Dog Training by Bob Maida
Services offered at clients’ homes
(914) 395-3647; dogtrainingbybobmaida.com
With 46 years of training experience—including training the Reagans’ dogs—Bob Maida has an extensive history of accomplished work. Maida says he can read a dog’s temperament from body language alone, and can teach owners to do the same. Maida’s general style of training—he doesn’t believe in “cookie-cutter” methods, so it can vary dog to dog—takes dogs out of the home and into parks and other public places so your canine companion can acclimate to socializing with people and other dogs. Maida also videotapes his training sessions for owners to review.
Dog Commander
Services offered at clients’ homes
291 South Broadway
Tarrytown
(860) 916-4325; dogcommander.com
With 20 years of experience as a former police dog trainer and officer in charge of K9 units, and 30 years of overall dog training experience (oh, and a 2008 Best of Westchester Award for best dog trainer!), Robert Kornfeld’s expertise lies in understanding why dogs act the way they do. Kornfeld, who has a degree in social work and counseling, specializes in working with the whole family while training their dog.
“When I was training police dogs, my life depended on the dog listening,” Kornfeld says. “The message is the same with my clients’ dogs.”
Best in Show Dog Training LLC
Services offered at clients’ homes
85 Mountain Avenue
New Rochelle
(914) 815-0220; bestinshowdogtraining.com
Best In Show Dog Training’s Eric Albert has 50 years of experience training dogs of all breeds, sizes, and demeanors. Albert tailors training programs individually to each dog and their owners by administering a 40-question personality profile at the initial consultation. He says he uses a balanced approach that mixes three kinds of positive reinforcement—verbal praising, physical contact, and treats—with meaningful motivation correction, which corrects a dog’s bad behavior without directly punishing them for it. He also offers consultation to find the right type of dog for a client’s life style.
Canine King
Services offered at home and other locations
72 Marbledale Road
Tuckahoe, NY 10707
(914) 779-0334; canine-king.com
Trainer and dog-lover Ann King has been working with shelters and training organizations for more than 15 years. She teaches public training classes and offers private lessons in clients’ homes. King works with animal shelters in New Rochelle and Yonkers, as well as her own dog rescue organization, Best Bullies. This spring, she’s looking forward to getting a space to offer free classes for training so-called “bully breed” dogs to help keep them out of shelters. King also trains therapy dogs to help in nursing homes, children’s hospitals, and other places where dog therapy can be effective.
Canine Counselor
Services offered at clients’ homes
(914) 907-5404
Canine Counselor Peter Lynn focuses on helping families train their dogs and resolve canine behavioral problems. Lynn also prioritizes dogs’ need to explore, socialize, and play, while teaching the family how to set limits on their dog’s behavior.
“I teach the family how to set limits on their dog’s behavior,” Lynn says. “At the same time, we recognize a dog’s need to explore, go for walks, say hello to people and other dogs, and to play with the family.”