Dogs by Melissa started in 2015 and have helped people create an open level of communication with their dogs that leads to happy, healthy relationships.
At Dogs by Melissa we have trained dogs as small as 3 pounds and as old as 12 1/2 years. It is never too late to start giving your dog the structure it needs for a calm, peaceful, happy life.
Melissa has been involved in dog sports for over 20 years. She has been a judge in the sport of IGP since 2011. Melissa has competed at club, regional, national, and world levels and has titled many dogs.
She started her career with animals as a veterinary technician and then went on to specialize in veterinary dentistry before becoming the clinic office manager. She left veterinary medicine and started Dogs by Melissa in 2015 to help those in the local community improve their relationships with their own dogs.
She shares her home with her 2 German Shepherds, Dex and X-Pack, her French Bulldog, Sig, and her cat Carden.
Jacquye lives in Port Charlotte with her 4 dogs. She left her career in veterinary medicine in 2014 to attend school in pursuit of a new career as a dog trainer. In 2015 she met Melissa while working at a training facility in North Carolina.
In 2016 she received her first certification in canine and human fitness through K9 Fit Club and moved to Florida that year specifically to train dogs with Melissa. In January of 2020 she received her second certificate in canine fitness, this one from the University of Tennessee. Unfortunately she moved away during covid to be closer to her family in those unknown times. She came back to Dogs by Melissa in 2023.
In her time as a trainer she has worked for a few different dog training companies including service dog companies. She is our akc canine good citizen and akc trick dog evaluator and our certified dog fitness trainer. She has competed at club levels in IGP with her Lab, Thea and Belgian Malinois Turbo.
Emma is our kennel manager. Emma first met Melissa and Jacquye in 2018 when her family Great Dane, Oreo, went through their 10 week lesson program.
A few years later, she recalled our interaction with her appreciating the professionalism and expertise we displayed. Emma's affinity for animals aided in her decision to inquire about working alongside Melissa and her company. Emma started working for us in 2021 as one of our kennel technicians but has been promoted through the years to our kennel manager.
“The culture Melissa dedicated herself to building is one of the reasons I love my job so much. My coworkers have become family, and I appreciate being a part of a team where everyone has each other’s best interest in mind.” Emma now has her own dog, a Labradoodle named Aspen! In their free time, they spend time training both individually and with Melissa. Aspen also loves to swim and spend time sunbathing.
Courtney was born and raised in Port Charlotte, where she developed a deep-rooted sense of compassion and a strong work ethic that would shape the course of her life. Driven by a lifelong passion for caring for others, Courtney now seeks to extend her compassion to animals.
She shares a special bond with her dog, Bella. That deep connection has inspired her to explore ways to make a positive impact on the lives of animals, following her belief that all creatures deserve care and attention. Her sister is our former kennel manager who now owns Pawty Time Pet Care.
Courtney’s story is one of dedication, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to those she loves—whether human or animal. With her inspiring spirit and relentless drive, she continues to make a lasting impact, proving that kindness and care have no limits. Courtney is following her family's deep love of animals and is joining our internship program where she will study and learn to become a dog trainer. At the end of her internship, you may see her as one of our newest trainers.
Luisa is the newest member to the Dogs by Melissa team. She is currently a senior in high school and will be graduating in 2025. She has always had a passion for animals and wanted to find a way to work with them. While she was searching for a job, her mom heard that we were hiring new kennel technicians.
When she was hired, she had no idea that we offered a training program to teach individuals how to become dog trainers. She is currently interested in our internship program and once she graduates she will be able to devote time to the course and work towards becoming a dog trainer. “After watching Melissa and Jacquye work with dogs, I like how they are able to interact with the dogs, praise them and improve their manners.
This also inspired me to work on my dog who is a blue nosed pitbull puppy. The excitement and fun that I have training is amazing.” Luisa’s positive attitude, attention to detail, and desire to learn make her a valuable asset to the team!
Dogs by Melissa has an internship program where we will teach you the skills you need to become a dog trainer. At the end of the program there is the possibility of employment as one of our trainers. Contact us today!
We Offer Dog Training Services in Southwest Florida
Punta Gorda FL, Port Charlotte FL, Englewood FL, North Port FL, Cape Coral FL, North Fort Myers FL, Arcadia FL, Deep Creek FL, Gulf Cove FL.