- About us
OUR FOUNDER, MARTIN, LEARNED THIS THE HARDEST WAY IMAGINABLE.
IN 2014, HIS BELOVED COMPANION ACE WAS KILLED IN A HIT AND RUN. FOR YEARS, HE BLAMED THE DRIVER. BUT AS TIME PASSED, HE REALIZED THE MAN IN THE MIRROR WAS SOLELY AT FAULT. IT WAS MARTIN WHO DIDN'T PRIORITIZE TRAINING. IT WAS MARTIN WHO UNCLIPPED THE LEASH BEFORE THAT TRUST HAD BEEN BUILT. IT WAS MARTIN'S DECISIONS THAT COST ACE HER YOUNG LIFE.
DOGGIE DOJO WAS BORN TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE, SHIELDING/PREPARING/INTERCEPTING AS MANY "MARTINS" & "ACES" FROM ENDURING SUCH TRAGEDY.
AT DOGGIE DOJO, WE AIM TO MAKE TRAINING PRACTICAL, ENJOYABLE AND REWARDING.
NO MATTER WHAT STAGE YOU'RE AT—WE MAKE TRAINING THE MOST GRATIFYING DAILY COMMITMENT YOU'LL EVER MAKE.
DOGGIE DOJO WAS BUILT BY AND FOR THOSE WHO BELEIVE GROWTH IS ATTAINABLE.
WHAT DRIVES US?
HELPING AS MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THE FULLEST, LONGEST AND HIGHEST HARMOMY PAWSIBLE WITH THIER COMPANIONS. ALL THAT WE DO AT DOGGIE DOJO FLOWS FROM OUR LOVE OF THE BONDS FORGED BETWEEN HUMANS AND CANINES.
THROUGH DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES OF CLASSICAL CONDITIONING AND OPERANT LEARNING, COUPLED WITH PATIENCE AND PAWSISTENCE, WE CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF OUR COMPANIONS THROUGH HUMANE TRAINING.
WE DONT HAVE TO BE DOMINANT, WE DONT HAVE TO YELL, WE DONT HAVE TO FIGHT FOR CONTROL.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF YOUR DREAMS IS WITHIN REACH—LET US GUIDE YOU TO IT.
IF YOU WANT THE BEST TRAINED DOG, WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED. IF YOU RESPECT YOUR COMPANION AS A BEING WITH FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS, WE CAN TEACH YOU HOW TO READ THEM AND RESPOND. AND ABOVE ALL- IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE ENDLESS JOYS OF A CANINE COMPANIONSHIP, LOOK NO FURTHER. THE DOJO IS WHERE YOU BOTH BELONG.
*AS A MEMBER OF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINERS(APDT) WE ABIDE BY LIMA(LEAST INTRUSIVE, MINIMALLY ADVERSIVE)
After graduating, Martin took a dog training apprenticeship at Unleashed by Petco. For the past eight years, he has trained dogs every day. His students have varied in age, breed, and temperament. He has learned to tailor the scientific principles of classical conditioning and operant learning to each individual dog, respecting their uniqueness and improving both their strengths and weaknesses.
He was hesitant at first, but he's so glad he said yes. Phoenix has been with him through thick and thin. She's been patient as he has grown into a better and better trainer. Over the past six years, they've learned to truly enjoy their time and interactions. Martin is so grateful to have Phoenix in his life. She's brought him so much joy and companionship. He can't imagine life without her.
When Martin was asked if he would take her in, he wasn't sure he was ready for the responsibility of two personal dogs and caring for all the other pups that come through the dojo. He was worried about the effort it would take, but he couldn't shake the feeling that under all the challenges, there was a perfect dog waiting to be nurtured.
He knew it would be difficult, but he was determined to make it work.
One year later, Magnet is thriving. Martin and Magnet have worked hard to manage her reactivity, and she is making great progress. She is still a work in progress, but she is a beloved member of the dojo family.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, I've had a lifelong admiration for our animal friends. After attending Eastern Michigan University and spending many years in the retail world, I moved to Brooklyn in pursuit of change. That's where my dog journey began.
Over the last six years, I've walked many pups in the NYC area. I've created strong bonds with each of them and learned so much in the process. There's no better feeling than earning the trust of a new pup, or teaching doggie parents the tools needed to have the best relationship possible with their furry pals!