Contact me today to schedule problem-solving with Linda.
Linda Michaels, M.A., behavior consultant, trainer, and author of the best-seller, "The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook", founded the “First, Do No Harm” approach in dog training. Linda Michaels, M.A., Psychology, author of the ground-breaking, best-seller, The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook: Featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, is the founder of the “First, Do No Har
m” approach in dog training. Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble online, and Dogwise— fine booksellers and libraries through Ingram Spark~ https://amzn.to/3Ptt14g
Linda is a trailblazing influencer in canine behavior consulting and animal welfare advocacy. Her internationally acclaimed Hierarchy of Dog Needs guide offers a clear, dog-centered alternative to outdated paradigms that include punitive methods. Her new Do No Harm swag store encourages pet parents and trainers to wear their dog care ethics “on their sleeves.”
08/08/2025
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be speaking at the HGA’s first event, ‘The Holistic Pet Care Conference’ 2025!
08/08/2025
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I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be speaking at the HGA’s first event, ‘The Holistic Pet Care Conference’ 2025!
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Linda Michaels, M.A. Psychology, Del Mar Dog Training, serves clients in Del Mar and San Diego County from La Jolla to Carlsbad, plus Rancho Santa Fe, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills
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Linda Michaels, M.A., Psychology, PCT-A was recently rated one of the top ten dog trainers in the United States, by Top Ten Magazine. Linda has a master’s degree in Experimental Psychology (Hons), and is the creator of the Hierarchy of Dog Needs®(HDN) and author of the Do No Harm Dog TrainingTM and Behavior Manual for both trainers and pet parents. 📷Linda is the Founder and Head Administrator of the wildly popular Do No Harm Facebook Group where force-free advocates from around the world gather to share resources, solve dog behavior problems, and promote animal welfare.
Linda worked with some of the most difficult behavior cases at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA for five years, and then became an animal welfare advocate for positive/force-free training and non-aversive collars. She is a certified Fear, Aggression and Reactivity consultant and focuses on the psychological aspects of dog behavior that often mirror human psychological conditions, such as: fear, separation/attachment disorders, and dog aggression toward humans and other dogs. She is a sought-after speaker.
Linda’s laboratory research experience in behavioral neurobiology examined the interface between behavior and the brain. Her unique combination of scientific training and hands-on experience with dogs and wolfdogs creates a bridge between the worlds of research, dog trainers and pet parents as demonstrated in her presentation at the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) inaugural summit: Understanding Research: Making the case for force-free training. Linda is a proud Affiliate of the International School of Canine Psychology (ISCP), the International Companion Animal Network – Welfare First (ICAN), and the Association of INTODogs force-free training, veterinary and welfare organizations where the Hierarchy of Dog Needs is prominently featured. Linda is an accomplished author of numerous behavior articles in publications such as BARKS from the Guild (PPG) international trade magazine, the countywide UT-San Diego Scratch and Sniff column, Rancho Santa Fe Review, Del Mar Village Voice, Solana Beach Sun, Natural Awakenings magazine, San Diego Pets magazine, and Carmel Valley News. Linda is a certified veterinary assistant and the flagship SoCal Victoria Stilwell-licensed behavior consultant. She appeared as a featured expert on Huffington Post Live, Gawker.com, Wolf Dog Radio and PPG World Services. She was also a member of the Advisory Board for the Art for Barks charity, in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and was the first Behavior Advisor for the WolfEducationProject.org in Julian, CA.
Linda teaches private, customized basic manners/obedience lessons for dogs of all ages and every breed. Her practice, Do No Harm Dog Training, serves pet parents in Del Mar, La Jolla to Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, Hollywood and Beverly Hills areas.
The development of the Hierarchy of Dog Needs ® (HDN) — Standards of Care and Best Force-free Practices, is a wellness and force-free behavior modification guide. This is one of Linda’s most significant contributions to animal welfare and training. The Hierarchy of Dog Needs closes the door on the perceived need and advisability of using punitive or aversive methods to train our pet dogs. It offers a clear, easy-to-use force-free alternative to some of the most popular teaching paradigms now available. The Hierarchy of Dog Needs is in use internationally by veterinary behaviorists, veterinarians, dog trainers (including working-dog and police-dog trainers), groomers, shelters, rescues, animal welfare advocates, as well as pet parents, and is now available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Danish, and German.
Do No Harm Dog Training Facebook Group. Founder and Admin. 2017 – Current
CREDENTIALS
Master of Arts/Experimental Psychology with Distinction. San Diego State University
University Scholar Award. Psychology Department, San Diego State University
McNair Science Scholar
Behavioral Neurobiology Research
Behavioral Trials and Histological Examinations
Certified Veterinary Assistant
FAR Beyond Licensed. Canine Aggression, Reactivity and Fear Specialist. 2011 – Current
PCT-A. Professional Canine Trainer — Accredited. Pet Professional Guild (PPG). 2015 – Current
VSPDT. Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training. 2010 – Current
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. 2002 – 2016
AKC Community Canine Evaluator. 2013 – 2016
International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants. (IAABC) Member. 2010 – 2011
Pet First Aid for Cats and Dogs. American Red Cross
Class Assistant Trainer. San Diego Humane Society
Volunteer Council Representative. San Diego Humane Society
Shelter Trainee and Volunteer. 5-year Veteran, San Diego Humane Society
Basic First Aid, Zoonoses and Animal Diseases Certified. Project Wildlife
BEHAVIORAL ADVISING POSITIONS AND MEDIA📷
Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Manual. Author.
Pet Professionals Guild. Contributing Author, Professional Member, Speaker. 2012 – Current
Wolf Education Project. Behavior and Training Program Advisor. Julian, CA. 2013 – Current
Positive Pet Professionals of San Diego. Founder and Director: 2011 – 2016
Art for Barks. Advisory Board Member and Contributing Author. 2013 – 2016
U~T San Diego. Scratch ‘n Sniff Columnist. SD’s Countywide Newspaper. 2012 – 2013
Natural Awakenings Pet Magazine. Roving Pet Reporter Contributing Writer. 2011 – 2012
Rancho Santa Fe Review, Del Mar Times, Solana Beach Sun and Carmel Valley News. “You and Your Dog” Columnist. 2009 – 2010
Head Trainer and Behavioral Consultant. The Daily Pet, Del Mar Highlands. 2006 – 2007
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Pet Professional Guild Inaugural Summit Speaker. “Understanding Research: Making the Case for Force-Free Dog Training.” Conference 2015. Tampa FL
Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training First Annual Member Conference. “Science-Based Dog Trainers and Science: Research Counts.” Roundtable with Linda Michaels, MA and Victoria Stilwell. 2013. Atlanta, GA
Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club Speaker: Morgan Run Club & Resort, 2016📷
Hotel Indigo Del Mar, Bow Wow Brunch Speaker. “Dog Park and Dog Beach.” 2014. Del Mar, CA.
Hotel Indigo Del Mar, Bow Wow Brunch Speaker: “When and How to Train Your Dog!” 2014. Del Mar, CA
Point Loma Veterinary Clinic. Lunch and Learn Presentation to Staff. 2014. Point Loma, CA
Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society. McKenna Long & Aldridge, Mini Behavioral Consultations and Celebrity Judge. Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Pet Orphans of Southern California Shelter, “Top Ten Things to Teach Your Dog.” Van Nuys, CA
Veterinary Presentation, Lunch and Learn, VCA Animal Hospital. Encinitas, CA
PAWS Fiesta, Mini Behavioral Consultations. San Diego, CA
Annual Doggie Street Festival, Adoption Event. “Ask the Trainer” Professionals Booth. San Diego, CA
Cavalier Circle, “Positive Reinforcement and Top Ten Things to Teach Your Dog.” VCA Hospital, Sorrento Valley, CA
Strut Your Mutt, Best Friends Animal Society “Ask the Trainer”. Los Angeles, CA
Positive Pet Professionals of San Diego (PPPofSD), “Non-Aversive Training.” Encinitas, CA📷
Yorkie Lovers Meetup, La Jolla, CA
Westie Rescue of OC Benefit, Mini Behavioral Consultations. Huntington Beach, CA
Take Your Dog to Work Day, Seminar: “Positive Reinforcement and Your Dog.” Carmel Valley, CA
Three Dog Bakery Pet Store, “Ask the Trainer”. Del Mar, CA
Pupologie Pet Store, “Ask the Trainer”. Encinitas, CA
Babies by the Sea Boutique, “How to Keep Your Baby Safe and Your Dog Happy”. Cardiff By the Sea, CA
Muttropolis, Seminar: “Pesky Pooch Problems?” Solana Beach, CA
Saks Fifth Avenue, “Dog Days of Summer” Event, Dog Psychologist Behavioral Consultations. La Jolla, CA
