About
Meet Your Trainer
Michele Steiner-Marmo
Owner & Trainer
Hi I'm Michele,
​​
and I have been working with dogs for the past 6 years. Animals have been a part of my life since I was young, growing up with dogs and cats. After graduating from high school, I immediately started walking dogs and taking small groups on hikes in the woods to adventure! After some time, I found myself working with a few dogs that were struggling with issues more complex than I had yet encountered. They challenged me and caused me to think more deeply about behavior and behavior change. I became determined to find a solution to help these dogs and their humans. Ever since, I have been dedicated to learning more about animal behavior and growing as a dog handler, and eventually a trainer. I graduated from Emerson College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Behavior and Communications in May of 2024. I have gained my experience through hands-on work with dogs; shadowing under experienced local trainers; attending dog training conferences, seminars, and workshops; and am committed to forever continuing my education.​
​​
I live with two dogs, a 6 1/2-year-old Newfoundland/Pyrenees mix named Lucy and a 13-year-old German Shepherd mix named Harley. I spend my time hiking, training, playing, and swimming with my own dogs, and when I am not with my dogs (which almost never happens), I enjoy spending time outside, exercising, spending time with friends and family, reading, cooking, and learning more about all of my many interests.
​​
Hiking in the woods with my dogs is my absolute favorite thing to do and my goal as a trainer is to give other people and their dogs the ability to go out and explore together too.
Training Philosophy
At K9 Explorations, dog training is more than just commands. While obedience is incorporated into our training programs, obedience will not in itself resolve behavior issues.
​
​Whether working with behavioral issues or teaching tricks, behavior can be complex, nuanced, and not always as it may seem to us people – which is often the case when we question the behaviors of other species. We take a holistic approach to dog training. What that means is that we address lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and rest, biological fulfillment, enrichment, and play. We start by creating a foundation in which we ensure that a dog’s individual needs are being met before working directly on changing behavior.
K9 Explorations prioritizes teaching the client about understanding their dog’s body language and behavior and encouraging clear communication between them. Play, games, and enrichment are also a large part of our program and are used to increase engagement and build trust between dog and human, increase motivation, decrease stress, and improve overall welfare. ​​
​
We understand that every dog has their own unique personality and needs and that each dog-human team will have different goals, capabilities, and limitations. That is why each training program is tailored specifically to you, your dog, and your goals. To give you all the help you need and ensure you and your dog's success, we provide detailed homework assignments, resources, educational material, and support between sessions via virtual communication, video instructions, and feedback on progress. At K9 Explorations, we will help you train your dog, teach you about dog behavior, and support you throughout the whole process.
