I'm Miriam Goldberg, certified dog trainer (CCPDT-KA, KPA-CTP), and I've spent the last nine years helping anxious, reactive, and just-plain-spicy dogs become the dogs their people always knew they could be. Force-free, fear-free, results-based. 1,840 dogs trained. 97% finish. Zero choke chains, ever.
Every dog is different. Every human is different. Start where it makes sense for both of you. Prices below are the total program — not per session.
We chat about your dog, your life, what's hard, what's working. No sales pitch. I'll tell you honestly if I'm the right trainer for your dog.
I come to your home for 90 minutes, meet your dog on their turf, and map out exactly what we're going to work on and why.
Sessions happen at your home, on your walks, at your parks. You learn too — because you're with your dog 167 hours a week, and I'm with them 1.
A 6-month check-in is built into every program, free. I want your dog to stay good, not just get good. I'm in your corner for life.
I was a special-ed teacher for eleven years before I became a dog trainer. Turns out the two jobs are surprisingly similar: small steps, big patience, clear reinforcement, and the absolute belief that every student (and every dog) is trying their best with the tools they've got.
I trained at the Karen Pryor Academy, hold my CCPDT-KA (the gold-standard trainer cert), sit on the behavior team at DoveLewis Animal Hospital, and live in Southeast Portland with my partner Sarah, two senior rescue dogs (Moose, 13, Pumpkin, 11), and a very opinionated cat named Artichoke.
"Biscuit barked at every human and half the squirrels. 6 weeks with Miriam and we walk past the mail carrier like normal people. I cried the first time he sat calmly."
"Kimchi came home at 9 weeks a confident lunatic. Puppy Foundations gave us a plan, a pack of pup friends, and the confidence to mess up without ruining our dog."
"I rescued Moose after he'd bitten two people. Two vets said BE. Miriam took 9 months with us. He hasn't had a reactive incident in 14 months. He is the dog I dreamed of."
"Dumpling is 11. We thought it was too late. Six sessions and she walks on a loose leash for the first time in her corgi life. Miriam is a wizard. A kind, patient wizard."
Twenty minutes, just us (and possibly your dog in the background). Tell me what's hard, I'll tell you what I'd do, and whether I'm the right fit. If I'm not, I'll refer you to someone who is.