Calmer, more fulfilled dogs.

Confident owners.

Real skills.

I help reactive, anxious and unsure dogs (and their humans at the other end of the leash) feel safe and settle down.

Serving Redmond and the Greater Seattle Area. All breeds welcome.

What I help with

• Reactive and anxious dogs: The growling, lunging, and walks that feel like a game of 4D Chess

 We build trust and lower stress without flooding your dog or burying the problem under excessive obedience and commands

• Dogs with a rough past: Rescues, rehomes, and dogs who've been mishandled at home or in training. Let's rebuild the relationship AND their confidence, one good day at a time.
• New owners: Nobody hands you a manual, and the social media comments section isn't getting a good read on your dog. I'll help you build real skills, and no question is too small.

Feel stuck with your reactive dog?

I've been there. My first dog, Steele, was a 65-pound Terrier who could pull my 200-pound self right off my feet, and I was wildly unprepared.

You've probably read the threads on social media, or asked your favorite AI for advice. It all sounds helpful, but you can't tell if it's right for your dog.

What I needed back then, and what you probably need now, is an experienced professional who works with the dog next to you; not a cookie-cutter plan. No vague moral platitudes. No bait-and-switch with an unpaid apprentice. No taking phone consults during lessons.

How I work

Careful conditioning, relationship-building, appropriate play and meeting your dog's genetic fulfillment needs. Foundations built off of minimal formal commands and a gentle, low-stress approach. Use of tools and techniques that's guided by canine neuroscience principles.

I learned the hard way that obedience alone doesn't fix a dog who's struggling on the inside. Real change takes time, so programs generally start in 2 to 4 month blocks of weekly appointments. Setup a free phone consult with me, we can introduce ourselves and get you setup for an in-person evaluation. From there, I'll let you know which training program fits your needs and goals.

Real results

"I used to be so scared to take her on walks. Now, she has definitely become a much happier and healthier dog and I literally owe it to Matt for helping me and getting my confidence back. It has been life changing!"

- Marie & Abby

1500+ dogs

  100+ breeds

300+ Severe behavior cases

  11,000+ Hours Coaching

Why Me

Steele came into my life in 2011 and changed everything. Rehabbing a rescue with complex behavior and health issues turned into a career: working across the pet industry, then dog training since 2018.

This isn't a side-hustle. It's my life's work, and it started with a dog I refused to give up on.

PADT Certified Associate Trainer

The Professional Association of Dog Trainers certifies trainers on demonstrated results with real dogs, with ongoing education and an ethics code behind everything.

Find my credentials here:

https://www.prodogtrainers.org/find-trainer

Dog Training

Areas of

Expertise