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About
I got my initial training working with dogs that other people weren't able to train, so they ended up in shelters. I then completed a program to become a certified Integrative Trainer where I studied dog cognition and development, learning theory, and body language. When a dog is giving me a behavior I don’t force it to submit, I ask “why” so I can address the root cause, not just the symptoms. I use a combination of positive reinforcement, counter conditioning, behavior adjustment and understanding of your dog's emotional state. No force, no punishment. I also put a lot of attention on training the owner, not just the dog, so your dog creates a secure attachment to you and you are better able to communicate with each other. I can train a dog to be perfect when it's with me -- your dog needs to be just as good when it's with you, That's why I don't believe in board and train. I work with you in your home to help you develop the right relationship with your dog so he listens to YOU because you're the pet parent and the authority.
Seeing a difficult dog become a great dog, even the first small steps when a dog "gets" a new behavior for the first time is exciting to me. I love it when my clients text me with excitement over seeing progress, usually in just a day or two. Most rewarding, is when I work with a dog who other trainers have labeled a "loaded gun" or hopeless and have recommended the owner get rid of or put down. I have yet to not be able to help a dog like that move past his fears and learn better ways to be in the world. And I love helping puppy parents learn how to meet their needs so they’re not bitey, crazy or afraid to be left alone as they grow.
In addition to doing private training, I am also the training consultant for Lucky Lab Rescue and work with their fosters and adopters on-site and over the phone. I am also a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
I try to keep my services affordable because I want everyone to be able to afford the training they need so that fewer dogs end up in shelters because of problems that can be easily solved with the right training, and so that dogs and humans can be a happy family.
Overview
Hired 1097 times
625 similar jobs done near you
Background checked
1 employee
12 years in business
Business hours
Sun9:00 am - 5:00 pmMon11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, and Venmo.
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2023
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2016
Services offered
Dog training package
Dog size
Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs)
Small (16 - 25 lbs)
Medium (26 - 40 lbs)
Large (41 - 70 lbs)
Dog training type
Private lessons
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Great 4.8
498 reviews
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91%
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Read reviews that mention:
Pilar C.
Jul 16, 2026
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Hired on Thumbtack
Rona has been an absolute gift throughout Sterling's puppyhood. We initially worked together every week, then every other week, and now check in occasionally as needed. She was instrumental in helping us get off on the right foot and building the foundation for the well-mannered, happy puppy Sterling is today.
From learning his name and basic positions to working through doorbell reactivity and other puppy challenges, Rona approached everything with patience, expertise, and genuine care. Sterling absolutely adored her (which always made training days his favorite!), and it was clear how much she cared about him, too.
What I appreciate most about Rona is that her support extends far beyond our scheduled sessions. She always makes herself available to answer questions and offer thoughtful guidance. Even now that we don't train regularly, her advice and counsel on things like inconsistent appetite, nutrition, and normal puppy development have been invaluable.
She doesn't just teach commands, she helps you understand your dog and gives you the tools and confidence to navigate puppyhood. I couldn't recommend her more highly and am so grateful she has been part of Sterling's journey.
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • House training • Crate training • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Christina P.
Feb 5, 2026
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Hired on Thumbtack
We had an incredible experience working with Rona. From our very first interaction, she was responsive, curious, and genuinely thoughtful, making the decision to choose Good DogTraining an easy one. Over the course of several sessions, we learned far more than we ever expected.
We brought Rona on to help train our pup, Neumann, who is a bit older and had been challenging for us to train due to our lack of experience and knowledge. He was also showing reactive behaviors that were beginning to escalate into minor aggression. Rona approached these challenges with expertise and a clear plan.
Her sessions were highly informative and truly collaborative. Rona is a hands-on trainer who focuses not only on training the dog, but on educating and training the owners as well (which we very much needed). Thanks to her guidance, we now have a happy, well-behaved pup and, just as importantly, a much deeper understanding of how to communicate with him effectively.
Beyond training, Rona went above and beyond by educating us on the ingredients in Neumann’s food and helped us understand what he truly needed nutritionally. Changing his diet genuinely changed his life, and we’re incredibly grateful to Rona for opening our eyes to that.
We cannot recommend her highly enough.
Details: 6 - 12 months old • Extra large (70+ lbs) • Private lessons • Aggressive behavior modification • Leash pulling • Barking • Biting • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Wendy W.
Mar 2, 2026
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Hired on Thumbtack
Rona truly is the dog whisperer! In the first session she gave us tools that saw results immediately! She came to our home and gave us training lessons and dietary suggestions had our three fur babies visibly happier literally in 48 hours! She doesn’t require a set number of sessions, instead it’s based on what your needs are. Even if you think you have it all figured out, I would hire her just to consult with you about your dog. She’s full of great suggestions on how to understand your dog, correcting unwanted behaviors (recognizing anxiety that could lead to aggression), and how to make sure they are happy and healthy! Just hire Rona - you won’t regret it!
Details: 1 - 2 years old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Private lessons • Aggressive behavior modification • Biting • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Claire H.
Oct 27, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
We had 1 training session so far with Rona for our small chihuahua. After 1 session alone, she became almost fully potty trained after not being potty trained at all with Rona's tips. We are moving and at a busy time for training. We plan to reach out to her for more training, but we were amazed by how her instructions created such quick progress with only one session.
Details: 6 - 12 months old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • House training • Biting • Chewing • Destructive behavior • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Karena V.
Jul 12, 2026
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Hired on Thumbtack
I should’ve done more Preview checking before hiring RONA. Her website has no information no success stories just one live link and it does provide information. There was no help when she said go check my website out after she left the to visit. She told me on the phone she would be talking about diet because it’s really an issue for her 30 minutes of the hour she went over and over then she said we’re going to teach your dog how to go in and outdoor outdoors. She knows how to do that. My dog was being terrorized by a community dog had been attacked by a community dog and she was overreacting and barking, and I needed can help so we stood in my apartment for 15-20 minutes, and then she sat down and started rubbing alley because she was winding down the session. Nothing I asked for help with an hypervigilant dog help with how to stabilize her in her home she says to me well there’s very little we can do about the vagus nerve and a dog. We just have to make sure she knows her the boss something like that that cost me $140 I’m 78 years old moved into a senior community ran into this crisis. I cannot cook food for the dog because I don’t have a kitchenette because I’m in a senior community. She was not picking up on the need and then to sit on my floor and say there’s not much way I can do. Why did she take the job? She’s a nice lady. I know she means well, but this was an and place an event.
Details: 10 years or older • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Leash pulling • Barking • Crate training • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Credentials
Background Check
Rona Distenfeld
FAQs
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I work with you in your home, or in some cases I can do online sessions. I do not do board and train as it runs counter to the relationship-based training I do. Your relationship with your dog is the foundation for everything else. Sending them away, especially when they're puppies, breaks that trust and causes trauma. Please see your dog as family and make your home his home.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I was trained in a shelter environment by someone known in the industry for helping to pioneer programs that turn unadoptable dog’s with behavior issues into adoptable dogs that succeed in their new homes. I excelled at this and I am always reading and continue to work with, and be mentored by, other professionals with many many years of experience. I am currently completing a program in Holistic Dog Training that focuses on building the right relationship with your dog and healing trauma in dogs.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I was training dogs in a no-kill shelter, especially long-stay dogs with behavior issues. I found it incredibly rewarding to see these dogs got from difficult to darling, and realized they probably wouldn't have ended up in a shelter in the first place if their original owners had gotten some training. I want to help more dogs stay with their families by providing affordable, effective in-home training so owners can get the help they need.
