Business Details
22 Years
experience
Your Trusted Dog Training Partner in Long Island, NY
K-9's Best Friend is a Long Island-based dog training service founded in 2004 by Frank Cahill, a certified master dog trainer with over two decades of experience. Our mission is to foster harmonious relationships between dogs and their owners through personalized, science-backed training methods. We specialize in obedience training, behavior modification, and housebreaking for all breeds, utilizing positive reinforcement techniques that prioritize patience and trust-building. With a deep understanding of canine psychology, we address issues like separation anxiety, aggression, and destructive behavior while empowering owners with lifelong skills.Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our AKC-approved Canine Good Citizen evaluations and our dedication to community service through disaster relief efforts for pets. We pride ourselves on delivering results in the comfort of clients' homes across Nassau and Suffolk counties, ensuring convenience and tailored support for every family.
Services
Obedience Training
Housebreaking
Behavior Modification
Emotional Support Dogs
AKC Canine Good Citizen
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in professional dog training since 2004
- Our team uses science-backed positive reinforcement techniques without punishment
- We provide in-home training across all Nassau and Suffolk county locations
- Our trainers are certified AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluators
- We address complex behavioral issues with customized solutions
Associations and certifications
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
What people say
'Graduation ceremony was special'
'Allie's progress was amazing'
'Training made a real difference'
'Frank's expertise was evident'
'Positive methods worked well'
Services
Obedience Training
Our obedience training program establishes clear communication through command-reprimand-command techniques combined with positive reinforcement. We address leash walking, basic commands, and behavioral issues while building confidence in dogs of all temperaments. Sessions focus on creating structure that translates to reliable off-leash behavior in home environments.
Behavior Modification
Specialized behavior modification addresses issues like separation anxiety, aggression, and destructive habits through structured training plans. We identify root causes including past trauma or environmental changes, implementing gradual desensitization techniques that promote calm, predictable behavior in challenging situations.
Housebreaking
Our housebreaking program establishes consistent bathroom routines for puppies and rehomed dogs through schedule-based training. We address environmental triggers and past learning gaps, implementing positive reinforcement strategies that create reliable elimination habits in various living situations.
Emotional Support Dogs
We train emotional support animals to assist individuals with mental health conditions through targeted therapeutic tasks. Our program develops dogs' ability to provide comfort during anxiety attacks, create calming routines, and respond to specific behavioral cues under professional handler guidance.
AKC Canine Good Citizen
As an AKC-approved evaluator, we prepare dogs for the Canine Good Citizen certification through structured skill development. Our program covers ten essential behaviors including obedience in public spaces, polite greeting, and response to distractions, establishing foundational skills for advanced dog sports participation.
People
Frank Cahill
Certified Master Dog Trainer
Frank Cahill founded K-9's Best Friend in 2004 after retiring from IT project management. With over 20 years of dog training experience, he serves as an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and former leader of the Freedom Run Dog Owners Association. His expertise in positive reinforcement methods has trained over 1,000 dogs across Long Island.
Questions
What training methods do you use?
We use positive reinforcement and command-reprimand-command techniques without punishment. Our methods focus on building trust and clear communication through consistent, science-backed approaches.
Do you offer in-home training sessions?
Yes, we provide in-home training across all Long Island areas including Nassau and Suffolk counties, with sessions conducted at your preferred location for maximum comfort and effectiveness.
How long does obedience training take?
Most dogs complete our obedience program in 4-5 weekly sessions, though we offer flexible pay-as-you-go options to accommodate individual progress rates and specific needs.
Can you handle aggressive dog behavior?
Yes, we specialize in behavior modification for aggression through structured assessment and gradual desensitization techniques developed over our 20+ years of professional experience.
Are payment plans available?
We offer flexible payment options with sessions billed individually. While we don't have formal payment plans, our pay-as-you-go structure allows clients to pace their training investments.
Do you train service animals?
Yes, we provide specialized training for emotional support animals and service dogs, focusing on therapeutic task development and public access preparation under professional handler supervision.
