Dog Trainer in Muskegon, MI
Calmer Walks and Better Behavior, Without Harsh Collars or Sending Your Dog Away
Private, in-home positive reinforcement dog training for Muskegon-area dogs who pull, jump, bark, lunge, bite, nip, chew, or make everyday life more stressful than it needs to be.
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Work directly with Stephen Dube, CPDT-KA Certified, Fear Free Certified, and an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Every lesson is personalized to your dog, your home, and your goals.
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You'll get a clear plan, simple daily practice, and support between sessions so you're not left Googling 17 different answers.
CPDT-KA Certified - Fear Free Certified - AKC CGC Evaluator - Shelter Behavior Experience - Positive Reinforcement Only
Dog owners come to us when:
You dread walking your dog because every outing feels like a battle.
You never know how your dog will react to another dog or person.
Your puppy is biting, jumping, chewing, or testing every ounce of your patience.
You feel like you've tried everything but nothing sticks.
You want training that's kind, effective, and realistic for everyday life.
You just wish your dog would listen to you.
The good news is that these are some of the most common challenges we help families overcome with personalized, in-home training.
Choose The Right Starting Point
You don’t need to figure out the perfect training program before asking for help. We’ll help you choose the right starting point for you and your dog.
Not sure what program fits your dog? Book a free consultation and we'll recommend the right starting point.
Why Muskegon Dog Owners Choose Port City Dog Training
Choosing the right dog trainer can make the difference between temporary fixes and lasting results. As a CPDT-KA Certified, Fear Free Certified trainer and AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, I use evidence-based positive reinforcement methods to help dogs and their families succeed together in everyday life.
Certified Professional Training
Not all dog trainers hold professional certifications. 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. It means you're working with a certified dog trainer dedicated to current, evidence-based training practices.
Real-World Behavior Experience
Beyond working with family pets, Stephen has extensive experience helping dogs with fear, reactivity, overstimulation, and other behavior challenges in a shelter environment. That real-world experience helps him create practical, personalized training plans for dogs and their families.
Support Between Sessions
Questions don't always wait until your next lesson. You'll receive guidance and support between sessions so you can keep making progress with confidence instead of feeling stuck.
Fear Free, Reward-Based Training
Every lesson uses reward-based, positive reinforcement methods that strengthen your dog's confidence while creating reliable, lasting behavior. Fear Free principles help reduce stress and support learning in a way that's humane, effective, and designed for real life.
Training Tailored to Your Dog
Every dog learns differently, and every family has unique goals. Your training plan is tailored to your dog's personality, your lifestyle, and the real-life challenges you want to solve, creating practical results that fit your everyday routine.
Real-Life Training at Home
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.
Results That Last
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Enjoy calmer walks.
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Welcome visitors with confidence.
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Feel comfortable taking your dog to public places.
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Build a stronger relationship with your dog.
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.
CPDT-KA Certified - Fear Free Certified - AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator - Shelter Behavior Experience
What Muskegon Area Dog Owners Are Saying
Real results from local dog owners working through leash pulling, reactivity, puppy training, and everyday behavior challenges.
A Game-Changer for Reactivity
This training has been a game-changer for me and my 1-year-old Australian Shepherd, Molly. 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. Steven was incredibly friendly, professional, and great with Molly—always patient and supportive. I also appreciated the helpful articles and tips he shared, which made it easier to stay consistent between sessions. What really stood out was his use of non-punitive, positive methods and his willingness to come to our home, which made a big difference in Molly’s progress. His approach was tailored, compassionate, and clearly focused on long-term success. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Port City Dog Training to anyone looking for effective, kind, and professional support for their dog.
-Samantha M. & Molly
Reactive Dog Training
Walks Went From Stressful to Enjoyable
I can't say enough great things about how our training went! 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. I dreaded hooking up his leash. I had been using a gentle leader and treats to no avail. After training, we are walking down the sidewalk past dogs, people, deer (with a harness now) and no issues. I only wish I had started sooner. Steve was very flexible with my crazy schedule, and I'm quite sure we will be doing refresher courses from time to time, but I am so pleased with our progress :)
-Jen P. & Max
Leash Walking & Obedience
From Overwhelmed Puppy Owner to Therapy Dog Team
Steve knows dogs, and Steve knows people. Steve guided me from a first-time dog owner, stressed about destructive puppy behavior, through the Canine Good Citizen and now to a happy, bonded therapy dog team. My life is so, so much richer because of my relationship with my pup, and Steve played a huge role in making that so. Steve's skill at fear-free, positive reinforcement training, his endless enthusiasm and encouragement, his kindness and grace, and his true interest in helping dogs and their humans succeed together make every lesson a joy. And Piper gives Steve a 5 bones review too!
-Marla E. & Piper
Puppy Training & CGC
​ Trusted by West Michigan Dog Owners
How In-Home Dog Training Works
Getting started is simple. Together, we'll create a personalized training plan for your dog, your home, and your goals, making it easy to build lasting success one step at a time.
STEP 1
Schedule Your Free Consultation
We'll talk about your dog's behavior, your goals, and the challenges you're facing. Together we'll determine whether we're a good fit and which training program best meets your needs.
STEP 2
Train in Your Home
Every lesson takes place where your dog actually lives and learns. Together we'll build practical skills that fit your home, your routine, and your everyday life.
STEP 3
Enjoy Lasting Results
You'll receive a personalized training plan, simple daily exercises, and support between sessions to help you build reliable, long-term success.
Ready to Get Started?
Let's create a training plan that works for both you and your dog
In-Home Dog Training Throughout West Michigan
Port City Dog Training provides in-home positive reinforcement dog training in Muskegon, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, and nearby West Michigan communities. Training happens where your dog lives and learns, so we can work on real-life challenges like leash pulling, puppy manners, barking, and reactive behavior
Dog Training Service Areas
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Roosevelt Park
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Grand Rapids
Don't see your city listed? Reach out to see if you're within our in-home training service area
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about dog training, our methods, or getting started? Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
Do you use punishment, prong collars, or e-collars? 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.
Can you help with reactive dogs? Yes. We work with many dogs that bark, lunge, or become overwhelmed around people, dogs, or other everyday triggers. Training focuses on reducing stress, building confidence, and teaching practical alternative behaviors using positive reinforcement.
Still have questions?
How long does dog training take? Every dog is different. Many families notice positive changes within the first few sessions, while more complex behavior challenges may require additional coaching and consistent practice between lessons.
What areas do you serve? We provide in-home dog training throughout Muskegon, North Muskegon, Norton Shores, Fruitport, Whitehall, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, and surrounding West Michigan communities.
Contact Us
Contact
Opening Hours
Mon
10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tue - Wed
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thurs - Sat
10:00 am – 7:00 pm
​Sunday
10:00 am – 5:00 pm