Dog Training in Peekskill, NY - Positive Reinforcement, Real Results

Looking for a dog trainer in Peekskill, NY who gets results without punishment, pressure, or fear? At Just Happy Dogs, we believe a dog trained with love is a joy forever – and we put our certifications behind it.

Our training methods are rooted in the science of positive reinforcement, shaped by training from Grisha Stewart (creator of the BAT method for reactivity) and the Animal Training Academy, two of the most respected names in modern, force-free dog training. No choke chains, no prong collars, no alpha dominance tactics. Just clear communication, well-timed rewards, and a dog who actually wants to learn.

We work with puppies, adult dogs, and everything in between – across Peekskill, Westchester County, and virtually from anywhere.

Our Training Programs

One-on-One Private Sessions

From $95 | Held at Just Happy Dogs in Peekskill, NY | One dog per session

Private sessions are the fastest way to make real progress. You and your dog get our undivided attention in a calm, familiar environment – no distractions, no other dogs, just focused work tailored to exactly what your dog needs.

• Basic obedience (sit, stay, come, leash manners, etc.)
• Reactivity and over-arousal (barking, lunging, leash aggression)
• Behavior modification
• Dogs who don’t do well in group settings

Sessions are held at our home in Peekskill, NY, just across from Depew Park. We’ll work through a structured plan with clear homework between sessions so progress continues at home.

Contact us to discuss your dog’s needs and book your first session.

Virtual / Online Training Sessions

From $75 | Available anywhere

Can’t make it to Peekskill? No problem. Our virtual training sessions deliver the same one-on-one attention and structured guidance over video call. Virtual sessions are surprisingly effective – many behavioral issues are best addressed in the dog’s home environment anyway, where the real triggers are.

• Basic obedience and manners
• Reactivity coaching (we guide you through exercises in real time)
• Puppies in their first weeks home
• Follow-up and homework review sessions

Contact us to schedule your virtual session.

Puppy Classes

From $75 | Held at Just Happy Dogs in Peekskill, NY | Maximum 4 puppies

The best thing you can do for a new puppy is start early – and start right. Our small-group puppy classes (maximum 4 pups) focus on the foundational skills that make life with a dog a joy: sitting, staying, coming when called, walking nicely on leash, and learning how to be calm around other dogs and people.

With just four puppies per class, every dog gets personal attention and every guardian leaves with a clear plan for practicing at home. This isn’t a herd-them-through-the-basics experience. It’s a real, individualized start to a lifetime of good behavior.

Open to puppies ages 4 months and older who have completed their initial vaccination series.

Contact us about upcoming class schedules and availability.

Board & Train

Starting at $1,349 per week | Held at Just Happy Dogs in Peekskill, NY | One dog at a time | 2–6 week programs

Board & Train is our most intensive – and most transformative – training option. Your dog stays with us full-time at our home in Peekskill, NY for a structured program lasting two to six weeks, depending on their goals and starting point. They don’t go home in between sessions. They live here, train here, and make real, lasting progress here – in a genuine home environment, not a kennel or a facility.

Because we only ever take one Board & Train dog at a time, your dog gets our complete, undivided attention from morning to evening, every single day of their stay.

What Board & Train includes

Every program is customized to your dog, but most Board & Train stays cover a structured combination of the following:

• Sit, down, stay, and place (settling calmly on a designated spot)
• Reliable recall – coming when called, even with distractions
• Loose-leash walking and leash manners
• Waiting politely at doorways and before meals
• Leave it and drop it

• Training in varied environments – inside the home, in the yard, on walks, around Depew Park
• Exposure to distractions: other dogs, people, bikes, traffic, sounds
• Car rides and calm entry/exit behavior
• Greeting people politely without jumping

• Leash reactivity – reducing barking, lunging, and over-arousal on walks
• Fear and anxiety – building confidence through positive, gradual exposure
• Impulse control – teaching your dog to think before reacting
• Body handling – comfort with touch, grooming, paw handling, and vet-style exams

• Consistent daily routines that build confidence and reduce anxiety
• Enrichment activities and structured play
• Calm settling behavior in the home
• Basic introduction to crate comfort (if needed)

What makes Just Happy Dogs Board & Train different

Comparable programs in the Westchester and NYC area run $1,499 to over $4,000 per week. Our Board & Train starts at $1,349 – and unlike many facility-based programs, your dog isn’t rotating through kennels or handled by rotating staff. They’re with us, in our home, every day and every night, with one consistent trainer who knows them inside and out by the end of week one.

Everything is positive reinforcement only. No e-collars, no prong collars, no punishment. Just science-backed methods that get results and leave your dog happy, confident, and eager to work.

The handoff – your training doesn’t stop when they come home

Every Board & Train ends with a dedicated handoff session with you. We walk you through everything your dog has learned, demonstrate each skill, and give you a written homework plan so you can maintain and build on the progress at home. A dog who has been trained is only as good as the owner who continues that training – we make sure you feel confident doing exactly that.

• Dogs with significant reactivity, fear, or behavioral challenges
• Busy owners who want a professional head start
• Families preparing for a new baby, a move, or a major life change
• Dogs who have “failed” other training programs
• Guardians who want lasting results, not just a few tricks

Pricing is based on program length and your dog’s specific training goals. Contact us for a custom quote and to schedule a Meet & Greet.

Our Training Philosophy

Every program at Just Happy Dogs is built on the same foundation: positive reinforcement only. We never use punishment, intimidation, pain, or fear to change a dog’s behavior. Not because it’s trendy – because the science is clear. Dogs learn faster, retain more, and are happier when training is built on trust and reward.

Our methods draw from the work of Grisha Stewart, whose BAT (Behavior Adjustment Training) protocol is one of the most effective approaches to reactivity and fear-based behavior available today, and the Animal Training Academy, a globally recognized hub for science-based animal training education.

We work with dogs of all breeds, ages, and backgrounds. If your dog has been “failed” by training before, we’d love to meet them.

Training Rates at a Glance

Comparable Board & Train programs in the NYC/Westchester area start at $1,499–$4,000+ per week. Contact us for a custom quote based on your dog’s needs and program length.

Discounts available for first responders and military service personnel. Contact us for details.

Ready to Get Started?

All new training clients begin with a Meet & Greet so we can get to know your dog, understand your goals, and make sure we’re the right fit. It takes about 30 minutes and sets the stage for everything that follows.

Book a Training Session

Have a question first? Contact us – we’re happy to talk through what your dog needs before you commit to anything.