We’ve been training dogs in the San Joaquin Valley since 1973. We specialize in training methods that are positive and innovative. Our methods build strong bonds between dogs and their people and make learning fun.
THE TEAM
Melody Daggs
Read more about Melody Daggs HERE!
MELODY DAGGS has 50+ years of experience as a professional trainer. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She teaches pet and competitive obedience; conformation, agility, and performance skills. Services also include private consultations and problem dog counseling. She has had experience teaching schutzhund, tracking, hunting, and flyball. She has extensive experience working with all breeds of dogs. Melody’s training career started when she was a teenager. For 4 years, she apprenticed with the well known local trainer and behavioralist, Kathy Huxtable. With Kathy, she learned class instruction, private problem dog counseling, conformation show training, and competitive obedience training. For another year, she continued to apprentice with a different trainer who specialized in hunting dogs, agility and tracking training, police service dogs, and bomb and drug detection dogs.
Eventually, Melody established her own training school in Fresno. Her training methods focused on humane, innovative and relationship-building methods. She was the founder of the first flyball teams in the area. She also founded a performing dog troupe, Paws For Fun, that performs at local hospitals, retirement communities, and special events. Paws For Fun provides a community service that promotes healthy dog/people relationships. Melody studied with Dr. Ian Dunbar, and used his methods when she established the first puppy socialization classes in Fresno. Melody continues to study the newest training methods by participating in training seminars with other trainers, veterinarians and behavioralists from around the country.
Liz Force
Read more about Liz Force HERE!
Elizabeth “Liz” Force (1944-2019)
LIZ FORCE became a partner in the business 1988. Her Ph.D. in psychology gave her a unique understanding of human and canine behavior. She introduced playgroups and doggie daycare to the Fresno area, and was one of the founders of Fresno Innovative Dog Owners (FIDO), the group that established the first dog parks in the Fresno area. She continued to be active in FIDO, advocating for a more dog friendly community and responsible dog ownership. She trained and showed dogs in obedience and dog sports, and was an active with Mutts in Motion, Fresno’s largest flyball club. She was a consultant with Heavenly Hounds, a pet therapy program at St. Agnes Hospital.
Michele Evans
Read more about Michele Evans HERE!
MICHELE EVANS joined the business in 2000. She began her career as a veterinary technician in 1985 and a kennel manager in 1989. She brings hands-on experience showing dogs in conformation, obedience, herding, and dog sports. With her years of experience as a veterinary technician and kennel manager, she brings a unique perspective to evaluating and working with many types of dogs. She is active in Bouvier rescue and Mutts In Motion, Fresno’s largest flyball club. She worked closely with Liz Force to develop daycare and playgroups at a local kennel. Michele teaches some of our beginning obedience classes as well as private lessons.
Leesa Tyrrell
Read more about Leesa Tyrrell HERE!
LEESA TYRRELL joined our team in 2021. Although she has been taking classes with Melody and her team for 11 years. She is a retired middle school teacher who comes to us with many dog training skills. She currently has 5 dogs in her pack. She is a Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer who trained through Wizard of Paws and Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. She has trained under many of the professional trainers at the Fenzi Academy as well as the trainers of Melody Daggs Professional Dog Training.
Leesa has been playing flyball with her dogs for 10 years. She is one of the trainers for a local flyball club in Fresno, Mutts in Motion. Her current dogs have advanced titles in flyball, dock diving, tricks, rally obedience, and scent work. She also has 6 years of experience boarding and training multiple types and breeds of puppies.
Leesa believes in a positive approach to training. She enjoys working with people. She works diligently to give each dog handler what they need to have a successful experience with their dog.