Wendy DeSarno has been a dog trainer for over a decade. She is a native New Yorker and has been an active part of the local dog-owning community in Astoria, Queens. She graduated from the Academy for Dog Trainers, where she received a comprehensive theoretical and practical education, led by Jean Donaldson, one of the world-leading experts in dog training and behavior. She earned a Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC), and is also a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). She has worked as an instructor with A Fair Shake For Youth, where she taught humane treatment of animals to middle-schoolers, helping to build empathy and self-esteem while reducing bullying. She was also a former part-time behavior counselor for the ASPCA, where she implemented behavior modification programs and counseled adopters on responsible ownership.

Wendy DeSarno is passionate about positive reinforcement training. She believes in building trust and respect without intimidation. Her training methods are scientifically-proven and reward-based. She offers empathy, support and effective solutions that help build better relationships between dogs and their human companions.

Wendy DeSarno offers both private and group training sessions. She also offers virtual training sessions.

Private Training

• One-on-one sessions over Zoom or Google Meet. All initial sessions are virtual.
• Custom tailored training plan to help you achieve your training goals.
• Force free approach that first does no harm.
• Scientific behavior modification techniques that yield the most efficient results.

Group Classes

• Puppy Kindergarten training class

Services Offered:

• New Puppy Training
• Basic Obedience Training
• Preparing Your Dog for New Baby
• Reliable Recall
• Elevator Etiquette
• Leash Manners (including aggression and frustration)
• Impulse Control

Pricing:

• Private Training: $140 for a one hour Virtual Session
• 3 session package: Client saves $30
• 5 session package: Client saves $60

Note: Reduced rates since there is no travel time! Currently, only pay-as-you-go single sessions are being accepted. Previously purchased packages will still be honored.

Wendy DeSarno is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). She also holds a Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC).

Wendy DeSarno specializes in positive reinforcement training. She has experience in training puppies, basic obedience, leash manners, aggression, frustration, impulse control, and preparing dogs for new babies.

Wendy DeSarno uses scientifically-proven reward-based training techniques. She is a force-free trainer, meaning she does not use any methods that might cause stress to your dog or potentially worsen fear and anxiety.

“We can not recommend Wendy and Good to the Bone training enough! We have done both private and group lessons and our pup learns so much in just a few shorts hours. Wendy’s strategies and lessons make obedience training easy and we highly recommend.”
— Jane P.

“Wendy is an excellent trainer. We signed up for private training sessions to help our dog (Deefer) with some leash reactivity and reliable recall issues. We’ve had two so far and have really noticed an improvement in Deefer, as well as a marked improvement in our own knowledge about how best to equip both Deefer and ourselves for success.
The first lesson was in our home, where Wendy got to know both us and our pup, and practiced some loose leash walking and recall. Deefer was instantly into her and responded really well to the session. Wendy answered all our questions and helped us realize how best to improve.
For our second lesson, we went outside and practiced loose leash walking in the “real world” and worked on reactivity issues. Wendy used her fake dog to help Deefer practice how to react when he sees a dog on the street. It might not sound like a lot but it was such a good starting point for us to learn how to help Deefer react appropriately - the fake dog is very legit looking and Deefer was really fooled by it. We also practiced with dogs we came upon on the street but even working with the fake dog was really instructive. For the last 15 minutes or so of our session, we practiced reliable recall and more loose leash walking.
We’ve noticed a big improvement in Deefer already, but where Wendy excels is in helping you improve your own training skills. We know now how to equip Deefer for success in all situations and how to temper our own expectations of him. Wendy’s really great with our dog, very positive and friendly, and posts pics of him on instagram (which is always a nice bonus). We also really appreciated her flexibility in terms of scheduling the next appointment. She recommended us to work on our own with Deefer for a little bit and schedule something when we are ready so we can check in with her.”
— Amy C.

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