Michelle Smith

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Dog training is an unregulated industry, which makes professional credentials and continuing education especially important. At Clicks Dog Training, I offer certified, science-based dog training in Loveland and surrounding areas, grounded in humane methods, real-world reliability, and decades of professional experience.

I’m Michelle Smith, owner and certified professional dog trainer, providing positive, effective, reward-based training that supports both dogs and their people. My background spans over 25 years, beginning as a Marine Mammal Trainer and later expanding into human development and communication - an approach that allows me to train dogs with clarity while coaching guardians with confidence.

About Me

Let's Train Your Dog

Professional Expert Guidance

I can support you and your dog with...

Specialties

Puppy Training

proactive training of good manners and fundamental behaviors
- look, touch, sit, down, wait, come, stay, place, leave/drop it, loose leash walking and others!
troubleshooting puppy specific behavior
- potty and crate training, biting, chewing, etc.
enrichment and management techniques to support puppy safety and development

Basic Manners

training and strengthening of fundamental behaviors
troubleshooting and resolving misbehaviors
- front door manners, coming when called, polite walking, settling on a mat, barking and being quiet on cue and others!
enrichment and management techniques to support safety and cognitive/physical well-being

Fearfulness

building confidence through a non-invasive, kind, strategic approach to FAS (fear, anxiety, stress)
- training targeting, middle, focus and others!
understanding the underlying FAS and applying behavior modification to help alleviate discomfort
enrichment and management techniques to support safety and aid in tackling fearfulness

Training Rate

Initial Consultation & Training Sessions: $100/45 minutes

Learn More

My private training sessions are offered on a pay-as-you-go basis. You pay for each session at the end - no upfront packages or long-term commitments required.

Book An Appointment

Book your preferred time using my interactive scheduler. Please note that my service area is within 20 miles of Loveland, Ohio to ensure quality time for every client.

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Affiliations & Certifications

Certificate: 1217827

Certificate: 67625

Working with Michelle has been an immensely positive and empowering experience! Michelle went above and beyond to research my dog’s special needs and to tailor the perfect plan to meet her needs.

- Olivia Hamilton

With contagious enthusiasm and a certainty of a successful outcome, Michelle cheerfully coaches you to train your dog or puppy. After each session, Michelle leaves me feeling like I am one amazing dog trainer who is doing a wonderful job.

- Heather Smith

Michelle is an outstanding trainer. She quickly demonstrated how effective an exclusively positive reinforcement program is. She is creative in her training and adapts her training skills to the needs of the individual dog and handler.

- Pat Kuykendoll

Kind Words from My Pack

Another day, another dachshund stealing my heart. 🌭💗
This guy has picked up his quiet cue and whistle recall like a pro and we’re adding even more helpful (and fun!) cues to make everyday life smoother in a house full of weenie dogs. Smart, eager, and such a joy to train. 💛

Just a very sweet dachshund…

…learning that visitors, touch, and resources can all feel safe and predictable 💕

Confidence, in the making 🐾

Training alongside kids who want to learn and really think things through is pure joy. It’s a bonus that this sweet girl is insanely lovable! 👧🏻👦🏼🧠🐾

Those ears are popping…and so are her puppy skills! This bold, silly girl has been busy learning all her puppy foundation skills and mastering the art of coexisting with kitties and her super patient dog sibling! Big ears. Big personality. Big future.

Bonjour, petit chiot! 🇫🇷🐾
Foundation behaviors? Oui! ✔️
Early desensitization + counterconditioning for those “hmm… not so sure” moments? Oui! ✔️
This little Frenchie and his guardian are an amazing team!! 🩵 Très bien!

Smart, motivated, and eager to learn — this girl checks every box. ✨
She’s moving through her training plan so smoothly that we’ve already begun layering in a few extra skills for enrichment. Credit to her guardian for such skillful use of the clicker and reinforcers — their teamwork truly shines. 🐾

Sometimes all a client needs is a little support getting their new pup settled in. With some clicker coaching and a few foundation skills, this sweet one picked things up quickly and the goals were met. 💛

The hard part? Falling in love with a dog and then having to say goodbye. If I’ve done my job well, they don’t need me anymore (though I secretly hope for a reason to reconnect 🐾). Maybe I should add a clause for quarterly pup updates… kidding, not kidding 😉

Sometimes when you adopt a dog, they’ve already rehearsed some habits you might not love—like jumping on guests or chasing the family cat. 🐾

I introduced his family to positive reinforcement and clicker training, and it has been great to see the progress towards change. They are seeing firsthand how motivated he becomes with each click and reward—and how this approach can reshape old habits, encourage polite responses, and even shift the emotions that drive certain behaviors.

Walk training in progress! We introduced foundational skills in December, and now we’re advancing those skills with new techniques to improve leash manners. The goal? Walks that are both enjoyable and enriching—without the constant pull to forge ahead

We’ve wrapped up all the core puppy fundamentals! 🐾 With continued practice — lots of healthy reps, ongoing shaping, and real-life applications — we’ll sprinkle in future sessions as needed to fine-tune, build on, and expand behaviors. This is exactly why I love offering à la carte sessions to my amazing clients!

This morning I reunited with this sweet, sensitive boy for another training session, and I’m so proud to see the progress he’s made since the winter.
One thing my clients really value is the flexibility to reach back out whenever they’re ready. I only offer a la carte services, so whether it’s been weeks or months, I’m always here to pick up where we left off. Progress isn’t always linear, but it’s always worth it! 🐾

We’re helping this pup keep his “cup” from overflowing when he gets too close to other dogs on walks.

I explained to his Guardian that his brain works like a cup—every exciting or scary thing adds a little more water. If too much pours in too fast, it overflows—and that’s when we see those big reactions she’s hoping to change.

We’re using psychology and the concept of a “threshold” to help him stay calm and learn in a manageable state. With consistent practice and patience, his cup will start to fill more slowly, and he’ll be able to handle being closer without spilling over.

So far, so good—for both ends of the leash!

Training this future therapy dog is a joy! Clicker training has helped us build on his strong foundation, add new skills, and have fun together. Yesterday we started proofing behaviors in dog-friendly stores—he’s nearly fluent and ready to be formally assessed.
The frisbee is his ‘station’—a new cue that allows him and his younger Lab sister to train together at their own spots.”

My regulars deserve the spotlight every now and then—especially this handsome guy I get to hang with every Thursday! Today we explored a new walking route and practiced his ‘wipe’ cue, where he adorably dabs his mouth on a towel after a drink. Hydration with manners!💦💧💦💧

Yesterday was our last session — or at least it was supposed to be! I showed up ready to teach the “middle” cue, and her dad was already using a hand target instead of a food lure. AMAZING! That’s a seriously impressive training move.

Her mom worked with her every single week, and this tiny genius flew past the basics and into advanced behaviors like it was nothing. She’s smart, sweet, and surrounded by an incredible family.

I’m hopeful we’ll work together again soon… because I’m definitely not ready to say goodbye just yet.

Go melt hearts, cause chaos (the good kind), and make someone ridiculously happy, you perfect little goofball.

She might be a late bloomer, but she’s blooming beautifully! 🌸 With private lessons and lots of love, she’s learning so much—polite leash walking is our top priority. Her favorite reward? A squeeze of something soft and tasty from her treat tube!

Meet my sweet client who has megaesophagus, a rare condition where dogs need to eat in an upright position to safely digest their food. Enter the Bailey Chair—an awesome invention that helps make that possible.

We took things slow and positive: first desensitizing her to the chair, then introducing targeting, paws up, leave it, and stationing near the chair. Using the shaping method (breaking a skill into small, rewarding steps), she learned to feel comfortable enough to eat her meals sitting up.

Her guardians have been AMAZING—so patient, loving, and skilled. Working with them has been a total joy, and the bond I’ve formed with this pup is something really special. I treasure the update texts they send me, and I can’t wait to go back and teach her even more.

This journey is still ongoing, but seeing her progress is such a beautiful reminder of how powerful positive training—and teamwork—can be.

Missing this little face since we’ve had to hit ‘paws’ on training for Spring break. He’s such an eager learner, and I’m excited to hear how his trained behaviors were ‘generalized’ (aka practiced in new environments) and how everyone’s experience went!”

Patience is key when it comes to training. Dogs need patience with their Guardians as they learn new techniques and skills. Likewise, Guardians must have patience with their pups, who may need a few extra moments to process a cue after it’s been given. It’s a partnership built on understanding and time. In today’s session, we saw this in action as this lovely girl and her sweet Guardian worked together so beautifully.

This little superstar is absolutely crushing it in training! Whether it’s nailing those touches (nose boops), rocking his recall, or just being the best pup to his Guardians and older fur-sister, he’s proving hard work (and lots of treats) pays off! Keep shining, little rescue pup! The sky’s the limit for you! ✨⭐️🌟🤩

Had a breakthrough in training today with my client while shaping the ‘down’ cue! We were expecting too much too soon, but once we celebrated the ‘almost down’ and reinforced that, things clicked. After a few more reps, we had a solid ‘down’! Remember accepting less can actually lead to more and quicker progress.

“It’s always so rewarding to see a dog instinctively default to a behavior we just introduced in their last session—proof that their Guardian has been putting in the work! And I have to admit, I may have given this guy excessive pets during our training session… he’s just so soft and sweet! ☺️🐾”

I gave my dear friend’s new puppy a Bills jersey and a quick intro training session last week when I was briefly back in town. These acts led to a great foundation for positive learning and an AFC East title! Let’s go Bella and the Bills! 💙❤️🐾

When I first started my Dog Training business, I was often told that, overtime, you discover your niche. For me, that niche has become clear – working with shy and fearful pups. This sweet girl is one of my current clients, and I can’t even put into words how much joy it brings me to see her progress every other week. She was rescued from a puppy mill, where she spent the first four years of her life as a ‘breeding female.’ Watching her transformation has been a true reminder of why I love what I do.

I’ve enjoyed working with this handsome puppy’s guardians. In their case and at other times, my clients may benefit from certain accommodations during sessions to ensure both their comfort and safety. This might include adjustments to the pace of training, modification in physical activities, or personalized techniques that consider any mobility or sensory limitations. My goal is to provide a supportive and effective training experience tailored to each individual’s needs.

When I arrived at this guy’s house, I immediately saw a copy of Kerry Nichols’ book Puppy Brain: How Our Dogs Learn, Think, and Love. I knew this was going to be an awesome client! I was not wrong! We trained all the foundation behaviors and implemented a few management techniques. Today we discussed a dedicated food dispensing toy for when having company over. I use this approach with my dogs, it helps redirect excitement to the special toy versus the guest.

This puppy client went to being shy and a little fearful to so fun-loving and savvy! As I had shared in his initial consult, clicker training can (sometimes even quickly) build confidence in timid pups. It’s always delight to experience the transformation with the dog/puppy and their Guardians.

This is my new puppy Murphy! He’s thirteen weeks old and we’ve been working on potty and crate training along with a smooth integration with my two other dogs. He’s clicker and exposure training. He’s been the most perfect addition to our family! 🐶🐶🐕🤍🤎🖤

This client of mine was rescued by the kindest couple. They’ve been working so hard to harness his big brain to battle his big feelings towards triggers that move (bikes, dogs, motorcycles, etc). Foundation behaviors ➕patience, determination, consistency ➕ Step 1 in Click to Calm protocol = progress 🖤🐾

It’s just the coolest when your client says “next year I’ll be teaching AP Psychology” and you can go all dog training geek on them and they understand and embrace it! This adorable boy is extremely bright and catching on to new behaviors so quickly! He and his Dog Mom are the perfect pair!

This little man is literally the sweetest pom in the world! He did an amazing “sit pretty” before we started formal training. At our first session we taught him to “sit regular” by capturing a moment that he typically sits (in his bed), clicking, treating and integrating a verbal “sit” cue.
I came a week later for his next session and he’d perfected his sit and could do it all over the place when asked. 🙌🏻

I loved hearing “this was so much fun” as I was leaving this golden girl’s house last night. Her Guardian (who has used other training approaches in the past) was overjoyed at the end of our session. Overall, incorporating fun into dog training not only makes the process more enjoyable for both you and your dog but it also enhances the effectiveness of the training and strengthens your bond.🐾💘 🐾

The hardest part of dog training sometimes isn’t modifying behavior, coaching humans on positive reinforcement training skills or any of the other challenges that comes with this field… it’s falling in love with the dogs and knowing they won’t always need professional training support! Like this boy, I simply adore my time with him!

Can’t wait to spend this sweet girl’s last session on Saturday at a local park. We will be working on leash skills with distractions as well as taking our first decompression long line walk! I’ve loved being a part of her post-adoption integration into her new family! 🥰

My newest day training client!
What is day training you might be wondering?
Instead of the Guardian being directly involved in the training sessions, I take on the responsibility of working with the dog on various cues, behaviors, and skills at minimum twice a week. Each session includes a loose-leash walk (for either training purposes, including reactivity support or enrichment). After the session, I provide a recap and guidance (via notes and videos) on how to maintain and reinforce the training.
Day training can be a convenient option for Guardians who may not have the time or circumstances to train their dogs effectively. It allows for consistent training and can be especially beneficial for addressing specific behaviors by a pro. I love the relationships I get to build by spending one-on-one time with day training client pups! 🐶♥️👱🏻‍♀️

Another day training client who has a special place in my heart. She and I have been together for years! She’s gone from skittish to savvy. Things that were once fearful are now familiar. I am so proud of her and cherish our long relationship! 🐾🖤🐾

I love my day training clients so much! This guy and I have the best time on Thursdays! We’ve gone from mayhem to manners and trouble to tricks!

As he was struggling to learn to sit, his Guardian had a wonderful idea… “when he goes in his crate he sits,” she said. So we started to have him enter the crate and worked our way to saying “sit” right as he went into his auto sit mode. After many repetitions, he caught on. Next they were successful in cueing him to sit outside the crate. They’ve since generalized his sit to various places and circumstances. I’m so proud of these clients and their pup! 🐶👩🏻👧🏼

This beautiful girl and her Guardian are learning to use a clicker not only to train new behaviors, but also as it relates to the emotional association to its sound in challenging environments. It’s a spectacular tool to curb any puppy over-excitement to triggers in a stimulating experience such as an outdoor walk! 💙🌎

This handsome client of mine is learning all his puppy foundation cues (and fast might I add!) Cues are important because they allow for clear communication and canine problem solving. As puppies learn to associate certain actions with specific cues, they develop cognitive abilities that can be beneficial in various aspects of their daily life.

This beautiful sweet boy brought his Mom and I together and we had so much fun clicker training today! His wild excitement when he first heard the click almost had me wondering if we’d only use a marker word instead but after a few clicks and treats he seemed to better grasp the concept.
*In dog training. a clicker is often used as a signal to indicate the dog has performed a desired behavior correctly. The clicker itself doesn’t have inherent value, its significance is established through association with positive reinforcement such as treats or praise. Over time, the sound of the clicker becomes a conditioned reinforcer, meaning it elicits a positive response from the dog due to its association with rewards. @lculp46214

Was the “spin” cue on this girl’s formal training plan? Nope! But did we have a great time training it anyway? Absolutely! Tricks are beneficial because they channel energy, build confidence, provide exercise, promote bonding, give entertainment, the list goes on and on! 🤩

One size does not fit all for training a behavior or modifying one. We’ve re-thought various positive reinforcement approaches (e.g., shaping, capturing, adjusting his environment, etc.) to do what we can to set him up for lots of clicks and treats, progressing his learning in an enjoyable way.👏🏼

We’ve labeled her EXUBERANT and she’s awesome! We embrace her enthusiasm but are helping her control her loving emotional excitement. 🥰

We implemented the steps to @dogtrainer.emmaparsons The New Click to Calm and had wonderful results with walk over-excitement around dogs and squirrels. This cutie’s Guardians had an incredible positive reinforcement training approach already so it was a joy to get to enhance that with this protocol and teach them a few other helpful foundation behaviors and tricks. In a few weeks, with further practice, we’ll meet again to continue the process.

Nothing makes me happier than spending time with this beautiful puppy on Fridays! Her Guardians are as sweet and enthusiastic as she is to train! We are working on some typical puppy challenges but at a bit of an XL level simply due to her size and energy. It’s honestly a joy being with her! 🥰

I had boiled chicken…Mom had a standard training treats…guess who she ran to faster with the “come” cue? This is one of my new puppy clients and she taught her Mom treat value matters! 😆
I coach my clients on treat values, treat location delivery, treat reinforcement schedules and more during our training sessions. 🍗🦴🌭🍎🍖

I don’t know which I love more, this sweet boy or his Mom who has a heart (and head) for dogs like no other client I’ve had! While he’s learning the puppy foundation behaviors with clicker training, we talk about how so many of the techniques and protocols can also be applied to his multiple rescue siblings. Such a sweet boy in a special family! 🤎

This little client cutie of mine is marked by the words “good boy” when he does something correct or desirable. His pawrents prefer these words over a click or the typical “yes.” They felt it just naturally comes out before they deliver a reward and they preferred to use it. Giving agency (choice, empowerment), whether it relates to the dog being trained or their guardian, can contribute to successful outcomes! So “good boy” it is for this family!

This little girl gets super excited to train and I love it! But, sometimes puppy energy can work against us when it comes to them focusing during a training appointment. This is why my job professionally coaching her Guardians is so critical. I use our 45 minutes together to demo, instruct and give feedback. After, I share materials that can further help them to train on their own in fun, positive and practical mini sessions and informally.📚📝👩🏼‍🏫🐶

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@clicksdogtraining

Contact Me

Location & Service Area

Loveland, Ohio (suburb of Cincinnati)

Service Area: 20-mile radius from city center

Email: info@clicksdogtraining.com

Phone: 716-812-1269

Cincinnati, Ohio