My Pet’s Teacher
not yet ranked in New Hope and not yet ranked in Pennsylvania
Service area: Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware Counties, Philadelphia, and parts of New Jersey.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Therapy Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Separation Anxiety
- Potty Training
- Fearfulness
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- In-Home
- Private Facility
- Video Calls
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
- Senior (8+ years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Head Halters
My Pet’s Teacher offers a variety of classes including Manners Classes (Puppy Kindergarten, Pet Dog Manners I/II, Canine Good Citizen Prep, Therapy Dog Prep, Pandemic Problem Prevention), Fun With Your Dog classes (Tricks, A Paw Below Picasso), Workshops (Leash Walking Wonders, Reliable Recall, Crate Skills Workshop, Adolescent Dog Survival Workshop), and Specialty Classes (Bully Breed Basics, Canine Confidence Class, Copy Dog, Finding Focus).
They also provide behavior consultations, which can be conducted in-home, in-office (at Rockledge Veterinary Clinic), or virtually via video and phone. These consultations offer one-on-one discussion and instruction on modifying behavior and managing the environment, focusing on issues like separation anxiety, aggressions, fears, phobias, and inappropriate house soiling or marking. They also assist with finding compatible matches for new family members.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Behavior consults offer packaging options to fit clients’ budgets. My Pet’s Teacher provides a 50% discount to animals currently registered in the rescue system who need an evaluation or behavior modification and training. They also offer a 10% discount to owners who have adopted from a shelter or rescue within 4 months prior to class registration. The Pre-Adoption Training Commitment is priced at $195.00, which does not include a travel fee if private in-home training is necessary.
Testimonials
“My dog (Billy Yank) and I just finished our last training session with Dana. I just wanted to email to let you all know how wonderful she’s been to work with. She is so patient and easy to talk to, and her training tips are gold! I can see the advice she has been giving us work, slowly but surely. Billy is still a young dog, and I’m sure we’ll have a few setbacks along the way- if and when we do I’ll be contacting you for more training sessions with Dana!Thanks again from Billy and me,Rachel.”
– Rachel
“In April 2020, I adopted Lulu, a Jack Russell-Beagle mix estimated to be about 8 years old, from a local rescue group. As a rescue, little was known about Lulu’s background or how she would react to joining a household that had 6 cats ranging from 3 years to 16 years. My cats were used to dogs. I was prepared for a period of adjustment, but not the chaos and pandemonium that ensued when Lulu came home. Lulu immediately began chasing, barking and snapping at the cats, clearly trying to attack them the way a Jack Russell terrier would go after small mammals. After two weeks, I had doubts that I would be able keep Lulu if she continued to show aggression toward my cats. Wags Rescue, from whom I had adopted Lulu, suggested that I contact My Pet’s Teacher for assistance, which I promptly did. Lisa was wonderful. Due to the pandemic, Lisa and I had several virtual consultations. At our first meeting, Lisa had me turn on the camera so she could observe Lulu’s behavior in the presence of my cats. We had several virtual consultations where Lisa provided advice and guidance on how to reduce Lulu’s reactivity to my cats using a clicker and “high-value” treats. With patience, perseverance and a lot of love, it did not take Lulu long to become calmer around the cats and lose all interest in chasing them. After about three months, I had no concerns about leaving Lulu alone in the house with the cats. She has accepted them, and they have accepted her. In fact, Lulu and my cat, Milo, appear to have developed a special bond. The two of them are quite a pair. Thank you, Lisa, for facilitating this happy beginning!”
– N/A
“Betty, our 6 month-old English Goldendoodle has been well-trained by My Pet’s Teacher.First, Lisa Berkenstock visited our home for the initial assessment and training. Then Krista Davis came to our home for four sessions of personal one-on-one training of Betty as well as of Mary Lou and I! We then moved on to Kindergarten and social training with other puppies and their owners at Colmar Vet taught be Julie McLaughlin. These classes were excellent; Lisa, Krista and Julie can really communicate with Betty. Betty loved all her sessions and so did Mary Lou and I.Today, we took Betty to an assisted-living facility to visit Mary Lou’s mom. We were amazed at how well Betty was behaved and socialized not only with Mom, but also all of her friends. Everyone was all smiles during Betty’s visit!Thank you Lisa, Krista and Julie. We will be back for some Post-Grad Classes. Keep up the good work!”
– Jim and Mary Lou
About the Trainer
My Pet’s Teacher is a dog and cat training and behavior modification service dedicated to enhancing the bond between people and their pets. They serve Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania, as well as parts of New Jersey. Their approach emphasizes pet-friendly methods that are scientifically proven to change behavior.
They offer a diverse range of classes scheduled throughout days, nights, and weekends for client convenience, alongside behavior consultations available both in-home and in-office. Virtual consultations via video and phone are also provided. Their trainers are highly skilled and educated in the most current training methods, committed to delivering top-notch care rooted in scientific principles.
My Pet’s Teacher aims to educate and improve the human-animal bond, providing clients with the expertise expected from animal professionals and the compassion deserved from animal lovers. They are rescue-friendly, offering significant discounts to animals currently in the rescue system and to owners who have recently adopted from a shelter or rescue.
Accomplishments
Lisa Berkenstock, owner of My Pet’s Teacher, is an animal professional with over 30 years of experience. She holds a BS in biology from Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture, is a licensed veterinary technician (CVT), and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). She has completed courses at Purdue University in animal behavior problem diagnosis and treatment, and behavior modification techniques. Lisa has worked as a humane educator for the PSPCA and at the Philadelphia Zoo, is affiliated with the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians (SVBT) as a state representative, and is an adjunct professor at Manor College teaching a “Breeds and Behavior” class.
Dana Ebbecke is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA). She holds a BA in psychological and social sciences from Penn State University, is a master’s candidate in psychology with a concentration in animal behavior at Hunter College, and has a certificate in applied behavior analysis from Arcadia University.
Krista Davis is a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). Laura Sestito is a Certified Vet Tech (CVT) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), and a Level 1 graduate of Pat Miller’s “Peaceable Paws” dog training program. Beth Ann Rodgers is a Certified Dog Trainer (CCDT) and a certified tester/observer for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
How to Get Started!
To begin, clients can complete an introductory questionnaire for their pet, available for both canine and feline consultations. After submission, the team will review it and contact the client. For group classes, clients can view the current schedule and register online, and the class instructor will then get in touch. In-home consultations are also available for those eager to start immediately.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Certifications
- CBCC-KA
- CPDT-KA
- Credentialed
Associations
- APDT
- PPG
- Accredited
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Pet trainer