compassionate & experienced
professional dog training
MEET YOUR DOG TRAINER
Hi, I’m Meaghan!
I’m a multi-certified professional dog trainer based in (outer SE) Portland, Oregon, dedicated to helping people understand the inner workings of canine behavior on a deeper, more meaningful level so you can become your dog’s best friend, too. I’m a natural problem-solver with a genuine love for learning and teaching. It’s important to me that both my human and canine clients leave each session feeling confident, empowered, and never overwhelmed. When you work with me, you gain a compassionate, experienced trainer who approaches challenges with curiosity, creativity, and respect.
My background includes operating a high-capacity boarding and training facility for eight years, co-founding a dog-training app, running a dog-adventure and private-training business, owning a large dog training center, and accumulating over a decade of hands-on professional experience. I’ve worked with thousands of dogs across hundreds of breeds, and I continue to enjoy the variety, complexity, and joy that each unique case brings.
I am the proud dog guardian of 6 quirky dogs and 2 dog-like cats (meet the dogs down below). When I’m not busy working with client dogs, you can find me training my own dogs, hiking, gardening, visiting local antique stores, or learning something new.
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)
Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI)
Certified Separation Anxiety Professional - Behavior Consultant (CSAP-BC)
In Progress: Family Dog Mediator (FDM)
Certifications
Aggression in Dogs Mastercourse with Michael Shikashio
Puppy Start Right for Instructors with Debbie Martin
Dog Trainer Foundations with Karen Pryor Academy
Living & Learning with Animals with Dr. Susan Friedman
The Magic is in the Data with Ken Ramirez and Dr. Susan Friedman
Training Across Species with Ken Ramirez
Fear Free Trainer’s Course - certification lapsed
2x Clicker Expo Attendee
1x APDT Conference Attendee
1x Lemonade Conference Attendee
1x WAG Conference Attendee
& many more…
professional development
Josie, 13 years old, mixed-breed. My sweetheart. Josie can often be found helping with reactivity reduction training, socializing puppies, and generally offering her assistance during sessions. In her spare time, she enjoys digging holes, chasing critters, and swimming.
Molly, 13 years old, Pug & Chihuahua mix. My wallflower. Molly enjoys all the simple things that life offers--good food, a warm bed, affection, and bathing in the sun. She doesn't help with sessions but has shaped my love for working with fearful dogs.
Dio, 8 years old, "Chiweenie." Dio came into my life just 3 years ago, all the way from Texas. Since living in Oregon, he's left his desert ways and now enjoys digging holes, running up and down logs in the forest, chasing critters, and exploring all that every Sniff Spot has to offer.
Bradley, 14 year old, Golden Retriever mix. Some of you may recognize Bradley as the "financial advice dog"--he went viral in the early days of memes, offering his opinions on the pet budget. Now-a-days, Bradley can be found with his senior sisters sun bathing, seeking affection, looking for snacks, and relaxing. He enjoys being retired.
Dani, 6 years old, German Shepherd mix. My high maintenance pup who's always up for a training challenge, loves the forest but is also allergic to it, and always keeps me on my toes. Dani has his advanced trick dog title through Do More With Your Dog-we're currently working on his expert title together.
Katie, 14 years old, Pug & Chihuahua mix. My Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional companion. Katie passed her training exam with flying colors-she's cute and smart. What isn't there to love? Like her other senior siblings, Katie enjoys the sun, treats, training, and relaxing.
what does dog flower mean?
Dog Flower is another name for the snapdragon - a hardy bloom that thrives even in the rockiest conditions. Its shape resembles a dog’s head, and it has long symbolized strength, grace, and protection. The name Dog Flower resonated with me even more once I learned this symbolism.
Our training program helps you to build a healthy and strong relationship with your dog companions. As guardians, it’s incumbent upon us to exercise grace needed for steady resilience. The ability to adapt well in the face of changing environments and triggers is what empowers our dogs to make good choices, and bounce back after difficult experiences.
I also love thinking of each dog as a sprout - full of potential and ready to grow. With the right conditions, tailored to each individual, that sprout can blossom. Every “dog flower” blooms differently, but each one is just as beautiful as the next.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.
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We happily work with all dog breeds, ages, and sizes.
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Training with Dog Flower is unique due to the wide range of experience Meaghan brings to the table, the level of support offered between sessions, the ability for us to truly customize your experience, and the overall compassion extended towards not only the dogs we work with, but the guardians caring for them.
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Group classes: Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Manners, Adolescent Manners, Relaxed & Focused, Reactivity 101, Loose Leash Walking & Recall, Tricks & Enrichment
At-Home Daytraining: Basic and Plus
Socials: Puppy, Adolescent
Private Training: Packages, Individual lessons, In-home, at our facility, and virtual
Puppy Nursery
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Group classes are nonrefundable. All other services require a full 24-hour notice to be eligible for credit or a refund. No shows and late cancellations will be charged full price for services to the card saved on file or a credit will be deducted from the appropriate pre-paid package.
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We keep dogs safe by maintaining a sanitary environment, working with dogs one-on-one or in small groups, requiring vaccination records, and turning away dogs showing signs of illness. In addition, we keep a pet first aid kit in the car and at the facility. Meaghan is pet first aid and cpr certified.