About Grateful Pups

Grateful Pups Training is run by Lisa Bonk out of Woodstock, and it serves the Hudson Valley, the Tristate area and the Capital Region – the site names Woodstock, Kingston, Saugerties, New Paltz, Albany, Manhattan and Brooklyn. What it is selling is real-world exposure rather than drill: "We put dogs in situations they would face at home such as contractors fixing the home, guests coming for dinner, going into a store or restaurant, walking calmly through a farmer's market with lots of other dogs. Placing your dog in these situations and teaching them how to behave makes the situation familiar when they come home. We can do all of this, because we train in a home environment, not a training facility."

Who it is for

The front of the site is aimed squarely at the harder cases: "we specialize in helping anxious, reactive, and behaviorally challenged dogs become calmer, more confident companions" and "Whether you're dealing with fear, aggression, or simply poor manners, we're here to guide you." The house view on treats is stated rather than implied – that a treat given at the wrong moment can reinforce fear or anxiety, and that training has to hold up when something more interesting is in the room.

What is on offer, and what it costs

The program list is priced in full. Board & Train is the flagship: "Board and Train in home programs are 7 days a week, where the dog lives with me in my home," in two, three, four and five week versions, including three go-home sessions with the owners, at $950 a week. On Leash Obedience is $699 for five lessons covering manners, food and space claiming, sit, down and an introduction to place – "Training is done at Grateful Pups or can be done in owner's home for an additional fee." An Overnight Refresher, for dogs who have already been through day training or board and train, is $175 per night with a three-night minimum. And there is an Out of Towners option: a two-day dog-friendly getaway in the Hudson Valley to meet the trainer and see the approach, at $500 for the weekend. Every program starts with a free evaluation.

Equipment, stated up front

The site does not hide its tools, and a reader should weigh this deliberately: every program includes a leash and safety clip – "Slip, Herm Sprenger prong, or Transitional – depending on your dog" – and the pricing explicitly excludes an e-collar, which is quoted at $165 to $265. The FAQ answers "Are prong collars mean?" and "Why do you use e-collars?" directly. Owners who want a force-free practice have other options in this county; owners who want a balanced one will find the position here unusually clearly stated.

Who it suits

Households whose dog cannot cope with normal life and who want a residential program in a house rather than a kennel, and who are comfortable with balanced methods. Best for: board and train, reactivity and anxiety, real-world manners and on-leash obedience.