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About
I have over 25 years of living, handling, & training experience with man's best friend. I firmly believe there is NOTHING you can't train a dog to do, if you are willing to spend the time, and break it down into small enough, achievable steps, and without harsh, heavy-handed tools or methods.
I just plain love to be around dogs, but I also love seeing the reaction of the owners when they realize "my dog really can do this" or "I can have the dog I always wanted", without having to use harsh or aversive methods. Discovering what dogs are capable of is a gift every single day. Getting to share that gift with others is just icing on the cake.
Overview
Hired 163 times
Background checked
2 employees
11 years in business
Business hours
Sun8:00 am - 9:00 pmMon8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, Square cash app, and Venmo.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2018
2017
Services offered
Type of animal
Cat
Service type
Evaluate needs
Address nuisance behaviors
Address fears or anxieties
Teach basic commands
Location of training
At customers' home
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, responsiveness, and professionalism.
Exceptional 5.0
62 reviews
5
97%
4
3%
3
0%
2
0%
1
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Read reviews that mention:
Kelly T.
Aug 12, 2022
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Hired on Thumbtack
Just one session with Mike improved the quality of life for my family. Our puppy is aggressive on top of the normal bad puppy manners and Mike has gone above and beyond to help me untangle the aggression issues. Mike truly cares about his clients and knows his stuff! Can’t wait for the next session!
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • Biting • Leash pulling • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Lindsey K.
Apr 24, 2023
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Hired on Thumbtack
His work with Harlow was amazing. She was a 7 month old lab when we had a first session. There was drastic improvement after one session. The second session added even more. He doesn’t just know what he’s talking about but he’s actually put it into practice and experienced the practical application through experience. He help with everything from a fear of stairs, to kennel training, to leash training, plus more.
Details: 6 - 12 months old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • Destructive behavior • Chewing • Biting • House training • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Meg N.
May 11, 2022
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Hired on Thumbtack
I enjoyed the support and insight Mike provided for my puppy. He took ample time in answering my questions and it was refreshing to work someone with the same level of respect and compassion for training dogs. I would highly recommended Mike to anyone needing guidance with your furry loved ones!
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • House training • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Robert C.
Jan 20, 2017
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Hired on Thumbtack
Mike was great! We had him over to help us with a chihuahua who has an accident in the house every now and then. We were very skeptical that anything could be done but Mike assured us it was an easy fix. After just one day we're already seeing an improvement with her understanding of commands and knowing that she gets rewarded for potty outside but not for inside. It's really a simple concept but having someone sit down with us and go over it face to face made a huge difference in our understanding and desire to keep working with her on this problem. I would recommend Mike to anyone who needs help with their dog's behavioral issues.
Dog Training
Tammy L.
Feb 22, 2017
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Mike was very knowledgeable and had a real passion for his work. He was great with my dog while instructing my husband and I on how to get better behavior results. We are excited to get started.
Dog Training
Credentials
Background Check
Mike Poremba
FAQs
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I start with a brief phone conversation or email to get some preliminary info, but then I always make an in-person assessment of the dog. This let's me see exactly what it is my clients are dealing with, and maybe some cues or signals from the dog they don't see themselves. After this I'll start to implement some training & behavior modification right there during the visit. From there I put together a personalized training program that allows the owner to affect & manage their dog's behavior themselves.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer, with 11 years of professional experience with working Border collies, 3 years training Hearing & Autism Assistance Dogs, and about 30 years personal dog ownership/training experience. I'm always trying to add to my training knowledge by learning from other trainers as well, attending various workshops, seminars, and reading books & publications.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I've been a dog lover all my life and started out training my personal and family dogs (my Grandparents' Beagle at age 12). As I learned to develop my own style from established methods, I realized I wanted to make a career of it. That's when I took the Dog Trainer course through ABC and got my official certification. I got an A+ rating from my instructor and was promoted to the Head Dog Trainer position at my job with Wild Goose Chase the same year. I also spent 3 years as an Apprentice Assistance Dog Trainer in Southern Oregon.
