Looking for a dog trainer who will come out to Placida? I’d love to help!
I offer private, in-home dog training for puppies and adult dogs in Placida, Cape Haze and the Rotonda area. We work on the behaviors that matter most to you, right in your home and neighborhood.
No cookie-cutter plans. Just a plan built around your dog, your home and your goals.
Placida is quiet, waterfront and a little out of the way, and that’s exactly why in-home training works so well here. No long drive to a class. I come to you.
We start with the everyday stuff at home, then practice out on the bike path, by the water and anywhere else your dog needs to behave.
You’ll learn right alongside your dog, so the progress keeps going after our lessons wrap up.
Let's Talk About Your Dog
From new puppies to dogs with bigger challenges, here’s what I help Placida 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.
Hi! I’m MJ, the owner and trainer behind Highwater Dog Training.
I’ve been professionally training dogs for over 10 years, and I’m an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer. Over the years, I’ve worked with dogs of all breeds, ages, personalities, and behavior challenges.
My approach is pretty simple: I want training to make your everyday life with your dog better. That means looking at the whole picture, figuring out what’s contributing to the behavior, and building a training plan that makes sense for your household.
I also believe that my job doesn’t end when our training sessions do. My programs include support between lessons and long-term guidance so you have someone to turn to as you continue working 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!
Placida is quiet, waterfront and a little off the beaten path, and I’m happy to make the drive. I train throughout Placida, Cape Haze and the Rotonda area.
Not sure if you’re in my area? Just ask. I also train in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port, Babcock Ranch and Englewood.
Placida doesn’t have busy downtown streets, but it has great places to practice. When your dog is ready, we can work at spots like these:
Loose-leash walking on the old rail trail with bikes and joggers passing by.
Leashed walks with water, wildlife and new smells.
Just up the road in Englewood, for social dogs who are ready for dog park practice.
Quiet roads, golf carts, boats and wildlife: real-life recall practice.
Every town has its own everyday challenges. Here’s what I see most with Placida dogs, and how we work on it.
Docks, boats and fishing gear mean a dog who needs good manners on the water and a recall you can count on.
Mangroves, ponds and preserves bring gators, birds and Bufo toads close to home. “Leave it” matters here.
Fewer daily distractions can mean a dog who struggles when something new shows up. We build confidence for those moments.
We train inside on hot afternoons and save outdoor practice for cooler mornings and evenings.
Michele Crowley
We had a great experience with MJ at her Reactive Rover class with our Brittany Cooper. MJ has a great teaching ability of how to handle dogs. She is very knowledgeable, patient and kind. She has a great way of explaining how dogs think and why the act the way they do. We highly recommend MJ as a dog trainer.
Highwater Dog TrainingThank you Michele!
Pat Varrieur
MJ was patient, knowledgeable and knew how to reach my abused dog, Jazzie. She is not food motivated, so training was a challenge. MJ simplified the process through leash training and building Jazzie's confidence to get in the car and take short walks. Much progress in only 4 hrs of training. In my view, Jazzie's achievement was well worth the cost! Recommend highly!
Highwater Dog TrainingThanks Patty!!! I'm so glad I was able to help!
Samm Carlton
MJ is a wonderful positive dog positive trainer.
Her approach is supportive and behavior oriented, which is in my experience with my pups the kindest method and improves a much deeper bond with my dog. My standard poodle gained flexibility, self confidence, important training on a suitable-safe-humane-leash MJ recommended for him among other positive things.
I strongly recommend her for your dog no matter what. Additionally she’s fun, with a balanced easy going creative style that suited me and my dog.
Highwater Dog TrainingThank you! I'm so happy to see Gabriel with so much more confidence than he had that first lesson!
Kristy Anderson
We are very grateful to MJ and her excellent program for giving our pup Annabelle the skills she needed to get off to a great start with our family. MJ does an excellent job explaining the puppy mind and the why behind her method. She helped our pup not only with listening and obedience skills but helped give her confidence too. We wish MJ all the best in her now location!
Highwater Dog TrainingThank you Kristy! (And what a cute photo!) I look forward to getting some updates as Annabelle grows up!
Carolyn OBrien
Working with MJ was a great experience for my dog, Demi, and me. She is both patient and firm at the same time. MJ took the time to answer all my questions—and I ask a lot of questions. We needed help with front door scenarios and getting Demi to be calm around a toddler. Our walks are much more enjoyable now that Demi looks to me for direction. It now falls to me to practice the lessons MJ taught us. I look forward to attending some of her pack walks and other events.
Highwater Dog TrainingThank you Carolyn! You and Demi were so much fun to work with. Demi is such a sweet young dog and I can't wait to see all his updates as you continue to work with him!
Darah Fuller
We could not have had a better experience with MJ! She is a talented trainer who very effectively leverages behavioral psychology to optimize training. She does a wonderful job of explaining both the "why" and the "how" as relates to the training. Both of our dogs have different personalities and training levels and she was able to tailor each lesson to fit their individual needs and educations. MJ is so pleasant and professional to work with, and we look forward to working with her in the future!
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Read moreYes! Placida is part of my service area, along with Cape Haze, Rotonda and Englewood.
Absolutely! My puppy programs cover potty training, crate training, nipping, socialization and first basics, starting right at home.
Yes. Leash manners and reactivity are two of the things I work on most. We start at home, then build up to busier places when your dog is ready.
Sessions generally land somewhere in the 60 to 90 minute range.
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.
