About Port City Dog Training

Who you get

"When you hire Port City Dog Training, you're working directly with Steve Dube, not a rotating staff of trainers. Every lesson is personally designed and taught by a CPDT-KA Certified, Fear Free Certified trainer with extensive experience helping dogs and owners succeed through positive reinforcement."

Credentials the site claims

Listed together: "CPDT-KA Certified Dog Trainer," "Fear Free Certified Professional," "AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator," "Humane Society of West Michigan class instructor," "Shelter behavior experience" and "Thousands of hours working with pet dogs." The site explains the first: "CPDT-KA certification requires hands-on experience, passing a comprehensive examination, ongoing continuing education, and a commitment to ethical, science-based, positive reinforcement dog training."

Method, stated as a limit

Asked "Do you use punishment, prong collars, or e-collars?" the answer is unambiguous: "No. Training is based on positive reinforcement and Fear Free principles that teach desired behaviors while building confidence and strengthening the relationship between you and your dog. We do not use punishment, prong collars, or electronic collars."

Programs and starting prices

Four in-home tracks are published with starting prices. Puppy Training covers "potty training, crate routines, puppy biting, confidence, socialization, and first leash skills," "Starting at $285." Basic Training covers "loose leash walking, polite manners, reliable recall, impulse control, and everyday skills," "Starting at $495." Reactive Dog Training aims to "Reduce barking, lunging, and fear while helping your dog build confidence around everyday triggers," "Starting at $650." Advanced Training & CGC prepares "for the Canine Good Citizen test," "Starting at $475." Virtual sessions are offered for owners outside the area.

Where the lessons happen

In the client's home, by design: "Dogs don't live in training facilities. They live in your home and neighborhood. By working where everyday challenges happen, we can build practical skills that fit your daily routine and create lasting behavior change." Service areas listed are "Muskegon, North Muskegon, Norton Shores, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Fruitport, Whitehall, Roosevelt Park, Grand Rapids," with the note "Don't see your city listed? Reach out to see if you're within our in-home training service area."

What clients describe

A reactivity client writes: "We started reactivity training to help with her anxiety around people and overstimulation on walks, and the improvement has been remarkable. Molly is now much more comfortable in different environments, quicker to disengage, and more relaxed overall." Another, on leash work: "I have a 65 + pound dog that thought he was born for the Olympic dog sled pulling team, quite literally pulling me off of my feet on walks… After training, we are walking down the sidewalk past dogs, people, deer (with a harness now) and no issues."

Before you book

The business gives its location as "Muskegon, MI". Ask whether your town is inside the in-home service area.