Mission Statement
You love your dog. But some days, life with them is harder than you expected. Maybe you’re navigating a new puppy and running on no sleep. Maybe you’ve had your dog for years, and something just isn’t clicking. Maybe you’ve tried other trainers and left feeling like you were doing it wrong. Whatever brought you here, I can help. At Ready, Pup, Go!, I work with dogs of all ages using force-free, science-backed training that actually makes sense at home. The goal is simple: a dog you love living with, and a relationship built on trust.
Meet Michelle Thomas, FFCP (Trainer)
Turning Your Puppy Challenges into Triumphs!
Hi, I’m Michelle Thomas, FFCP (Trainer), and I’ve been training dogs since I was a teenager — not because I had to, but because I genuinely couldn’t stop.
I started Ready, Pup, Go! because I kept seeing the same thing: dog owners who cared deeply about their dogs but felt like they were failing. New puppy parents drowning in conflicting advice. Owners of older dogs who’d tried everything and were running out of hope. People who’d been told their dog was “stubborn” or “dominant” when really, their dog just needed someone to actually understand them.
That’s where I come in. I work with dogs at every age and stage — from 8-week-old puppies to senior dogs with years of ingrained habits. My approach is force-free and rooted in behavior science, which means no corrections, no intimidation, and no methods that make your dog feel worse. Just clear communication, realistic expectations, and training that fits your actual life.
I live in Monroe, WA, with three adventure-loving dogs of my own. We hike, we do nose work, we train tricks at 10 pm because one of us can’t stop. I know firsthand what it takes to live well with dogs and I’m here to help you get there.
Why Work With Me?
Here’s what makes Ready, Pup, Go! different from your average dog trainer:
🐶 I work with dogs at every age — puppies, adolescents, adults, seniors. Whether your dog is 10 weeks old or 10 years old, we can make progress. No dog is too young, too old, or too far gone.
🧡 I don’t use fear, force, or pain. Ever. Not as a last resort. Not “just this once.” The science is clear: dogs learn better and you build a stronger relationship when training feels safe. That’s the only way I work.
💡 I coach the human too. Dog training doesn’t fail because dogs are bad. It fails because people don’t get the right support. I’ll help you understand why your dog does what they do so you can work with them, not against them.
🎯 Training that actually works at home. A dog that behaves at class but not on your street means nothing. Everything I teach is designed for your real life, your schedule, your home, your dog’s unique personality.
My Approach To Training
Training should feel like something you and your dog actually want to do, not something you dread. When it works, you’ll know: your dog is engaged, you’re not frustrated, and things are actually getting better at home.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
✅ Your dog learns what you want, not just what to avoid. We build behavior by rewarding what works, not by correcting what doesn’t. That means faster learning and a dog who tries rather than shuts down.
✅ Problems get managed before they become habits. Most behavior issues are easier to prevent than to fix. I’ll help you set your dog up for success from the start or help you reset if things have already gone sideways.
✅ Your dog gets to be a dog. Force-free doesn’t mean permissive. It means your dog’s natural instincts and needs are part of the plan, not obstacles to it. We work with who your dog is.
✅ You understand the why behind the what. I don’t just hand you a list of cues. I explain what’s driving your dog’s behavior so you can make good decisions in the moments when I’m not there.
✅ Your dog feels safe in the world. Positive socialization and thoughtful exposure to new experiences build a dog who is confident and adaptable instead of anxious, reactive, or shut down.
I stay current because your dog deserves training that’s grounded in how animals actually learn. As a Fear Free Certified Professional, Diamond Member of the Grisha Stewart Academy, Pet Professional Guild member, and member of the IAABC, I’m constantly learning, so what I teach you reflects the best of what behavioral science knows today, not what was trendy ten years ago.
Whether you’re at the very beginning with a new puppy, or you’ve had your dog for years and something’s finally not working, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m here.
What My Clients Say...
Credentials & Affiliations
