Home Dog Training in Westchester, NY

2018 U.S. BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST/TRAINER OF THE YEAR

2018 U.S. OFFICE OF THE YEAR FINALIST

Best Dog Training in Westchester County, Putnam County, and East Bronx

Welcome! I am Nicole Martel, your local Bark Busters dog behavioral therapist and trainer. I work with clients in Greater Westchester County, Putnam County, parts of the Bronx, and Ridgefield and Danbury, CT. 

I have successfully trained hundreds of dogs to be well-behaved companions for their families and have helped dog owners overcome a variety of frustrations - from typical puppy misbehavior (nipping, jumping, and chewing) to incessant barking, leash pulling or reactivity, door charging, to severe cases of adult dog aggression, separation anxiety, and sibling rivalry.

I know I can help you and your dog have a better, more harmonious relationship where you can enjoy each other and have peace in your home (and on walks!).

How Can I Help You?

Building upon my success in 2018 as Bark Busters U.S. Trainer of the Year and 2018 Finalist for U.S. Office of the Year, I have continued to hone my craft and maximize the successful results that I am helping my clients achieve. I adjust and customize my approach and technique to help empower each client to transform their relationship with their dog, and I have continued to earn outstanding reviews from my clients:

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View my recent segment on WTNH Channel 8 News

What Differentiates Bark Busters Home Dog Training Westchester

• I train dog owners not dogs. You don’t have a bad dog. Your dog’s behavior is a function of your relationship with your dog, how your dog perceives you, and how you communicate with each other. Once I teach you to communicate with your dog using body language and voice tones, you will be able to tap into his natural instincts to help your dog feel safe so that he can relax and is not likely to misbehave. You will establish your place in the pack – as the “Top Dog”, and your dog will gladly relinquish control to you, knowing that he can trust you and that you will always keep him safe.

"Ciara was, let’s just say, a bit out of control, thinking she was the boss of our house. She was people aggressive, dog aggressive, garbage truck aggressive, basically everything that came in her path aggressive. Not only did Nicole take the time to explain to us why Ciara felt the need to be a 'protector', but she taught us the beginning skills to help us help Ciara relinquish her power, and finally be able to just be part of our pack instead of having to protect it all the time. We can't wait for our next lesson, and man do we wish we called sooner!” -Danielle M., Scarsdale, NY 

• You will see some immediate results. By the time we finish our first training session, you will have begun to see some remarkable changes in your dog. Reinforcing the techniques 10 – 20 minutes a day will allow your relationship with your dog to continue to grow and transform for the better. The training exercises are quick, easy, and fun, and without needing to have a lot of visits to see results, you will be able to actually start enjoying your dog sooner rather than later.

"We had used a former military person who specialized in dogs with PTSD as well as another dog trainer and neither one of them produced the immediate results that Nicole has in just a few sessions. What I really appreciate about Nicole is that her methods are completely understandable and there is NO physical treatment to the dog.” -Marilyn W., New Rochelle, NY

• I use only humane, dog-friendly methods. When you communicate in your dog’s native language of body language and voice tones, there is no need for treats or clickers.  I can help you train your dog’s brain, rather than its stomach, which makes for long lasting results and a great trusting and respectful relationship with your dog. I also NEVER use harsh or physical methods such as prong collars, shock collars, e-collars, pinning, or alpha rolling, because I want your dog to trust you, never to fear you.

"We had our first visit with Nicole today for about three hours and we have already seen changes in our dogs behavior. The techniques we learned were easy to do and were followed up with praise and love, and they worked.” – Nancy F., Irvington

• Our dog training methods can be applied to any dog, any age, any size, any breed, any issue. Because all dogs speak the same language, our dog training system works for ANY dog, ANY breed, ANY age, ANY issue! Even old dogs CAN learn new tricks. Rescue dogs, shelter dogs, puppies, senior dogs, dogs who are blind or deaf or have other disabilities … I love them all, and I can help them all by tapping into their natural instincts and affinity for environments where leadership and structure help them to feel safe and relaxed.

"Bear is 4.5 months old. He's a good dog, very lovable and super cute which makes it difficult to stay mad at him when he misbehaves. Nicole worked with us for almost 3 hours.  She was so patient and understanding and really took her time explaining to us in great detail until she was certain we were fully understanding everything she was trying to get across.  She's so knowledgeable and gave us such wonderful directions as to whatever concerns we had and how they could be rectified. After we sat and talked it was time to actually start working with Bear and I have to say the results that we saw in such a short period of time took my breath away.” -Lori P., Bronx

“I was most impressed with Nicole's ability to teach my deaf, high energy puppy the same expectations and skills that the other two were learning. Having her own deaf dog has led Nicole to be very knowledgeable about best practices and techniques.”  -Amanda M., White Plains

• Training is one-on-one and provided in the comfort of your own home. With dogs, behavioral issues originate in the home, so it is critical to begin training there, where your dog will be less distracted and more comfortable.  When you and your dog are ready, we can also meet up for work in outside, higher distraction environments such as a busy sidewalk or park with a lot of foot traffic.

"I cannot recommend Nicole Martel highly enough.  We had Nash for almost a year and went through many trainers and were not making any headway.  Then Nicole came in like a little pet detective and spent time with us and really got to the root of what was happening and what needed to be done.  She broke it down very basically so we had a routine we could manage.  And almost best of all, she stayed with us.  When I emailed with updates, she would cheer us on for the good stuff, give us other options for the areas we were still having trouble with.  I will be forever grateful to her for all her help.  She was born for this job!!!!” – Lynne S., South Salem

• Your training comes with a Lifetime Guarantee of Support. My clients have my support for the life of the dog if new issues surface as the dog matures and ages or if old issues resurface.  If the client moves outside of my area, their service transfers (at no additional charge) to the trainer in their new local area, and there are Bark Busters trainers all over to assist them.  I have helped a number of clients who have had training with other trainers 13 or 14 years ago when their dogs were puppies, and now their dogs are aging and facing blindness and/or deafness. They have been so relieved to know that they have the help and coverage to meet their dogs’ changing needs as they age!

"My 14 year old dog, Dustin, was barking and showing signs of age and anxiety in recent months. Somehow I remembered that we'd purchased a Lifetime Guarantee from Bark Busters 14 years ago!!! I contacted them and Nicole got back to me almost immediately and had easy access to my records and confirmed the guarantee!!! What?! That's crazy. Best of all, she said she'd be happy to give me a refresher course and that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! She spent over an hour with Dustin and me. I appreciated her warmth and insights and clear instructions. I'm back in charge of my dog instead of my dog being in charge of me! Thank you, Nicole!” – Ellen F., Dobbs Ferry

As your lifelong partner in dog training, Bark Busters Home Dog Training Westchester will help you address any/all of these and more:

• Canine communication
• Aggression – towards humans, other dogs, or involving food
• Separation anxiety
• Sibling rivalry
• Biting, nipping, mouthing
• Barking
• Rushing the front door
• Jumping 
• Stealing
• Chewing and destruction
• Counter surfing
• Housebreaking
• Multiple dogs in household
• Introducing a new puppy to existing resident dogs
• Introducing a new rescue
• Attention seeking behaviors
• Obsessive compulsive behaviors
• Puppy issues
• Digging
• Leash walking
• Leash reactivity
• Traveling with your dog
• Pool safety
• Preparation for and introduction of a new baby
• Child safety, helping parents teach kids appropriate boundaries around dogs
• Dealing with blindness or deafness and behavioral issues

A Little About Me

I've always loved dogs and been fascinated by how they behave and interact with us. I first became familiar with Sylvia and Danny Wilson’s methods for dog training years ago when I hired a Bark Busters trainer help me with my own dogs. My household had gone through a lot of major changes and stresses in a short period of time, and it was taking its toll on my dogs’ behavior. I will never forget my first lesson, because it changed the course of my life forever. Not only did I witness my own dogs’ behavior transform before my eyes, but seeing firsthand the impact of these amazing methods over the long term inspired me to change my own career path and to become a behavioral therapist and trainer myself. To be able to share my experience and to help other dogs and people change their lives is truly a dream come true and something I am thankful for every day.

I truly believe that our method of training is the best, and it brings me great joy to see how well dogs universally respond to it.  Our methods succeed where others fail, because they enable you to communicate with your dog in a way he actually understands. When you start thinking like a dog, suddenly your dog’s behavior will all make sense, and you’ll understand how to communicate to tell him to stop any unwanted behaviors. And, because you’re going to communicate with him in his language, he’ll understand and respond. One of the best parts of my job is watching owners achieve this communication with their dogs and seeing the looks on their faces when the dog responds and focuses his attention on them for the first time. It can really be a magical moment!  It is so satisfying to see the dogs “get it,” bringing smiles and relief to their humans’ faces and to also know that we have accomplished this together in a way that builds and enhances the loving bond between the dog and owner. That is one of the things that I like best about our techniques.

I'll never forget the first lesson I had with a deaf puppy. The way that dog looked at me at the end of the lesson and the kiss he gave me on my chin will stay with me forever. It truly felt like gratitude, and it left a huge impression on my heart. So many dogs end up in shelters and being euthanized because we, as humans, have failed to understand them and to meet their needs. I see dogs every day who have issues and are either in danger of losing their homes or have just been rescued and need to get their behavior straightened out so that they can fit in to new homes. It is my mission to be able to help owners understand and meet their dog’s needs for appropriate food, shelter, entertainment, and most important of all safety. A dog that feels safe is a happy, relaxed, and well-behaved dog, and I love being able to empower people to provide that critical feeling of safety for their pups. As the owner of 3 dogs, 2 of which are rescues, I have personally experienced the joy of having been able to be the first human to provide them with that.

So, however severe your situation is, please don’t give up on your dog, reach out to me! You’ll be amazed when you see how your dog responds to you right in the first session, and then with practice, you’ll continue to improve and fine-tune your communication, achieving lasting results. And if you ever need help or have a question, remember that with our Lifetime Support Guarantee, you’ll have my support and assistance for the life of the dog anytime you need it.

Call me today, so I can get started helping you and your dog. What I hear most often from my clients: “We wish we had called sooner.” Please don’t hesitate!

Click here to visit my personal website for even more information on my training services.