After adopting a free-spirited puppy Sara began her journey into dog training. As a lover of all animals, she wanted to find a way to effectively communicate with them and found this was possible through positive reinforcement training. She has a passion for teaching others how to create relationships with their dogs built on trust, mutual understanding, and fun! She focuses on teaching others using the most up to date, science-based training methods. Sara has completed training programs by Karen Pryor, Susan Garrett, and attended seminars with many trainers including Victoria Stillwell, Denise Fenzi and Michael Shikashio. Sara is an AKC CGC Evaluator, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and owner of “Don’t Break the Dog” training. She successfully completed all requirements of
the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and was awarded her CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed.
If you would like to enroll your puppy or dog in a class, please call East Greenbush Animal Hospital (518) 477-7400 or Big Red Doghouse (518) 512-4008.
Group training classes
Classes are designed to teach obedience cues and provide owners with an education of common dog behaviors.
Puppies 10-16 weeks old
Class will focus on safe socialization, bite inhibition, temperament, helping puppies build proper social skills with other dogs and humans. The first half of each class will be puppy play and exploration, during the second half we will teach all behaviors necessary for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification
Kindergarten
Puppies up to 6 months old
(prerequisite beginner puppy course/Puppy Pre-K)
Puppies will play during the first half of class. Second half will be focused on sharpening beginner obedience cues while strengthening focus and impulse control (verbal cues, sit/down, loose leash walking skills, recall, leave it, wait).
Family Dog I
Dogs over 6 months old
Beginner obedience for dogs over 6 months old
Designed to get your dog off to the right start. We will train desired behaviors such as focus, reliable sit/down, wait, drop it, loose leash walking and recall. We will discuss solutions to problem behaviors and enrichment.
Family Dog II
(prerequisite Kindergarten or Family Dog 1)
Ready to take your skills to the next level? This course is designed to help teach stronger behaviors that require more focus and skill. We will introduce more advanced cues such as place, stays, loose leash walking and more.
Road to Canine Good Citizen
Must have completed FDII prior to joining. Class size is limited, classes will be scheduled once we have a full roster signed up. Class will help owners teach practical, functional behaviors that allow your dog to be welcomed in the community. We will teach sitting politely, out for a walk, heel, performance without treats, stay (sit and down), reaction to another dog/distraction and supervised separation. At the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to test for the Canine Good Citizen certification.