About Catskill Mountain Canine

Catskill Mountain Canine LLC is based in Saugerties and works across Saugerties, Kingston, Woodstock and the surrounding Catskills and Hudson Valley. It has been going since 2017, and the owner, Cipriana Costello, is straightforward about the route in: a degree in entrepreneurial studies from Rider University in 2017, then work as a veterinary assistant at a Saugerties practice, pet sitting and boarding on the side, and the better part of two years interning and volunteering with a local trainer handling Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherds and German Shepherds. She holds a Certified Professional Trainer accreditation through the PADT and describes an ongoing mentorship under Jonas Black in behavior modification.

What is on offer

Two training tracks, offered in four formats. Basic Obedience Training covers foundational skills – the site names leash walking and crate training – and is available as private lessons, board and train, day training or group classes. Behavior Modification addresses "reactivity, fear, anxiety, and other behavior challenges using structured, humane behavior modification programs," and the site says plainly that it is "individualized and developed through a thoughtful intake process to ensure safety, clarity, and realistic expectations." Group classes are pitched as guided instruction at a lower rate than one-to-one, with small class sizes and homework between sessions. There is also a Custom Canine Matchmaking service: guidance on choosing the right age and breed for a household, from a shelter or a reputable breeder, which is a genuinely unusual thing to sell and a sensible one.

The rest of the business

Alongside training it runs private in-home dog boarding, drop-in visits and walks, and – the one that will make a reader smile – a pet wedding attendant service. The boarding is deliberately small: "an intimate, small scale boarding/daycare for dogs and cats offering a calmer and more hands-on experience than traditional facilities while still maintaining the safety and cleaning protocols of high volume facilities."

Approach

The philosophy section is about interpretation rather than technique: "we've developed a keen ability to interpret canine communication and body language, work through challenging behaviors such as dog and human reactivity, and teach handlers the most effective ways to build a solid foundation of obedience and trust with their dogs." The quotation the site chooses to display – "Good dog training is undramatic" – is Michael Ellis's.

Who it suits

Households who want one person to handle both the manners and the harder stuff, and who want to choose the format rather than be sold one. Best for: obedience, behavior modification for reactivity and fear, board and train, and choosing the right dog in the first place.