About Us

Our Dog Trainers have Two Core Values:

Trust

We get it – trusting someone with the wellbeing of your dog is tough. We recognize that you are investing a lot of trust in us! Your dog will be learning from a Certified Dog Trainer who always takes the Spoonful of Sugar Approach. We pride ourselves on keeping up with modern dog training best practices to ensure our curriculum and techniques are the latest and most effective, while prioritizing your dog’s mental and physical well being. All of our instructors are trained in canine behavior and body language as well as how to spot specific signs of fear, stress, anxiety, and physical discomfort.

Love

We believe that love is foundational to learning, for both people and dogs. We are proud to offer dog training services that prioritize the human-dog relationship to achieve learning that lasts. We take the Spoonful of Sugar Approach with dogs (and their guardians!) to cultivate a comfortable and inclusive environment for all. We love helping dogs learn, and we aim to show that everyday, in everything we do!

Meet the Team!

Every member of Merry Puppins is a trained professional. We invest heavily in our team so that they can provide the best and safest care to your pets.

Melissa - Owner, Merry Puppins Pet Care Pittsburgh, PA

Owner- Melissa

She/Her

Founder, Certified Professional Pet Sitter, Certified Pet Tech First Aid and CPR Instructor

Melissa founded Merry Puppins in 2018 with the goal of raising the standard of in-home pet care- because pets deserve it! Melissa launched Merry Puppins School for Dogs in 2024 to provide much needed services to our friends and neighbors who frequently ask us questions about dog training, and share their frustration with finding convenient, available training in the East End.

With a passion for learning, Melissa believes that Merry Puppins and Merry Puppins School for Dogs can provide THE best and safest pet care and integrative training experiences.

“Wonderful! Thank you, Melissa. It is such a pleasure to work with you and your team. I just referred you to one of my neighbors today! She asked me if I had any recommendations for dog walkers, so I passed along your website, along with my glowing endorsement.” – Marla M.
headmistress torin school for dogs dog trainer

Headmistress Torin

She/Her

Torin joined the Merry Puppins team in October 2022, with 3+ years experience working with animals in shelters, veterinary clinics, and daycare facilities and fostering shelter dogs. She completed her dog training certification at Animal Behavior College and is also a Fear Free Certified trainer. Torin loves helping humans learn about their canine companions, and strives to cultivate bonds between humans and their dogs in a way that is respectful, positive, and fun for everyone!

Torin loves to travel and have adventures! She has a degree in Biology and wants to become an animal behaviorist. Torin says, “ I know how stressful leaving your fur babies can be, even if just for a few days, so I’m very happy to provide some peace of mind to clients that their furry family members are well loved and cared for while they are away. I love meeting and connecting with animals of all species, so I feel so lucky that I get to do that as a job!” Torin joined our team in October 2022, and we are thrilled to have her!

“I love this pictures of the pups playing together! I always look forward to them and they make me smile during rough days at work! Thank you!” – Heidi B.
Torin - Pet Sitter

Professor Amy

She/Her

Amy is so excited to be joining the School for Dogs team! Amy started training dogs in Atlanta in 2009. She moved to the ‘burgh with her husband and dogs in 2022. Amy graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in mechanical engineering, and although she no longer works in the field, she brings those problem solving skills to her work with dogs. Amy enjoys supporting dogs and their families and loves to see everyone succeed!

Amy also has much experience working with her own reactive dogs, has ABCDT and CPDT-KA Certifications, and is an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and CGC evaluator.

Amy is pictured with her dogs Bentley and Morgan, supporting her alma mater, OSU!

Class Assistant Elanore

Class Assistant Elanore

She/Her

Elanore grew up in Rochester, NY and moved to the area to attend Slippery Rock University. She joined the Merry Puppins Team in August 2022, and became a Weekend Team Leader in March 2023. Elanore has become an integral part of our team, and we are thrilled that she is attending Victoria Stilwell Academy, to become a Certified Dog Trainer. During her time at VSA, she will be assisting at Day School and Group Classes. Elanore brings a sense of adventure with her everywhere! She is also practicing everything she learns with her own dog, Ez, which means “goat” in Hebrew.

Merry Puppins School Logo

Get In Touch!

833- MRRY-PUP (833-677-9787)
We are excited to talk about your needs and learn about your pets! A phone call is the best way to get the intake process started. Once we talk, we can help set up an online account, and schedule you for a Meet and Greet so we can meet in person!

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