About All About Dogs

All About Dogs works from 4628 US Route 209 in Accord, out in the Rondout Valley between Kerhonkson and Stone Ridge, and its stated goal is modest and clear: "to help you build a sound, mutually enjoyable relationship with your dog." The owner, Jane Kopelman, is a CPDT-KA with an unusual specialism attached.

What is on offer

The program is built around short, dated camps and single-skill workshops rather than long courses. Camps run over three days – Brushing Up on Basic Manners covers sit and stay, down, recall, leave it, drop it and walking nicely on lead; Building Confidence Through Games uses games to build confidence and give a dog mental stimulation. Then there are recurring single sessions on one skill each: A Really Great Recall on the third Thursday of the month, Walking Nicely on Leash on the first Friday, and Not Yours (Leave It) on the second Saturday. Away from the classroom, "Private in-home behavioral consultation and training is available by appointment," and the staff are described as offering "obedience and agility training, behavior consultation, fun and games and much more."

What it costs

The rates are published, which is worth noting in a county where most are not. The three-day camps are $325 with daily drop-off and $395 with boarding. The monthly single-skill sessions are $55 each. All dogs must have current rabies, distemper/parvo and bordetella vaccines, with a rabies certificate presented before the first class.

Therapy dog work

This is the part that has no equivalent elsewhere in Ulster County. Jane Kopelman "has been doing pet therapy with her own dogs for more than twenty years. She is a certified therapy dog team evaluator for Pet Partners, an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, teaches therapy dog classes here and in New York City, and has evaluated and trained hundreds of therapy dog teams." The site also records that she serves as a consultant for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's therapy dog program and owns the Animals for Adoption shelter.

Who it suits

Rondout Valley households who want a fixed-price short course rather than an open-ended package, owners working on one specific problem, and – distinctly – anyone who wants to get their dog certified for therapy visiting. Best for: manners camps, single-skill workshops, in-home behavior consults and therapy dog preparation.