Mike Rodriguez

Mike Rodriguez is a certified professional dog trainer and senior product reviewer at Barking Goods with over 8 years of experience testing and evaluating pet products. A CPDT-KA certified trainer, Mike has worked with hundreds of dogs across every breed and temperament, giving him an unmatched perspective on what products actually hold up in the real world. He runs a structured product testing program with a rotating panel of dogs ranging from gentle toy breeds to the most determined power chewers. Mike lives in Austin, Texas with his three dogs -- a German Shepherd named Atlas, a Beagle named Copper, and a pit bull mix named Luna -- who serve as his unofficial (but very enthusiastic) product testing team.

Mike Rodriguez doesn’t just read product descriptions and rewrite marketing copy — he puts products through the wringer. As Barking Goods’ Senior Product Reviewer, Mike has personally tested over 500 pet products across every category, from indestructible chew toys to premium dog foods.

His background as a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer gives him a practical edge that most product reviewers lack. He understands dog behavior, knows why some dogs destroy certain toys in minutes while others last for months, and can evaluate training tools based on actual training principles rather than just marketing claims.

Mike’s product testing methodology is rigorous. Each product goes through a minimum 30-day evaluation period with his panel of test dogs, which includes aggressive chewers, picky eaters, and everything in between. He documents durability, safety, ease of use, and real-world performance before writing a single word of his review.

When he’s not testing products, Mike runs group training classes in Austin and advocates for positive reinforcement training methods. He believes that the right products, combined with good training, can make life better for both dogs and their owners.