Drayton Michaels, CTC
Drayton Michaels has been working with dogs professionally for over a decade. He honed his dog training chops mentoring with world-renowned trainers and behavior specialists and while working as dog walker in both NYC and Seattle. In May of 2007, Drayton received his certification in dog training and behavior consulting from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers (directed by award-winning author and dog expert, Jean Donaldson). In addition to his academic studies, Drayton has logged countless volunteer hours with numerous shelters and rescue organizations, helping to foster, rehabilitate and train pit bulls (his favorite breed of dog and perhaps the most misunderstood breed in the world today). Upon graduating from the Academy in 2007, Drayton started a specialty subsidiary of Urban Dawgs called Pit Bull Guru to offer modern, reward-based training and behavior consulting for Pit Bulls and large breed dogs of all ages.

When Drayton is not working with dogs, creating media, writing blogs or attempting to change the law and culture, he can be found creating music (Drayton Michaels, High Alert Status) or in the kitchen making vegan food for humans and dogs alike.

Drayton lives in Red Bank, NJ with his wife and fellow dog trainer Vyolet, their rescued 13-year old Lab/American Staffordshire Terrier Mix named Mojo and 9-year old American Pit Bull Terrier named Keyshia.

CURRENT PROJECTS

- K9 SON MEDIA: A dog centric media company.

- JUDGING THE INNOCENT: Drayton is currently producing a documentary film titled, "Judging the Innocent" that debunks common myths about pit bulls and provides an overview of basic care and training needs for pit bull type dogs. The film features the best and brightest of the professional dog world and includes interviews with Jean Donaldson, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Janis Bradley, Diane Jessup, Karen Delise (author of The Pit Bull Placebo), Dr. Nicholas Dodman (Tufts), Marthina McClay (Our Pack); as well as interviews with people on the street at the Vick sentencing. Also featured are great stories about some of the many wonderful Pit Bulls that have beaten the odds to become ambassadors of the breed. “Judging the Innocent” release date TBA.

- THE PIT BULL HOAX: Released in Spring 2009, this 13-minute educational DVD aboyt Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) provides legitimate and accurate information to legislators, media, communities and the like. Click here to view a trailer for the Hoax DVD. Click here to ORDER your copy of The Pit Bull Hoax.

- CURRENT TV: Drayton Michaels is a contributor to Current TV. His first piece, “BSL - Is Your Dog Safe?” has been getting quite a bit of attention. Please go check it out and pass the word along. Keep checking in, as there are quite a few short “dog docs” in the works to be going up soon at Current TV.

- DOG STAR DAILY: Drayton is a correspondent blogger for Dog Star Daily.

- ADDITIONAL MEDIA: Drayton is the author of the blog, Trainer Tails. He is also a regular guest on the Pod Cast Wild for Life Radio discussing issues about the humane treatment of dogs. Drayton has also contributed to articles on training in Dog Fancy Magazine & Clavier Magazine. In February 2009 Drayton appeared on MY9 NJ (FOX TV) speaking about Pit Bulls in relation to the national Rasmussen poll. Drayton was also featured on Amrita TV, a television network in India featuring rescued dogs. The segment featured Drayton’s work with the MCSPCA.

Vyolet Michaels, CTC, PDT, CPDT-KA
Born and raised in Monmouth County (NJ), Vyolet has worked with dogs professionally for over a decade. In May of 2003, she received her certification in dog training and behavior consulting after having graduated valedictorian with honors from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, directed by renowned author and dog expert, Jean Donaldson (The Culture Clash and Dogs Are From Neptune). This intensive program, where a class of only ten students trains with the industry’s best dog trainers, has gained a reputation for being "the Harvard for dog trainers". Upon graduating from the Academy, Vyolet and her husband Drayton Michaels opened Urban Dawgs, LLC in Seattle and Vyolet was hired as a head dog trainer at the Humane Society for Seattle/King County.

In the Summer of 2004, Vyolet and Drayton opened Seattle's premier dog training center, where Vyolet taught group dog training classes and hosted a seminar for dog trainers by marine mammal trainer/dog expert, Kathy Sdao. In addition to giving feature presentations on Puppy Training and Clicker Training at the 2004 Seattle Pet Expo held at Seattle Center, Vyolet has also made TV appearances on NorthWest Cable News (NWCN) to discuss various dog training and behavior topics. In August 2005, Vyolet and Drayton Michaels returned to Monmouth County to open Urban Dawgs, LLC dba Red Bank Dog Training in central NJ. In March of 2006, Urban Dawgs was featured on the front page of the Asbury Park Press. Vyolet was also interviewed for inclusion in an article on Separation Anxiety in the AKC Gazette Magazine (in publication since 1889).

Vyolet is a twice certified dog trainer, by both the SFSPCA Academy for Dog Trainers (SFSPCA CTC) and the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (CPDT), and has the following professional memberships/affiliations:
- Professional Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Association of Animal Behavior Professionals (AABP) Endorsed Professional Dog Trainer (PDT)
- Associate Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen program (AKC CGC)
- Certified in Canine First Aid/CPR

Vyolet continues to study dog training and behavior independently and attends continuing education seminars throughout the country to keep current with the latest dog training methods and techniques.

Vyolet lives in Red Bank, NJ with her husband and fellow dog trainer Drayton, their rescued 13-year old Lab/American Staffordshire Terrier Mix named Mojo and 9-year old American Pit Bull Terrier named Keyshia.

Our Methods
We use modern training methods based on the scientific principles of animal learning theory. Our highly effective techniques are 100% dog-friendly and taught with an emphasis on trust and cooperation, so you can truly be your dog's best friend!

Positive reinforcement really works and you avoid the negative side effects that can come with using corrections and other aversive techniques. We use the presentation and removal of rewards as motivation to get our dogs to work - just like employers use salary, benefits and bonuses to motivate employees or as parents use privileges to motivate their children. Rewards can be many things, depending on the individual dog. The most obvious is food treats but there are many more possibilities (access to play, walks, door opening services, etc). Almost anything our dogs need and/or want on a daily basis can be used as rewards. Training is incorpated into your everyday life and is enjoyable on both ends of the leash!

Please read our article about Training Your Pit Bull.

Why Pit Bull Guru?
Training dogs is not a second job or a hobby for us. It is our life and our love. Pit bulls are the breed we own and care for. We know first hand all of the challenges that having a pit bull can present. We also know the joy and never ending kindness this breed is famous for.

Proper positive training, socialization and care are the foundations of responsible dog ownership. Pit bull owners know that often their dogs are not looked upon merely as dogs. Many times pit bulls are judged upon sight, so we need our dogs to be well behaved and well cared for at all times. It is the job of humans who own and care for pit bulls to make sure the breed is represented in a positive light. Our goal is to train owners of pit bulls and other large breed dogs to be the very best for their canine kids.