What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 5pm - 8pm Wednesday 10am - 8pm Thursday 10am - 8pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Gonzo Dog

R+/FF Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) specializing in fear, reactivity, aggression

Gonzo Dog is a fully insured, certified CPDT-KA dog trainer, utilizing positive reinforcement methods and explaining animal behavior in a way that you can understand. It's incredibly difficult to train your own dog with the owner/pet bond, so contacting me to come in and offer my experience and knowledge will provide insight and guidance as to how to work more in harmony with your dog. I offer tra

ining services that range from puppy to advanced, potty training to roll over and play dead. Our trainer has a decade of experience training and handling, and has both the patience and persistence to get you and your dog working together in sync. Visit our website for rates, or contact us for a consultation and let us know what we can do to make your pet's life happier!

04/27/2026

Any! Dog! Can! Bite! 🦷

There’s a reason I call Gonzo Dog “The Cute and Complicated Club” and that’s because some of the cutest dogs I work with show the most defensive behavior (including biting).

My theory? The cuter the dog, the more unsolicited attention and hands they endure until eventually… they use defensive behavior to say BACK OFF.

You know the “little dogs are mean” jokes? Well, little dogs get picked up, moved around, handled without consent and have their agency taken away the MOST. Of course some learn to say NO louder!

There’s even a psychological theory that explains our assumption that cute, gorgeous creatures must be friendly: THE HALO EFFECT (specifically the Physical Attractiveness Stereotype). This is a cognitive (socialized) bias that causes our brains to equate “beautiful” = “friendly.” That’s why it’s shocking when an adorable fluffy dog snaps at us! 😱

But biting doesn’t discriminate. I’ve seen stitches and nerve damage from the cutest, tiniest furballs on the planet. I’ve seen “family friendly” breeds attack other dogs. I’ve had the most BEAUTIFUL dogs want to literally take my face off.

Biting doesn’t discern. It’s not the breed, or the size, the head shape or even the personality. It’s about respecting communication and giving dogs agency.

If a dog feels the need to defend themself, and subtle body language doesn’t work… they will escalate to “louder” and “sharper” methods.

Want to avoid dog bites and make friends with more dogs? Or help your dog feel safer around humans? Learn CANINE BODY LANGUAGE!! 🤓 (I can teach you!)

I have a few spots left for new clients in May! Link in bio or email [email protected] to get started!

[VD in caption]

Force-Free, Positive Reinforcement Dog Training specializing in fear, anxiety, reactivity and aggression. In-person Hudson Valley NY or virtual worldwide.

04/06/2026

What’s your FAVORITE thing about dogs?! 🐶

Comment your ONE most favorite thing ⬇️

I’m turning responses into a bracket and we’ll vote in stories until we crown the ultimate winner. Think: dog behavior, personality, cuddles, loyalty, all of it!

Toe beans?
Sleep twitches?
A good helicopter tail?
The way they comfort you?

Let’s find out… what’s the BEST thing about dogs?!
[ID: a tan and white dog sitting weirdly, black background with white/grey paw prints, red border and text reading “what’s your favorite thing about… DOGS?” Red starburst in top left with white text “let me know in comments!”]

03/09/2026

NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS! 🐕

If you’ve been busy planning your life around making sure your dog isn’t alone, it’s time to take the next step and teach your dog to feel safe when you’re not there.

And the BEST way to accomplish this is with VIRTUAL TRAINING! 💻

Virtual gives us the best way to set the environment and simulate the real deal: Being alone!

If you’re ready to take that step, email me at [email protected] and let’s get started! I’ll send you a code for 20% off the consultation for the entire month of March, and I have some sliding scale spots available as well ☺️
[ID in comments]

Force free, positive reinforcement dog trainer specializing in separation anxiety, fear, general anxiety, reactivity and aggression. Virtual training is best for separation anxiety and can be done anywhere!

01/17/2026

Sorry guys!! Dang snow ruined our plans, but I’ll let you know when the new date is set and anyone who had an appointment for today will be first priority to reschedule.

(You have [e]mail! if you had an appt with me today!)

01/12/2026

DNA RESULTS ARE IN! 🦖
[VD: caption “Di-no-saur! (n)” POV a tan and white dog is lying on top of you on the sofa, showing teeth and opening his mouth playfully; the dog is on the floor hopping after a ball, doing a little sideways prance, grabbing a plastic bottle from a hand, then back on top of you on the sofa; each time the audio “rawrs” a dinosaur sticker pops up on screen]

Dog trainer in NY with funny furry pittie Smitty

12/19/2025

Excited to announce the next FREE Dog Behavior Q&A Event! It’s taking place at the Olive Free Library’s new Shokan branch on January 17th, 2025 from 11am-1pm 🐾

There are still spots available for a free one-on-one 15-minute mini consultation where you can ask me anything and everything you’ve ever wanted to know about DOGS!

Email me at [email protected] to snag your spot! Come curious, leave feeling more empowered with knowledge ✨
[VD: white flyer with blue border, paw prints, and “free” price tag, black text reads “Ask a Dog Trainer with Kellie Stevens, Sat Jan 17th 11am-1pm at the Shokan Branch, Kellie Stevens, founder of Gonzo Dog www.gonzodogtraining.com is a multi-certified behavior consultant (CDBC) with over 15 years professional experience helping dogs and their people build calmer, happier lives together through positive reinforcement and force-free methods. Come to the library and ask Kellie questions about puppyhood, reactivity, anxiety, aggression, better communication and more. Please note - this session is for humans only, no dogs at this time. We will be about behaviors, theory and helpful adjustments rather than training! Please email Kellie at [email protected] to make your appointment. Appointments will be one on one with Kellie for 15 min increments. 26-28 Mountain Road, Shokan NY 12481, Shokan Branch at the American Legion Hall.” A photo of a red-haired lady wearing sunglasses and making an underbite to match a little black and white dog with an underbite next to her face in the pic.]

12/08/2025

Gifting you with some Unpopular Opinions this holiday season! 😅

I’m actually struggling to call them opinions bc I feel most of these statements are backed by scientific evidence, and definitely by my 10+ years working with dog behavior.

First: THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES IN BEHAVIOR! That goes for all behavior: dogs, kids, humans… if you’ve ever tried to break a habit or change your own behavior, you already know. Dogs are no different.

OBEDIENCE DOESNT FIX DOG BEHAVIOR ISSUES! This one is harder for people to comprehend… in fact, it took me a few years to learn it myself! Having a dog who can sit, stay or heel does not change the emotion behind behaviors like reactivity or aggression - and thats the root you have to tackle if you want lasting behavior change.

TRAINING IS PREVENTATIVE! Training is teaching your dog what you want them to do before behavior issues start. Once behaviors have become part of your dog’s repertoire, you’ve gone past training and into behavior modification (which is harder, so hire a pro to train early!).

THERE IS NO MAGIC PRODUCT OR PILL THAT WILL SOLVE YOUR DOG’S BEHAVIOR ISSUES! Sorry Capitalism, there just isn’t. You are being marketed all the quick fixes, but if they actually worked - my job wouldn’t exist. Skip those targeted ads and come to me first for real behavior change.

Any questions? Drop them in the comments ⬇️

And Happy Holidays!!

[ID in comments]

Address

Woodstock, NY

Opening Hours

Tuesday	5pm - 8pm
Wednesday	10am - 8pm
Thursday	10am - 8pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Website

http://www.gonzodogtraining.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Gonzo Dog posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Gonzo Dog:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service in Woodstock?