Personal dog training across Central Connecticut•+1 860 266-5566•7 days a week
Steve Good Dog
860 266-5566Book now
★★★★★  5.0 on Google · 2000+ dogs trained

A calmer dog, trained one-on-one with Steve.

Through personalized, one-on-one training, your dog will learn essential skills with a focus on understanding and trust - not dominance.

Book nowGet in touch
10+
years training
2,000+
dogs trained
5.0★
Google rating
Steve with a trained dog in Connecticut

"Every owner and dog has the potential to be amazing once they understand the art of effective communication."

- Steve, Southington CT

Sound familiar?

If any of these are happening with your dog, they are fixable - usually faster than you think.

Pulling on the leash
Walks feel like a workout you didn't sign up for.
Won't come when called
Recall disappears the moment something more interesting shows up.
Jumping and barking
Guests at the door turn the house into chaos.
Reactive or fearful
Other dogs, strangers, or noises set your dog off.
Tell Steve what's going onRescue dog and not sure where to begin? Start here →
How it works

Three simple steps.

1

Send your details or book

Fill in the form and Steve calls you back between lessons, or book straight in if you already know you want to start.

Fill in the form →
2

First session, training starts

Steve meets your dog, reads what is actually going on, and gets to work in that same visit.

3

You keep the results

You get the coaching and the homework, so progress sticks after Steve leaves.

What we offer

Our services

I offer personalized one-on-one training tailored specifically for you and your dog.

Dog Aggression Training
Dog Potty Training
Private Dog Training
Dog Leash Reactivity Training
Dog Recall Training
Dog Behavioral Correction
Dog Separation Anxiety Training
Service/Therapy Dog Training
Dog Obedience Training
Puppy Training
Steve, in-home dog trainer in Connecticut
My mission

Your pets deserve the best

I'm Steve. I have extensive experience in training service dogs For Marines with PTSD. I have made the choice to bring my expertise to private clients. I have a strong focus on respect when working with both dogs and their owners, implementing obedience training with confidence and addressing behavior problems.

Training a dog may be simple, but ensuring consistency with the owners is the real challenge. This is why I offer an affordable and comprehensive training program to all dog owners.

Client stories

Proof in their own words

Rated
5.0 ★★★★★
Read more Google reviews →

We couldn’t be happier with the training our dog received! From the very first session, it was clear that Steve is knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely cares about both dogs and their owners. Our dog has made tremendous progress in obedience, confidence, and overall behavior. The training methods were easy to follow and produced amazing results. We highly recommend Steve to anyone looking for a skilled and compassionate dog trainer.

Stacey Emmanuel
Google review · June 25, 2026

Steve took our barky little dog Rosie and turned her into a (quiet) star in one lesson! He explained to us what we were inadvertently teaching her and how to turn it around. Last evening I walked her down our street and meeting with a neighbor stood and chatted for almost an hour. Rose did not bark once as people on motorbikes, on foot and in cars passed by. As a matter of fact, she lay down on the grass after a while! Steve, you are our hero!

Diana Colpitts
Google review · May 21, 2026

We didn’t know what to do. We hired Steve for an aggression issue and some basic commands for our small dog who is not food driven. In just 2 sessions we see a huge improvement and we have learned the skills needed to continue her training. Steve is knowledgeable and effective and my husband and I would highly recommend his services.

Pam
Google review · May 5, 2026

We are so thankful we found Steve Good Dog to train us and our rescue dog Itsy. He's helped us to understand how Itsy thinks, and what he needs to live his best life with us. Steve is extremely knowledgeable and clearly loves dogs. His recommendations bring great results. It seems dog training is more of a calling for him, than a job. We strongly recommend Steve with the highest degree of confidence.

Jan Gatzuras
Google review · April 20, 2026

Highly recommended! Forest is a 9-month old, 55 lb muscular rescue pittie and cattle dog mix. Our immediate issues were jumping on people, not allowing space, leash pulling to the point of shoulder injury to me, and coming when called. THEN Steve Good Dog to the rescue. Steve has trained the adults in our household to be the ones the dogs look to for permission. Forest now walks on a loose leash, gets off furniture when told and is learning how to greet visitors (work in progress—actually everything is and requires us to be vigilant with training). Every day training has become our model. Yes, it’s costly but the rewards are worth it to have this professional man teaching us how to turn Forest into a great dog.

Pam Garner
Google review · April 9, 2026

Steve is training us (humans) how our dogs understand commands, body posture, voice tone, and how they need to process what we are asking them to do. Learning these skills is extremely helpful in gaining positive results. Steve makes the learning experience very clear and also rewarding. Highly recommended!

Jennifer Anne
Google review · April 1, 2026
Read more client storiesRead more Google reviews →

Frequently asked questions

If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Your dog will learn the essential skills needed to be a well-mannered companion. We focus on obedience, leash manners, recall, impulse control, and polite behavior in the home and in public. Beyond commands, your dog will learn to listen, respond calmly, and build confidence in everyday situations.
Every dog can benefit from obedience training, but there are some clear signs that your dog really needs it. If your dog pulls on the leash, doesn't come when called, jumps on people, barks excessively, or ignores your commands, that's a strong indication they need structured training. Training isn't just about fixing 'bad' behavior - it's about building communication, strengthening your bond, and helping your dog feel calmer and more confident. Even well-behaved dogs can improve their manners and reliability with training. Think of it like giving your dog the tools to succeed in everyday life.
Yes, I can absolutely help with aggressive behavior. Aggression is usually a symptom of something deeper, like fear, insecurity, lack of boundaries, or past experiences. With the right training plan, structure, and consistency, most dogs can make major improvements. I focus on teaching both the dog and the owner how to understand the triggers, build better communication, and replace unwanted behaviors with calm, controlled responses. Every dog is different, so I create a plan tailored to your dog's needs. With the right approach, aggression can often be managed and greatly reduced.
Private in-home training has many advantages because your dog learns in the environment where they spend most of their time. It allows me to focus 100% on your dog and your goals. Training at home also means we can address real-life issues right where they happen - like jumping at the door, barking at the window, or leash manners in your neighborhood. In addition, you'll get hands-on coaching so you feel confident continuing the training between sessions. This personalized, convenient approach often leads to faster results and a stronger bond between you and your dog.
Every dog is different, so results depend on the dog's age, temperament, and how consistently the training is reinforced at home. Many owners notice improvements within the very first session - like better focus, reduced pulling, or calmer behavior. For lasting results, consistency is key. practice is also very important if you're working with your Dog only once per week, but not reinforcing the skills you learned you won't see the results you expect.
Absolutely - shy and fearful dogs are some of our most rewarding cases. We use specialized confidence-building techniques that respect your dog's emotional boundaries while gradually expanding their comfort zone. Our approach focuses on creating positive associations without flooding or forcing interactions that could worsen the fear. We'll teach you how to read your dog's subtle stress signals and coach you through exercises designed specifically for timid dogs. Many owners are surprised how much their "scaredy dog" can blossom with the right approach. We've helped dozens of shy dogs in Connecticut become more confident companions, from puppies overwhelmed by the world to rescue dogs overcoming past trauma.
Most common areas we serve

Steve comes to you

Professional, one-on-one dog training throughout Central Connecticut, seven days a week.

Not sure if you're in range? Send Steve a message →
SouthingtonWolcottCheshireWallingfordBerlinSouthburyPlainvilleMeridenBristolMiddletownNewingtonWatertownCromwellWoodburyMiddleburyPlantsvilleWest HartfordFarmington

Not sure what your dog needs? Let's figure it out together.

Book online and tell Steve what's happening. He'll tell you what is driving it and how he will fix it.

Book nowGet in touch
1. You describe the behavior
What your dog does, when it happens, and what you have already tried.
2. Steve tells you the cause
An honest read on what is driving it and a solution to fix it.
3. Training starts
Book your first session and training begins that same visit.