This course was extremely valuable and genuinely refreshing. Having worked professionally with dogs for over five years, I have completed a wide range of courses and continued professional development, and it is not often that I encounter material that feels both new and immediately applicable in practice. This course achieved exactly that.

What I found most helpful was the clear and practical explanation of how to increase motivation and drive in dogs, particularly in relation to working for food. The way the course broke down the use of food, toys, and affection/attention as functional reinforcers — rather than treating them as fixed or interchangeable rewards — significantly deepened my understanding. Learning how to intentionally build food drive, use food toys strategically, and apply reinforcement in a way that maintains engagement and enthusiasm was incredibly useful.

I also really appreciated the structured strategies taught by Michael and how they can be implemented in real-world scenarios. The emphasis on clarity, consistency, and thoughtful reinforcement helped connect theory to practice in a way that felt realistic for everyday work with dogs. These techniques have already influenced how I structure sessions, manage motivation, and assess what each individual dog is actually working for.

One of the strongest aspects of this course was that the content did not feel repetitive or recycled. Even with my existing experience, I came away having learned new perspectives and practical tools that I had not encountered elsewhere, which is rare in online education. The course encouraged critical thinking rather than rigid formulas, which I found both engaging and professionally valuable.

Overall, this course has strengthened my skill set, expanded how I think about motivation and reinforcement, and provided strategies that I can confidently apply across a wide range of dogs and situations. I found it highly informative, practical, and genuinely enjoyable, and I would recommend it to both newer professionals and those already established in the industry.

- Brittany Johnson on 02/10/2026