Spot-On K9 Training

Located in New York, New York

Address: 400 W 43rd St #33R, New York, NY 10036, United States

Phone: +1 917-848-3108

Rating: 5

Services

Identifies as veteran-owned

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Latest Pet Care Services New York

Comments

Review 1 (2024-07-29 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is not the first trainer my husband and I have worked with however the results from working with Stephen has exceeded our expectations. Before starting SOK9T our dog Z would excessively pull on the leash and was very reactive to other dogs, to the point where walking him was very stressful and not enjoyable.After our first private lesson with Stephen, we saw an incredible difference in Zs behavior on walks and I would say walks became much more enjoyable. We also wanted to work on Zs off leash & recall. In the beginning I had doubts it would be possible, and did not have much expectations for Z to be able to run around off leash. By the final class, Z was walking around Central Park for over an hour off leash with amazing recall and a calm approach towards other dogs.Stephen was an amazing trainer, he uses both positive and corrective training tools to ensure Z learns boundaries and makes positive choices. Stephen goes above and beyond, answering all our questions and concerns with detailed explanations and plenty of material after each class for us to reference while practicing on our own.Although our private lessons have ended, Stephen still offers free monthly group lessons to reinforce the training learned during our private lessons and is still available to support and answer any questions we have.It has been an amazing experience that has exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend this training to anyone who wants to give their dog more freedom but still understand their boundaries.

Review 2 (2024-11-01 - Rating: 5)
We worked with Stephen to help improve obedience (stopping while walking, stubbornness) and recall for our energetic, 3 year old lab Suzy. When we first started training, she was ignoring cues and very selective when obeying commands around distractions (especially dogs). Upon working with Stephen, we are now confident in our ability to have Suzy off leash around distractions due to her improved recall and ability to settle. We are so excited to be able to explore new places with our dog thanks to Stephen. She also LOVED Stephen to the point that she didn’t want to leave training sessions! Thank you!

Review 3 (2024-11-07 - Rating: 5)
Stephen has been the most amazing trainer for my pup! She came to him with behavioral issues namely aggression towards other dogs and separation anxiety. Throughout the training sessions i have seen major changes in bambi and we are now able to live a much happier life! Bambi is able to walk incredibly on the leash, stay in place for up to 45 minutes and is slowly getting more comfortable around other dogs. I am so happy that we were able to make these changes as her behavior was making us question if we were a right fit for her and her needs. Bambi went from a scared and shy dog to a much more confident puppy! Thank you so much Stephen!

Review 4 (2025-01-08 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is a phenomenal trainer. The results with our dog, Cicero, were very rapid. Stephen has a very patient and direct approach that makes at home training in between sessions very clear. He also has a very dog friendly energy cause our dog was wagging his tail by training session 2 to see him. Very importantly, Stephen set us tasks/homework that accelerated Cicero’s training. We went to Stephen because Cicero lunged at people when he got nervous or over protective. With a few exercises and encouragement to be consistent in training, the lunging ceased. Each session with Stephen was fun and efficient and the results in Cicero’s behaviour are clear to see. 5 star all round.

Review 5 (2024-10-05 - Rating: 5)
There isn’t a better behaviorist/dog trainer in the city than Stephen! Working with Stephen was worth every penny. He’s an extremely knowledgeable, no-nonsense and to the point kind of guy. His methods are humane and fail-proof. And he caters and adjusts his training to every client and every dog to make sure that we get exactly what we need out of these sessions. You can also tell he deeply cares about and has so much respect for animals. He will also guide you throughout the process and send you extensive materials to refer back to.My little girl has struggled with anxiety since she was little but she has gained a tremendous amount of confidence since we started working with Stephen. In truth, the training was as much for her as it was for me to become a better leader and dog parent.I couldn’t recommend him more to anyone in the area looking to improve their relationship with their pup and resolve any issue whether outside or in the home.

Review 6 (2024-10-15 - Rating: 5)
I contacted Stephen for private dog training after doing some online research about different classes/trainers in the area and saw all of his great reviews.We have a 9-month old Cavapoo and started with Stephen when she was around 6-months. While not really a problematic dog by any means, she does have typical overactive puppy energy and pulled a lot during walks in all different directions.The tools and tricks that Stephen gave us from the first lesson mostly solved her worst leash pulling issues within an hour. Its still a work in progress (as dog training always is), but it was a pretty immediate and drastic difference.During every class, Stephen offers a lot of various tricks and methods for whatever dog issues you might be having. He understands that there is no one-training-method-fits-all when it comes to dogs, and he is very flexible and helpful when brainstorming different solutions. Post-class, he always sends a follow-up email with a TON of extra information and guides to support whatever things we worked on during the class.I would definitely recommend Stephen if youre new to dog ownership and need someone to train your dog (and you!) on obedience and routines.

Review 7 (2024-10-05 - Rating: 5)
Spot-on Training with Stephen is fantastic. My dog is scared of his own shadow on the street- but after our four private sessions, we attended a group class today very successfully. Heres the thing: if you are consistent you will see RESULTS. If you put in the time youll be paid dividends! Happy dog, happy handler.

Review 8 (2024-10-31 - Rating: 5)
10/10 recommend Stephen as your professional dog trainer!When I began classes for my 4 month old puppy, my puppy did not listen to commands and had a difficult time walking well on the leash. It was difficult to take her for walks since she would stop in the middle of the sidewalk and not want to walk any further, so we would have to turn back home. She also would not listen to basic commands, such as “come”, “sit”, “stay”, etc. which was frustrating as a new dog owner. I felt really lost with how to train her.After working with Stephen over the course of 5 sessions, I can say he is the most effective dog trainer I have come across over the course of my time having dogs. Now, my puppy walks with no issues and will walk right at the heel. She can go for walks as long as 2 hours now and will remain right at my heel the entire time. Another huge point of success is that she now stays in place until I call her name to release her, which is very important for when I have guests over. Stephen also had our puppy work on off-leash training. I feel very confident in her ability to stay close to me if she is off her leash or come back when I call her name, which is especially important for when she runs around in large fields or when we go walking on trails.Stephen was extremely attentive in each of our 5 private sessions, and he truly cares about you and your dog’s training progression. His professionalism, responsiveness, and kindness made training so seamless and made confidence-building as a trainer easy as well. Don’t hesitate to sign up for classes - using Spot-On K9 Training was the best decision for myself to learn how to approach training the right way and for my dog to build her self-esteem walking in the big city!

Review 9 (2024-06-12 - Rating: 5)
In Sept of last year I lasted 5 whole days fostering a one year old golden retriever mix before signing the adoption papers. He was a dreamboat from day one but his biggest hurdle was the leash... I dont think Bennys previous owners ever used one, and his puppy energy, sheer size and the fact that he is *fiercely independent* made walking him a nightmare. He would pull me down the street, dart off after anything that got his attention, try to eat everything in sight. I was embarrassed taking him out because he was so good otherwise. But taking him out less meant he got out less energy so it quickly became a bad cycle, and one that needed to change. I tried every tip I could find but ultimately decided it was worth investing in a personal trainer. I cant tell you how glad I am that we found Stephen! In a few short months I went from not wanting to leave the house with Benny to trusting him completely off-leash in the middle of Central Park. It still blows my mind!My original goal was just to be able to walk Benny through the streets of NYC without having my shoulder pulled out of socket, so we started by booking four 1:1 sessions each 2 weeks apart. Stephen sent over AMPLE reading material and homework that was massively helpful before we ever even met. Quickly after the first session we decided to explore off-leash training. It wasnt something I had considered before but when I found out wed be moving to LA for work (loads more outdoor space) it made sense. Now I cant shut up about it!Throughout training Stephen kept sending resources and tips and was readily available for any questions I had. He was also flexible and accommodating when I had to reschedule our sessions. He was kind and compassionate throughout the entire process but didnt let me off easy - this I especially appreciated. He held me accountable to working with Benny and doing reps outside of our time together and would call me out if he could tell we hadnt been practicing enough. I truly think this was one of the biggest benefits to Stephens training method. Leash training, especially off-leash for a high-energy/reactive puppy, isnt a quick fix or something you can just check off a box for one hour every other week. My entire relationship with Benny and the way we live life together has changed. Stephen made sure I understood this was about building a foundational relationship with my dog, one where he knows Im there to love and protect him but that at the end of the day I still call the shots.I feel like I get Benny more now - I know his triggers and what to look out for as well as how to correct behaviors before they even start. Over a few short months he completely changed the way Benny and I interact with one another and I cant thank him enough for working with us!

Review 10 (2024-08-09 - Rating: 5)
I called Spot-On K9 training at a time where I felt I had exhausted all of my options for my reactive 1 year and a half golden doodle, Cairo. Cairo is a very affectionate dog but has struggled with anxiety and reactivity towards other dogs since we got him at 4 months old. He would lunge and bark extremely loud in public and I could not get him under control. Cairo would not pay attention to anything I was doing in this heightened state as if he was stuck in a tunnel vision. Walking him caused me a lot of anxiety due to feeling embarrassed and even shame for not being able to control him. I started to solely rely on my backyard for his using of the bathroom and his exercise. However, I realized this was not fair to him and was not good life for a dog.Prior to calling Stephen, Cairo had gotten kicked out of a board and train due to aggression second to his separation anxiety in less than 4 hours. I realized a board and train would not be helpful to Cairo and made the call to SOK9T. Cairo was so bad that when we had our first session in Central Park, Stephen already knew who the problematic dog was in a park full of so many dogs. Stephen just observed the first few minutes on how our dog Cairo behaved first hand. Once he made his assessment, he taught us how to train Cairo with the proper tactics. I also appreciated his honesty because he explained that even with all the training, Cairo does not have genetics on his side as anxiety is often what you get with golden doodles.As a result of learning all the tools and tactics on obedience and how to foster bonding, Cairo has become a very obedient dog and less reactive towards people and dogs. He still has some anxiety that he may not ever 100% overcome but with the roadmap Stephen has given us, I now feel confident in helping Cairo overcome his fear and live a more fruitful life.It is so important to find a trainer that is actually passionate about dogs and Stephen is that person who loves helping people and their beloved pets.P.S. This picture was the first time Cairo was able to be calm in a park full of dogs and I saw the progress!☺️Thank you Stephen!

Review 11 (2024-04-20 - Rating: 5)
I reached out to Stephen at Spot On K9 Training based on the many excellent reviews here on Google, and Stephen’s training lived up to these reviews and more.My main concerns were about my dog (a 3-year-old Australian Shepherd mix) Georgia’s lack of recall when off leash (she would chase after squirrels and birds and ignore me) as well as her pulling hard on leash when she encountered distractions. A secondary issue was her reactivity towards certain dogs. Although it took a lot of work and practice for both of us, Georgia and I made excellent progress following Stephen’s training with the E-Collar. I never thought there would be a day when I would be comfortable enough to allow Georgia off leash all the distractions in Central Park, but after her training, I am! Additionally, having the added confidence in each other has helped her reactivity as well, and she’s able to interact positively with dogs that she might have previously had issues with. Walks with her (both on and off leash) are now a much more rewarding experience for both of us.Stephen cares about each and every dog in Spot On K9 Training, and his advice is invaluable. If you’re having similar issues with your dog, I can’t recommend Spot On K9 Training enough.

Review 12 (2024-01-07 - Rating: 5)
Spot-on K9 Training came highly recommended by a close friend, so we knew we could trust that Stephen would be able to help us!We reached out to Stephen when our puppy Milly was about 8 months old. She started to become reactive to other dogs on the leash, she was barking a lot in the home, she was having a very hard time relaxing, and she was pulling a ton on walks. We had tried working with 2 other trainers before, but the problems we were having were not getting any better.After just the first session with Stephen, the improvement we saw with her pulling and reactivity was incredible. We could not believe that after just one hour long session we could see such amazing results.Stephen helped us realize that due to our dogs breed and temperament, she needed more structure and discipline than we were giving her before. He gave us the tools that we needed to help our puppy become more obedient and confident.We still have a lot of work to do at home, reinforcing the rules that Stephen helped us set for our pup. But we are so grateful to him and all of the help he gave us! We would definitely recommend Spot-On K9 training to anyone who asks!

Review 13 (2024-03-23 - Rating: 5)
I came to Stephen seeking help in managing my young dog Pretzel’s progressing reactivity towards other dogs, stranger danger, and towards small children, as well as his pulling on the leash and barking in my apartment. To say Stephen’s training methods exceeded my expectations is an understatement! Stephen helped me understand what may be causing Pretzel’s unwanted behavior and after just our first few sessions of training together, I saw a very fast & positive change in Pretzel’s behavior and it was only up from there! Pretzel can now walk calmly on the leash without pulling ahead of me, can do the ‘place’ command (which has helped greatly with over excitement in my apartment as well as to help manage barking). Most importantly, Stephen treated Pretzel like his very own, and taught me how to advocate for my dog, making him feel that I’ve got his back. I now feel confident in managing my dog’s triggers, no longer feeling stressed taking him outside, and can actually enjoy our long walks together again! I would 100% recommend Spot-On K9 Training - Thank you thank you, Stephen!

Review 14 (2024-04-29 - Rating: 5)
Before we found Stephen at Spot-On K9 Training, walking our Mini Schnauzers, Momo and Bubu, was quite a challenge. They struggled with leash reactivity, excessive barking, and general anxiety outdoors. We had tried other trainers before, but none seemed to really address the deeper behavioral issues our energetic pair had.Since working with Stephen, the change in Momo and Bubu has been night and day. They are much calmer, more confident and truly enjoy their time outside now. Stephen shows patience and genuine care to our pups. He really takes the time to understand each dog’s unique needs and personality. It has been life-changing!I highly recommend Stephen to anyone looking for a real trainer who is not just going through the motions but wants the best for their dogs.

Review 15 (2024-11-07 - Rating: 5)
Brought my dog over from Brazil, and he was very reactive already but since our arrival it has gotten worse.. Than a couple of people recommended Stephen and Spot-On K9 Training and our lives changed!! My dog is less reactive, more calmer, I can control him better.. could not be thankful enough for all the training!! Stephen is incredible and it really transformed my dog and our relationship

Review 16 (2024-09-09 - Rating: 5)
We adopted a 13 month rescue dog, Bella who is 40% Husky, 30% Australian Cattle dog and 20% American Bully. She looks like a black wolf with blue/white eyes, very striking. She needs a ton of exercise and is very independent and willful. We signed up with Stephen and spent 6 weeks with leash and e-collar training, that have enabled us to confidently take Bella to off leash exercise in Central Park almost daily. Stephen is easy to work with reliable and very knowledgeable. We highly recommend him and would go with him again with further training needs.

Review 17 (2024-04-29 - Rating: 5)
Stephen was great! Our puppy Moochie was already pretty well-behaved but Stephen really helped us solidify his skills and ensure that his recall is perfect. Now he can run around off-leash in the park and live his best life without us having to worry. Stephen also sent very detailed emails and documents in between each session to make sure we could practice everything we learned. Would definitely recommend working with him!

Review 18 (2021-02-27 - Rating: 5)
Stephen Baum of Spot-On K9 Training is a consummate dog / people training professional. I initially reached out to him after working with another trainer that ended up not being right for me and my pup. As a first time dog owner, my stubborn one year old Husky / GSD / Staffordshire Terrier mix rescue with very high energy was giving me a run for my money.Just prior to meeting Stephen, I was feeling very overwhelmed with a handful of things including leash walking, my pups rough play around other dogs, her mouthing new people, managing her general high energy level and her separation anxiety when I would leave her home alone -- among other things. I had been feverishly Googling solutions to these issues for a few months to no avail and had reached critical mass anxiety and analysis paralysis. I had even considered returning her to the rescue.Enter Stephen. He is experienced, calm, attentive, responsive and focused on creating a harmonious life between you and your pup via the most direct and simple solutions available for teaching obedience and treating problem behaviors. He helped me understand my pups body language, needs and how to communicate with her in a way that she understands. He very quickly identified the roots of her problem behaviors and suggested simple and proven methods to improve them and slowly chipped away at my anxieties along the way. He also taught me how to be the pack leader and someone that my pup looks to for guidance.Between training sessions, I bombarded Stephen with a lot of additional questions that came up along the way. I felt like I was being annoying, but he always responded to my long neurotic e-mails promptly, thoroughly and in a calm and pragmatic manner. This helped reduce my anxiety and kept us on track with our homework between sessions, so that we could continue learning new things at each subsequent meeting.By the end of our time with Stephen, my relationship with Terra had completely changed. She is responsive and obedient, and I understand how to communicate with her and meet her needs on a daily basis. We have progressed to off leash adventures in Central Park, and I plan on bringing her out for some hikes upstate when the weather is better. I am much happier, she is much happier (and calmer), and we have Stephen to thank for that.If you have a new (or old) pup that youre having trouble communicating with, do not continue to suffer in quiet desperation. Reach out to Stephen Baum at Spot-On K9 Training and he will show how to have a great life with your pup here in the city.Thank you, Stephen!

Review 19 (2024-03-18 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is truly a miracle worker! My sweet baby Lila is a 2 year old rescue pup and has the most energetic breed combination you could ever imagine.When I first adopted her, I signed up for a Petco puppy manners class which taught her to sit, stay, come but not much else unfortunately. While most of the time she is an absolute angel, she did have some resource guarding issues as well as terrible separation anxiety. Cue Stephen.After researching pretty much every dog trainer or program in the city, I found Stephen off google and all of his glowing reviews. I am so incredibly grateful that I went with him. Together we worked on her resource guarding and separation anxiety which are both non-existent now.We ended up going with the e-collar training as well which has offered me the opportunity to let Lila roam around in Central during off-leash hours safely and without worry.I can’t recommend Stephen enough for any and all dog training needs!

Review 20 (2022-11-15 - Rating: 5)
We highly recommend anyone in need of training to Stephen @ Spot-On K9 Training! He is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to anything dog training and works with you personally to achieve your goals based on what your focuses are. Our now 8-month old French Bulldog knows how to stay in place, knows off-leash commands, overall has more confidence and many other very useful things! Stephen is a pleasure to work with and we appreciate everything he did for us! See attached for a picture of her in her place!

Review 21 (2024-03-04 - Rating: 5)
We cannot recommend Stephen at Spot-on K9 enough! Our dog, Benji was a major flight risk and had poor leash skills (pulling, reactivity, zig zagging etc.). In just 6 weeks his reactivity is basically gone, he walks by our side and his recall is nearly perfect! Stephen taught us how to use the e collar to correct behaviors in a humane yet stern way. Benji loves his e collar as much as we do because he knows it gives him the freedom to be an off leash dog and explore, as demonstrated in the video attached to this review. We couldnt have imagined how quick and effective Stephens training would be and were so thankful!

Review 22 (2023-11-08 - Rating: 5)
Stephen was so helpful with Bao and when we came to him we were not in a great situation. Bao had started chasing and biting/attacking peoples feet. Sometimes he would attack someones foot seemingly out of nowhere. I had lost trust in him after seeing this aggression and now after working with Stephen I have built back the trust between myself and my dog in addition to having more confidence as a dog owner and understanding my dogs behaviors.I learned how to pick up on Baos agitation cues and control his response to triggers by intervening before his aggression resulted in an attack. A great perspective I learned from Stephen is #1 teaching your dog how to make better choices and #2 creating a safe environment suitable for your dog if they have triggers. I can proudly say that with our new techniques with all of the commands Bao learned and e collar training that Stephen provided, Bao is making better decisions every day! My dog responded really well to the boundaries we set in training. We can walk in the park off leash and I know I have an effective recall with the e collar in case any altercations with other dogs occur. I simply call him back to me and we keep enjoying our walk before anything escalates. Thanks to Stephen, the respect and understanding between myself and my dog has deepened and our lives have been changed forever! Thank you Stephen!!

Review 23 (2024-02-23 - Rating: 5)
Remy, my 1 year old Vizsla, and I took recall training classes with Stephen. Not only did we work on recall, but Stephen also helped and corrected us on basic obedience and leash reactivity. He pointed out where I could improve on my training with Remy. Our training has been a lot more systematic, and I am now able to communicate with Remy more effectively. I am pleased with the result, and it is a lifetime knowledge! Its definitely worth every penny!

Review 24 (2022-11-14 - Rating: 5)
A few months after adopting Harley, my rescue (pit bull/terrier/bulldog mix), she started being aggressive towards people (especially men) and visitors at the house. It had become clear it was not just a phase and became sometimes embarrassing to have her very vocal reactions in public and especially aggressive towards visitors in the house. She is such a sweet dog, and it was clear to me she was reacting out of fear, but despite reading and watching many videos on training I was not making much progress. It was then that I found Stephen and all of his lovely reviews, and I reached out to him over email. After a few weeks (worth the wait) we got started! Harley was a completely different dog even after just the first session. Not only is Stephen a lovely, kind, and extremely communicative individual to work with- he understands dogs like no one I have ever met. Harley is now not scared of all the things she was before- men, horses, bikes, skateboards, strangers- and Stephen taught me how to communicate with her so that she respects and understands me as well. I am now able to travel with Harley, go off leash, bring her into any situation - with confidence! I would highly recommend Stephen to anyone especially with a scared or very aggressive/reactive dog. I never expected Harley to become such a miracle dog so quickly, and I am also confident that I can use all of Stephen’s teachings with my parents dogs back home in Florida. Thank you for everything Stephen, your enthusiasm and love for dogs combined with your one of a kind knowledge and education has changed Harley and I’s life only for the better! Here is a picture of Harley and Stephen after our last group lesson where we had so much fun as well!

Review 25 (2024-07-20 - Rating: 5)
Stephen was a fantastic, patient, super helpful guide and teacher. Through Stephens training, Seymour has become much calmer and learned how to immediately respond to important recall commands. Stephens training has transformed our park life - Seymour enjoys running off leash with other dogs, and I no longer have anxiety that Seymour will be unpredictable or run off. I highly recommend Stephen and Spot-On K9 Training for dog training.

Review 26 (2023-10-13 - Rating: 5)
Trey is our third Brittany and to be honest it was a difficult time for my husband and I to go from being pet parents of an 11-year-old ‘velcro’ dog to a curious, full of energy pup. We really wanted to be able to let him explore Central Park during off leash hours as well as hike with him outside of the city, but his recall was inconsistent. We truly were at a loss on how to exercise him… and keep his spirit and our sanity.Stephen was recommended to us by two sets of ‘dog’ friends who had trained with him – and we can’t thank them and Stephen enough. We initially went for e-collar training but got leash training and pointers on all sorts of aspects along the way. Stephen’s patience with us over the course of the summer proved invaluable. He let us learn at our own pace - which was weekly at the beginning and slowed once we went into the e-collar part as I was not comfortable with the technology and the coordination it took to operate. But fast forward to our ‘graduation’ class - we performed beautifully and comfortably (which I think is the key to e-collar training). These days we head to Central Park every morning to enjoy the off-leash hours. It is pure joy to watch Trey run free. We could not have done this without Stephen’s expertise (and patience) and cant recommend him enough!

Review 27 (2024-01-15 - Rating: 5)
We adopted our 2.5 year old mixed boy, Sal, in October 2023 and quickly learned he was an absolute nightmare when it came to walks. We didnt know anything about Sals history, but he was not fond of other dogs to say the least. He would growl and lunge at every single dog that walked by on top of just having poor leash manners in general (constant pulling, zig zagging, and sniffing the ground). After a few weeks, we realized we couldnt do this anymore - walks were so stressful for us, and we werent giving Sal enough exercise.After ONE training session with Stephen, Sal was basically a new dog. While Sal still had a lot of work to do - we were able to walk more than a couple of blocks stress-free. After our next few sessions, weve really learned how to manage Sals reactivity and advocate for our dog. Two things Stephen did for us was show us the correct training equipment to use AND how to be a confident owner with a reactive dog.Sal has gotten SO much better in just 5 sessions - were able to take him on our long walk to our favorite coffee shop in the mornings without worrying about how hell behave while passing dogs. Hes making better decisions every single day and now its FUN to walk our dog around the city.Im so happy we realized pretty early on that we needed a trainer to help us. Stephen is more than knowledgeable, you can tell hes REALLY passionate about helping dogs be their best selves. Plus, Sal absolutely LOVED being around Stephen! We are so thankful for Stephen and all hes done to help us - I would absolutely recommend Spot-On K9 training to anyone looking to give their pup a better, happier, and more structured life!

Review 28 (2024-07-03 - Rating: 5)
Stephen Baum of Spot On K-9 Training is a fantastic trainer. We adopted our dog Floyd 3 years ago when he was still a puppy. He is now a full-grown 70 lb. hound dog. He was reactive to certain dogs in our building and around our neighborhood. It got to the point where I was afraid to walk him as I did not know if he would lunge for another dog and drag me down with him. I feel so fortunate that we found Stephen. After the first lesson I immediately felt more confident handling Floyd. He taught us how to correct him and how to de-escalate when we see him starting to react. Floyd now waits when the elevator door opens instead of running out ahead of us. He knows how to stay in place which allows us to take him with us when we dine at restaurants with outdoor seating. People comment on his good behavior. Additionally, we now know how to handle Floyd off-leash so he and we can enjoy off-leash hours in Central Park. This is something we never thought we would be able to do. Stephen’s training has truly changed our lives and our relationship with our dog. We highly recommend!

Review 29 (2023-05-27 - Rating: 5)
Ares, my 80lb German Shepherd, is perhaps best described as a burst of pure energy. Hes spirited, goofy, and wants nothing more than to run around and play with people and other dogs.Unfortunately, the combination of moving to a different environment, neutering him, and having been bit by another dog only a few months prior left him very leash reactive. Whereas he historically became excited yet stay at my side, he started out this year barking and lunging towards other dogs while on walks. Having invested a tremendous amount of energy in self training him at a young age, I found myself emotionally drained. I lost confidence in my ability to manage my dog and I dreaded passing other dogs on our walks. I needed a change and I consider myself very lucky to come across Stephen and Spot-On K9 Training.Speaking to the training program, Stephen suggested a 6 course training regimen to correct leash reactivity, stop Ares habit of jumping on people, reinforce his recall and place obedience, and ultimately train Ares for off leash fun. Stephen also provided me guidance for handling a mild resource guarding issue. In my experience, Stephens training program is a combination of showing the dog proper behavior and, more importantly, instructing the handler to achieve the desired outcome. Stephen expanded my perspective on Ares behavior, revealed many tips and tricks, and taught me proper techniques for both rewarding Ares and holding him accountable.On our first day of training, Stephen found me standing next to a large dog that had about lost his mind amidst a sea of stimuli. Ares could hardly stay still and was vocalizing frantically. Within that hour, Stephen demonstrated techniques to settle Ares down and brought him back into obedience. Stephens ability to simultaneously correct poor behavior while earning Ares trust and respect through praise and reward set the tone for the entire program. Ares absolutely loved greeting Stephen at the beginning of every class.Know that Stephen is an advocate for your dog and he is outcome oriented. During each class, he demonstrates technique, shapes practice, and provides immediate feedback. He shares resources and educational materials to reinforce lessons taught during each class. I may have paid for the lessons, but Ares was the true customer and I was the student. I respect that Stephen holds handlers accountable to put in the reps between classes. Behavior isnt corrected in just six sessions, its shaped through the many hours outside of training spent during the week and on the weekends.Within ~2 months, Ares can maintain a proper heel position at my side. He no longer throws tantrums or has mental breakdowns when were outside. He is able to stay in place, even as other dogs walk by several yards away. Though Ares still builds up with excitement close to other dogs, it has noticeably toned down and it continues to improve with practice. Ares has stopped jumping on friends and family and I have a new command to ensure I am able to safely take away anything I give him. The first 5 minutes of our final off leash session was fairly stressful for me. I almost didnt want to let Ares run off. It ended up being one of the most amazing hours Ive ever had with Ares, watching him play and enjoy complete freedom in the park. The proof was there – when we applied Stephens technique to recall Ares, he came.I am extremely pleased with Stephens training program. He gifted me the confidence and the training I needed to manage Ares while expanding the boundaries for Ares to enjoy himself in ways he hadnt before. My relationship with my dog improved throughout this experience, which is priceless.I highly recommend Stephen and Spot-On K9 Training if youre looking to become a stronger handler and shape your pup to be their best self.To Stephen – thank you for your instruction, advocacy for Ares, flexibility with scheduling, and your responsiveness in our communication!

Review 30 (2023-09-17 - Rating: 5)
Had a great experience working with and learning from Stephen. I have a high energy and over stimulated bird dog, and I had never imagined I would have the confidence to let her off-leash, let alone in Central Park with so many birds and squirrels around. Stephen patiently walked us through each of the steps building up to the final classes when she was able to enjoy off-leash time!

Review 31 (2024-07-30 - Rating: 5)
We got our German Sheppard puppy Mila at 2 months old and right away we knew we were in trouble. She wouldnt walk on a leash, pulled hard and barked at everyone. She would bite and play rough, I have scars to prove it lol. We knew we needed help and started researching and found Stephen on google and took a chance because he has excellent reviews and we are so glad we did. Training with Stephen has been a life saver, he helped transform Mila after our first training session. He provided us with so much knowledge and techniques to help us in our journey with Mila and her road at becoming a more obiedient, social dog and more importantly our best friend. Thank you Stephen!!!!

Review 32 (2022-11-09 - Rating: 5)
Stephen was a lifesaver and we cannot express how grateful we are for stumbling across Spot-On K9s website one day. We have tried many trainers in the past to help us with our nervous dog, who later turned those nerves into aggression towards other dogs, but nothing really seemed to work. Our dog would lunge and pull, air snap, growl, aggressively bark at other dogs on leash so often that it made walks unenjoyable. Our dog is very large breed weighing at a solid 120 pounds so it was hard for us to control him when he would have these aggressive moments with other dogs. Over three years, we kept trying and trying but it only brought us disappointment and made us feel like we were continuing to fail when it came to our dogs behavior ….until we met Stephen.Since day one of Stephens training sessions, we saw an immediate change in our dog. Stephen taught us how to truly understand our dogs behavior, and learn the proper ways of handling him. Our favorite part of the training was learning how to understand our dog and his behaviors so we can truly manage those situations better. We learned new training commands and proper handling so that we could bring these methods home and reinforce them with our dog on a daily basis.After completing our sessions with Stephen, we can proudly say that we have seen how successful Stephens methods are. Our dog has continuously made the right choices on leash and off leash with other dogs and what used to be aggressive moments have turned into positive moments between us and our dog. Our dog instead of reacting to a dog that he normally would have, now engages with us and makes eye contact while ignoring the dog that walks past him. We are so happy and have already recommend Spot-on K9 Training to our friends already!!!!We are so ecstatic and thank Stephen every step of the way!!!

Review 33 (2023-07-28 - Rating: 5)
We got our little pit bull when he was 7 weeks. He is a very sweet boy, friendly with adults, kids, cats, dogs… We contact Stephen because he was getting stronger everyday and he just wanted to pull more and more and our walks got very stressful, he was getting a little bit more difficult at home jumping all over as well… After his first session with Stephen he was already better on our walks, after his second session he start listening better my commands and looking for my approval, after the last session he got more confident…Stephen has a natural connection with dogs, your dog is going to feel very safe around him.

Review 34 (2023-08-27 - Rating: 5)
Stephen does life changing work. We engaged Stephen because our dog Bobbi had pretty terrible recall, resource guarding, didn’t heel on lead. We’d used a dog behavioralist before but didn’t get what we wanted out of it.Now because of Stephen we are confident handlers of Bobbi, and her life is so much richer for it. She now has phenomenal recall, and we’ve also trained her on basics we missed when she was a puppy. I’m convinced dogs can smile, and Bobbi always has a huge grin now. (She also loves Stephen - he has such a genuine love for dogs that makes all the difference).I couldn’t recommend Stephen highly enough. I chose him based on google reviews, and there’s reason he gets 5 stars. Your dog will be grateful you chose Stephen.

Review 35 (2024-04-10 - Rating: 5)
Working with Stephen Baum of Spot on K9 Training has been nothing short of fantastic. From the very first session, it was evident how much Stephen loves dogs and is dedicated to ensuring they, and their owners, have the best possible life together. My German Shepherd puppy, Kiwi, and I had an absolute blast deepening our understanding of each other through Stephens guidance.Training sessions were not only educational but incredibly fun. Stephen has a special talent for making learning engaging for both the dog and the owner. One of the highlights for Kiwi and me was mastering recall. This skill has transformed our early morning walks around NYC, giving Kiwi the freedom to safely explore his surroundings, with the confidence that hell return when called. Its a tremendous relief and joy to see him enjoying his freedom, knowing hes safe and sound.Stephens approach is not just about obedience; its about building a peaceful and joyful relationship between dogs and their owners, as well as fostering positive interactions with other dogs and people. Kiwi loved every minute spent with Stephen, and its clear that Stephen genuinely cares for every dog he works with.Thanks to Spot on K9 Training, Kiwi and I navigate the city with a newfound sense of confidence and freedom. I cannot recommend Stephen Baum enough to any dog owner looking to enhance their bond with their pet and ensure their furry friend has the happiest, safest life possible.

Review 36 (2022-05-18 - Rating: 5)
We saw results within minutes of meeting Stephen! We were struggling with leash reactivity to other dogs and separation anxiety with our 90lbs Great Pyrenees/Akita mix Buddy. These issues were stressful, oftentimes upsetting and we were desperate for help. Stephen gave us clear and effective tools to handle these issues and communicate with Buddy so he could be the wonderful dog we knew him to be. Not only did Stephen help us address these issues, he encouraged us to improve buddys recall so we could enjoy off leash hours at central park (something we never thought possible for us). Now we are confident in our leash handling skills, have a better relationship with Buddy, and we LOVE our morning walks in Central Park. We cant thank Stephen enough and highly recommend his services. He even holds monthly group sessions with his clients that are a lot of fun!

Review 37 (2022-12-18 - Rating: 5)
Our 1 year old Mini Schnauzer is extremely reactive to other dogs, but he is the most affectionate dog and obedient at home. Our pup has completed a few private training classes and a reactivity group class at two of the best dog schools in the city, but his behavior did not improve at all. All we learned was to avoid other dogs, which is impossible living in the city.We decided to find a trainer specific for reactive dogs and found Stephen. He taught us leadership in addition to positive reinforcement. Within a month of training, our pup has improved more than a year we spent training him. It changed our relationships for the better. Our pup is now able to walk past another dog without any lunging and barking at another dog.We re-gained hope after training with Stephen. Not only he shows leadership, but also he treats my pup with kindness and affection. We highly recommend working with Stephen if youre struggling with training your dog and nothing else works.

Review 38 (2024-03-07 - Rating: 5)
Great experience and incredible results. We moved recently from Europe to New York and our two pups seemed stress and set back in training upon arrival so we decided to go ahead and get professional help in getting them back on track. Stephen was incredible in teaching our dogs but also us on how to approach daily challenges in New York that dogs and their owners have to deal with. Since our training with Stephen our dogs are not only back on track but are doing better as they ever have been. Highly recommend Stephen for training any dogs, hes gentle with the dogs, understanding of their needs and knows perfectly what hes got to do to reach any dogs. Our two dogs have two very difference personalities and he managed to navigate through that with ease. Thanks a lot for everything, Stephen!

Review 39 (2023-09-30 - Rating: 5)
We adopted our dog, Ziti, December 2023. Initially, he seemed to get along well with other dogs - especially the other dogs in our home. As time went on, he started to become extremely reactive and highly aggressive while walking on leash outside. We tried multiple trainers with no success.Stephen actually listened to our problem, understood it and taught us the tools we needed to improve Ziti’s behavior. Ziti’s reactivity on leash has greatly improved as a result. He’s more accepting and tolerant of other dogs on the street. Walking him is no longer the nightmare that it was.I highly recommend training with Stephen. Getting an opportunity to train your dog in NYC’s Central Park - a highly distracting area - yields great results

Review 40 (2022-05-11 - Rating: 5)
Spot On K9 Training with Stephen has literally change my (and my dogs) life for the better! My husband and I adopted an 11 week old German Shepherd in 2021 and felt we were doing a decent job of training her. After getting her spayed at 10 months old, she developed extreme reactivity towards other dogs. I dreaded taking her out because of how anxiety-inducing our walks were. Its NYC - there are dogs everywhere and I couldnt control her. I was concerned getting a trainer in the city because I thought most trainers in NYC would be more familiar working with smaller and less reactive dogs than mine. After her first class with Stephen, Rosie was walking on her leash around dogs like a perfect lady. By the end of our 6 sessions, we can even walk her off-leash with no issues. Our classes with Stephen were honestly a godsend and Id recommend him to anyone considering a trainer for reactivity as well as recall. Hes pretty much the dog whisperer in my eyes :-)

Review 41 (2024-03-19 - Rating: 5)
After already taking classes with 2 trainers (personal trainer and dog camp), my dog wouldn’t pay attention to me outside, and was very reactive to other dogs. Coming in and out of the building was always a stressful situation and I couldn’t be relaxed on walks since I had to pay attention if another dog would come near us. After taking classes with Stephen, we can encounter other dogs in the building lobby and she doesn’t react at all. It is enjoyable to take her on walks since I am confident she’s gonna behave properly around other dogs. She was a scared dog but now her confidence has increased drastically. I contacted Stephen as I was desperate to improve my dogs behavior. The key difference with other trainers, is that Stephen’s main focus was to teach ME how to held my dog accountable and teach her what is expected from her and how to properly correct undesired behavior. Now that all her issues have considerably improved, we will be taking the off leash class with Stephen in a couple of months.

Review 42 (2021-07-13 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is amazing, he was quickly able to analyze the cause of the issue that I was having with my 1 yr old Sheltie who was new to city life from rural upstate. Everything about city life scared him to the point that one step out the front door and he wanted no part of it. After just one session Tuxedo was walking without difficulty and as the weeks progressed he actually started liking city life. He now enjoys his walks, visits to restaurants and is even relaxed in the hectic environment of Times Square.Scheduling is easy and Stephen has the patience to go at the dogs pace. I totally recommend Stephen for all your dog training.

Review 43 (2024-05-22 - Rating: 5)
Stephen was such a great resource for us and we really couldnt have asked for a more serious, attentive trainer. Stephen is clearly a master at his trade, and the reviews really speak for themselves: hell put 110% into training your dog. He was really great at tailoring exercises for my dog, and you could really see the difference in my dogs behavior by the end of the course. Would absolutely recommend him without a doubt!

Review 44 (2022-11-23 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is the best! He is truly The Dog Whisperer. Our 5 month old puppy just completed training sessions with Stephen and she is meeting and even exceeding all of her goals. We wanted a well-mannered dog and that’s exactly what we got. She learned leash training, stay in place, recall, and much more. Thank you, Spot-On K9 Training for helping her be the best dog she can be. I highly recommend Spot-On K9 Training to all dog owners without any reservations. It’s worth every penny!

Review 45 (2023-05-11 - Rating: 5)
We reached out to Spot-On K9 Training for our new dog Nori to improve his leash-walking manner. As first-time pet owners, we greatly appreciated Stephens ability to quickly identify subtle mistakes we were making while walking Nori and educate us on how dogs learn from our body language. Following one 90min session, Nori has made tremendous progress on his leash walking manner. As an added benefit, we noticed a significant improvement in his focus and attention to us, even in the distracting environment of NYC. To our surprise, Nori also mastered the place command during this short session. Overall, we are thrilled with the results and grateful for the personalized attention and expertise provided by Stephen!

Review 46 (2020-12-16 - Rating: 5)
I did a deep research looking for the right trainer, and I’m so glad that that I did the right choice. I have a 7 months old Vizsla, he was self trained, and knew the basic commands. But in high distraction environments he would basically not listen and get too excited, heavily pulling the leash. Today my dog has structure, listens to me in any environment, comes whenever I call and is mastering the basic commands. Even when not at training his behavior improved. Besides being a great dog trainer, Stephen is also a great teacher, always making sure that I got the concepts. I would 100% recommend Spot On training for family and friends.

Review 47 (2022-09-23 - Rating: 5)
Before training, our 5 year old Yorkie Enzo was a nightmare on a leash. He would pull and compulsively sniff and mark, and was pretty much reactive with every dog. When we adopted him at 4, he had no obedience training. While I was able to train him on my own in basic obedience, and he was fine at home -- out on the street it was a completely different story. It was as if I didnt exist to him. The reactivity was so bad that I became frustrated and worried about his safety. I thought we were just going to have to deal with this part of his personality. After 5 sessions with Stephen, he is a transformed dog! He walks by my side, check in with me and sits at crosswalks. He went from being terrified to being curious about other dogs. He actually wants to say hi to them! I really didnt think this was possible for him. Stephen is professional, knowledgable and effective. I loved that I could reach out with questions and he would get back to me quickly and email me pages and pages of documentation. I LOVE the group classes that we have been attending after completing our package. Its so much fun to be in a class with other pet parents that have had similar issues. I can confidently say that Enzo is a much happier dog and the overall quality of his life -- and ours as pet parents -- has improved exponentially thanks to Stephen.

Review 48 (2024-06-05 - Rating: 5)
We reached out Spot on K9 training due to our puppy’s early signs of resource guarding — we were looking to anticipate, intercept and better manage his possessive aggression. He would have trouble guarding when eating his food or with other items he found to be of high value. Stephen offered a range tools to help — we found this to be super effective during our training sessions, but most importantly, while in the thick of a stressful moment. Ultimately, our puppy tends to resource guard much less — he’s learned the meaning of “No”, which is a great first step in avoiding an undesirable behavior. It’s important to note, change doesn’t happen over night. The positive outcome we’re seeing is due to consistent training beyond just our sessions with Stephen. Overall, we’re happy with our decision to train with SOK9T — the reduced stress in our household and the ability to communicate effectively with our pup has been rewarding. Stephen is always great with follow ups and in general, a great resource when we have any questions — always responsive and always well informed. We plan to continue with group trainings for more of the fun things to come!

Review 49 (2024-03-09 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is incredible. We brought in a 5 month old bernedoodle who we had trouble with the most basic of training tasks and was not walkable, but after the first session with Stephen we were able to have her on “heel” and walk her out of Central Park with confidence! Stephen always advocated for our puppy and did a fantastic job giving us the tools we needed to train her. We are looking forward to the monthly sessions in Central Park to continue our training!

Review 50 (2024-03-04 - Rating: 5)
Stephen helped me gain confidence and better understand my adult dogs stranger danger anxiety. It might be dog training, but in my case, it was definitely Addy training. Im so grateful for Stephens patience while teaching me how to show my dog that I have his back and will protect him. Its amazing to see how much better my dog reacts to those situations now. Im looking forward to continue with the group drop ins that Stephen provides after your training sessions wrap. Absolutely recommend -- Spot-On K9 Training is life changing.

Review 51 (2021-12-03 - Rating: 5)
I reached out to Stephen just before getting my 3 month old Doberman Puppy.Stephen guided through all the steps from pick up, getting my house ready and also gave me lots of priceless advices on what to do and not to do when welcoming my new puppy.We then met for 4 other sessions to work on commands and obedience such as Sit, recall, stay, leash walking, place.I can’t believe how my puppy has changed in a month from being a clumsy little skinny boy to already being confident, happy to learn and apply all commands.The great thing about Stephen is that he doesn’t actually only train your dog but he also trains you to be a better dog owner and gives you the tool to continue the good work.Thank you Stephen for your energy, time, all e-mail training ressources , I’ll see you soon for the next level :-)

Review 52 (2023-12-03 - Rating: 5)
I came to Stephen to help with obedience with my puppy and was not disappointed! Stephen is extremely knowledgable and passionate and was able to not only help train my dog, but teach me valuable skills as an owner to ensure my dog feels safe and confident. Stephen was also great at coordinating our meet up times to fit my schedule which I really appreciated. I would 100% recommend Stephen to anyone looking for anything from basic training to more advanced issues.

Review 53 (2023-01-15 - Rating: 5)
Previously the only dog trainer I found helpful was over the internet/skype and I was looking for someone local who would combine positive training with consequences as my 6 year-old Havanese had some persistent problem behaviors as well as a need for reinforcement of regular obedience training (heel, place, recall, etc). I was confident after our phone consult and, now that the private series is over--feel very good both about the experience and the results. First, Stephen was positive not just with Pumpkin but also with me--encouraging me that I could do better as an owner and reinforcing both my effort and the progress. (I have worked with trainers who are judgmental/pompous and that is a NO for me). He also was always focused on exactly what my priorities were rather than a scripted plan of his own--and very flexible about what we focused on. Over time, I have seen my confidence in being Pumpkins owners grow tremendously as well as her behavior--and I have even learned to be more realistic about my goals with her (and myself). At the end--completely worth the time I invested as well as the money. I would 100% recommend Spot-On K9 Training and look forward to doing the group classes in the Spring.

Review 54 (2021-01-04 - Rating: 5)
Stephen helped with Poppy’s training when I first got her at 8 weeks old. It helped tremendously with the stress as a new dog parent. He gave plenty of useful tips for potty training, leash pulling, obedience and Poppy was potty trained in a week. Highly recommended for any new puppy owners out there!

Review 55 (2021-09-27 - Rating: 5)
Our Catahoula mix Lily was really struggling in our new apartment and elevators with reactivity. Stephen has been amazing - she’s SO MUCH calmer now and has learned a number of new commands that are super helpful in navigating being a dog in NYC (“heel”, “out” and “leave it” especially). Stephen just has a way with his trainees - we see this with other dogs when we visit the free lessons in Central Park. Our dog Lily adores him, and wiggles with glee every time she sees him. We could not recommend Spot On any more. They’re the best!!!

Review 56 (2023-07-05 - Rating: 5)
My wife, Emma, and I had a great experience working with Stephen from Spot-On K9 Training. We contacted Stephen because we were interested in e-collar training for our 60lbs Shepherd mix, Millie. We were interested in recall training so we can take our dog hiking and go off-leash with a reliable safety net. We had also been struggling with pulling on walks and reactivity when people would come over to our apartment. The package we bought was technically for recall training but Stephen addressed any issue and question that we had.We were so grateful with how responsive Stephen was via email and that he booked all of the sessions that came in the package at the beginning. This was very important to us as we work opposite schedules. Stephen is punctual, professional and a great teacher. He cares deeply about dogs but understands that he is actually teaching the owners. We loved that after each session we received packets with information reviewing the skills we learned in the session and how to build other skills at the same time during our practice week.Stephen really helped Emma build her confidence to be the leader that Millie needs. Millies recall with the e-collar is solid and her general behavior and compliance to commands has improved dramatically. Her heel command has come along way and that has drastically improved our experience on walks with her. No more running up to dogs without permission and no more zoomies around the house. We are very grateful to Stephen and cant wait to join the group classes that came with our training package.

Review 57 (2021-06-21 - Rating: 5)
Stephen did an amazing job with my 4 month old bernedoodle puppy Freddy in just three sessions. Before training with Stephen, Freddy was reactive on a leash, lunging and biting at our clothing. After one session, Freddy walked in a heel position on a leash with no reactivity. He also learned to sit in place for long periods of time, and recall on a long lead. Overall, I would highly recommend Stephen to anyone!

Review 58 (2023-11-27 - Rating: 5)
We enjoyed training with Stephen and have seen huge improvements in our dogs obedience. She is a lab and has pulled while walking since the day we got her; now she walks in a perfect heel. Weve also been able to curb her barking and counter surfing and feel much more confident walking with her off-leash. He gives you the tools and teaches you the methods, but its equally important to practice between sessions to see the results. Thanks Stephen!

Review 59 (2022-04-28 - Rating: 5)
When Lady joined my life, she was anxious and fearful of people. She exhibited this through air snapping towards the hands of people who tried to pet her. After Stephen got to know Lady, he began to work with her to address this snapping behavior. Within minutes, Lady was accepting physical affection from him without trying to bite---she even chose to sit on his lap. This nearly brought me to tears! Stephen taught me how and what to practice outside of the lesson, and now, if you come to my home, Lady will jump on the couch with you and eagerly receive pets. It was amazing to watch Lady successfully work through her anxiety in real-time.My favorite part of the training process was having Lady practice being pet by my friends. And that was only possible because of the expertise, guidance, and vote of confidence given to me by Stephen.While there are lots of reasons to recommend Stephen at Spot-on K9 Training, I would send my friends and family to Stephen because he delivers results. Period.

Review 60 (2024-05-13 - Rating: 5)
People tell me Im a great dog mom and 100% of that credit goes to Stephen! Hes been with us since day 1 as a puppy, Taros now 3. I took two class series with Stephen - beginner puppy and off leash training - and these are some of the best decisions Ive made. We started as early as 12 weeks old and Taro learnt all the essentials on leash walking, recall, sit, down, place, etc and I learnt how to properly raise a dog, be an advocate for him and hold him accountable. I found the monthly group classes at central park very beneficial as thats where Taro learnt to properly interact with other dogs and behave in the face of distractions. It was a time of the month wed always look forward to! I think Taro gained a lot of confidence in those classes, especially in agility jumps where my corgi would often proudly outdo the bigger dogs! Later when Taro was 2, I went back to Stephen for off leash training with an e-collar. Thanks to Stephens patience and relentless coaching and reminders for me to keep practicing and give him status updates, Taro made remarkable progress and a year later, is now an expert in off leash recall! Hes gotten pretty good at dropping objects from his mouth too when I need him to. Im just so happy I can finally trust Taro off leash when we go hiking or to the park. I can always rely on Stephen to answer any questions I have and for the best training advice. Taro and I are truly grateful, thank you Stephen!

Review 61 (2022-11-10 - Rating: 5)
Training with Stephen has changed our lives for the best! When we first came to Stephen, our dog Storm was highly reactive towards dogs and had severe separation anxiety. Stephen gave us the tools, confidence, and knowledge to best work with Storm. Storm has been able to attend 2 group classes and has done AMAZING. We are able to take him on walks in dog populated areas without needing to stress about what may happen next. Storm no longer is as anxious has he once was, and with the tools we learned from Stephen we are expecting this to only improve. Would HIGHLY recommend Spot-On K9 Training to anyone who has been struggling with their dog. You wont regret it!!

Review 62 (2022-06-11 - Rating: 5)
I enjoyed that Stephen the trainer was very professional. What I enjoyed is that he explained step by step all of Mylahs behavior issues, and how we could continue her training at home. Stephen sent us emails and texts to check in with us before the classes and sent us great information and techniques/skills to incorporate at home with Mylah. Mylah was very very stubborn, we have a German Shepherd and usually shepherds need to feel their loyalty towards their owners as well as always want you to give them something to do. The case with Mylah was that she would not bulge, from leash pulling, running after pets, people other distractors in the street and would not understand any commands at first. At her second and third classes she was already walking beside us, and with the e-collar phenomenal she was already walking beside us without us even having to correct her with the e-collar. Now we have a well behaved dog, who listens on commands, she heels, she sits, she comes, she doesnt leash pull and she focuses just on us. Now Mylah can play with other dogs once told to do so. As for off leash she is capable of coming back when told to do so as well and does not run towards other people or distractors. Thank you for the amazing experience Stephen.

Review 63 (2021-07-15 - Rating: 5)
Stephen came to my apartment to do a Walk Clinic with my dog Leo. I was having issues with Leo pulling and taking the lead during our walks.He always seemed nervous being outside with all the city noises, people, other dogs, etc. Stephen used a micro prong collar to help keep Leo in the Heel command during our walks. I was nervous about this, but by using praise and treats, Leo got the hang of it very quickly!!! In just an hour, we were walking calmly on the streets of Manhattan with Leos tail in the air! I think its a miracle, to be honest. Thank you Stephen for your expert guidance. I couldnt be happier!

Review 64 (2021-07-18 - Rating: 5)
We highly recommend Stephen’s training methods. My husband and I adopted our then 6 month old puppy, Dobby, and immediately knew we wanted to enlist a trainer. We purchased a five session package and worked with Stephen on scheduling out the sessions to about once a week. It was clear that Stephen cared very much about our Dobby and skillfully showed his expertise. We worked on areas such as leash work and commands like down, stand, sit, confidence work, potty and crate training. After each session, Stephen would follow up with a summary and attachments detailing step by step instructions on training. It was expected that we worked with Dobby during the week as homework as well as send weekly reports on Dobby’s progress. Stephen also has a great ‘graduate’ program where he holds monthly clinics in Central Park. Its a wonderful chance to meet other pups and their owners. We’ve gone to one already and it was great fun. While dog training is a journey, Dobby has greatly improved in all areas noted above. Stephen is a caring and skilled trainer we highly recommend.

Review 65 (2023-03-27 - Rating: 5)
Before training with Stephen at Spot-On K9 Training, my German Shepherd was extremely reactive on leash towards other dogs. She would bark and lunge, making it impossible for us to enjoy walks or interact with other dogs.After just four classes with Stephen, my dog Toffee is completely different. She is much more calm and obedient on walks, and we can now approach other dogs without any issues. Learning place and how to put her in work mode has been a game-changer for me.My favorite part of the training was seeing Toffees progress week after week. Stephen was patient and knowledgeable, and his training methods really worked for me.I would definitely recommend Spot-On K9 Training to anyone looking for help with their dog. Stephen is a great trainer and really knows his stuff. My experience was nothing but positive, and Im so grateful for the lessons. I learned so much about handling Toffee, and I am now more confident in my abilities as a dog owner.

Review 66 (2021-04-26 - Rating: 5)
Stephen from Spot-onk9training is the Pied-Piper of dogs: they become magically attached and obedient after just a few one hour sessions with Stephen. Being a first-time dog owner after retiring, I had no idea what transformation was in store for both of us. I have a five-month-old Alaskan Klee Kai puppy. I called Stephen, and he came to rescue both of us in what was turning into a frustrating situation. 5 easy sessions later, my puppy and I have bonded. We both now know who the pack leader is!

Review 67 (2022-09-20 - Rating: 5)
Working with Stephen at Spot-On worked wonders for our dog! Prior to training, our 1.5-year-old German Shepherd had a lot of fear-based anxiety and aggression, was easily distracted and often lashed out while on walks. We did not know the source of his aggression, nor have the tools and training to handle the situations appropriately. After working with Stephen, our dog, and our understanding of his behavior and how to handle it, has improved immeasurably! We can now identify and correctly respond to our dogs anxieties, allowing us and our dog to trust each other both in and out of the home. It was excellent to work with someone so flexible and willing to travel to our neighborhood for training, so that Stephen could see our dog in his daily environment and routine and provide hands-on, specific training that was immediately helpful. We would absolutely recommend Spot-On for any dog that feels out of your control, as we definitely feel that we were provided the education on how to handle our dog, and can build a healthy and strong relationship with him, so we can continue to maintain control in all situations.

Review 68 (2023-03-12 - Rating: 5)
We had a great experience with Stephen and Spot-On K9 Training and I can not thank him enough for setting us up for a successful future with our pup! Our dog Dakota was exhibiting signs of reactivity towards other dogs when out on walks. Stephen really taught us how to build a better relationship with her through structure and training that allowed us/ her to manage impulsive unwanted behavior. Our last session we were able to have her calmly walking alongside another dog that she has had a history of aggression/ reactivity towards. We went from lunging/ barking/ growling to a completely neutral and well mannered dog. We will continue to implement all the training methods Stephen taught us and look forward to continuing this exciting journey with a much happier dog!

Review 69 (2023-06-01 - Rating: 5)
We took our 7-month Brittany puppy to Stephen to work on leash skills and off-leash recall introducing an e-collar. Our pup, being a high-energy breed originally bred for bird hunting, has a high prey drive for birds and squirrels, and we wanted to let him off-leash to run and enjoy Central Park but were afraid that hed run off.Working with Stephen of Spot-On was a great experience. Our dog no longer pulls us around on walks and we also introduced place which has allowed us to take him to café patios, have him lie down, and be relaxed (we never thought hed be a dog we could take with us to a patio without causing a disturbance). Finally, the off-leash recall has been excellent and we now take our dog to Central Park nearly every morning and its a joy seeing him run and play, which also means he sleeps all day long when we get home hes so tired. Weve never had an incident with him running off and have great piece of mind after Stephen trained both my wife and I in the use of the e-collar, and the dog to have strong recall.The only challenging thing was both Stephen and my wife and I have busy schedules so it took a few months to find mutual availability and complete all 5 classes so recommend for potential clients making time on weekdays so you can get through the classes quickly. However, we got homework each class so we still had things to work on every day ahead of the next one.Highly recommend booking for whatever your goals are with your dog!

Review 70 (2023-02-20 - Rating: 5)
Stephen provided excellent training for our nervous pooch. After the first class, we saw substantial improvement in our Australian shepherds behavior on the leash. By a few sessions in, Stephen helped us learn how to keep our dog safe and at ease in various situations that were difficult before training. I recommend Spot-On K9 Training to anyone who needs help with leash training, reactivity, and recall.

Review 71 (2021-01-27 - Rating: 5)
We turned to Spot-On K9 Training when our first trainer wasn’t making enough progress. Stephen, was great to work with and made a world of difference in training our Boxer puppy. our puppy would play bite a lot and had no interest in walking on a leash. The biting was just about eliminated after one training session. We also made tremendous strides on leash training, crate training and other very helpful commands like come, place and leave it. We now get compliments on our how behaved our pup is. Stephen is flexible, helpful and knowledgeable. I highly recommend!

Review 72 (2021-12-16 - Rating: 5)
Just finished a series of off-leash training sessions with Stephen and we could not be more satisfied with the results. In fact, the results were evident from lesson 1. Stephen not only taught my high-energy, easily distracted pup how to focus and respond to commands, but he also took the time to show me what changes I needed to make in my behavior in order to keep building on the success of our training sessions. My pup left each session happy and tired. He is a great trainer for dogs AND their owners, and I would not hesitate to recommend his services to anyone willing to put in the time to build an even stronger relationship with their dog.

Review 73 (2023-02-07 - Rating: 5)
My relationship with my dog has strengthened after training with Stephen! Prior to training, my dog listened to very few commands, pulled on the leash, and had very bad separation anxiety. After a few weeks of working with Stephen, my dog can sit on command, hold “place” for an extended period of time, and no longer pulls on the leash. My dog’s separation anxiety is the main reason I signed up for training, and her anxiety symptoms have diminished over the past few weeks. We have stopped her from incessantly barking and have been able to teach her how to relax while being alone. Stephen is an attentive trainer who thoroughly explains the reasoning behind everything we implement in class. He also provides online support, follow-up info docs, and homework to be done in between sessions. I am not only more relaxed while walking my dog and leaving her alone but am also more confident as a dog owner.

Review 74 (2021-05-24 - Rating: 5)
Stephen was super friendly and helpful in training our dog. We were having major issues with leash manners (pulling, jumping, not focused) and Stephen taught us proper way to train our dog. We did an hour & half private and walked away with a muchhh improved dog! It was night & day in his behavior, and worth every penny. There are lots of training services out there, but Stephen puts a personal touch and clearly is very successful at what he does. (Weve tried other trainers before and left unsuccessful) Also, added bonus once you do a training you can join free training sessions in central park which will we definitely be taking advantage of.

Review 75 (2024-01-11 - Rating: 5)
Working with Stephen for Zara’s recall and ecollar training was a great experience! I feel much more confident and comfortable walking her around the city!

Review 76 (2021-12-31 - Rating: 5)
Our dog is relatively good to start and has a solid base of training, but with a new baby and different dynamics he was beginning to resource guard and have higher anxiety than normal so we reached out to Steven. We really appreciated that Steven could quickly assess our dogs temperament and though he typically uses a variety of positive and negative feedback, catered those mechanisms based on our dog actually being relatively soft and sensitive. Interestingly, we worked on things that seemed to be very unrelated to the resource guarding and anxiety, but in the end those new lessons introduced a confidence in our dog and understanding of our family structure that eliminated the unwanted behaviour quite quickly. We spent the last session or two working on more fun commands since our initial concerns were addressed so quickly and well. Thank you!

Review 77 (2023-08-05 - Rating: 5)
My 2 year old Lab Brie had many behavioral issues. She would not obey and several times she ran away when she was off leash. After working with Stephen, Brie is a completely different dog. Now, I am able to take her to the park and let her be off leash. She is much more obedient and comes when I call her. It is great to see her so happy and free. She can run and play with other dogs and I know that she will come when I call her.Thank you Stephen!!

Review 78 (2023-09-11 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is the best trainer in the world. After attempting many times to work with trainers and many failed youtube video learnings, meeting Stephen was truly a god send. Our pup Frankie is 2 years old. He had one of the worst attitudes towards strangers and other animals on the street. He would bully our cat and bark out of the window 24/7 while we were working from home. After just one session with Stephen, and implementing is at home trainings, Frankie has completely transformed into a well behaved, kind, calm, and loving pup. We were worried going into the training that this would take away some of the things we liked about his personality, but he is still the exact same pup, just much better behaved at home. If you are struggling with any poor behaviors from your dog, immediately call Stephen and get the results you have been seeking, guaranteed. Do not question his methods, he knows exactly what he is doing and what is best for your pup. Thank you again Stephen for being such a valuable resource, and constantly working with us (even when we got lazy) to get us the results we so desperately needed. 10/10

Review 79 (2023-04-28 - Rating: 5)
Am so impressed with Stephens methods to get my lovely dog, Whiskey, in order. Hes a rescue and 3 months in he started pulling hard and nearly taking me down and then got aggressive with other dogs. We worked hard and now he can be off leash in the park and meet other dogs and I dont have to worry. 5 stars!

Review 80 (2020-09-05 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is a great trainer! He is knowledgable, respectful, and patient. I used to get anxiety walking my dog because he would growl at every other male dog in the park. I would have to hold my dog’s leash with two hands, while still felling as if my arms were being pulled from their sockets. Now, I can hold the lead with just a pinky. My relationship with my dog has actually strengthened due to Stephen’s instruction. I just wish we had found him sooner! I look forward to continuing our education. Thanks, Stephen!!

Review 81 (2023-06-29 - Rating: 5)
We cant recommend Stephen enough! We enrolled our 90 lb, 1 year old GSD Bear in the recall program through Spot-On. From day 1, Bear showed amazing improvement in basic leash skills and obedience, and by the end of the program he was able to run off-leash in Central Park for an hour.Bear is still a puppy with a LOT of energy, and we wanted to be able to trust him off-leash in the park. Before Spot-On, he would take off after anything, and his basic obedience needed a lot of work. In each class, there was a goal wed work towards, and Stephen would send us home with tools and resources to practice on our own.After just the first class, we saw such an improvement. He learned sit, stay, down, place, come, and eventually full recall. By the end, I had full confidence I could trust Bear off-leash, no matter what came our way.The monthly drop-in classes are such a great bonus! We are able to practice our skills with other dog owners, and Bear gets to see his best friend Stephen.

Review 82 (2023-06-04 - Rating: 4)
I highly recommend Spot-On K9 Training! Stephen is a very professional and caring person. This came out as he engaged with my 5lb Toy Poodle. Ginger is generally a good dog but very playful and a very social puppy who liked to greet everyone. As a result she would would pull back, pull forward or stop many times as we walked. Her constant tugging was difficult to manage on the city streets. I wanted her retain her personality and still learn a more disciplined walking skill without cruelty.On our first private session went very well. Stephen patiently walked Ginger back and further with this new leash and a few treats until she understood what he wanted. I could see the change in her body language as she learned to trust him and started to heel. Amazing!After we left our session today Ginger and I walked across Central Park together for the first time without any issues. Ginger and I learned a lot. I highly recommend Stephen. He is a wonderful trainer. Ginger and I will be walking together for many years Thank you Stephen.

Review 83 (2023-06-08 - Rating: 5)
Before starting her classes with Stephen at Spot-On K9 Training my dog Moet was very reactive on walks and we were having difficulty keeping her in heel position. We also wanted to increase her recall skills so that we could all enjoy off-leash time at Central Park.Since training with Stephen, Moet has become much more settled on walks and my partner and I feel confident in how we can support and advocate for her when she is starting to react on walks. We are also very happy with her improvement in recall, both using an e-collar and without. It has made walks much more enjoyable for all of us.I would absolutely recommend Stephen and his one-on-one classes. The sessions were an excellent opportunity for us to ask questions and Moet loved learning new skills with Stephen. The group classes are also excellent and provide an opportunity for Moet to hone her obedience and reactivity control skills.

Review 84 (2021-11-04 - Rating: 5)
Stephen helped us a lot with our Golden Retriever, Willy!! We knew that we had to fix behavioral problems, including pulling on the leash and calming our dog. Before, it was impossible to walk our 8 months pup; he was so hyper, energetic and excited about everything. We were exhausted. He now walks nicely and calmly next to us!! He knows several other commands, that we didn’t even think he could learn kn such a short period of time. Stephen did a fantastic job and Willy loved him from the very first class.Meantime, Stephen trained both our dog and us! He discussed each technique, and sent us detailed feedback and homework each time after our sessions.Our life with our puppy is now much more enjoyable thanks to his training.Really recommend Stephen!!

Review 85 (2022-03-07 - Rating: 5)
Our dog, Winston, had quite a few behavioral issues, specifically he was leash reactive and constantly pulled on the leash. It made walking him exhausting and frustrating. We tried a few training services and none of them worked, so we decided to sign up for classes with Spot-On K9. We are SO happy we did! After three sessions Stephen helped Winston become a more confident dog and showed us how to better communicate with Winston. We now feel a stronger bond with Winston and he is so much better on walks. He is calmer, more confident, happier, and all around a much more well behaved dog. We cannot thank Stephen enough for all the training he gave Winston and us! At the end of each session he provides very detailed emails about what we went over in class so we can reference them for years to come. I definitely recommend Spot-On K9 training for any dog owner!

Review 86 (2022-04-07 - Rating: 5)
My training sessions with Stephen were incredibly helpful. Scarlett, our 5 year old German Shepherd, learned how to walk past other dogs with out reactivity, how to be patient and how to listen and behave in a controlled manner while walking. She is calmer and a much better companion thanks to Stephens help. Stephen is an amazing teacher, was super caring about Scarlett and a pleasure to work with. Thank you!

Review 87 (2023-02-25 - Rating: 5)
We rescued our 1 yo supermutt Ollie around 6 months ago and have considered ourselves lucky that hes been friendly with other dogs & humans from day 1. But weve also struggled with his leash walking, making our routine walks around NYC super stressful, and nothing was helping. It was nearly impossible to keep his attention on us when walking outside; he would consistently pull, eat off the ground, jump up in the air from excitement upon seeing another dog, and bite/pull at the leash out of frustration when he couldnt play or say hi. We were referred to Stephen by a neighbor and reached out immediately for a Walk Clinic session. He was so friendly and accommodating and we knew immediately we made the right decision. We met him in CP for our session and learned SO much. We saw a difference right away and walked away feeling confident in our ability to continue working on these new skills. Stephen was such a pleasure to work with and we are so grateful for everything he taught us!

Review 88 (2020-12-02 - Rating: 5)
My dog could not walk in a straight line before meeting Stephen, now I know how to control my dog, and my dog knows what he can and cant do while walking the busy NYC streets. Stephen not only taught my dog how to walk on a leash properly, but he taught my wife and me too.Not only did we practice walking on a leash, but we practice many important commands to help my dog build his confidence but also keep him safe.I would undoubtedly refer Spot On K9 Training to friends and family. Stephen was very professional, on time, friendly, and kind to my dog! Definitely worth the investment, but you have to be willing to do the work too!

Review 89 (2023-08-12 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is a fantastic trainer and was extremely helpful in ensuring that our 6 month old puppy is well behaved and obedient. His training helps with walking, impulse control and discipline. Definitely recommend any puppy or dog to train with Stephen!

Review 90 (2023-01-21 - Rating: 5)
When we first brought our golden retriever to Stephen for training she couldn’t be near other dogs without showing signs of reactivity. After five sessions our dog is learning to make better choices, and we are back to our adventures off-leash in the park. Steven doesn’t just train dogs, he trains people. Can’t give a higher recommendation: five stars!

Review 91 (2022-05-11 - Rating: 5)
My wife and I got a German Shepherd Dog in April. As a puppy she was fine, but as she got older we could not control her at all. She became ungovernable. Stephen changed everything for us. After the first lesson I was able to comfortably walk with her. After the final lesson I can confidently walk with her off leash in the park. Thank you Stephen, youve really made Rosie a perfect pup!

Review 92 (2020-09-18 - Rating: 5)
Before training, our puppy was sweet but unstructured and a little all over the place. This was our first dog, so we really needed a good understanding of the basics from the very beginning. Now, our puppy Larry understands basic commands and even more advanced training techniques. Hes responsive, and weve learned proper corrections.I would refer Spot-On K9 training! Stephen is a great trainer :)

Review 93 (2023-01-22 - Rating: 5)
I came in with a 1.5 yr old rescue dog who knew no commands and now after four lessons, have a pup who can heel, sit, walking sit, stay and come and is starting to learn finish. More importantly, thanks to Stephens patience and clear directions, I am now better trained to help my dog learn and can keep moving forward on a building a better partnership with my dog. I look forward to group classes when warmer weather returns and you can be sure that I will return to Stephen should any problems arise in the meantime.

Review 94 (2020-10-07 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is a great dog trainer: very dedicated, patient and knowledgeable.My young German Shepherd was becoming more and more confident and independent. Trainings with Stephen thought me how to take control and become a leader for my dog. He showed me how important it is to give dogs structure, discipline and guidance and explained that it makes them less anxious and stressed.With every session I saw the change in my dog and I felt that our bond became stronger. Thank you Stephen!

Review 95 (2024-01-02 - Rating: 5)
We got a lot out of Spot-On K9 Training. For our dog, the most important aspects were learning how to optimally use the training devices, ie the micro-prong collar and the e-collar. Our dog now walks better on the city streets, and his recall is great!

Review 96 (2023-02-01 - Rating: 5)
My dog benefited immensely from Spot-On K9 Training. Before training, my dog was pulling on every walk, was a big jumper, was stubborn, and acted like had selective hearing. After the training, my dog’s obedience has sky rocketed! Not only is he pleasant to go walking with, but he also is now listening to every command I give him. I highly recommend Spot-On Training as the training we did in session laid all the groundwork and the follow-up support was wonderful.

Review 97 (2020-08-31 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is clear, direct, and does not complicate the process of training a dog. He gives you the tools to train everyday, and transformed what I perceived as severe behavioral issues in a few sessions. After the first day, my golden retriever changed his behavior toward me entirely. Throughout our training, Stephen has been open to the things we are and are not comfortable doing, explained the dogs mindset to help us understand his behavior, and was extremely responsive and available. Overall, he has been an essential part of getting our pup to listen and learn! He is also WAY more reasonably priced than other trainers!Kate, Nick, and Judge

Review 98 (2023-12-01 - Rating: 5)
Stephen helped train (mostly me) and my two 9 year old, wild labs to walk on a leash without pulling me down and amazingly to walk off leash in only 5 sessions. Both I and my pups are grateful for our fabulous walks in the park.

Review 99 (2021-04-11 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is an awesome dog trainer! I was having some reactivity issues with my four year old dog and had tried to train him myself and with another trainer to no avail. Stephen helped me learn how to manage, and ultimately cure, my dogs reactivity in just five lessons. Stephen is also extremely responsive to questions and has endless resources to help understand and train your dog. If youre having behavioral issues with your dog in NYC, this is the dog trainer for you!

Review 100 (2021-11-15 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is a masterful, trustworthy and patient trainer.In 3 sessions he trained my 3 month old mastiff/shepherd mix to walk obediently on the busy streets of midtown, and curbed his play barking and biting with place training.My partner and I live in midtown and adopted Viggo at 3 months old without any real experience training a large breed dog. We couldn’t get him to walk on a lead and his biting and barking in doors was out of control. “Leading with love” just wasn’t doing the trick.We found Stephen online and read that other dog parents who were having similar difficulties found great success working with him. So we contacted Stephen, told him what we wanted to fix, and in 3 sessions he had corrected the issues and taught us how to keep them corrected.We can’t recommend Stephen highly enough. His help was a total game changer, not sure where we’d be without him.

Review 101 (2022-08-28 - Rating: 5)
Stephen and Spot-On K9 Training are the absolute best. Before training, my dog had aggression issues with larger dogs and had problems with walking around the city. Within just a few training sessions, Conrad was an entirely new dog and is much more confident and less fearful in the city. If youre looking to fix any kind of behavioral issue with your dog, work with Stephen and Spot-On K9 Training and you wont be sorry!

Review 102 (2022-09-09 - Rating: 5)
When we first moved to New York, walks with our GS were filled with anxiety, leash pulling and reactivity around other dogs. We used to dread going outside. After working with Stephen, we love going on walks with him and feel like our bond with our dog is so much stronger. Stephen is a wonderful teacher. If you put in the work, you will reap the rewards.

Review 103 (2022-05-07 - Rating: 5)
Stephen did a wonderful job with our pit hound mix, Ruby! She loved him and her training sessions. He helped us with Ruby’s walking skills and off-leash recall and she improved a lot over the course of her training. We highly recommend him!

Review 104 (2020-08-20 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is very knowledgeable and caring. Our one and half year old German Shepherd has anxiety for a long time. So we found Stephen for help. I must say it was way better than our expectations. Stephen gave us a lot of useful tips and training instruction to help Rose build up some confidence. We also saw how she could improve in such a short time. The price is very reasonable especially for me as a graduate student. Thank you Stephen!

Review 105 (2021-11-23 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is one of the absolute best most patient trainers I have worked with. My dog, Harley, loves him and definitely respects him. Stephen has helped Harley overcome so many obstacles and behavior problems. I cant recommend him and his amazing training enough! Thank you Stephen for helping Harley be the best dog she can be!

Review 106 (2022-03-06 - Rating: 5)
Working with Spot-On K9 has been life changing. I highly recommend it!!!!I have three fox hounds on Roosevelt Island. One of them, although he is the sweetest dog in the world, would play out a scene from the exorcist every time he saw another dog! My pack has developed a bit of a reputation as a result of it. His leash reactivity was insane. Other dog owners would see me and turn around. One day, I met a guy at the dog park who told me that Stephen at K9 was the third trainer they had tried for their schnauzers leash reactivity and after one session the dog did a complete 180.I now refer to Stephen as the voodoo man. I swear he cast a spell over my dog. Jeff has been an angel on his leash for the entire week since our first session. Its not even like hes starting to react and then stopped himself. Hes honestly showing marginal interest in other dogs as they walk by, a normal curiosity instead of turning into psycho man.Both Stephens quiet and complete confidence with my dog, and his non judgmental attitude toward me, allowed me to watch and learn without feeling defensive, and I am now also much more confident with Jeff.I knew the leash reactivity was stressing me out, but until it stopped I hadnt realized just how much. Spot-On K9 has changed my life. I walk my dogs for about two hours every day and those two hours have gone from full of dread to full of joy. Three people told me that I was beaming the other day when I had the dogs out. Not worrying that my dog will go crazy is a huge deal and yes, I was beaming.Thank you Stephen, from me, from my kids who sometimes have to walk my dogs and from all the other dogs that used to have to avoid us! You are amazing!

Review 107 (2022-08-05 - Rating: 5)
We had a great experience with Stephen, he very quickly helped us address the main leash walking issues we were having with our dog. He also helped us improve her place and many other commands, as well as helping us improve how we actually handle her. Thanks Stephen!

Review 108 (2022-05-17 - Rating: 5)
I cannot say enough great things about Stephen and cannot thank him enough! My goal was to have my dog, Sir Maximus, reliable off-leash. I have a 1-year old working-line Belgian Malinois so my search consisted of trainers who needed to be skilled in handling a high-intensity, high-drive, high-energy and intelligent breed with a balanced but positive approach in training. Search after search and discussion after discussion, I finally found Stephen! The moment I spoke to Stephen over the phone I knew I found the right person who could help me. Maximus had lots of training since he was 8 weeks and even got trained by an internationally renowned K9 trainer who won many competitive dog sports but Stephen was the one who took us to our next level; the off-leash goal I dreamed of. My goal was to have Max reliable off-leash but not only are we now off-leash, but Stephen gave so much more value! Stephen has taught and equipped me with so much knowledge from operating an e-collar to being comfortable and being more confident in myself and in Max in communicating with it. Max is super happy with new found off-leash freedom, more confident and he loves Stephen! Both Max and I are excited and eager to continue our journey to becoming better versions of ourselves! Stephen helped take this high-energy, high-drive, high intensity breed to be well-behaved and obedient off-leash with reliability as he is on-leash so just imagine what he can do with your dog! Stephen is incredible! He provided me with excellent direction and advice on my handling skills from breaking down commands with step-by-step attention to detail to seeing the overall picture! I recommend Stephen at Spot-On K9 to anyone who wants to live their best life with their best fur friend!

Review 109 (2023-03-22 - Rating: 5)
Stephen worked *magic* with our 110 lb anxiety ridden pup, Max. Walking Max is now a breeze. Stephen helped and trained us as much as Max. Stephen was our 3rd go at dog training and our only regret is that we didnt find him sooner. Not only did we all learn so much, but Max was obsessed with Stephen! Thanks again Stephen and Spot-On K9 Training!

Review 110 (2021-11-19 - Rating: 5)
When I adopted my dog, he was a hurt Shiba who was reactive, screamed at touch, and aggressively disobedient. The first night I almost gave up as I didn’t have the confidence or skill set to think I could help or persist beyond the Shiba screams of death whenever I tried to get a collar or harness or him.Stephen was a god send. He worked me through various models, and taught me how to use and communicate clearly while demonstrating to my dog that he should trust me, and that I would keep him safe.After the first 2 sessions I took a 3 month break to utilize the different trainings daily and came back for new tools and fixing my technique. After a year, people comment on how well behaved tango is. Among dogs he’s in the top for listening, obedience, and demeanor.Thank you Stephen!

Review 111 (2021-04-24 - Rating: 5)
Stephen has been great with my puppy Oliver and me. He taught him how to walk on the leash and me hiw to be a leader. Oliver is paying attention to me and is very responsive. He walks very nice, no more jumping and pulling.We learn different obedience comedy as well.I am very grateful for Stephens help.Anca & Oliver

Review 112 (2023-12-17 - Rating: 5)
Stephen did a great job teaching me to handle Jasper correctly and the skills necessary to take him off leash. Jasper also loved being around Stephen. I can’t recommend him enough.

Review 113 (2021-06-23 - Rating: 5)
When I say that Stephen Baum saved my family, I absolutely mean it. My fiancé moved to midtown NYC from rural Louisiana with his German Shepherd, Shadeaux and it was a difficult transition to say the least. When my fiancé was at work, Shadeaux would become so aggressive and territorial that I would become trapped in my own home, unable to move from room to room in fear that he would attack me. My fiancé and Shadeaux were attached at the hip but after so many attempts to fix his behavior with no results, I had enough and was ready to give up and then we found Stephen. After one session I already saw a difference in Shadeaux but mostly I learned so much about our own behaviors and the effects on him. I couldnt believe how quickly Stephen and Shadeaux bonded... I call him The Shepherd Whisperer. We did 6 week sessions with Stephen and its like we have a brand new dog! Before, Shadeaux wouldnt listen to my commands, he couldnt walk down the street without barking or leaping at other dogs, he would bark uncontrollably.. the list goes on. But I swear if I didnt know better, Stephen switched dogs on us! Im truly astonished by the change. He set us up with all the proper gear we needed, e-collar, leads, prong collar, etc. and worked on all our concerns and taught us the structure lacking in Shadeauxs life and how make adjustments in every aspect of our routine and now everything has changed for the better.. its insane.. Were like one big happy family again! Stephen will give you all the tools you need as long as youre willing to put in the work. I will forever be indebted and grateful for everything Stephen has taught us. This was the best investment we ever made! Even if youre at the end of your rope and think your dog is hopeless.. Call Stephen Baum.

Review 114 (2020-12-12 - Rating: 5)
I was referred to Stephen through a friend, and I was very impressed by his knowledge, skill, and process. Over the course of our 3 sessions with my 12 week old dog Milo, I learned specific training techniques I doubt I would have learned in a group class setting. Milo now walks on his leash right by side and knows several commands that keep him safe and confident. Thanks Stephen!

Review 115 (2021-10-21 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is a magician. I purchased five classes for our 4 year old dog thinking they wouldnt be nearly enough and it was the opposite; we had covered everything on my list (and more) by the end of the fourth session. Stephen addressed separation anxiety, leash tugging, barking in the crate and also taught our dog skills like auto-sit, crate training, place and lots more Im probably forgetting. Great value, definitely recommend

Review 116 (2021-07-04 - Rating: 5)
Our dog Marcus, a 7-mo-old American Bully, did a 4-session class with Steven. Marcus wasnt trained before the class and walking him was impossible without being pulled to all directions. After a short 4-session, Marcus now walks well and understands commands. Steven was professional and understanding, showed a true passion for dogs. We thank him and would definitely recommend him to anyone who needs help with their dogs!

Review 117 (2022-03-31 - Rating: 5)
Stephen transformed my pup! My dog had terrible separation anxiety and was a pain to walk. Now I get compliments from people all the time about how he’s such a good boy. My dog can be alone and our relationship is so much better now. Thank you Stephen!

Review 118 (2021-11-18 - Rating: 5)
Spot-On K9 training and Stephen completely changed our lives! Our 9 month old mini Australian Shepherd, Nala, was chewing on furniture/carpet, extremely reactive towards the vacuum and oven, and barking at kids every time she saw them.Starting after our first session with Stephen, Nala was much more confident in herself and with us as her leaders. She stopped pulling on walks and barking at kids. Her whole demeanor became less anxious, calmer and happier. By the end of the 5 sessions, Nala has stopped destructive chewing, reactivity, and barking at kids. Her recall is amazing - in fact she was off leash in Central Park and came to us every time we said come.We are so happy we chose Stephen to help train Nala! It was the best decision for our family.

Review 119 (2023-01-06 - Rating: 5)
Our 2 year old dog hated being around kids. She was terrified when they moved, made loud sounds, etc. She would growl, bark, lunge, nip whenever they got too close. We have a lot of kids in our life and could not always easily keep her separated from kids. We worked with Steve to train her (and us) to better manage her interactions with kids. We worked on impulse control, place commands, and overall confidence building and consequences when she starts to react before it escalates. Shes nowhere near happy to be around kids but she is MUCH BETTER. as we continue the work Steve taught us, we see progress every time. This gives us hope we can maintain her comfort and that of the kids around us in time.

Review 120 (2022-02-06 - Rating: 5)
Stephen was a lifesaver!! A friend’s dog was staying with me for a week and the dog would not let me put a harness on her. She kept growling and biting. Desperate for help after a sleepless night, I reached out to Stephen. He came over that same day and worked his magic. Nice guy, reasonable rates and got the job done in no time. A+

Review 121 (2022-08-02 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is excellent. He has many years of experience working with all sorts of dogs and has a plethora of knowledge to help each case. Hes given me excellent training for my dog and my friends dog as well. I highly recommend him.

Review 122 (2023-11-16 - Rating: 5)
Thankful to Stephen for all of his help. he taught us a lot about how to work with our dog and communicate effectively, and ways to minimize reactions on the leash + advocate for our dog.

Review 123 (2022-07-20 - Rating: 5)
I cannot say enough about Steve and his help with Jax. Jax is an 18 months old, pit-bull/ Dalmatian mix. Jax is so kind and gentle to his family but everyone else is a target and triggers him if they get too close to me or our home. When we first started training we had no idea what we were doing and we were dealing with a reactive, territorial and guarding fur baby. The first thing that was extremely helpful was the actual training gear that Steve informed us of. Jax was pulling on walks like a sled dog. We mediately saw improvement by changing his harness to a prong collar and a leash Steve suggested. And with the skills that Steve taught us he immediately showed improvement. Steve was extremely warm and patient with us and Jax. Jax definitely was trying to attack Steve in the beginning but Steve was patient and worked with Jax to make him understand. Jax is a special breed and doesn’t like affection from anyone other than his pack. (me, husband and kids)This is challenging because he is so attractive and people want to pet him. We have learned how to keep other safe around him by the tools and gear that Steve educated us with. Although we still have a lot of work to do, none of this would have been possible without Steve‘s help. Steve has a passion and love for dogs that is undeniable. No matter how much Jax tried to fight and hurt Steve, he never lost his patience and professionalism. I can take Jax on stress-free walks now without him lunging at strangers or pulling me like a rag doll. Although Jax is still a work in progress, I cannot thank Steve enough for the training I received as an owner and the training Jax received as well. I would definitely recommend Steve and his company to anyone in need.

Review 124 (2021-10-27 - Rating: 5)
Stephen helped us tremendously - he is calm, present and diligent when it comes to giving you all the tools to train your dog! Our life with our dog is now much more enjoyable thanks to his training.

Review 125 (2024-09-06 - Rating: 5)
Really enjoyed working with Stephen! My dog is a better dog because of him.

Review 126 (2021-10-20 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is the best! He is patient and persistent and gives you the materials to succeed. He went above and beyond to help our pup Lola. We would recommend to anyone who needs a dog trainer :)

Review 127 (2020-08-26 - Rating: 5)
Having aggression issues with a rescue and was ready to find her another foster home. Via a FaceTime session, I was given several different options to correct the issue. One of his methods worked like a charm after just using it twice! We then loved the dog so much, we formally adopted her!

Review 128 (2023-02-26 - Rating: 5)
Stephen helped our deaf dog overcome some of the anxiety she felt about being around other dogs. I would highly recommend him to anyone with a dog that has behavioral issues.

Review 129 (2022-02-22 - Rating: 5)
So happy we found Spot-On K-9 training. we did off leash training with our mini aussie and it was great to have someone so keyed in to my dogs needs and who really cared about making sure he was improving. highly recommend!

Review 130 (2021-12-30 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is super helpful, we enjoyed training session with him - both the private lessons and drop in group class. We recommend Stephen to anyone who needs help with their pet!

Review 131 (2023-04-30 - Rating: 5)
My beloved rescue, Whiskey, sitting comfortably off leash. No aggression or wandering off. Thank you, Stephen!

Review 132 (2023-03-15 - Rating: 5)
We used Stephen to train our 2 year old lab/hound mix Bruce. Prior to training, Bruce had been unpredictably reactive- he would get visibly uncomfortable around some dogs during walks which would sometimes escalate to lunging/ barking. Our bigger concern, though, was how he would act around guests in our home. He would become uneasy and at times lunge towards them aggressively. Working with Stephen was great. He transformed how we walk with Bruce outside and showed us how to fully take control of him to prevent him from being able to react. The sessions in our home were meant to set Bruce up for success when guests are over and have done just that. We now have a system in place where Bruce mostly stays on his place (bed) and it lets him be social and grow more comfortable with guests over with structure that prevents him from becoming reactive. Overall, Stephen was a pleasure to work with and we would highly recommend him. We look forward to participating in his group classes coming up in the Spring!

Review 133 (2023-07-01 - Rating: 5)
Before we turned to Spot-On K9 Training, our twin German Shepherds, Jupiter and Pluto, were pure canine chaos. At just six months old, they were brimming with life and energy, which was simultaneously endearing and exasperating. Jupiter and Pluto were always ready for play and exploration, and their zest for life filled our home with lively activity. But the flip side of this was a never-ending wave of puppy energy that knew no bounds. Between the jumping, barking, leash pulling, and their little rivalry, we felt like we were living in a whirlwind.But the day we reached out to SOK9T marked the turning point for our canine companions and us.Fast forward a few months, and our twin tornadoes have evolved into wonderfully obedient, yet still spirited and joyful companions. Their listening skills have improved leaps and bounds, and theyve learned to walk politely on leashes. We can now have guests over without worrying about them being overwhelmed by our dynamic duo. Their interaction with each other has also improved, making them not just siblings, but the best of friends. Jupiter and Pluto seem happier and more relaxed, and this has made our lives significantly more peaceful and joyful.We cannot recommend Spot-On K9 Training enough to our friends and family. Stephen approached our pups training with exceptional patience and understanding. He not only equipped us with the right techniques and tools to manage our dogs behavior, but he also showed deep empathy for Jupiter and Pluto, considering their individual temperaments and needs. His professionalism and support throughout the process was outstanding.I wish I could post a picture here to show the remarkable transformation of our pups. Imagine two well-behaved, yet still playful German Shepherds with twinkles in their eyes - thats Jupiter and Pluto for you! Thanks to Spot-On K9 Training, we are now one joyful and peaceful family unit!

Review 134 (2022-04-25 - Rating: 5)
So grateful for Stephen and his help with my rescue, Jack.Jack is a super high energy and almost impossible to keep up with and was struggling to train him, in part, because of his energy levels. Walks were a nightmare - he was always trying to go different directions, pulling so hard that the leash was hurting my hands and eating whatever he could find. For that and a resource guarding issue I was about to lose my mind and didnt know if I was the right human for Jack and was considering rehoming him so he could get the care and attention he needs.After just two sessions with Stephen nearly all that was eliminated or saw great relief (the exception being the pulling - If he thinks we are going to the dog park or pet store sometimes he just gets ahead of himself but at least now I have tools to work through it).Jack and I have a lot of stuff to work on so I am grateful to Stephen and his drop in classes where we can go and continue the work.

Review 135 (2021-12-20 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is great! Helped us get comfortable with using the e-collar for recall. My dog loves him

Review 136 (2023-11-16 - Rating: 5)
Stephen was an excellent trainer! Was very effective and a pleasure to work with. Highly reccomended !

Review 137 (2020-08-17 - Rating: 5)
Stephen went above and beyond, staff is super friendly and respectful. Definitely the best place to take your dog in NYC.

Review 138 (2023-03-24 - Rating: 5)
After 6 months of obedience class and another training program, we were still having a hard time with our year and a half old rescue pup. He was becoming increasingly reactive on the street, wanted to play with every other dog, but would quickly escalate to aggression, sometimes the aggression would then get misdirected to us and hed end up attacking us while on walks. It got to the point where we just couldnt have him around other dogs. We couldnt take the elevator in our building when other dogs were in it, and he would lunge at the doormen every day. Multiple other dog owners had recommended that we look into e-collar training for him, saying that it was the only thing that solved their dogs behavior issues. We actually first checked with the dog rescue organization we adopted from to make sure they were okay with it and they were supportive, as long as we worked with a certified trainer. They require adopting owners to be open to balanced training methods -- some dogs, especially hard to place rescue dogs, just need a little more direction than others.We found Stephen and Spot On K9 Training just via google search and after the first class, we immediately saw a difference with the prong collar. Its so clear to us now that were better able to communicate what we want to our dog. And with that information, our dog is more obedient than I ever thought possible. When Stephen told us that our dog would need to sit in place for half an hour straight, I think I laughed out loud -- impossible! Now, our dog will sit in place through a two hour dinner with guests over. Our neighbors have commented on how far hes come -- he can be in an elevator with three other dogs and is the most well-behaved of all of them, just sitting and looking up at me for guidance. We did have to invest a lot of time into training our dog, but it was over a relatively short period of time (just a couple of months). By far, the absolute best part of the training was e-collar training so our dog could go off leash in the Park. He loves being off leash, now plays happily with other dogs, and his recall is near perfect -- he comes racing back to me happily. And then snoozes the rest of the day at home.It sounds like an exaggeration but Im more connected to my dog. The balanced training methods didnt do anything to damage his trust in me -- just the opposite. My dog is so much more obedient, but hes also so much more affectionate -- he never wants to leave my side and he looks to me for guidance (and treats). Maybe you have an easy dog that doesnt need a little extra guidance -- but if your dog has reactivity issues and needs a little extra help, I cant speak highly enough of Stephen, his training and methods.

Review 139 (2021-12-30 - Rating: 5)
Even though our puppy Blue had gone through a puppy obedience course & I had done some training of my own, we were still having problems such as leash pulling, vacuuming everything up in his mouth from the sidewalk and he was starting to have separation anxiety issues. After our sessions through Spot-On K9 Training, Blue is more relaxed and well-behaved. Leash walking is now a breeze, he doesnt vacuum and hes learning how to relax and calm down on his own. This has been money well invested! I am having more fun with my puppy and have helpful tools to use as he grows older.

Review 140 (2021-06-23 - Rating: 5)
Stephen has been a godsend! I usually dreaded my walks with my dog because he pulled on the leash so hard, making it impossible to get anywhere in a timely manner. I was at my wits end before my first session with Spot-On, but experienced instaneous improvement after it. My dog is very obedient on a leash now, and weve also been working on other basic obedience exercises that have made him all around much more well behaved. Or as Stephen says, theres a lot less nonsense. Cant recommend this trainer enough!

Review 141 (2021-06-12 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is the BEST trainer. I worked with a previous trainer and it was a waste of money. My Murphy is a tibetan terrier and very stubborn. Stephen connected my dog and me in a way that trained us both. He is a great person and trainerGregor Simmons

Review 142 (2020-08-29 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is a phenomenal trainer who provided life-changing training to our little puppy. Critically, Stephen doesnt just train your dog - he also teaches the parents how to maintain training and accountability and use the various tools and tricks to ensure consistent and sustainable results.

Review 143 (2025-01-10 - Rating: 5)
Stephen is great to work with. My main concern was an anxious dog who wanted to lead our walks – from the first lesson, our walks completely changed. Its made SUCH a difference in the day-to-day with my pup. More than anything, I feel like Stephen equipped me with the tools to be able to communicate with my dog – I know these skills will continue to help me in the future. I would definitely recommend Spot-On to anyone looking to better their working relationship with their dog!