Our Mission
Dogs play a central role in many peoples lives, our mission is to:
  • Improve communication and understanding between dogs and their owners so that they can lead happier lives together.
  • Provide community awareness programs to help children and adults understand the responsibilities inherent in our relationship with dogs.
  • Work closely with the staff at the Humane Society & Shelter, SouthCoast to improve the lives of shelter dogs and to increase their adoptability through training.



Want to know even MORE about us? It's easy:

Visit our Blog to learn more about what's happening at Highland Obedience or what's on our mind including training tips, random thoughts, interesting links, cute photos and more!!

Or visit us on Facebook where we encourage our dog loving community to interact, post pictures, videos and whatever else it is that people do on Facebook.

Or visit our channel on YouTube to see class videos, training tips, life on the farm videoes featuring the cows, chickens, horses and who knows who else.

Or visit our photo gallery with lots and lots of dog pictures from our classes and Sunday Social Hours.
HOME * SERVICES * ABOUT US * CONTACT US * TESTIMONIALS
Michele enjoys working with many kinds of animals.

About Highland Obedience


We want to be your dog and puppy training resource in the SouthCoast

Highland Obedience is a full service dog and puppy training center affiliated with the Humane Society & Shelter - SouthCoast. Our services include dog training classes, puppy classes, doggy playgroups, private consultations, children's programs, and more. We aim to be a center of education and community for dog owners in the SouthCoast region of Massachusetts.

Michele Taipale is the President and Lead Trainer of Highland Obedience. An eccentric animal lover from the day she could walk, Michele has followed a varied career path that has always brought her back to the animal kingdom.

With a general penchant for teaching and training, she has worked with many species. In the 1980's she trained horses in Montana, then operated a horse training and riding stable in Lexington, Kentucky, followed by four years at the National Equestrian Federation in New York City. In the 1990's she focused on the human species: she was a management consultant focused on global strategy work in the telecom industry. She also taught business courses around the globe in multinational negotiations, global business fundamentals and economics. She grew tired of constant travel and hunkered down on the farm in the mid-2000's and began a manufacturing business, Highland Creations, Inc., producing greeting cards and giftware for the equestrian and pet industries.

As a long time member of the Board of the Humane Society and Shelter, SouthCoast, Michele perceived a need for a more rigorous dog training program for the shelter and a strong demand for training services in the region. She resigned from the board and founded Highland Obedience.

Michele has been training dogs on and off throughout her career, both professionally and for friends and family! She is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals.

Michele holds an MBA from the Wharton School, an MA in International Affairs from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from the University of Montana. She is a fellow of the Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies.

We offer private and group dog training and puppy training services and serve the communities of Dartmouth, Fall River, Fairhaven, Westport, New Bedford, Little Compton, Mattapoisett, Marion, Freetown & environs. One day each week we are in the Boston and Cambridge area for private dog training consultations.

Highland Obedience is a wholly owned subsidiary of Highland Creations, Inc. Learn more about our parent organization, Highland Creations, check out our doggy gifts and greeting cards.