About Good Dog!

Good Dog! is Jackie Savage's business on East 87th Street, serving the Upper East Side. It is an insured LLC run by one person, and she describes herself as a long-term resident of the neighborhood she works.

The idea

The pitch is a specific one rather than a general offer: she does more than walk the dog, she trains basic obedience skills during the walk. The reasoning she gives is that a large share of behavior problems come down to too little exercise and mental stimulation, which makes the walk the natural place to work. Play — catch, tug — is built in.

Prices

Published openly, which is rare in this market. A one-hour walk and training session is $40, dropping to $35 an hour in a five-session package at $175 that expires after a month. In-home overnight pet sitting from 9pm to 9am, including two short walks, meals and medication if needed, is $60; multi-day in-home care is $100 per 24 hours.

Cases she publishes

Leash reactivity toward other dogs is the case that recurs, including one puppy who had been refused training by a large retail pet store, and a dog with a history of anxiety and fear of strangers.

Credential

Her own page says she earned the certification of Canine Behaviorist and Trainer.

Availability

Evenings and weekends with proper notice.