Philadelphia, PA
Sam Valenza, Jr.
Sam Valenza, Jr. grew up with German Shepherds and after reading Cesar Millan's book, "Cesar's Way," he adopted a 5-month old German Shepherd named Bandit. He began training Bandit and researching different methods of dog training. He read books on canine behavior and the history of dogs. He worked with Joe Nick K-9 Training in Vineland, NJ for over 4 years. He also volunteered as President of Garden State German Shepherd Rescue, restructuring their foundation and rebuilding. He helped foster and train dogs in preparation for adoption. He also helped coordinate events, took care of their social media needs, and their fundraising. He also helped several local rescues in the Philadelphia area with training and fostering dogs. He pursued a Master’s Degree of Science in Canine Studies at Bergin University in Santa Rosa, Ca. and graduated in 2019.
Training Philosophy
Mid-Atlantic K9 is committed to incorporating the whole family in teaching the proper and best fit ways to teach and train the dogs. We work off your schedule, and adjust our methods and terminology so that the common person would understand. We take our time to ensure each member understands why we take the action to achieve the desired behavior. Mid-Atlantic K9 is not a hit and run business. We continue to check in with our K9 families to see how their progress is doing long after we may be done training sessions. It's lifelong commitment once you join the MAK9 Team, but it comes with an eternal amount of contacts and resources to assist whatever training needs you require.
Services
- Private Sessions:
- MAK9 Blue Program: This program is geared towards dog/owners who do not wish to advance in obedience but would rather see their dog stop jumping, chewing, and wish to see just a dog that knows to respect each member of the household. Price starts at $500 for 4 Sessions.
- MAK9 Red Program: This program is geared towards owners wishing to obtain a CGC Title* with their dogs. We go in-depth with obedience through the use of Marker Training. We continue to work on any pack behavioral issues, and then focus a lot on engagement between the handler and dog. Price starts at $875 for the 7 sessions.
- MAK9 Seniors Program (AKA BLACK): This program is geared towards owners with senior dogs wishing to gain a little more mobility in their best friend. We go in-depth with obedience through the use of Marker Training. We continue to work on any pack behavioral issues through socialization and environmental training, and then focus a lot on basic muscle strengthening and stretching exercises. Price starts at $750 for 10 sessions.
- K9 Nosework®: $750 for 6 sessions
Certifications
Certified Dog Training Professional through the Certified Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Therapy Dog Evaluator through Therapy Pets Unlimited, a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator through the American Kennel Club (AKC). He is certified in Pet First Aid and CPR through Pet Tech™ and PET Emergency Education, LLC. In addition to this Sam is an avid Canine Conditioning Coach.
Specializations
Obedience training, puppy training, behavioral issues, aggression, fearfulness, CGC Title, senior dog mobility, K9 Nosework
Training Methods
Marker Training, positive reinforcement
Customer Reviews
“Would recommend to anyone. Being a first time puppy owner I was given pointers on how to train my puppy. With their help I have an 8 month old puppy that is extremely well behaved and has no accidents”
— Corinne G., Warrington, PA
“Would highly recommend! They are outstanding trainers! They should be called the “dog whisper.” They take everything you say about your dog and your dogs needs and always comes out perfect.”
— Dee M., Willow Grove, PA
“I had Sam come help me out with my shepherd mix. He was pulling a lot. Sam came right up and showed me what I could do to improve the pulling. 4 sessions and now my dog walks great 3x a day, no problems”
— Jesse H., Philadelphia, PA
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
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.
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.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
