Amanda Gagnon Dog Training

What Amanda Gagnon Dog Training does

Amanda Gagnon Dog Training (AGDT) is a privately held, founder-owned dog training and behavior modification service business operating in Manhattan since 2009 from its flagship location at 76 West 85th Street. The company delivers reward-based, science-backed training across multiple formats: instructor-led group classes at five Manhattan venues (West 85th, West 72nd, West 97th, West 54th, Central Park), one-on-one in-home private sessions throughout Manhattan, full-day Day School and Puppy Day School programs, specialized behavior modification for anxious, reactive, or aggressive dogs, tandem Veterinary + Behavior Consultations with partner veterinarians, and a hands-on Apprenticeship Program for aspiring trainers. The team comprises approximately 15 members led by founder Amanda Gagnon (MS in Anthrozoology, CDBC, CCPDT) and includes multiple credentialed directors and certified trainers with extensive NYC shelter and rescue backgrounds.

AGDT operates a multi-stream service revenue model with predominantly unit-priced packages and limited recurring revenue (the Happy Pants NYC playgroup subscription). Pricing sits at the premium end of the NYC pet-services market: private training at $255 per 60-minute session with bundled 2/4/8-session packages ($480/$945/$1,850), behavior modification at $325/session, Day School at $145/day or $1,250 for a 10-pack, veterinary consultations at $450, and apprenticeship tiers at $1,800-$3,500. Go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer, anchored by free weekly virtual Q&A sessions, a Substack content hub (Field Notes on Dogs), media appearances on major networks, and referral partnerships with veterinarians, shelters (including Animal Care Centers of NYC and Muddy Paws Rescue), and dog-care professionals. Booking runs through the Pike13 scheduling platform.

The company has logged 15+ years of continuous operation on the Upper West Side, maintains formal partnerships with a NYC vet (Nearfield Vet) and a dog-walking operator (Happy Pants NYC), and has launched three new streams over 2024-2026: the playgroup affiliate, Veterinary + Behavior Consultations, and the modular Apprenticeship Program. AGDT has no disclosed institutional funding, no parent company, and currently operates exclusively within Manhattan.

Name

Amanda Gagnon Dog Training

Legal name

Amanda Gagnon Dog Training INC.

Website

https://amandagagnondogtraining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Amanda Gagnon Dog Training is a privately held Manhattan-based dog training service operating since 2009, delivering group classes, in-home private training, day school, behavior modification, veterinary behavior consultations, and a hands-on apprenticeship program serving Upper West Side pet owners, veterinarians, shelters, and rescues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dog Training Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Training-Integrated Dog Daycare (Day Training) (HSANAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Full-Day Dog Daycare (HSANAFAA), Enrichment-Focused Dog Daycare (HSANAFAF), Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI)

Keywords

• Dog training services
• Puppy training classes
• Behavior modification
• Private dog training
• Canine day school

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Group Classes: Group dog training classes offered at five Manhattan locations (West 85th, West 72nd, West 97th, West 54th, and Central Park). Classes include Puppy Kindergarten, Puppy Level 2, Basic Manners, Basic Manners Level 2, Dog Sports (Trick Dog, Agility, Nosework, Rally), Reactive Dog Training, and specialty workshops. Free Puppy Socials at West 97th.
2. Private Training: One-on-one training conducted in the client's home, on their block, or anywhere in Manhattan. Initial consultation is virtual (30 min, $115). Follow-up sessions are 60 minutes at $255. Packages available at 2-session ($480), 4-session ($945), and 8-session ($1,850) rates.
3. Behavior Modification Private Training: Specialized one-on-one behavior modification led by Melissa Arbitman for anxious, reactive, aggressive, or fearful dogs. Initial consultation virtual (30 min, $115). In-person sessions (60 min) at $325. Packages at 2-session ($625), 4-session ($1,220), and 8-session ($2,400).
4. Day School: Full-day dog training program (9am-11:45am or 2pm-4:45pm) combining group training walks with play-based enrichment. Single day $145; 10-pack $1,250. Drop-off and pick-up logistics services available. Puppy Day School (ages 10 weeks to 4.5 months) also offered.
5. Packages and Add-Ons: Holistic Group Class Package: 2 private sessions + 4 day schools + 3 socials for $985. Hand Us The Leash (day training): 8-pack $1,885 (includes 2 transfer sessions), 12-pack $2,830 (includes 3 transfer sessions). Rescue discounts available.
6. Playgroup Affiliate: Weekday playgroup service (Mon-Fri, 11:45am-2:15pm) run in partnership with Happy Pants NYC dog walking company. Dogs must be graduates of AGDT courses. Pricing from $65-$85 per outing depending on frequency subscription (2-5 days/week).
7. Certified Trainer Dog Walks: 30-minute training walks with a certified trainer who reinforces desired behavior and provides behavior modification. Designed as a supplement to other training services.
8. Apprenticeship Program: Modular in-person apprenticeship for aspiring dog trainers. Tier 1 Foundations Basics: 8 weeks, $1,800 ($1,600 upfront). Tier 2 Foundations Applied: 12 weeks, $2,400 ($2,200 upfront). Bundle Tiers 1 & 2 together: $3,500 upfront.
9. Veterinary Behavior Consultation: In-person tandem consultation with Dr. Matt Miller (Nearfield Vet) and Melissa Arbitman (certified behavior consultant) at AGDT's Upper West Side facility. Single session $450. Addresses behavioral issues with potential medical components, including medication consultation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Amanda Gagnon Dog Training is a service-based dog training business delivering in-person group classes, private in-home training, full-day Day School programs, behavior modification for anxious/reactive dogs, joint veterinary behavior consultations, and a hands-on apprenticeship for aspiring trainers across Manhattan's Upper West Side. The company employs reward-based, science-backed positive reinforcement methods across all services.

Product overview

Amanda Gagnon Dog Training is a service-based dog training business operating as a unified platform offering multiple interconnected training services from its flagship location at 76 West 85th Street, Manhattan. The core offerings include Group Classes (Basic Manners, Puppy Kindergarten, dog sports, and specialty workshops) and Private Training for in-home or on-location sessions. The product suite expands with Day School and Puppy Day School for supervised training programs, Behavior Modification for anxious/reactive dogs, and Veterinary + Behavior Consultations for cases with medical components. The company also offers an Apprenticeship Program for aspiring dog trainers, educational services for shelters/rescues and veterinary professionals, and Summer Camp as a seasonal offering. Booking is facilitated through Pike13, with content distributed via Substack and Vimeo. The products function as both standalone services and complementary packages (e.g., Holistic Group Class Package bundling private sessions, day schools, and socials with group classes).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Group Classes Instructor-led dog training classes held at multiple Manhattan locations covering basic manners, puppy training, dog sports (agility, nosework, rally, tricks), and specialty courses such as reactive dog training. Audience is Manhattan dog owners seeking community-based group instruction.
• Private Training One-on-one dog training conducted in the client's home, on their block, or anywhere in Manhattan. Covers basic manners, leash problems, barking, jumping, and family training for busy households.
• Day School Full-day dog training program combining mentally enriching group training walks with play-based training in the facility playroom for dogs aged 5 months through adulthood. Sessions run 9am-11:45am or 2pm-4:45pm.
• Puppy Day School Play-based day training for puppies between 10 weeks and 4.5 months, focusing on resilience, socialization, and preventive behavior training.
• Behavior Modification Private Training Specialized training led by Melissa Arbitman for dogs with anxiety, fear, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, or biting issues. Initial consultation is virtual ($115), followed by in-person 60-minute sessions ($325).
• Veterinary + Behavior Consultations In-person tandem consultations with Dr. Matt Miller (Nearfield Vet) and Melissa Arbitman (certified behavior consultant) addressing behavioral issues with potential medical components. $450 per session.
• Apprenticeship Program Hands-on modular training program for aspiring dog trainers with Tier 1 (Foundations Basics - 8 weeks, $1,800) and Tier 2 (Foundations Applied - 12 weeks, $2,400), with advanced tiers covering group training, rescues/shelters, private training, and urban aggression/anxiety.
• Playgroup (Affiliate with Happy Pants NYC) Weekday daily adventure service for friendly dogs aged 10 months to 10 years combining pickup, neighborhood walks, off-leash play at AGDT facility, and dropoff, operated in partnership with Happy Pants NYC.
• Summer Camp at AGDT Flexible drop-in training camps held outdoors in Central Park and at the West 85th facility during summer months, covering agility, leash training, recall, tricks, and other skills.
• Certified Trainer Dog Walks 30-minute training walks where a trainer works with the dog on leash-related issues including pulling, reactivity, and ground grazing, designed as a supplement to other training services.
• Hand Us The Leash (Day Training Package) Package training where trainers work with the client's dog when they are absent, including transfer sessions to teach the owner the learned skills. Available as 8-pack ($1,885) or 12-pack ($2,830).
• Shelter & Rescue Training Free decompression workshop for rescue groups and new adopters, plus partnerships with rescues for behavioral wellness support and discounts to new adopters.
• Resources for Veterinarians Veterinary collaboration services including Vet Talks, client events, ongoing collaboration, discounts, and educational materials for veterinary offices and their patients.
• Dogcare Staff Training Continuing education opportunities for dogcare facilities and dog-walkers offered as part of the Dog Pros professional services portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15+ years of continuous operation on the Upper West Side since 2009
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Happy Pants NYCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAGDT partnered with Happy Pants NYC to launch a weekday playgroup service (Mon-Fri, 11:45am-2:15pm) for graduates of AGDT courses. Happy Pants handles pickups, walks, and supervised play sessions using AGDT's training methods and protocols. Happy Pants is trusted by local veterinarians and the Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animals, and has been recommended by AGDT clients for 16 years.
• Nearfield Vet / Dr. Matt MillercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGDT partners with Nearfield Vet and Dr. Matt Miller to offer in-person tandem Veterinary + Behavior Consultations at AGDT's Upper West Side facility. Dr. Miller is a small animal veterinarian with deep expertise in the intersection of physical health and behavior. The consultation brings together veterinary and behavioral expertise for dogs with complex behavioral challenges that may have medical components.
• Muddy Paws RescuecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmanda Gagnon is a founding board member of Muddy Paws Rescue. AGDT offers group classes at Muddy Paws Rescue's location (821 9th Avenue) and provides discounts for dogs adopted from the rescue. Muddy Paws organizes adoption events with AGDT participation.
• The Riverside Dog Owner GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmanda Gagnon is the founder of The Riverside Dog Owner Group, a community organization for dog owners in the Riverside Park area of Manhattan's Upper West Side.
• Animal Care Centers of NYCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGDT team members (Melissa Arbitman and Coralys Guzman) have extensive backgrounds at ACC NYC. AGDT provides free decompression workshops and educational resources that can be distributed to ACC NYC fosters and adopters. Rescue discounts are offered for dogs adopted from ACC NYC.
• The Good Dog FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeam member Leanne Singh is part of a visiting team with The Good Dog Foundation, which provides comfort dog/handler certifications. AGDT connects clients to this certification pathway.
• The Good Dog FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoralys Guzman previously worked at the ASPCA as an Integrated Care Assistant. AGDT connects clients to Good Dog Foundation's comfort dog certification program as part of its training ecosystem.
• San Francisco Academy for Dog TrainersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelissa Arbitman graduated with honors from the San Francisco Academy for Dog Trainers, which contributed to her specialized education in learning theory and science-based dog training methodologies that she now brings to AGDT.
• Pets for VetsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeam member Julie V Iovine joined Pets for Vets in 2022, a non-profit matching rescue dogs to Veterans with PTSD. AGDT is connected to this program through its team member's involvement.
• A Fair Shake for YouthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeam member Gail Nord is training as an instructor at A Fair Shake for Youth, a nonprofit bringing therapy dog programs to underserved middle school students in New York City.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bark Busters Home Dog Training: Large national in-home dog training franchise with hundreds of locations. Comparable private, in-home service delivery model to AGDT's Manhattan private training, though methodology is more behavior-focused and brand is national rather than community-rooted.
• Camp Bow Wow: National dog daycare and boarding franchise with training add-ons. Overlaps with AGDT's day school concept but operates as a broader incumbent across pet care services rather than a training-first specialist.
• PetSmart Dog Training: Largest US pet retail chain offering group dog training classes inside stores. Comparable group class offering to AGDT but positioned as a mass-market incumbent with lower price points and no behavior modification or vet consultation specialization.

Others

• ASPCA Behavioral Sciences Team: National animal welfare organization with behavior expertise and training resources. Comparable to AGDT's behavior modification and shelter partnerships — Coralys Guzman previously worked at the ASPCA as an Integrated Care Assistant.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare organization offering shelter and rescue training resources. Comparable to AGDT's Shelter & Rescue Training services and decompression workshops as ecosystem partners in animal welfare education.

Emerging players

• Animal Behavior College: Online/distance dog trainer certification program offering apprenticeships and mentor placements. Comparable to AGDT's apprenticeship as a credentialing pathway but delivered primarily online rather than hands-on.
• Dogtopia: National dog daycare franchise with webcams, structured play, and increasingly training add-ons. Comparable to AGDT's day school in combining supervised daytime care with enrichment, though not NYC-focused and less specialized on training.
• San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers: Premier US dog trainer apprenticeship program where AGDT Director of Behavior Modification Melissa Arbitman graduated. Closest comparable to AGDT's apprenticeship offering as a hands-on career pathway for aspiring professional trainers.

Direct peers

• Zoom Room Dog Training: National dog training franchise with a Manhattan location offering group classes, private training, and dog sports. Directly comparable offering mix to AGDT's group classes and specialty workshops, but operates via franchise model rather than independent operator.
• School for the Dogs: NYC-based positive-reinforcement dog training school offering group classes, private training, and behavior modification across Manhattan. Closest direct competitor to AGDT in geography, methodology, and target customer segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amanda-gagnon-dog-training

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Amanda Gagnon Dog Training