Rick Pisani, CPDT-KA

Rick Pisani has been training dogs since 1987, teaching competition obedience classes as well as puppy kindergarten, basic manners and Canine Good Citizen classes. His students have obtained all level of AKC obedience titles, ranging from Novice Obedience through UDX and OTCH, as well as rally titles. He has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) since 2005.

Rick attended the Instructors Training Course in 2004 hosted by Rondout Valley for Adoption and Dogs of Course, and was awarded the "Inspiration Award" at the ITC by his fellow classmates.

Rick has an outstanding record of accomplishments with his dogs, including Obedience Trial Championships (OTCH) on three different breeds, as well as multiple High in Trial and High Combined awards.

Rick took Shetland Sheep Dog NOC OTCH Sir Malcolm MacDuff UDX4 from Novice A to an Obedience Trial Championship, winning the Gaines-Cycle Super Dog award in 1995. MacDuff became AKC National Obedience Champion in 1996.

Rick's Golden Retriever CH-OTCH Wingmaster's Ounce of Gold UDX5 VCX WC, Can CD, was the 15th dog in the history of Golden Retrievers to obtain the dual championship designation, and was the Gaines-Cycle Open Class winner in 1994.

Rick's Border Collie OTCH Shoreland's Wild Thing UFX RA OA OAJ earned Multiple High in Trial and High Combined awards along with numerous placements in local and National Obedience tournaments.

Rick also competes in agility. His adopted shelter dog, Australian Shepherd Nani, who was born deaf, recently completed her USDAA Agility Dog Champion (ADCH).

His newest dog, Smooth Coated Border Collie Disco, is being trained for obedience and agility.

Rick can be reached at luv2heel@me.com. 

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 successful 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