New Skete Dog Training
Dog Training for all Breeds of Dogs
- help correct nuisance behaviors
- deepen the bond between you and your dog
- ensure your dog's safety and happiness
- nurture a good canine companion
Our Training Program
A 2.5 week course in AKC (American Kennel Club) type obedience, incorporating the values of our monastic environment.
Our technique and philosophy
Our aim is to make it possible for owners to include their dogs fully in their lives, to help them realize the dream of what such a relationship can be.
We teach your dog the Heel/Let’s go, Sit, Wait/Stay, Place, Come, Down and Down-Stay on and off leash, and help you with any behavioral difficulties you have mentioned to us. Our method, described at length in our books, "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend," "The Art of Raising a Puppy," “Divine Canine,” and "Let Dogs Be Dogs," employs a philosophy of praise, fairness, and discipline, set against a background of patience, repetition, and dedication.
In addition, over the years, we have had great success integrating remote collars into our training program. These collars use very low-level electrical impulses (usually lower than a human can feel in their own hand) in conjunction with commands to reinforce understanding and bring your dog to on and off-leash reliability, while adjusting unwanted behavior in less time and with much less stress than ever before.
Our Training
Here at New Skete we offer a course in AKC (American Kennel Club) type obedience, incorporating the values of our monastic environment with the teaching of standard exercises both on and off leash. We also help owners with behavioral difficulties they may mention to us. (Please note that some behavioral issues may require a longer or different program than offered at New Skete.)
The course runs 2.5 weeks, and includes:
• Boarding
• Exercise and care
• Daily training
• Remote collar and any other training collar used with your dog
• Final interview with demo and private hands-on training with owner
• Training report for continued education at home
* Access to video library
Our training comes with support for the life of your dog.
The program includes follow up to insure your happiness and success.
We are always available to help dogs that have completed our training.
The cost for training is $3,495.00 + NYS sales tax. If you are interested in enrolling your dog in the program, please complete the webform. We need to have your application electronically on record in order to keep track of your dog's place on our waiting list.
1 Week Refresher Training
This program is for dogs that have completed the 2.5 weeks program.
We understand that sometimes life gets hectic and situations can arise that may cause training to sink on our lists of priorities. It is easy to get side-tracked.
This one-week program refreshes your dog’s training, building on the foundation from the first board and train.
$1,295 + NYS sales tax.
The Training Team
Brother Christopher - Director of Training
Brother Christopher has over 40 years experience as a dog trainer. He is the primary author of the dog training books written by the monks. Brother Christopher is a Hall of Fame member of the International Association of Canine Professionals.
Tom, CDT - Senior Trainer
Tom has worked at New Skete Dog Training for over nine years. Tom attended a workshop hosted at New Skete, and then became an apprentice under Brother Christopher's tutelage. Tom holds a degree in psychology, but his passion for helping dogs and their owners led him to becoming a dog trainer. Tom recently acquired his Certified Dog Trainer accreditation from the International Association of Canine Professionals.
Sarah - Dog Trainer
Sarah is a graduate of the Canine Training and Management Program from SUNY Cobleskill. She has been a member of the training team at New Skete for over two years now. Sarah is also a pet photographer.
Click here to see "The Faces of New Skete Dog Training" photos by Sarah.
Brennan - Dog Trainer/Monastic Candidate
Brennan recently joined the monastery on his monastic journey. His love of dogs and thoughtful approach to training makes him a wonderful addition to the training team.
Brooke - Dog Trainer
Brooke's background in doggy daycare, dog handling, and dog health and wellness make her a great addition to the program. Brooke has been with the team for over a year now, and under Brother Christopher and Tom's mentoring, has excelled at dog training.
Josh - AM Kennel Attendant
Josh has been part of the New Skete Training team for over nine years. Josh wears multiple hats for the monastery. After tending to the dogs in the training program he handles all maintenance projects for the monks and is also their cook.
Ida - Training Coordinator/Assistant
Ida has been employed by New Skete Monasteries as their Director of Marketing and Communications for over 12 years. Shortly after beginning her employment with New Skete she was asked to assist the training team with coordinating the training schedule and working with the clients.
Client Feedback
Dear Brother Christopher,
Susa has been a joy to have at home. We train every day and she seems to love the exercises. As you can see from the picture, she has become quite enthusiastic about coming when called (and all her other exercises). Thanks again for your wonderful work with her.
Best Wishes
Anne & Nelson
Couldn't resist our snapping these pictures!
Our 4 & 3/4 year old (as she says) granddaughter loves Greta and had her sit and heel today. We thought they both did very well, and thought we would share it with you.
This was spur of the moment and without "tools." We just received the new charger, and will be using it as soon as it is revved up.
Mary
Dog Training Workshops and Seminars
E-Collar Workshop with the Monks of New Skete and Marc Goldberg
Based upon their highly rated book, The Art of Training Your Dog: How to Gently Teach Good Behavior Using an E-Collar, this workshop is appropriate for beginner and experienced e-collar users.
Perfect for anyone that would like to learn the unique and detailed method taught in the book with all the authors' professional shortcuts to move things along quicker.
Work with a New Skete dog, bring your own dog, or participate without handling a dog.
When: September 20 to 24, 2022
Where: Monks of New Skete, Cambridge, NY