Megan Lowell

Certified Canine Trainer & Behavior Specialist

Hi, I’m Megan Lowell, founder of Barking Orders and certified dog trainer and behavior specialist based in Morris County, NJ.

Dogs have always been a central part of my world. I grew up surrounded by them and landed my first job at 14 as a kennel attendant; from that point on, I knew I’d never work in a field that didn’t involve dogs.

Before becoming a trainer, I worked as a dog groomer, where I naturally gravitated toward the “problem dogs”, the anxious, reactive, or misunderstood ones that others often struggled to handle. I found immense fulfillment in helping them feel safe, calm, and understood. That experience opened my eyes to the deeper behavioral needs of dogs and sparked a passion I couldn’t ignore. That passion led me to dog training, an aspect of the dog world where I can make a much larger impact on dogs and their parents.

I’m a proud graduate of Starmark Academy in Austin, TX, where I spent three immersive months living and breathing dog behavior and training. My journey was hands-on from day one, I brought my dog Mabel with me, and during the program, I adopted my second dog, Captain. These two pups have shaped not just my life, but my entire mission.

I created this business because I truly believe in making a difference for dogs, their families, and especially for the rescue and shelter dogs who often don’t have a voice. I know I can do my part in making a difference for dogs and their current/future humans.

Hi, I’m Megan Lowell, founder of Barking Orders and certified dog trainer and behavior specialist based in Morris County, NJ.

I created this business because I truly believe in making a difference for dogs, their families, and especially for the rescue and shelter dogs who often don’t have a voice. While I love working with private clients, my heart has found a special place in supporting shelters, where so many dogs are simply waiting for a second chance.

At the core of my work is a belief that training should be compassionate, confidence-building, and tailored to the individual dog. My mission is to empower both dogs and their humans to understand one another and thrive together.

The Barking Orders Training Philosophy

+ Balanced Training -

At Barking Orders, the training philosophy is rooted in balanced methods that are derived from the four quadrants of operant conditioning. This blends reinforcement with fair and humane punishment tailored to each dog’s unique needs. The four quadrants consist of positive/negative reinforcement (making a behavior more likely to occur in the future) and positive/negative punishment (making a behavior less likely to occur). To put it in simpler terms, when your dog does something wrong and you tell them “no”, this is a positive punishment! You are adding a verbal reprimand to make the behavior less likely to occur in the future.

They are and always will be animals, no matter how much we feel like they’re our children, so give them boundaries just as you would a child! Structure and communication are the foundation of a well-balanced relationship between dog and owner; it helps to create a calm and respectful environment where dogs can thrive and owners can feel in control.

My mission is to help families and their dogs live in harmony by providing practical, personalized training that fosters trust, confidence, and clarity while helping owners understand their dogs, and dogs navigate their world. Whether it be beloved pets or adoptable dogs who deserve a second chance, with genuine passion and dedication, I’m here to support both ends of the leash!