Michele Wan, PhD, CAAB
Dr. Wan has been assisting dog owners with training and behavior issues for over 15 years. She has more than 15 years of experience working with dog owners in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Training Philosophy
Dr. Wan uses positive reinforcement to train your dog. It’s family-friendly and effective! She is a Fear Free Certified Professional and utilizes positive reinforcement to train dogs.
Services
Dr. Wan works with Fairfield County, CT families to successfully teach dogs of any age to be well-mannered, well-adjusted companions. She can help with basic training for puppies and adult dogs, as well as with behavioral concerns.
Puppy Program
- Puppy Primer (Puppies up to 6 months of age)
- Intermediate Puppy (Graduates of the Puppy Primer program)
- Advanced Puppy (By invitation only for graduates of Puppy Primer and Intermediate Puppy)
Rowdy Dog Program
- Recommended For: Dogs over 6 months of age.
- Sample Focus Areas: Jumping-up, Pulling on leash, Not coming when called, Incomplete housetraining, Basic manners (e.g. sit, down, leave it, stay).
Difficult Dog Program
- Recommended For: Adult dogs (and puppies) experiencing behavioral issues or having strong emotional reactions to seemingly everyday circumstances.
- Sample Focus Areas: Barking and lunging at other dogs (reactivity), Barking at visitors, Guarding of resources like food and toys, Sensitivity to handling, Fear and anxiety, Other common behavior problems (aggression with bite history accepted on a case-by-case basis).
Certifications
Dr. Wan is one of only about 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAABs) worldwide. She is a Fear Free Certified Professional.
Specializations
Puppy training, Adult dog training, Basic manners training, Behavioral concerns, Housetraining, Jumping-up, Excessive barking, Destruction, Fear, On-leash reactivity, Aggression (case-by-case basis)
Training Methods
Dr. Wan uses humane methods based in the science of animal behavior, learning, and psychology to improve your dog’s behavior. She is knowledgeable about classical and operant conditioning and is skillful in using food, toys, activities, and other rewards, rather than force, to change behavior. Dr. Wan is an advocate of clicker training (using a verbal marker or clicker to indicate desired behaviors) and will eagerly teach clicker techniques to interested owners. In line with the recommendations of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, Dr. Wan does not use prong, choke, and shock collars.
Customer Reviews
“Michele provided easy methods to encourage good behavior and simple tips to eliminate unwanted behaviors. She understands dogs.”
– Sadie’s family
“Dr. Wan was able to immediately give us some finely-tuned suggestions to correct undesirable behaviors, in a positive way. I was very impressed with Dr. Wan and would highly recommend her.”
– Terra’s family
“Many trainers offer programs based on fear and dominance, which we knew we didn’t want for our family pet. Michele’s intelligent, individualized and positive approach worked perfectly. We couldn’t be happier with the results.”
– Scout’s family
Media Appearances
Dr. Wan and her work have been featured in magazines, newspapers, and other publications.
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
