Back to city
Certified dog trainer
Amy D. Sternberg
Amy D. Sternberg

New York, NY

Amy D. Sternberg

Amy is committed to providing doggy parents with the most current, effective, scientific-based positive reinforcement and force free training techniques.
Certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Amy graduated with honors from CATCH's Canine Trainer Academy. She avidly pursues ongoing, continuing education and professional development. She has participated in intensive workshops at St Hubert's Animal Welfare Animal Center, training shelter dogs in basic manners, studying their body language, and solving various behavioral cases including fear, reactivity, over-arousal, frustration, and aggression. Amy also volunteers for the Animal Care Centers of NY, training foster dogs. She attends several seminars and workshops throughout the year and keeps current on industry literature.

Training Philosophy

Doggone Special's mission is to teach people how to better understand and communicate with their dogs using our humane, force-free dog training method so they can live in harmony and lead happier lives together.
We believe to better prepare and train dogs to live with us, we need to have more empathy for them. Our dogs have been brought into our homes and the human world often with our expectation that they should know our rules and etiquette. We may get annoyed or angry when they behave in ways that we don't like such as barking, jumping, chewing, mouthing, or digging. It's important to recognize that these are very natural and normal dog behaviors. From their perspective, they aren't doing something "wrong" or being "bad", they are just being DOGS! With this in mind, punishing or reprimanding our dogs really isn't fair, especially when they don't speak our language and can't understand why we don't like certain behaviors they do. This is why we adhere to positive reinforcement dog training and behavior modification. With positive reinforcement, we can get polite, well behaved dogs without resorting to punishment or coercion.

Services

Amy will help your dog assimilate to your household by customizing a training and behavioral modification program that fits in with your lifestyle and meets your dog's needs. In conjunction with training, she will guide you through a holistic plan to address your dog's physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Amy takes a compassionate and empathetic approach with her clients and their dogs because she cares a lot about them and their success. She always strives to make training engaging and fun.
-Bonnie L. | Manhattan

  • New Puppies & Rescues
    Introduce new puppies and rescues to the home and prevent unwanted behaviors.
  • Basic Manners
    Teach puppies and dogs of all ages to become more polite members of your family.
  • Nuisance Behaviors
    Stop those behaviors dogs love to do but we deem as inappropriate or a nuisance.
  • Challenging Behaviors
    Help for challenging behaviors related to emotions such as fear, anxiety, and frustration.

Certifications

Certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers

Specializations

Positive reinforcement and force free training techniques, basic manners, nuisance behaviors, challenging behaviors related to emotions such as fear, anxiety, and frustration.

Training Methods

Positive reinforcement training, behavior modification

Customer Reviews

Amy will help your dog assimilate to your household by customizing a training and behavioral modification program that fits in with your lifestyle and meets your dog's needs. In conjunction with training, she will guide you through a holistic plan to address your dog's physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Amy takes a compassionate and empathetic approach with her clients and their dogs because she cares a lot about them and their success. She always strives to make training engaging and fun.
-Bonnie L. | Manhattan

We've got the answers for your questions

Who are the dog trainers listed on this page?

We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.

How can I select the right trainer for my dog?

Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.

How do I ensure these trainers are competent?

All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.

Why is positive reinforcement emphasized, and what is it?

Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.

Are these trainers equipped to address specific behavioral problems?

Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.

How do I initiate a training program with a trainer?

Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.

How do group sessions differ from private ones?

Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.

Which training techniques do these trainers abstain from?

All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.

When can I expect to see results using positive reinforcement training?

Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.

Can I attend a training session to observe before committing?

Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.

Want to train your dog independently?

Dogo logo

Dogo offers comprehensive and personalized dog training programs, designed by certified trainers, to address specific behavior issues or teach new skills to dogs of all ages and breeds.

Get Dogo App
Start Training
Best dog training app