About

Hi Pet Parents!

I’m Karen DiCostanzo, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant. I want to help you live your best life with your dog! Learning the art and science of training animals has forever changed my life in an extremely positive way. I’d like to show you how to enrich your relationship with your canine companion while achieving your dog training goals!

All great relationships are based on effective two-way communication. For this reason, one of the first things I’ll teach you is how to understand your dog’s communication signals and, in turn, express yourself in ways your dog finds both clear and pleasant.

From Crazy Dogs to Calm Ones…

Many years ago, I became intensely interested in dog training and behavior modification after adopting a rescue dog—my first dog ever. It was a baptism by fire: I soon learned that in addition to serious health issues, he suffered from a panic disorder called separation distress.

Later, I adopted a large dog who drove me nuts with nuisance barking, lunging and pulling like crazy on leash, jumping all over people, chasing small animals, reacting to people and dogs, and more, so I definitely feel my clients’ pain!

I learned to “speak dog” to address my own dogs’ issues, and today, I share my insights with those who want to work toward their dog training goals while deepening the bonds of love, trust, and understanding they share with their pets.

Fear-Free Certified Professional 

I use a modern, holistic, relationship-based approach and have seen my training methods dramatically improve the lives of hundreds of dogs and their humans! My education background started with an intensive professional dog training apprenticeship with a certified professional dog trainer. After that, I logged hundreds of hours of hands-on teaching and training so that I could earn my professional certification credential (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) in 2017. The following year, I became a Certified Fear Free Professional through Fear Free Pets, and in 2019, I earned a professional credential as a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP). Last year, I earned a certificate in Dr. Susan Friedman’s highly regarded Living and Learning with Animals Course in applied behavior analysis, and I’m currently working toward a professional certification in canine behavior consulting.

Effective training is an ongoing process of growth and understanding between you and your canine companion. I’ll help you implement effective training solutions for your dog, supporting you as much as you need until you’ve achieved your dog training goals.

Ready to improve the life you share with your dog? Get started now by contacting me!