Cape Canine Academy: Port Charlotte’s Trusted Dog Trainer
Hi there! I’m MJ, owner of Cape Canine Academy, your local Port Charlotte dog trainer. I know first-hand what it’s like to struggle with your dog’s behavior, so I’ve dedicated myself to helping you navigate those same challenges. Whether you’ve just brought home a new puppy, want your dog to master their manners, or you’re dealing with more severe behaviors like dog reactivity and resource guarding, I’ve got your back! Stick around, because I want to tell you all about how I’m changing the dog training scene here in Port Charlotte, North Port and Punta Gorda.
Get To Know Your Dog Trainer
I don't have one of those "I always knew I wanted to be a dog trainer" stories. In fact, if you had asked me as a kid what I wanted to be when I grew up, dog trainer never would have crossed my mind.
My path into this career started completely by accident when I moved to coastal Georgia right out of high school. That's where I met an adorable (and incredibly dirty) rescue dog named Max. Despite knowing a handful of impressive tricks, he'd already been returned to the shelter by three different families. On a complete impulse, I brought him home.
It didn't take long to realize what I had signed up for. Max was highly reactive to other dogs, barked for hours, had accidents in the house, and pulled so hard on leash that every walk felt like a workout. I loved him, but I couldn't afford to hire a trainer, so I started learning everything I could and worked through it one step at a time.
Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with dog training.
Watching Max go from a dog I couldn't comfortably walk around the block to a dog I could confidently take downtown changed everything for me. I realized how much freedom training gives both dogs and their owners, and I wanted to help other people experience that same feeling.
About a year later, I made another impulsive trip to that same shelter and came home with Gunner. His challenges looked very different. He had spent months in the shelter because of severe fear and anxiety, and helping him required a completely different approach.
By then I was in a better financial position, so I enrolled in Animal Behavior College to learn as much as I could. My goal wasn't just to teach obedience. I wanted to understand behavior so I could help dogs become calm, confident members of their families.
After becoming an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer, I volunteered with animal shelters, apprenticed under experienced trainers, and eventually worked professionally for established dog training companies. Every family I helped reinforced that I had found exactly what I was meant to do.
Over the years, I continued my education through seminars, workshops, and hands-on experience, always looking for better ways to help dogs and their owners succeed. Eventually, it was time to build something of my own.
While living in Denver, Colorado, I started my first business, Instinctual Canine. For the next several years, I had the privilege of helping hundreds of families build better relationships with their dogs through practical, real-life training. As much as we loved Colorado, it never truly felt like home. My husband and I eventually packed up our own dogs and headed back east, where I founded Cape Canine Academy and spent years helping families all across Cape Cod.
Our next chapter has brought us to Southwest Florida. I'm excited to bring everything I've learned over the years to dog owners in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, and the surrounding communities. My goal has stayed the same from the very beginning: help you enjoy life with your dog.
Whether you're struggling with leash pulling, reactivity, jumping, barking, puppy training, or simply want a dog you can confidently take out in public, I'm here to help. Every training plan is customized to your dog, your goals, and your lifestyle, so the skills you learn actually work outside of a training session.
If you're looking for a dog trainer in Port Charlotte who believes training should make everyday life easier—not more complicated—I would love to help you and your dog get there.
What Kind Of Dog Training Services Do I Offer?
Every dog is different, and your training plan should be too. That's why Cape Canine Academy offers several dog training programs for families in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port and the surrounding Southwest Florida communities. Whether you're raising a puppy, working through behavior problems, or simply want a well-mannered dog you can enjoy taking out in public, we'll build a plan that fits your goals.
Private Dog Training Lessons:
Private, in-home dog training allows you and your dog to learn together in the environment where everyday life happens. Because training starts in your home, your dog can learn new skills without the distractions of a new location, making it easier to build good habits from the start.
Private lessons are a great fit for puppy training, leash pulling, jumping, barking, reactivity, basic obedience, and everyday manners. You'll learn exactly how to communicate with your dog so you can confidently continue the training between sessions.
Homeschool Training Programs:
Want the results of consistent training but don't have hours every week to dedicate to it?
My Homeschool Program helps your dog get a head start on the skills needed to live an enjoyable life with you. Three times each week, I come to your home and work one-on-one with your dog, giving them consistent practice while you work, take care of the kids, run errands, or whatever it is you need to get done. At the end of the week, we'll meet for a private lesson where I'll show you everything your dog has learned and teach you how to continue building on those skills.
Unlike a traditional board and trains, your dog gets to stay in the comfort of their own home, maintain their normal routine, and still receive personalized training that helps them make progress faster.
Customized Dog Training Programs:
No two dogs—or families—are exactly alike. While I offer several training programs that cover the goals most people have, every program can be customized to fit your dog's personality, your family's lifestyle, and your budget.
Whether you need help with a new puppy, leash manners, reactivity, basic obedience, or more advanced behavior challenges, we'll create a training plan that's built around your goals so you can enjoy life with your dog long after the lessons are over.
What Can I Help With?
No matter what brought you here, my goal is the same: help you enjoy life with your dog.
Over the years, I've worked with everything from brand-new puppies to dogs with more complex behavior challenges. While I have extensive experience helping reactive dogs learn to stay calm and focused around other dogs and people, I love helping families with all kinds of training goals.
Whether you're looking to build a solid foundation or work through a frustrating behavior, I'm here to help.
Some of the most common things I work on include:
- Puppy Training
- Anxiety & Fearfulness
- Dog Reactivity
- People Reactivity
- Barking
- Leash Pulling and Loose Leash Walking
- Potty Training
- Basic & Advanced Obedience
- Off-Leash Reliability & Coming when Called
- Chasing the cats (or other animals)
- Crate Training
- Jumping on People
- Resource Guarding
- Counter Surfing
- Polite Greetings
- Impulse Control
- Confidence Building
Not sure if your dog's behavior is something I can help with? Reach out! If it's something I don't think I'm the best fit for, I'll be honest and help point you in the right direction.
Qualifications and Experience
This may be the boring part of the blog post, as most people don’t know (nor care) what to look for in a trainer. All most people care about is, can I help? Yes, I can… but I also prioritize continued education and making sure I can help you and your dog to the best of my ability, so here’s a rundown of some of the ways I make sure I’m up-to-snuff on modern dog training.
I’m an Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer, and a Professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. For years I was an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and a therapy dog instructor through k9 Caring Angels. I’ve attended (and will continue to) seminars on dog training and behavior by incredible dog trainers such as Joel Silverman, Larry Krohn and Jay Jack. And, at any given time, I’m usually taking some sort of online course when I’m not reading a dog behavior book….. I’m not kidding when I say I live and breathe dogs.
Southwest Florida Service Area
Cape Canine Academy offers in-home dog training in Southwest Florida in the following areas:
- Port Charlotte
- North Port
- Punta Gorda
- Rotonda
- Englewood
- Fort Myers
Let's Get Started!
Working with me is easy! Fill out the form below to tell me about your dog and how I can help. I'll reach out to you as soon as I can, and from there we'll set up a consultation so that we can create a training plan that fits your unique goals and lifestyle.
