Training Professionals​
Lilian Akin CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA
(412) 977 - 7690 laakin@verizon.net
Service Area: Within a 30 minute drive from the North Side of Pittsburgh
Lilian Akin is a practicing attorney and dog behavior consultant with almost 30 years of experience working with dogs. Her background includes working with shelter animals extensively and with dogs and their owners. She teaches group classes, provides in-home dog training, and behavioral consulting for dogs, cats, and their families.
She helps families and their dogs with nearly any behavioral concern and basic training goal. She offers a puppy-selection service to help owners identify what to look for in a new dog/puppy that will fit into their family nicely, teaches families how to train their dog the basic manners they need, and provides behavioral consulting for reactivity and aggression concerns. Her services extend to working with cats as well.
She works with all members of the family and aspires to make behavior modification and training fun and rewarding for both the dog and the family.
Training
Moon-Walkers Private Dog Training Academy
Andrea Lamping CDBC, CPDT-KA
www.moon-walkers.com andrea@moon-walkers.com
724-784-0033
500 Huntington Ave. Emsworth, PA 15202 (training center)
Service area: Sewickley, Moon, and surrounding area
Moonwalkers is a great place for dogs to be dogs. They offer puppy classes, private as well as group sessions, play dates, and special events at their 2800sf training center that includes two out door play yards.
Their most popular offering is their Momentum Program. It is essentially a puppy day school where people can drop off their pup to participate in a structured day of training and group play.
Moonwalkers takes a special interest in helping shy, fearful and reactive dogs be part of the fun by offering semi-private classes (maximum of 4 dogs per class) and behavior modification set-ups with neutral dogs.
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They also offer programs where the dogs learn fun games like retrieving, nose work, and enrichment workshops to keep dogs busy and mentally engaged.
North Pittsburgh Animal Behavior
Beth McGonigal, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA
www.northpittsburghanimalbehavior.com
4358 Gibsonia Rd. Gibsonia 15044 (Training Center)
Service area: 20 minute radius from training center location
North Pittsburgh Animal Behavior offers positive reinforcement based classes. Our family friendly environment welcomes everyone in the home to partake in the fun of creating a bond between dog and owner. Classes offered include puppy classes, socialization based classes, adult dog manners classes, as well as outdoor classes and skills focused classes (like loose leash walking). Pup is already a superstar? Have them join us for a Canine Good Citizen class and testing, or the C.L.A.S.S. program!
If your dog is fearful, shy or reactive, we are happy to help build your dog's confidence and give science based, positive solutions and guidance for long term results. Our private consults and training lessons are custom tailored to your dog's needs
Success Just Clicks Dog Training
Tena Parker M.S., CDBC, CPDT-KA, CTDI
www.successjustclicks.com www.facebook.com/successjustclicks
1932 Spring Garden Avenue Pittsburgh 15212 (Training Center)
1924 Spring Garden Avenue Pittsburgh 15212 (Training Room)
Service area: North Hills, Cranberry, Sewickley, many City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods
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We offer private training at our training center, select private in-home training, day training, puppy program, and group classes in our 4,000sf training center and 1400sf training room. We offer services for puppy training, basic manners, CGC, dog sports foundation skills, competition Obedience/Rally-O, Scent Work, foundation agility skills, trick dog training and evaluation, fun and games classes, and more!
We also have successful behavior modification services for reactivity, aggression, and anxiety issues. All behavior modification is custom designed to the needs of the individual dog and owner--we approach all of our work to fix the root cause of behavior, not mask the symptoms.
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We firmly believe that training should be fun for everyone, even if what is being worked on is very serious. Come join us and treat yourself to a well-trained dog!
Nadine Walz Josephs M.Ed., CPDT-KA
412-515-0015
Service area: East End Neighborhoods of Pittsburgh
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​There is nothing I enjoy more than working with dogs and their humans. Because dogs become a member of the family and are an important part of everyday life, it is essential that they are well-trained. I believe training should be fun and strengthen the relationship between the owner and the dog.
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I provide customized training lessons for basic and advanced manners and problem solving for pet dogs. I use scientifically based positive reinforcement methods.
Debbie Thomas CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT
412-496-0451
Service area: Greater Pittsburgh area – within a 30 mile radius of Cranberry.
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Debbie has a simple philosophy about dog training, it should be Force Free, Fear Free and include Positive Reinforcement. Maintaining a positive attitude while training is important for the dog as well as the owner. Training and managing dog behavior can be challenging. She works with all ages and breeds, because it’s never too late to teach an older dog a new trick and it's never too early for a puppy to start to learn. Being a Certified Enrichment Mentor, Debbie incorporates Brain Games and Enrichment activities into her Behavior Plans. Enrichment is a valuable tool for very active dogs in helping them to slow down and think. It is also particularly helpful for shy and fearful dogs in building confidence and creating a more positive attitude.
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Debbie teaches group classes at various facilities and offers in home private dog training. Educating the entire family is a main goal for Debbie, and she welcomes all family members to take part in the training classes.
All Together Better
Andrew Marrangoni (Fear Free Certified)
https://alltogether-better.com/ contact@alltogether-better.com
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Service area: Service Area East End and Mt Washington
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Every dog and dog owner is unique, and that’s why we’ve created a wide variety of offerings at All Together Better. Whether you’re looking for play sessions for your pup, in-person training for you & your dog, virtual coaching, or all of the above – we’re here to help.
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All Together Better offers an array of services at their Allentown location.
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We have created a communal environment and atmosphere that enables learning, self discovery, and growth for both pet professionals and responsible dog owners.
kelly.successjustclicks@gmail.com ​
Service area: East Pittsburgh, greenfield, squirrel hill, shadyside, highland park, oakland, point breeze.
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Kelly is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and is a certified Canine Good Citizen and Star Puppy Evaluator for AKC. She started her path to dog training as a volunteer at the humane society 20 years ago cleaning dog kennels and worked her way to becoming a lead trainer for their group training classes.
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She’s passionate about helping owners meet their dog’s training goals and build a great relationship with their dog through positive training and canine enrichment. She loves working with puppies and their families to help them learn how to raise a well-mannered and well-adjusted dog.
She offers private in-home training for puppies and basic manners challenges through her business Noah’s Ark Pet Sitting (no longer seeing pet-sitting clients).
She teaches a variety of group manners classes, private sessions, and day training for Success Just Clicks Dog Training.
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Katherine Anselm
Service area: Beaver County and surrounding areas
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Katherine Anselm is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) as well as a Fear Free Certified trainer. She also has a degree in psychology from The University of Akron. She got her start in training working with her own dog Kuzhaar when she realized he had a hard time interacting with other dogs and would bark at them. She realized her love for training and decided this was her calling.
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Katherine offers private training, day training, and consultations to help people with their dogs and improve behavior. She focuses on basic manners, puppy socialization, and behavior problems. She is also active in dog sports with her two personal dogs.
Lauren Coates
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Service area: Monroeville and surrounding areas
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Lauren is a Karen Pryor Academy graduate and certified training partner.
Lauren has been working with dogs for the majority of her life in different aspects and has a passion for helping dogs and their owners.
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Lauren shares her life with three dogs: Rosie, Charlie, and Everest. All three dogs have earned titles in AKC Trick Dog. Rosie has also been highly successful in agility and has earned numerous titles competing in AKC agility trials.
We are currently offering in-home dog training services to assist with puppy training, basic manners and obedience training, and select behavioral modification services.
Rachel McMichael
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Service area: Butler Area
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Rachel offers behavioral help, enrichment, and training services in and around Butler County.
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Rachel is a Catch Certified Dog Trainer, Certified Trick Dog Instructor, is a member of the APDT, and supporting member of IAABC. She holds a degree in Veterinary Technology and has worked many years as a Veterinary Technician with a focus on behavior in shelters. Rachel is always attending lectures and seminars and brings all of these experiences with her as she works training her students.
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Rachel is passionate about creating enriching, rewarding and lasting bonds between pets and their families and she views training as an integral and imperative part of overall wellness for our beloved pets. She strongly believes that a great relationship with your dog is more important than any trick you could ever teach and you can teach your dog just about any trick if you have a great relationship!