Looking for a dog trainer who comes to you in Babcock Ranch? You’re in the right place!
I’m MJ, and I bring private, in-home training to your door for puppies and adult dogs. We work on the things that matter in everyday Babcock Ranch life: walking nicely on the trails, greeting neighbors politely, staying calm around Founder’s Square, and coming when called.
No cookie-cutter plans. Just practical training built around your dog, your home and your schedule.
Babcock Ranch is built for being outside. Trails out the front door, neighbors on golf carts, events downtown and a lake around every corner. It’s a great place to have a dog, and it asks a lot of them, too.
That’s why I start in your home, where your dog’s habits actually happen. Then, as your dog is ready, we take those skills out to the trails, Founder’s Square and the places you go every week.
You’ll learn right alongside your dog, so the progress keeps going long after our lessons wrap up.
Let's Talk About Your Dog
Group classes teach the same thing to every dog. In-home training is built around yours.
We work on the front door, the kitchen counter and your own street, not a training floor across town.
Your dog’s age, personality and history shape the plan. Puppies, rescues, reactive dogs and big goals all get their own approach.
Homeschool programs mean I can train your dog while you’re at work, then teach you what they learned.
Every program includes help between lessons and support after, so you’re never stuck waiting for the next visit.
From brand-new puppies to dogs with bigger challenges, here’s what I help Babcock Ranch dog owners with most.
Leash manners, door manners, jumping, impulse control, begging and counter surfing
Reactivity, anxiety, fearful behavior, confidence building and resource guarding
Raising a new puppy, potty training, socialization and the basics of obedience
Destructive chewing, excessive barking, nipping, chasing and hyperactivity
Reliable recall, off-leash reliability, and more advanced obedience work
...and more. If you don’t see your dog’s specific challenge listed, reach out anyway — chances are I’ve worked with it before.
See How I Can HelpFrom everyday manners to bigger behavior challenges, my personalized training programs offer different levels of support to fit your dog, your goals, and your lifestyle.
For adult dogs and teens: manners, leash walking, barking, reactivity and more.
The skills every great dog needs, built around the one thing you most want to change.
Everyday manners for the dog who's a little too much, a little too often.
Perfect for busy owners who want real progress, without having to find time to train every day.
Best for owners with bigger goals or bigger challenges, who want the most hands-on help I offer.
Start puppyhood off on the right track: potty and crate training, nipping, first basics and socialization.
Start puppyhood off on the right track, with all the essentials and a trainer in your corner.
Everything in Puppy Foundations, plus real-world adventures so your puppy learns to handle life outside your living room.
The full puppy experience, with me doing the heavy lifting while you're busy living your life.
Long workdays, a long commute, or just a full calendar? With Homeschool, I come to your home a few times a week and train your dog myself. Then we meet for a lesson so I can hand it all back to you, what your dog learned and how to keep it going.
Hi! I’m MJ, the owner and trainer behind Highwater Dog Training.
I’m an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer with over 10 years of professional experience working with dogs of different breeds, ages, personalities, and behavior challenges.
I believe successful dog training is about more than teaching commands. It’s about understanding your dog’s behavior, building better communication, and giving you the skills to handle everyday situations with confidence.
That’s why I work just as closely with you as I do with your dog. I’ll explain what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how you can continue making progress between sessions.
And don’t worry, I don’t expect you to become a professional dog trainer overnight! My goal is to make training practical, approachable, and something you actually feel good about doing with your dog.
Animal Behavior College
International Association ofGetting started is simple. Here's exactly what to expect, step by step.
First, fill out my contact form to tell me a little about your dog and what you're hoping to accomplish with training!
Once I receive your inquiry, I'll reach out by phone, text, or email so we can chat about your goals, answer any initial questions, and see if my services are a good fit for you and your dog.
Next, I'll come to your home to meet you and your dog, get a better understanding of what's going on, and talk through your training goals in more detail.
Together, we'll come up with a personalized training plan and decide which program makes the most sense for you, your dog, and your lifestyle.
You'll also have a chance to get to know me and my training approach before moving forward!
Now the fun begins! We'll get started with your personalized training program, focusing on the skills and behaviors that matter most to you and your dog.
Every session is tailored to your goals, and as your dog makes progress, I'll adjust our training plan to keep things moving in the right direction. You'll also learn how to put those new skills to use in everyday life so you can enjoy the results long after training ends!
From Lake Timber and Trail’s Edge to Crescent Lakes, Northridge, and the growing MidTown neighborhoods, I bring private, in-home dog training right to your doorstep in Babcock Ranch. We can work on everything from better manners at home to calmer walks around your neighborhood, along the trails, or near Founder’s Square. Your dog learns right where you live, walk, and spend time together!
Not sure if you’re in my area? Just ask. I also train in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port, Englewood and Placida.
Babcock Ranch was built for getting outside, which makes it a great place to train. Once your dog has the basics at home, we take them out to places like these:
Calm manners around outdoor tables, events, kids and the downtown buzz.
Loose-leash walking along the water, past bikes, joggers and birds.
Focus and recall practice near the trail loop and the dog area.
A two-mile loop for longer leash walks and steady check-ins.
Golf carts, neighbors out walking, delivery trucks and the dog next door.
Every town has its own everyday challenges. Here’s what I see most with Babcock Ranch dogs, and how we work on it.
With over 35 miles of pet-friendly trails, your dog sees bikes, strollers and other dogs every day. A dog who walks nicely makes every one of those walks easier.
Babcock Ranch is the kind of place where everyone stops to chat. Polite greetings, no jumping, and a dog who can settle while you talk go a long way here.
Lakes and preserve land mean gators, wading birds and Bufo toads. We work on a solid “leave it” and a recall that holds up near the water.
Lots of families move in with a new house and a new puppy at the same time. Good habits from day one make both feel a lot easier.
Sarah Casey
MJ is a dog whisperer! Quincy had so much trouble walking on a leash and settling in the house before we started training. He is a different dog now! MJ helped so much with commands and explained why certain things work and don’t work with training a dog. She is the best!
Highwater Dog TrainingThank you Sarah! Quincy is such a good boy, I'm so glad I was able to help!
Wendy Bagley
I am very pleased with the results of our classes with MJ Stolz. The confidence and skill was amazing as she transformed our behavior. Fern and I are working on all we’ve learned.
Highwater Dog TrainingYou've done an amazing job with Fern! I was so proud of you at yesterday's last group class!
Lisa Skelly
MJ is awesome!. She is always watching and giving tips if you and your dog are struggling with a task. She also notices when Nikko would need a rest because he was over his threshold. She took time with everyone as a group and individual . I was Very nervous my first class as Nikko is a strong large dog but MJ was very understanding and helpful. We can't wait to start phase two of her distracted dog class. I would definately recommend MJ to anyone who needs help with there dog.
Highwater Dog TrainingThank you! What a handsome photo of Niko ❤️ You've been doing an amaing job with him, I can't wait to see him make even more progress in round 2.
Tova Slavkin
MJ has been a beyond wonderful trainer who we have worked with since our pup was only a few months old. She is communicative, kind, and super knowledgeable. She always answers our questions and explains everything she does or suggests. Our pup is now 2 years old and has beautiful manners and such a great set of skills that he uses everyday. Training is always a work in progress and we can’t explain how grateful we are for MJ on our journey!
Highwater Dog TrainingThank you Tova!
Ryan Nelson
MJ was extremely professional, knowledgeable and effective when training my French Bull Dog. She always took the time to answer my questions and exceeded my expectations. It was a great experience for me and my dog.
Highwater Dog TrainingThank you Ryan!
Meghan Wiggins
Mj is absolutely amazing! I love working with her and my dog! She has helped me understand him better and has helped me gain confidence with him! He was extremely dog reactive when I met her! He would bark at every single dog he passed without stopping! He’s a big blackGerman Shepherd that can be very intimidating! She helped me Divert his attention and change the behavior! She has so much Knowledge not only on dog training and behavior but food and lifestyle things as well! I would recommend her 1000 times over to anyone!!!
Highwater Dog TrainingThanks Meghan! I’m so glad I was able to help! You’ve done a fantastic job with Modi, I hope you’re proud of yourself too!
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Read moreYes! I come to your home in Babcock Ranch for private lessons and Homeschool programs. Training starts where your dog's everyday habits happen, then we take those skills out on the trails and around Founder's Square.
Yes. Babcock Ranch is one of my favorite places to train, and it's an easy drive from Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte.
Yes. Homeschool programs were made for busy households. I train your dog at home while you're at work, then we meet for a lesson so I can show you what your dog learned and how to keep it going.
Absolutely. Leash manners are one of the things I work on most. We start at home and on quiet streets, then build up to busier trails with bikes, strollers and other dogs.
Yes. In a walkable community like Babcock Ranch, you pass other dogs all the time, so this comes up a lot. We'll look at what's behind it and build a plan that makes walks calmer for both of you.
Yes! My puppy programs cover potty training, crate training, nipping, socialization and first basics, with lessons at home and, in some programs, out in the real world.
There's no single formula I apply to every dog, since every dog learns differently and needs their own plan. What guides everything is your dog's personality, how they take in information, their current behavior, and what you're ultimately trying to achieve together.
At the core, my approach blends positive reinforcement with structure, consistency, and genuinely clear communication. Food, toys, play, and praise all show up as motivators, and I try to keep the process something your dog actually enjoys, not just tolerates.
Here's something worth understanding: no tool teaches a dog anything on its own. What actually creates learning is timing, clarity, and consistency on your end. Every so often, I'll suggest a specific tool, not because it does the training for you, but because it might make communication clearer or handling safer in a specific situation. When that happens, you'll know exactly why I'm suggesting it, get space to ask questions, and nothing goes into use without your full approval first.
Ultimately, you're the one shaping your dog's behavior, not any piece of equipment. What I'm working toward is a dog who genuinely understands expectations, feels secure, and enjoys the process of working with you, all built on trust and skills that hold up well past our time together.
Tell me a little about your dog and what you’d like help with. I’ll reach out to set up a time to talk.
