful for her expertise, compassion, and the confidence she’s given us as dog owners. If you’re looking for a trainer who can handle absolutely anything with grace and real results, Joyce is it. Highly, highly recommend. 🐾💛
Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Leash pulling • House training • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Dominic F.
Aug 28, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
We loved working with Joyce! She didn’t just teach our pup, she taught us how to be better owners. Patient, knowledgeable, and so effective—our dog has come such a long way. Highly recommend Joyce to anyone looking for a trainer!!
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Leash pulling • House training • Biting • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Chris F.
Oct 3, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
My wife and I have been using Joyce's services for a few months, and she has been nothing sort of phenomenal. She is a wealth of knowledge, very patient, understanding, and empathetic. She truly is an expert in her field, and we would not trust anyone else with establishing good foundational behavior and obedience for our puppy. We feel firmly that our dog is being setting up for success under her guidance and tutelage. In short, she has met and exceeded all our expectations. Do yourself a favor and just hire her. You won't regret it.
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • Chewing • Crate training • Biting • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Laura S.
Jan 3, 2026
We had a great experience working with Joyce. We have three dogs—a Poodle, a Goldendoodle, and a Lab/Cattle Dog mix—and needed help setting boundaries and teaching basic manners. Joyce was knowledgeable, friendly, punctual, and very professional. She was honest and gave us great advice, and our dogs are now much more docile and understand commands like come and leave it. We’re still working on place and plan to continue training in the spring. I would definitely recommend Joyce to anyone looking for a dogtrainer.
Robbi M.
Jan 3, 2026
There is so much to say about Joyce that it's hard to know where to begin. She is so professional, hardworking, kind, knowledgeable and just plain nice
Our dogs love her, respect her and LISTEN to her. She made us better owners which in turn made our dogs better pets. She had so much patience with US, the dog parents. Our dogs worked hard, it's not so much but she stuck with us and was very encouraging and we all benifitted. Our dog Cooper was reactive aggressive and now he's 95 percent better. Our 1 year old Boxer could best be described as having explosive undisciplined energy. That was Bodie. Now, he's still that on occasion, but he's also learned that certain behaviors are unacceptable. Joyce was a G-d send, when we really needed one. We interviewed 4 trainers before we met Joyce and so many of them seemed to be money oriented. And wanted us to sign up for multiple sessions. Joyce told us let's take it one visit at a time. It was clear to us that her focus was the dogs. We highly recommend her for whatever dog need you have.
Credentials
Background Check
Joyce Nowakowski
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My rates are very reasonable and within industry standards. I offer discounted rates when lessons are purchased in packages of four.
Individual training session prices may vary somewhat based on location.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
My first step is to conduct a consultation/evaluation session that provides me with all the necessary information I need to customize an appropriate training plan to meet the goals of my clients. The type of information required provides me with insight to the pets home routines, the home environment, the number of individuals in the home, observed behaviors both positive and negative, type of corrective action taken, etc.
The client is provided with critical educational information that will set their pet up for success as well as immediate action steps to be taken to begin the training process. These steps have been proven to show immediate results.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
