Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Michaels, M.A., Psychology.
Hi Linda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My “dog love story” launched the First, Do No Harm approach in dog training. As one of the top-ten rated dog trainers in the United States by Top Ten Magazine, I am passionate about helping dogs and the people who love them.
While finishing my graduate coursework in Experimental Psychology at San Diego State University, I discovered I was in deep trouble finding a thesis project. I was told in no uncertain terms that I must be deeply committed to my “subject” if I hoped to successfully complete my degree requirements. I looked, rather frantically, for something in behavioral neurobiology, where I was conducting research, that I felt truly passionate about.
In commiserating with my wisest best friend, she asked me, “What do you love?” I whimsically answered, “I love dogs”— not thinking I’d find an answer there. However, she suggested I visit the San Diego Humane Society and ask them if I could conduct a thesis project with their dogs. My eyes widened. My heart leapt. It was one of those lightbulb moments where you just know you’ve discovered something astonishing.
Volunteering and working at the humane society with the most difficult behavioral cases changed my life. It changed my priorities and my career. I stayed for five years — earning a trainer credential that allowed me to apply my graduate studies in behavior and learning to dogs, volunteering in every single department, and earning a Certified Veterinary Assistant credential. What I experienced in rescue formed the foundation of all the professional work and advocacy I do to this very day. I’ve become a dog welfare advocate and a dog behavior consultant.
As the head trainer at the Daily Pet store in Del Mar Highlands, I further developed my skills teaching classes. Additionally, my “pet sitting with training” service afforded me the learning opportunity to live with more than 70 different dogs, in 70 different family situations, with 70 different behavior issues for me to solve. Pet sitting with training allowed me to hone my skills, securing a position for myself in the field as a catalyst between research, dog trainers, and pet parents. I was invited to speak at the Pet Professionals Guild inaugural conference in 2015 on, “Understanding Research: Making the case for force-free dog training.”
My graduate training gave me an “inside” look at the behavior and needs of dogs. Fascinatingly, the learning theory principles of Pavlov and Skinner, as well as Social Learning from others apply to all species. Many human psychological conditions, such as separation distress, fear, and aggression are mirrored in our dogs.
What I learned about the suffering of relinquished dogs, adoption, veterinary care, grooming, investigations into hoarding and abuse, and moreover, the pure joy of finding a forever home for a well-deserving wonderful dog, inspired me to create the Hierarchy of Dog Needs®, now used internationally by veterinary behaviorists, trainers, and pet parents. The Hierarchy of Dog Needs has been translated into 12 different languages— and I have a large number of additional requests from around the world waiting on my desk.
One of the highlights of my career and my life has been training wolfdogs and the famous foxes from the Russian Siberian fox Belyaev studies—research that helped scientists learn how our dogs became domesticated from a wilder ancestor.
As my reputation grew, I launched a Facebook group, the Do No Harm Dog Training public group, that has more than 100,000 members. Every dog lover is welcome to join me there.
In 2022 I wrote my book, The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook, Featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, as a practical, applied handbook for both new and seasoned trainers, and pet parents. I’d been working on my book for years — COVID kept me home and I used that time to get serious about publishing. I wrote the book I dreamed of publishing.
My book earned a coveted A-Rated Publishers Weekly Booklife Review and is an EDITOR’S PICK — “A thorough, illuminating guide to force-free dog training attuned to dogs’ emotional needs.” It is carried by more than 215 university and college libraries— but is written in an easy-to-understand and easy-to-read format. And it’s an Amazon best-seller.
Last year I was honored to be invited to speak at the University of Winchester in the United Kingdom for a dog training conference on “The Do No Harm Approach to Dog Training.”
This year, I am developing three online certification courses— one for pet parents, one for trainers, and one for behavior consultants to earn diplomas and credentials from my new Do No Harm Dog Training Academy.
More about my book—
The Do No Harm and Behavior Handbook combines compassion with animal psychology in an easy-to-follow roadmap for both common and complex problems pet parents and trainers face every day. I show readers how to prevent behavior problems before they escalate and how to stop unwanted behavior through meeting needs and Do No Harm training methods.
My book includes topics such as:
Pet food and nutrition—Unravelling the mystery of what to feed your dog
Veterinary and grooming visits—Helping your dog feel comfortable from the very first visit
Separation anxiety treatment— A comprehensive plan for you that includes creating a Doggy Enrichment Land
Trainer secrets, good manners, and basic skills—Discovering effective solutions for calm greetings, puppy “no bite”, “no jump”, lightning fast “come”, and leash-walking
As a canine behavior consulting expert and influencer, you may find me in international trade magazines, as a featured expert in Psychology Today online, Newsweek online, Huffington Post Live, Gawker.com, Wolf Dog Radio, BARKS from the Guild (PPG) international trade magazine, and formerly as an expert columnist writing for the countywide UT-San Diego newspaper Scratch and Sniff section, The Rancho Santa Fe Review, The Del Mar Village Voice, The Solana Beach Sun, The Carmel Valley News, contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine, San Diego Pets Magazine, writing expert to MEL Magazine in Los Angeles, and the Victoria Stilwell Positively group. I was also a proud member of the Advisory Board for the Art for Barks charity in Rancho Santa Fe, California, and was the first Behavior Advisor for the WolfEducationProject.org in Julian, California. I have worked with the famed Belyaev foxes at the Judith A. Bassett Canid Education and Conservation Center in Santa Ysabel, California and was the flagship Victoria Stilwell-licensed behavior consultant in Southern California (VSPDT).
Today I work privately in a limited area that includes Del Mar, Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe, and worldwide virtually by Zoom or phone call.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was a first-generation college graduate, so not having the familial collegiate experience, or support in my case, meant I was mostly on my own but thrived with help from some wonderful friends and professors along the way. I inherited a grit and tenacity that served me well.
It has been a long and winding bumpy road, with many hills and valleys. Without a background in business administration, I’ve had to learn, often through trial and error, along the way. The competition in my field as a sole proprietor is intense. Learning to lead others while overseeing most of the work myself keeps me busy. I have Admin’ed eleven moderators in my Facebook group of 100,000 members. One particularly sticky challenge is that many people don’t really understand that behavior is truly a science… and owning a dog doesn’t make one an expert.
Finding the right name for my business was also trial and error. I’ve had seven different business names across the years until I finally discovered the perfect name for my business. Do No Harm Dog Training captures not only the essence of what I do, but my broader ethical standards for dog welfare. I’ve trademarked it.
Even with a master’s degree, the issue of cruelty in dog training is difficult to overcome. We need dog-friendly legislation to create a sea-change to make this a better world for our dogs. Sadly, the problems with rescues and shelters referring to “dominance” trainers using shock collars has become normalized.
As you know, we’re big fans of Do No Harm Dog Training. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As the best-selling author of the Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook, Featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, I guide dog trainers and pet parents in solving behavior problems by preventing them before they escalate, and showing them how to stop unwanted behavior through meeting needs and using the Do No Harm training methods.
My book earned a coveted A-Rated Publishers Weekly Booklife Review and is an EDITOR’S PICK — “A thorough, illuminating guide to force-free dog training attuned to dogs’ emotional needs.” My book is carried by more than 215 university and college libraries, but it’s written so that it’s easy-to-understand and easy-to-read.
I am best known as the creator of the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, and as a social media influencer and international speaker, advocating for those who have no voice—our precious dogs— by advancing the Do No Harm Approach to dog training and care-related professionals. As a speaker, I present on all of the topics in my book, including the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, dog welfare in training, separation anxiety, and aggression.
My advanced degree in Psychology and Animal behavior and Certified Veterinary Assistant credential, as well as my work with wolfdogs and the famous Siberian Belyaev foxes sets me apart from others.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of my trademarked business name, Do No Harm Dog Training®, that clearly attracts the dog lovers who seek to train the most scientifically effective as well as in the most humane manner. I am proud to represent the dogs in welfare legislation moving us toward strengthening our anti-cruelty protections for them. My Do No Harm Dog Training store carries products including t-shirts, hoodies, and bumper stickers encouraging supporters to “wear your ethics on your sleeve”.
I am delighted to share with readers that I am developing a Do No Harm Pet Parent Diploma course, as well as a Dog Trainer Credential and Behavioral Consultant Certification with the launch of the Do No Harm Dog Training Academy, available through my website in the coming year.
Currently, I take private clients in the Del Mar, Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe areas, and teach virtually around the world through Zoom and phone consultations. I treat all dogs, all breeds, all problems…and I love them all.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Finding a purpose greater than myself and meeting the needs of dogs and the people who love them is how I define success. The personal satisfaction I feel from what I do motivates me to get up in the morning and get to work, helping and leading others while growing my networking circle and widening my social media reach.
Success is reaching my goals, one step at a time. Success is reaching for my potential… and then reaching out even higher. Success is overcoming obstacles every single day, and continuing my own education in an ever-growing and fascinating field. Success is believing I can do anything if I work hard, make friends, support like-minded colleagues, and never give up.
Pricing:
- Amazon paperback tradebook, $34
- Private behavior consulting treatment plan, $400 (includes a copy of my book)
- Virtual and Phone Consulting worldwide, $360, (3) 40-minute Virtual/Zoom meetings
- Separation Anxiety Booklet, $12
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.donoharmdogtraining.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/664027960470508/ and https://www.facebook.com/DoNoHarmDogTraining
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-michaels-m-a-psychology-6017947a/
- Other: LindaPositively@gmail.com
Image Credits
Linda Michaels
