Dog Lovers Only

Serves North Miami Beach, FL

35244

Hired 4 times

1 employee

9 years in business

Not yet available

5.0

This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, Square cash app, Venmo, and Zelle.

Next Service

Hours

Sun 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Mon 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tues 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Wed 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Thurs 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Fri 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sat 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Credentials

Background Check

Melanie Mcelyea
Completed on 8/21/2024

Introduction

My name is Melanie, and I've been a professional in the dog care industry for 15 years. My journey began in 2009 as a dog groomer, and since then, I have expanded my business to include grooming, boarding, and training services. I welcome dogs of all ages and sizes. With experience handling around 20,000 dogs, you can rest assured that your beloved pup will be in loving and experienced hands. Dog Lovers Only Board and Train Program Does walking your dog feel more like your dog is walking you? Are you embarrassed by their reactivity—barking, lunging, or pulling whenever you take them out? Have you spent time teaching them basic commands like sit, down, and heel, only to have them ignore you when it counts? Does your dog’s barking or jumping on guests leave you frustrated? Imagine if, in just 4-6 weeks, all these issues could be resolved. Picture yourself enjoying peaceful walks with a dog that stays by your side on a loose leash, calmly passing by other dogs or people without any fuss. Or even being trusted to have safe, reliable off-leash freedom. Envision giving commands that your dog listens to immediately and happily. Wouldn’t it be nice to welcome guests into your home and have your dog wait calmly to be greeted? Imagine taking your dog anywhere and receiving compliments on how well-behaved they are. Training your dog isn’t just about convenience—it’s essential for their mental well-being, strengthens your bond, and most importantly, ensures their safety. At Dog Lovers Only, we use balanced training methods grounded in trust, positive reinforcement, and healthy boundaries. Effective training requires time, patience, consistency, repetition, and an understanding of your dog’s individual needs. With our Board and Train service, we handle the hard work and guide you through the process. Each week of your dog’s stay includes a private lesson, allowing you to see your dog’s progress and equipping you with the necessary skills to maintain their training. You’ll learn alongside your dog, so when they return home, you’re already prepared to continue their progress. In these lessons, we’ll also discuss the reasons behind your dog’s behaviors, helping to bridge the communication gap so you and your dog can work together in harmony. After your dog returns home, I remain available for consultation should you have any questions or need additional guidance. I’ll check in to ensure you’re on the path to success and provide follow-up lessons if needed. My commitment to improving the lives of dogs and their owners extends beyond the training period—I’m here to support you for your dog’s lifetime. If you encounter challenges down the road, I’ll be there to help with additional training or support. What Your Dog Will Learn During Training: • Recall • Sit • Down • Heel • Off • Stay • Place (go to a mat and stay until released) • No Jumping on People • Leave it/Release • Crate Training • Counter Surfing Prevention • Potty Training • Threshold Boundaries (staying at doors, gates, or car doors until given permission) • Loose Leash Walking • Reactivity Management • Reducing Excessive Barking • Proper Socialization

Q&A

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

After reaching out, I’ll suggest setting up a time for a phone call so we can get to know each other a bit. During the call, I’ll ask about your dog, their training needs, and the goals you have for them. If we’re a good fit, I’ll invite you and your dog to my home for an in-person meeting. This visit allows you to see where your dog will stay during training and helps your dog become familiar with me and my home. You’ll also have the chance to meet my dogs and see the results of my training! After that, we’ll schedule a drop-off date to begin your dog’s training!

How did you get started doing this type of work?

My journey into this line of work began quite accidentally, believe it or not. A little background: I have extensive experience handling dogs. I started my grooming career as a teenager, expanded into boarding from home, and now, into my 30s, I continue to work with dogs daily. Over the years, I’ve handled tens of thousands of dogs. My hands-on experience, commitment to continuous learning, and, most importantly, my love for dogs have driven me to where I am today. It all started when a client brought me a Belgian Malinois puppy they had found scared and running on a busy street. The pup was clearly neglected, untrusting of people, and in need of veterinary care. I decided to foster him with the intention of adopting him out after he had time to recover. But despite having fostered many dogs before him, he was my first “foster fail,” and I ended up keeping him. I named him Jett! Belgian Malinois are some of the most energetic, mouthy, intelligent and chaotic dogs I’ve worked with, but if you know how to care for them, they’re also incredibly loving, obedient and loyal. A few months later, I rescued another Malinois, who I named Kila, who had also had a rough start in life. Here’s where it all becomes relevant: As I trained Jett and Kila, I began working with them outside the home, taking them places, and putting them through their paces (since they are working dogs). People started to notice. Although I’m friendly and approachable, I’m not much of a social butterfly so I mostly keep to myself. Yet, people kept approaching me, asking for my card because they wanted their dogs trained like mine. I would politely decline, wish them well, and continue on my way. But this kept happening. One day, a neighbor was walking by, and their large dog stopped mid-walk on the sidewalk, laid down, and refused to move. The neighbor looked at me and asked, “Do you know what I should do?” That’s where it all started. I agreed to help her out with some lessons. Eventually, I also agreed to board her dog for training, and I was able to bring so much good into both the dog’s and owner’s lives. After that, I was hooked and knew this was something I had to pursue. I took online classes to further my education and sharpen my skills, I started putting myself out there and training dogs, and I haven’t looked back since!

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

I’m currently working on an incredible project! I collaborate with Dalmatian Rescue SoFlo, where I board Dalmatians between finding a foster or forever home, giving them a soft landing after coming from their previous living situations. Right now, I’m caring for and training a deaf Dalmatian named Target, who has a lot to learn before he’s ready for a foster home or adoption. When I first picked him up, it was clear that he had a rough start in life. He didn’t seek guidance or affection from people, which suggests he hasn’t experienced a positive relationship with humans. He arrived anxious, even with medication to sedate him if he couldn’t calm down. Without using the medication, I’ve been able to help him reach a much calmer state, and he’s starting to trust me more each day. My goal is to show Target that people are safe, begin proper socialization, build his confidence, and train him in obedience so he can thrive in a forever home. Transforming a dog who was surrendered to a shelter, especially one with obstacles like deafness and limited life skills, into their best self is why I do this—to change dogs’ lives for the better.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

The best advice I can give is to ensure that your trainer’s methods have a clear purpose. At any point during the training, they should be able to explain why they are instructing you to work with your dog in a certain way. If a trainer can’t explain the reasoning behind what you’re doing, how can your dog be expected to understand? Make sure to ask what methods they use, why they use those methods, and that you feel comfortable applying them with your dog. Dog trainers are not just teachers for dogs but for people as well. It’s essential that we help our clients become better dog handlers so they can achieve their goals with their dogs.