Spot-On K9 Training

Training begins with private sessions tailored to the dog’s needs, including behavior modification and off-leash e-collar recall. Sessions are 60 minutes and held in-home, in parks, or at Central Park West locations. After completing a package, clients may join Drop-In Group Classes (March–November) in Central Park West. Follow-up support is available via phone or email. E-collar training includes a final class at 8:15 am. Training emphasizes owner education and consistent practice outside sessions.

Pricing Summary

Training packages must be paid in full online via credit card or PayPal before sessions. No refunds, exchanges, or transfers are offered. Packages expire four months after purchase. Travel fees may apply for non-covered areas. Drop-In Group Classes are available after completing a training package.

Policies

Appointments require 36 hours’ notice for cancellation or rescheduling; otherwise, the full session fee is charged. Paid services expire four months after purchase. Unconfirmed class dates forfeited after five days without response. No refunds, exchanges, or transfers are permitted. Photos/videos of dogs may be used for marketing. Drop-In Group Classes are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Spot-On K9 Training is a dog training business founded in 2018 by Stephen Baum, a licensed and insured NK9 Certified Trainer based in Monroe, CT, serving New York City and parts of Connecticut. They specialize in comprehensive behavior modification and advanced off-leash e-collar training, with a focus on transforming dogs into well-behaved, balanced companions. Their signature approach, Positively Balanced Training®, emphasizes results starting from day one, combining humane methods with practical tools like e-collars for recall and reactivity. They offer in-home, in-park, and neighborhood-based training sessions in Manhattan (Central Park West at 59th and 96th Streets) and Southern/Western Connecticut, including Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties. They also provide Drop-In Group Classes for clients who have completed training packages, held seasonally in Central Park West. Stephen has over 7 years of hands-on experience, including volunteer work with dog rescue organizations and advanced training seminars in aggression and reactivity. Their services are designed for dogs of all ages and sizes, with a strong emphasis on owner education and long-term success.

They offer private training sessions, group classes, and follow-up support via phone or email. Training packages are paid in full upfront via credit card or PayPal, and sessions are 60 minutes long. They do not offer boarding, grooming, walking, or daycare services.

Stephen is committed to customer satisfaction and provides 24/7 email support, with phone responses within 24 hours. Their training philosophy centers on understanding the dog’s behavior, building owner confidence, and creating lasting change through consistent, humane techniques. They have over 160 five-star Google reviews from clients in NYC and Connecticut.

Accomplishments

Stephen Baum is an NK9 Certified Trainer, graduate of the NK-9 Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio. He completed Ted Efthymiadis’s Aggression Mastermind Series (2020), Thomas Davis’s Shadow Programs (2018–2019), and Jeff Gellman’s Reactivity Seminar (2019 & 2022). He is a member of the National K9 Dog Trainers Association and IACP. He has volunteered since 2017 as a trainer for BARC-CT.org, rehabilitating hard-to-place rescue dogs.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must complete an online registration application. Training packages are paid in full online before scheduling. Clients then receive a customized schedule with session times and locations. Initial contact is made via phone or email to confirm details.