Meet Our Professional Connecticut Dog Trainers

 

Owner/Head Trainer- Tom Porier

Connecticut Dog Trainer Tom Porier is a life-long dog lover and advocate. Growing up, and throughout his life, Tom was always the “go to” guy when friends, neighbors, or people associated with his various dog activities needed help our guidance with dog training issues.

After an extremely successful career in the hospitality industry, Tom decided to combine his love, and intuitive knowledge of dogs, with his customer service experience, as well as his genuine desire to help people and improve their quality of life, and start Camelot Dog Training. Camelot Dog Training, and Connecticut dog trainer, Tom Porier, offers professional, in-home dog training throughout the state.

Tom formalized his dog education and experience by becoming a member of Canine Trade Group. Headed by John Van Olden, an acclaimed dog trainer with over 25-years of professional dog behavior training experience, Canine Trade Group is an exclusive network of experienced, professional dog trainers, dedicated to the highest standards of professional conduct, training knowledge, and customer service.

Canine Trade Group dog trainers, after undergoing an extensive interview and selection process, must complete a comprehensive 360 hour training course, which consists of a curriculum of the study of canine learning and training theory, and three weeks of in-residence, hands-on training in Dover, Delaware, working primarily with rescue dogs, or dogs at risk for surrender because of severe behavioral issues. Canine Trade Group dog trainers also undergo monthly, ongoing training, and they enjoy the benefit of ongoing support.

Whether you just want to get your new puppy started on the right paw, want to make your good dog, great, or you have a dog who has a behavioral concern, including aggression or anxiety issues, Connecticut dog trainer, Tom Porier can help! In all cases, after a comprehensive, in-home, behavior consultation, Tom commits to working with you until all of your training goals are achieved, and beyond.

professional dog trainer

Professional CT/NY Dog Trainer – Mark Peña

Mark Peña, (shown here with his dog Gem), grew up surrounded by dogs, and to this day possesses a natural affinity that keeps dogs gravitating toward him. At a young age Mark was enthralled with his family dogs who were trained by his father to flush out and retrieve fowl during his family’s annual pheasant hunting trips. Mark’s fascination continued as a teenager when he witnessed his brother, Matt, train his beloved fawn Doberman Pincher, Mariah. Mark’s admiration for Mariah’s intelligence, obedience, and devotion to Matt raised his interest in dog training to another level, and he set out to train one of Mariah’s pups to be their grandparent’s companion dog. Not surprisingly, Mark was always a first choice to perform dog sitting duties for family and friends after school and over weekends.

Fast forward to the present, after college and a successful run in the corporate world, Mark has now turned his natural kinship with canines into a labor of love. As a professional dog trainer and behavior specialist, Mark gained his certification through the rigorous study and education offered by renowned dog trainer John Van Olden and the Canine Trade Group. This network of experienced, professional dog trainers is dedicated to the highest standards of conduct, knowledge, training and service, and it’s what sets them apart from other trainers. In addition, Mark solidified his training through the sage tutelage of Tom Porier, CTG member and owner of Camelot Dog Training, who guided Mark and helped him turn that expert knowledge into practical application.

It is with this knowledge and compassion that Mark strives to help families and their dogs find harmony in the home. He does so by teaching balanced, science based training methods that improve both behavior and communication between canines and their humans. Mark offers a full range of training, from fundamental puppy obedience, to resolving behavioral issues such as anxiety and aggression in mature dogs. Taking on any age, and any breed, Mark hasn’t turned away a furry friend yet. When he’s not helping families and their pets, Mark volunteers at the Stamford Animal Care Center.

Backed by the expertise of over 40 other professional dog trainers within the Canine Trade Group, there is no issue too difficult for Mark to tackle. If you’d like to contact him, Mark will be glad to conduct an in-home consultation, and assessment of your dog’s behavior. As a commitment-based trainer, rest assured Mark will work with you and your dog until all of your training goals are fulfilled.

westchester ny dog trainer

Professional Dog Trainer – Patricia Lumpkins

Patricia lives in West Haven with her husband, 3 children, a 7 year old coonhound/pitbull mix named Kya, and a 9 year old American Bully named Ginger. She grew up in rural Virginia with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments. As a young adult, she moved to Buffalo NY where she started her family and got an education in Business Administration and Human Resources. In 2017 she moved to CT to be closer to her extended family and took work as an office coordinator for a large healthcare corporation. There has never been a time in Patricia’s life that she didn’t have at least one canine family member. 

 When the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world, it also changed Patricia’s outlook on life and work. Realizing that her real passion is being with animals, she left her corporate job and began taking clients as a dog walker and pet care provider. She then met renowned dog trainer, Tom Porier, who offered her the opportunity to train under him and utilize that training as a consultant for Camelot Dog Training. It is a dream come true for Patricia to embark on a career that she is passionate about and that helps ensure dogs and their people can happily and healthily live together as forever families. 

westchester ny dog trainer