About Us

Meet the Trainer!

Owner and Head Trainer, Michelle Portuese has had a love for dogs for as long as she can remember, starting with her childhood dog.  She began working with dogs while attending Rutgers University and becoming a part of The Seeing Eye puppy raising program. After graduating from Rutgers with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, she worked in an Animal Shelter cleaning kennels and teaching the dogs basic obedience to help get them adopted.  It was there, that Michelle realized how many amazing dogs there were in the world that just needed some guidance and who's owners were just uninformed on how to work with them.  She went on to work at Canine Company, training dogs to the Invisible Fence and doing obedience training before joining the team at Canine Connection, doing private lessons and working with dogs in their board and train program.  It was there that Michelle started Canine Potential and  it has now grown into what it is today! She is continually taking courses and seminars to learn and put to practice updated information on animal behavior and training techniques.  In her free time, Michelle can often be found hiking in the woods with her American Bully, Taz who often helps her out in lessons with clients. Michelle's goal is to help as many people as possible learn how to live the most fulfilling life they can with their dog by their side!