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If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
Hi, I'm Martha, most of my clients call me "Aunt Martha" because of all the free coaching I give you after I have worked with you in person. As an animal behavior therapist as well as a trainer, I work very differently than other trainers. I specialize in teaching you everything you need to know to live successfully with and solve all the problems you are having with your puppy, dog or dogs in one session. I come to your home to work with you and your family and animal friends. I usually only need to see my clients once (no worries here if you need shorter follow up sessions down the line, I can do that) and I take a holistic approach. My definition of that is that I share everything I have learned that affects your dog's behavior. I teach you about food/feeding and how that affects behavior, I cover the physical/health/well being subject if there is something there that will be helpful to you and your dog, I look at the history, your home and environment, how you are doing things and set up and let you know what you are doing right and should continue and what we need to change or add to solve all the issues on your list. I do my best to help you understand your dog, why it is doing what it is doing and teach you how to communicate, teach, behavior modify and train to resolve everything you need help with. I have been doing this professionally for more than 50 years so many of the most serious problems are under control the day I work with you, especially things like barking! I also give you free phone follow up privileges after I have worked with you. I always do a free/no obligation phone evaluation so read my reviews, send me a request, I will send you back a quote and then we can chat about your dog friend in detail and I will explain further and schedule you with me if you decide to hire me. I look forward to hearing from you soon! Thanks
Overview
Current Top Pro
Hired 549 times
14 similar jobs done near you
Background checked
1 employee
40 years in business
Business hours
SunClosedMon12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash and Check.
Top Pro status
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2025
2024
2019
2018
2017
2016
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 work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Excellent 4.9
313 reviews
5
95%
4
4%
3
0%
2
1%
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Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our review guidelines.
Read reviews that mention:
Mike S.
Jun 23, 2026
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Hired on Thumbtack
Martha is very knowledgeable and up to date on her training methods. Bonny (our dog) was very responsive to Martha’s methods. What she said she could do, she was able to do and more. The more we talked, the more we were able to find a few other behavioral issues as well, which she added to the list and handled.
Details: 2 - 10 years old • Large (41 - 70 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • Leash pulling • Destructive behavior • Barking • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Jan J.
2 weeks ago
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Hired on Thumbtack
The minute Martha walked in my door she immediately taught me how to stop my puppy from jumping on a guest, something I've never been able to figure out how to do. She was very thorough, discussing dogs in general, food and physical needs, training commands and communication, and correctional teaching. She was calm, patient, extremely knowledgeable, and a delight to learn from. Absolutely worth every minute with her!
Details: 1 - 2 years old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • Leash pulling • House training • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Alice K.
May 19, 2026
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Hired on Thumbtack
I called Martha to get "a head start" with my puppy because I wanted to train our pup right the first time instead of going back to correct bad behavior. Also with so much conflicting information online on how to train a puppy properly, it became frustrating to discern if I am doing the right thing. With our puppy, we wanted to work on having her be quiet in her crate, housebreaking, and minimizing any separation anxiety from worsening/developing. Our puppy was a champ and caught on quick! but Martha's methods also work! Glad that she was able to come and help us get started. I also learned so much about dog food and what the labels actually mean. We will be looking into healthier alternatives. Overall, I am satisfied with the time spent with Martha and I feel confident moving forward in training our puppy. I also appreciate her being available to future calls if needed.
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • Leash pulling • House training • Barking • Crate training • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Robin M.
Aug 11, 2026
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Hired on Thumbtack
Martha is fantastic. She knows her stuff. She is communicative and explains everything as she goes. She individualizes based on your dog and gives examples of other dogs she has worked with. She is honest and isn’t afraid to say she isn’t exactly sure about something but will continue to dig deeper to try to find answers. She gives you the tools to help you work with your dog after using them in your session and gives examples of others you could purchase if needed. She has several support people she recommends for deeper seeded issues with dogs but doesn’t push anything on you. Her pricing is fair and maybe even low for the quality of work she offers and you can follow up with her for free for as long as you need to. I would highly recommend her.
Details: 6 - 12 months old • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Gretchen M.
Mar 19, 2026
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Hired on Thumbtack
If you are researching dogtrainers right now, look no further, i have done the research for you and Martha is the one to choose. I am a new dog owner that recently adopted a shelter dog from Texas who was extremely fearful and would retreat to sleep as her “safety”. Prior to my training session with Martha I said to my sister “success to me would be that this trainer can get Phoebe at least into the hallway.” Well, Martha far exceeded that. Martha came in and was the confident leader Phoebe needed to begin to come out of her shell. Martha demonstrated it and taught me how I can do it too. We not only got into the hall, but we got down the stairs (phoebes biggest enemy), and all the way outside. She should charge far more than she does for her services because she really is a miracle worker. Can’t wait to continue to live the skills that Martha taught me so I am the confident leader that Phoebe needs so she can be the confident dog I know she is! Thank you Martha!!
Details: 6 - 12 months old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Credentials
Background Check
Nels Rasmussen
FAQs
What types of customers have you worked with?
Solving behavior, training and healing problems with dogs and cats
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Follow your heart
What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
A majority of my clients have already worked with many other trainers or gone to lots of classes without getting the help they need to solve whatever problems are going on with their dogs. Often, I am the last resort.
