Family Manners Instructors

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Cindy Rubin

Cindy believes that every dog and handler can find joy and satisfaction in training.

Cindy started teaching for PCOTC in 2000 and had taught for the Kaeley Obedience School in prior years. Her career in dogs started in 1977 when she was employed as a licensed veterinary technician. After working in private practices, she retired from the position of chief surgical nurse for Surgical Animal Welfare League of Westchester County Spay Neuter Clinic in 1979.

Cindy started training in competitive obedience with her English Cocker Spaniel, Muffin, in 1988. She went on to be a CH UD, and at the same time Cindy was training Willie, the first UDX dog in the breed's history. Guy came along and remains the breed's only CH UD MX MXJ. Yes, Cindy has branched out into the world of agility, but she remains committed to obedience. Her Border Collie has a CDX as well as agility titles.

Cindy prides herself at being able to accurately "read" dogs of all breeds and adapt her training methods to best help that dog and handler team. She believes in upbeat, positive methods and her students have gone on to earn over 50 obedience titles. Aside from titles, she wants her students to be happy members of their families and communities.

Cindy takes great joy in recently helping an "untrainable" dog become a happy canine citizen (oh yes, she is also a CGC TDI RE ARCHX ARCHEX CDX-H). She will work through any problem in a consistent, reassuring way, both for the dog and the owner.

Cindy can be reached at rosiesmom@doglover.com 


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Nancy Field, CPDT-KA

Nancy Field is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and an Approved Evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. She began instructing Family Manners classes in 2005.

Her lifelong passion for animals has led to a unique combination of education and experience. During her college years, while completing a B.A. in Biology, Nancy spent summers working for the Children’s Zoo at the Bronx Zoo, and worked with horses as a groom at Finger Lakes Racetrack and at boarding stables in Westchester. She began working professionally with dogs in 1994, after completing a six-month dog training apprenticeship with the ASPCA’s Behavior Department.

Nancy is committed to force-free, reward-based training methods; her goal is to foster and enhance the human/canine relationship while building willing compliance. She continues to expand her knowledge of the latest training methods by attending numerous seminars and workshops covering a wide range of training topics.

She competes in obedience and rally with her Labrador Retriever, Emma (Legacy's Mrs. Peel, RL2) and is currently training Emma for agility competition. She previously competed with her dog Nigel (Matego Nigel CGC, RN, RL3), who was titled to the third (highest) level in APDT rally, and earned an award of excellence and a top-20 national ranking in 2005.

Nancy also offers private training and pet behavior problem-solving in New York City, Westchester, and southern Fairfield, under the name of Harmony Dog Training.

You can reach Nancy via email at info@harmonydogtraining.com 


Jamie McKay, CPDT-KSA

Jamie's early training experience was gained in a shelter, enhancing the adoptability of homeless pets through training and behavioral modification, and training new volunteers to safely handle, train and decipher canine body language. Since 2003, her involvement with the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle’s Train-To-Adopt program has afforded her the opportunity to work with both a diverse group of people and breeds.

Jamie is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA), an evaluator for the AKC's Canine Good Citizen program, and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She is a former evaluator for Therapy Dogs International. She is the editor of Ask the Trainer: Solutions for Classroom Challenges in the APDT's Chronicles of the Dog, and a contributor to Clean Run magazine.

Jamie regularly attends seminars and is especially interested in learning theory and behavior modification. Jamie has a special interest in working with shy dogs and has over 15 years of experience doing so.

Jamie believes that a solid training foundation leads to a strong bond, develops the dog's focus and work ethic, and ultimately leads to success regardless of what goals each team aspires to.

Jamie currently trains her dogs in Agility. She has achieved titles in Rally, Obedience, Agility, Tricks, and the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program with a variety of breeds. While she enjoys the titles and ribbons her dogs have achieved, she first and foremost treasures the relationship she has with her dogs.

Jamie and her husband Stephen, who is also a Certified Professional Trainer (CPDT-KSA) and fellow PCOTC instructor, own McKay9 Dog Training LLC. Jamie and Stephen share their lives with three Border Collies and a Shetland Sheepdog.

Jamie can be reached at jamiemckay@optonline.net


Jessica Dinowitz, CCDT, CPDT-KA

Jessica Dinowitz, CCDT CNWI CPDT-KA, is a dedicated and certified Professional Dog Trainer recognized by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. Jessica engages in a diverse array of canine sports with her borzoi and berger picard, such as rally, nose work, lure coursing, and barn hunt. Her affinity lies in training and trialing off-breeds, showcasing her versatility and commitment to her canine companions.

Creating a constructive and lively training atmosphere, Jessica employs positive reinforcement methods to ensure a positive learning experience for all teams. Her proficiency spans across canine sports, with a notable devotion to nose work. Jessica's dedication to forging strong connections between human and canine teams is evident in her work, particularly when working with shy and reactive dogs. 

Jessica owns North Star Canine Training and Sports Gear, she extends her services across the Hudson Valley and NYC. Her business not only provides training but also offers specialized gear and supplies, catering to the unique needs of canine athletes. North Star Canine is one of only five NACSW certified odor vendors.

My dogs are:

Borzoi: "Oliver" Dragonmoon Green Arrow RN JC CA DCAT SCA SIA SEE SWM THDA CGCA CGCU TKE ATT VHMA FITG NW2 RATI 

Berger Picard: "Trout" Ideé Fixe Talk Nautical To Me BCAT SCN SEN CGC TKE VHMP VHMA FITS ORT RATN

Jessica can be reached at Jessnorthstark9@gmail.com 


Ritsa Galitsis, CPDT-KA

Ritsa Galitsis has been training dogs and their humans since 2003, both in private, in-home sessions and group classes. Ritsa has been teaching Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Manners, Beyond the Basics and Canine Good Citizen Classes.

Ritsa's methodology uses positive reinforcement training techniques - a people-friendly, dog-friendly method of training that rewards behavior and strengthens the bond and relationship between humans and their dogs. It helps dogs and their guardians communicate through innovative, humane techniques that are both effective and fun,  and builds a strong bond.  

Ritsa is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assesses (CPDT-KA) certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). She is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and Pet Professional Guild (PPG). She is also an approved evaluator for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD).

Ritsa can be reached at nyhappyhounds@gmail.com


Kate Naito, CPDT-KA

Kate Naito, CDBC, CPDT-KA, FFCP, ADP-CI, MS has been a dog behavior consultant and trainer since 2013. With years of experience teaching canine manners to group and individuals, she understands how to help dogs and their guardians become teammates for life.  

Kate has enjoyed the success of two published books. Her first, BKLN Manners™: Positive Training Solutions for Your Unruly Urban Dog, addresses: B: Barking; K: Knocking people over; L: Leash walking problems; and N: Naughtiness when alone. Kate's second book, the award-winning Play Your Way to Good Manners shows you how to approach your dog's manners training as a collection of cool tricks, exciting sports moves, and interactive games.

Kate frequently appears on AKC TV's Ask the Expert and other programs to discuss canine behavior. She regularly participates in continuing education to learn the most current methods and research.

Kate owns High Ten Dog Training, based in Stamford, CT. She is fully certified as a dog behavior consultant by IAABC, dog trainer by CCPDT, dog parkour instructor by ADP, and as a Fear Free® trainer. She has a master's degree in education. She can be reached at kate@hightendogtraining.com.


Mary Elizabeth Simpson

Mary Elizabeth Simpson has been a professional dog trainer since 1987 and has been a professional instructor at PCOTC for over 25 years. She has worked with top professionals in their field and taken many courses through Association of Professional Dog Training and is also a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. 

Over the years she has titled many different breeds in Obedience, Rally-O, Agility and Conformation.  Her dogs have gained High In Trial in Obedience, Grand Champions in conformation and top scores in Rally-O.  She is also certified to do tests in AKC Canine Good Citizen, trick dogs and many others. Her current dogs consist of Border Collies, Pembroke Welsh Corgis and mix breeds. Being a balanced trainer, she believes all dogs have a unique training style and adjusts her techniques based on the owner and dogs.  Her philosophy is “Don’t Be Mad, Train Em’ And Be Glad!”   You can reach Mary-Elizabeth Simpson at simcorgi@aol.com