About Melody Daggs Professional Dog Training

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.

About Our Trainers

MELODY DAGGS has more than 38 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 became a partner in the business 1988. Her Ph.D. in psychology gives 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 continues to be active in FIDO, advocating for a more dog friendly community and responsible dog ownership. She has trained and shown dogs in obedience and dog sports, and remains active with Mutts in Motion, Fresno's largest flyball club. She is a consultant with Heavenly Hounds, a pet therapy program at St. Agnes Hospital.

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.