Anne Pless
Owner, Head Trainer
Anne first began working in substance abuse counseling while dog training part-time before making the transition to dog training full-time. She has applied that extensive knowledge to the current training programs she now runs for dogs. In 2015, she began her work with dogs in our inner-city shelters helping to evaluate, rehabilitate and place long-term resident shelter dogs. She then helped to create and implement a shelter-to-foster program that provided foster families with support, tools and basic training so that they could then prepare their foster dogs for adoption. Along the way she has taken in several foster dogs to help prepare them for their forever homes, some of those dogs also turned into foster fails.
Anne routinely competes in dock diving competitions with her tripod, Lego through the North American Diving Dogs organization (NADD). Hex, her German Shepherd is currently training and competing in PSA (Protection Sport Association). Over the past several years she has worked with different respected trainers in the field to expand her knowledge that is then shared with all of our local students. She regularly attends training seminars throughout the North East and is constantly learning new methods that keep our school’s training methods current and evolving.
Training dogs is important, but what is more important is training and educating owners. It is important that our clients are having fun and enhancing their relationships with their dogs because without a strong relationship all else will fall short.
There is no one size fits all training method that we implement, but instead we take the time to familiarize ourselves with each client and dog that we cross paths with to ensure that we are using the best method for that specific dog and their owner. Learn the dog, teach the dog, but train the handler. That is how we achieve success with dogs.
Certifications:
IACP CDT/CDTA, AKC CGC/CGCA, Urban Dog, and Trick Evaluator
Contact Anne: anne@gooddogpettraining.com or (201)-661-8357
Kirsten Kinsella
Dog Trainer/Therapy Dog and Kids Class Program Director
Kirsten is a certified dog trainer, licensed teacher and school educational administrator who is passionate about enhancing the well-being of dogs and their people. Since 2013 she has worked beside and trained dogs in a variety of ways. She began training dogs professionally using positive-reinforcement methods to shape behavior and help students meet their training goals. She emphasizes thinking from a dog’s point of view and helps their humans see the world as their dogs do. Kirsten believes training should be fun for the human and the dog and believes in achieving real-life transformation through concept training and games. She focuses on compassionate and respectful handling of your and your dog’s needs, creating a customized training plan that accommodates your and your dog. Because of her broad background she is skilled with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments. While she is experienced in many aspects of dog training, she specializes in working with dogs and children.
Kirsten has worked in the NYC Department of Education since 2007, and has focused on incorporating dogs as therapeutic and motivational partners in academic interventions. Most recently she has taken on the position of the administrator of the NYCDOE Comfort Dog program. This program assigns dogs to schools as part of an Animal Assisted Intervention Program. Kirsten works with owners to train their dogs to be certified therapy dogs and to practice safe, fun and effective interventions with children.
She regularly participates in continuing education to stay up-to-date on training theories and techniques. Currently she is pursuing a certification as an Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist.
Certifications: NYCDOE Comfort Dog Program Administrator, AKC CGC/CGCA, Urban Dog, and Trick Evaluator
Contact Kirsten: Kirsten.gooddog@gmail.com or (201)-661-8357
Nikki Miller
Dog Trainer
Nikki’s love for dogs started when she was a kid but to her families’ allergies, she never had a dog growing up. She always played with the neighbors dogs-volunteered to walk and babysit them whenever she could. Once she was old enough, she started volunteering her time at local shelters to get as much hands on experience as she could.
Nikki decided to jumpstart her career in dog training by getting her certificate in Animal Behaviorism from the Animal Behaviorism College. She then started at a training facility in northern Bergen County in 2017 and has been working in the field ever since.
She has worked with all different types of breeds, sizes and temperaments through day trains, classes and private lessons. Although her love for dogs is apparent, she has a cat named Pepper at home who has been the hardest breed to train of them all.
Certifications: Certificate in Animal Behaviorism from the Animal Behaviorism College
Contact Nikki: Nicolette.gooddog@gmail.com or (201)-661-8357
Olivia Burlew
Day Train Trainer/Private Lesson Instructor
Liv is one of our phenomenal day train trainers and private lessons instructors. She started at Good Dog in 2021 and has been an integral part of our team ever since. What Liv enjoys most is the bonds created when working with each individual dog and seeing those “breakthrough” moments that make this job so rewarding. Helping owners achieve a stronger, more clear relationship with their dog(s) is something she loves to be a part of.
Liv is passionate about dog training and is working towards her goal of attaining her certification. She regularly attends various different training seminars and webinars to continue to develop her skill set.
Contact Liv: Liv.gooddog@gmail.com (201)-661-8357
Jillian Baker
Day Train Trainer/Private Lesson Instructor
Jillian followed her lifelong love of animals and understanding behavior into dog training. Her corgi mix, Faye, has passed all three levels of the Canine Good Citizen tests and they do agility and rally for fun. Her Belgian Tervuren, Forte, is working towards similar goals.
Her passion is creating strong bonds between people and their dogs and bringing joy into training. She trains with the goal of having it be fun for both people and dogs and strives to build that foundation. During the day she works to find and strengthen effective and enjoyable motivators for each individual dog’s learning style. She is a firm believer that good dogs are trained and a well trained dog benefits from a higher quality of life.
Her favorite quote about dog training comes from Natalia Alexandrov. “For me, the ideal dog and handler relationship is a partnership. You, the trainer, are the senior partner, and your job is to train the rookie, have his back, and teach him everything you know, so one day he can have your back too. Your dog is your partner. Train him accordingly.”
Jillian is working towards her certifications and her goal is to bring out the best in dogs and their people.
Contact Jillian: Jillian.gooddog@gmail.com (201)-661-8357
Katharine Toal
Group Class Instructor
Kate started out as a client with Good Dog Pet Training, instantly loved the program and wanted to get more involved with the hands-on training techniques. She is a certified therapy dog handler, licensed teacher and school administrator who is dedicated to developing well trained dogs.
Kate has worked in the NYC Department of Education since 2008. In addition to teaching elementary school for years, she worked as an educational coach and teacher mentor until transitioning to assistant principal in one of the city’s largest elementary schools. Her focus there is incorporating dogs in the social, emotional, and academic development of her students.
Kate teaches group classes here at the school. She regularly attends training seminars to strengthen her instruction for all her students, big and small, human and furry. She believes training should be both educational and fun for the owner and the dog. She loves to see owners excited to participate in the amazing evolution of learning that takes place in their pups’ minds.
Kate is the proud owner of 2 rescue dogs. Nash, the certified therapy/Comfort Dog for her school is her favorite co-worker. Nash has been in ‘school’ for over two years working with children.
Contact Katharine: Kate.gooddog@gmail.com or (201)-661-8357
Knahila Hernandez
Day Train Trainer/Private Lesson Instructor
Knahila is one of our trainers who works with our day training dogs in addition to teaching private lessons. She has at home, what many would refer to as a farm that includes her three dogs, two ferrets and two guinea pigs.
She enjoys working with nervous, reactive and/or aggressive dogs to help them be able to live a more fulfilled life with their humans through relationship building and clear communication. She has tackled much of this work at home with two of her three dogs, Kiera and Hercules, and has seen progress with consistent work and dedication. Helping other owners achieve this same success is what it’s all about!
Contact Knahila: Knahila.gooddog@gmail.com or (201)-661-8357
Tara Claydon-Flett
Front Desk
After living and working in the finance world in Belgium for five years, Tara and her husband returned to the US and settled in Suffern where she was president of her own small business for twelve years. While she is now busy raising her three kids and taking care of her two rescue dogs, leopard gecko and frog, she is excited about her career change at Good Dog Pet Training.
Tara is the person behind all of your emails and calls and we could not be happier to have her join our team!
Contact Tara at either info.gooddogtraining@gmail.com or (201)-661-8357
Kaity Watson
Day Train Attendant
I’ve been an animal lover my entire life. My first memory around 4 years old is getting my very first dog, a black cocker spaniel mix I named Lady after my favorite movie Lady and the Tramp.
Being in a military family resulted in many moves and the one constant in my life throughout those years were our family dogs (and other pets). Having a good relationship with them was always important to me- they were my best friends!
Many years ago I dipped my toes into training but pursued other passions because I couldn’t find the right fit for a mentor that practiced training methods I could support and believe in.
Fast forward to now and finding GDPT- and having the drive to learn reignited! I believe that dogs are excellent communicators and can teach us even more about ourselves than we could ever teach them.
I’m looking forward to learning all that I can from you Anne and all the amazing people around me at GDPT. I hope to acquire some certifications in the future!
In my free time I like to hike and go on adventure with Mirri and play with my 11 jumping spiders.