Ritsa Galitsis has always had a love for animals, especially dogs. In 1996, she became a volunteer at a local animal shelter, where she began by walking and socializing dogs to help them become more adoptable. She also started working with a dog trainer there, who used mostly traditional training methods. Then she was asked to work with a group of developmentally challenged teenagers, who loved dogs and wanted to be involved with them in any way they could. Ritsa realized that traditional methods would not work best for these kids, and she sought to find a ‘friendlier’ alternative. That’s when she learned more about Positive Reinforcement training methods, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Training Philosophy
Ritsa Galitsis believes in positive reinforcement training, which is a people-friendly, dog-friendly method of training that rewards behavior and strengthens the bond and relationship between humans and their dogs. It helps you communicate with your dog through innovative, humane techniques that are both effective and fun. You build a stronger bond and your dog learns to look to you as a BENEVOLENT LEADER AND A TRUSTED FRIEND.
Services
Ritsa Galitsis offers a variety of services, including:
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Private In-Home Dog Training:
This service is available in Queens and Long Island, NY. It includes a 90-minute initial session for $195, and personalized sessions are billed at the rate of $145/one-hour session. Discounts are available for packages of four (4) or more sessions.
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Puppy Training:
This service is designed to help you survive, and enjoy, puppyhood and adolescence, and help you raise your pup into a well-behaved adult companion. It includes socialization, basic cues, problem solving and problem prevention.
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Basic Manners Training:
This service is designed to help your dog become a polite, well-behaved companion. It includes teaching your dog the skills they need in a clear, consistent, fun way, taking into account the unique way that dogs learn and communicate, and ultimately set you both up to succeed.
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Shy & Fearful Dog Training:
This service is designed to help you teach your dog how to better navigate the world. It includes training and behavior modification to help your dog become more confident, relaxed and resilient, feel safer and enjoy the world.
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Aggressive Behavior Modification:
This service is designed to help your dog learn to behave in a safer, more relaxed way and to make better choices. It includes a holistic approach, that includes basic training, changing your dog’s emotional response, and enrichment.
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Group Classes:
These classes are held on Tuesday nights in Sunnyside / LIC and include:
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Puppy Kindergarten:
For puppies 8 weeks up to 18 weeks. This class is geared to the specific training, socialization needs and proper development of puppies and includes play sessions and problem-solving discussions. In addition to socialization and basic training exercises we’ll work on house training, crate training, handling & care, and how to best handle common behavior problems, such as nipping, jumping up and chewing. Last, but certainly not least, this class will help you forge a strong, life-long bond with your dog.
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Basic Manners:
For puppies and dogs 18 weeks through adults. This class will help your dog learn foundation behaviors needed to make them a good companion. We’ll also cover basic problem solving and share easy-to-implement training techniques that can be used to teach your dog any behavior.
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Beyond The Basics:
This class will help you learn some new skills and also take your skills to the next level, adding the 3 D’s of dog training – Distance, Duration, and Distraction. We’ll work on consistency in training, fading food lures and teaching your dog how to handle different environments and challenges.
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Certifications
CPDT-KA
Specializations
Puppy training, basic manners training, shy & fearful dog training, aggressive behavior modification
Training Methods
Positive reinforcement training
Customer Reviews
Vinny & Jennifer:
Ritsa, of Happy Hounds is the main reason we’ve been able to keep our beloved Springer Spaniel. Our 2 year old Springer, Zoe was close to finding another home. Diagnosed with OCD as a pup this little dog was becoming quite a handful for my wife and I. Although we loved her to pieces, her bizarre habits were disrupting our home and endangering her life as well.
We tried a few trainers but were quickly turned off by their heavy handed techniques. Clearly, so was Zoe, as she exhibited even more strange behavior. As a last resort, my veterinarian put her on behavior modification drugs. Thankfully, we met Ritsa and she has worked magic with Zoe. Zoe has responded so wonderfully to Ritsa’s loving, positive reinforcement techniques, that we were able to take her off the medication in 2 months. Zoe’s progress was just amazing. We learned how our habits and body language were effecting Zoe’s behavior as well. We continue to train with Ritsa as she helps develop Zoe’s full potential. Our seemingly unteachable Springer is working to earn the “Canine Good Citizen” award under Ritsa’s guidance. Thank You Ritsa!
Chris and Diane:
When our beloved male Akita passed away in Dec.2004, our female Akita became quite depressed. We made the decision to adopt a friend for her at a shelter in Queens, NY. We had not had a puppy in a long time, but when we saw Bella, we immediately bonded. Upon returning to L.I. we realized this pup although 6 months old, had no training whatsoever! She ran around the house tormenting our other dog, who is 6 years old, chewing everything in sight (inc. us!), and was not house broken! Help!!!
Then with the recommendation of our vet we made a call to Ritsa Galitsis. Ritsa came to our rescue, and spent a few weeks helping us train Bella. We learned a lot and were so grateful. One of the things we learned was that Bella was quite food motivated, and Ritsa had her following commands in no time, with the help of hot dogs.( which to this day she is still fond of) We thank Ritsa for her expertise in helping Bella adapt, and giving us the tools we needed to help her accomplish those goals. And save our furniture and sanity in the process! Her love for dogs, and their love for her is immediately apparent! Thank you for everything Ritsa!
Nicole and Tom:
Happy Hounds dog training has transformed our Labs into well behaved dogs. The positive reinforcement technique used benefits both the dog and owner. We looked forward to the basic obedience class each week as much as our dogs did. Ritsa is by far the best dog trainer we have ever met. Thank you for your time, expertise in dog training and your love for animals. We highly recommend Ritsa to anyone who is in need of a dog trainer.
Janet & Richard:
Happy Hounds dog training has transformed our Labs into well behaved dogs. The positive reinforcement technique used benefits both the dog and owner. We looked forward to the basic obedience class each week as much as our dogs did. Ritsa is by far the best dog trainer we have ever met. Thank you for your time, expertise in dog training and your love for animals. We highly recommend Ritsa to anyone who is in need of a dog trainer.
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