Biscuits & Bath Dog Training

Hours of Operation
Walk-in Hours:
Monday - Friday
7am - 9pm
Sat & Sun
8am - 8pm

By Appt. Only:
Sunday - Thursday
9pm - 7am
Fri & Sat
8pm - 8am

Staffed 24 hours

Locations
Upper East Side
1535 First Ave.
(212) 419-2500

Upper West Side
469 Columbus Ave.
(212) 419-2500

Riverside Boulevard
160 Riverside Blvd.
(212) 419-2500

Murray Hill
701 Second Ave.
(212) 419-2500

Greenwich Village
41 West 13th St.
(212) 419-2500

Tribeca
102 Franklin St.
(212) 419-2500

Return to Training

A Word from David Muriello, Director of Training
I am thrilled that my lifelong fascination with animals has led me to have one of the best jobs in the world: helping dogs and their parents lead great lives together. Through private lessons or a group class, we can teach you how to eliminate unwanted behaviors, instill manners, and maintain control using leadership and basic commands. You will gain a deeper understanding of how your dog thinks and learns, which will make you an excellent owner, teacher, and leader. Most importantly, you and your dog will have fun and strengthen your bond! Call us with any questions you have about behavior or training. We love what we do and would be happy to talk to you about your dog!

Meet Trainer Alyssa Lapinel, AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Alyssa became certified as a professional canine and behavior specialist at the highly regarded Triple Crown Academy for Dog Trainers in Texas. In addition to her excellent work as a Behavior Counselor at Biscuits & Bath, she is an AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. As a child Alyssa always had a connection with animals, growing up surrounded by dogs, cats and horses. Before working exclusively with dogs, she earned a degree in cognitive behavioral psychology. After 3 years working as a counselor and case manager Alyssa pursued animal behavior full-time, working in southeast Alaska at an animal sanctuary where she led educational tours on native Alaskan wildlife; predominantly the Alexander Wolf, Black Bear, Bald Eagle, and Pacific Salmon. Then she began 4 months of intense study and hands-on work with dogs at Triple Crown Academy. There she learned everything from puppy rearing and behavior modification to agility and scent tracking! Alyssa's training philosophy focuses on creating a nurturing environment that promotes happy, healthy dogs through knowledge, understanding and lovingly devoted parenting. She currently lives with her two incredible dogs: Kodi, a 6-year-old malamute mix who has traveled all over North America with her, and Fritz a 1-year-old basset mix she adopted from a rescue group.

Meet Trainer Connie Formosa, AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Connie has been a dog trainer in New York City and northern NJ for over 20 years, teaching all types of dogs and owners everything she knows from puppy rearing and obedience to rally-o and flyball! She grew up on a farm with dogs, horses, pigs, goats, chickens, and much more. It was only natural for her to become an animal trainer and it wasn't long before she realized dogs were her calling. In addition to training, Connie has worked in shelter dog management and as a veterinary surgical technician at the Animal Medical Center. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the American Working Terrier Association, the Palisades Kennel Club, and former member of the North American Dog Agility Council. She also provides Canine Somatic Therapy (Ttouch, Massage & Acupressure), Canine Nutrition Consultations, and writes for The Leader Newspaper (Bergen County) in her column, "Ask The Canine Expert." Connie's Dalmatians (Mars & Luna) have appeared on television, and in magazines and newspapers, enjoying lucrative modeling careers. Astro, her Jack Russell Terrier-Australian Cattle Dog mix is a great lap dog, but an even better huntsman when it comes to earth dog competitions and the like. Connie loves sharing all that she knows, helping people and their dogs to communicate and make the most of their amazing relationships.

Meet Trainer Karolina Kaminski, AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Karolina grew up in a multiple dog household since the age of 2. As an adult, she realized her passion for animal training during college when she decided to quit her office job to train dogs at a local board-and-train facility. She loved connecting with the dogs and learned a ton about how they think and learn, but she discovered that some of the correction-based techniques being used by the trainers there did not fit her style. A few months later, Karolina got accepted into an ultra-competitive animal study internship with Disney. She worked at Walt Disney World's "The Seas" with 4 male dolphins and 2 rescued manatees for 7 months. With the marine mammals, she learned the power of positive reinforcement and the application of learning theory. For the next 2 years, Karolina applied positive reinforcement principles to great success while teaching group classes and private lessons as a dog trainer and manager at Petco in San Diego and New York City. Karolina believes that training should be fun for both the dogs and the pet parents. She likes to teach parents how to speak "canine" to facilitate positive learning and to strengthen their relationship. In addition to her love for helping dogs and their owners, Karolina retains a passion for working with marine mammals. Volunteering as a Sea Lion Interaction Facilitator at The New York Aquarium since December 2008, she has made a positive impact on the lives of the Sea Lions there, not to mention all of the fascinated visitors whom she has safely introduced these giant animals to!

Meet Trainer Erica Wittenberg, AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Erica is a natural trainer of both dogs and horses. In addition to her excellent work as a Behavior Counselor at Biscuits & Bath, she is an AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Erica was raised with animals her entire life, providing her with not only a strong love for them, but also a strong sense of responsibility as a guardian for their well-being. By the age of 9 she not only cared for her own horse, she also trained the family Corgi on all of his basic obedience skills, as well as some fun tricks. ("Max" knew to bark and stand and beg when he heard the word "Hamburger.") Erica volunteered with Manhattan's Bideawee shelter for over two years. There she helped socialize and prepare dogs, and cats, for their forever home. This past year she has been training and walking dogs throughout the city, offering a unique walk-and-train service like that which we offer at Biscuits & Bath. Erica believes in positive dog training methods, and that the best way to spoil your dog is with training! She has a newly adopted dog named Nadia. Nadia is what we in the dog world call a Heinz 57: a true mutt, but what she can distinguish is Golden Retriever, Pekingese, Border Collie and Chihuahua! In addition to being gifted with dogs, Erica has two horses: Birch and Saffron; she has competed in show jumping throughout the Northeast and Florida, but her favorite thing to do is to take them swimming in the Long Island Sound.

Meet Trainer Patrick Tarpey, AKC Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Patrick Tarpey says his greatest experiences in life have always involved animals. His background in dog training and acting make him not only effective with dogs, but an excellent and entertaining teacher to people as well. Patrick first discovered dog training when he headed out west to Los Angeles to pursue film acting. There he stumbled upon Paws for Effect, an animal service company that rescues animals and trains dogs to be Hollywood actors. He was amazed at how the 75 varying breeds of dogs were able to roam free as a pack on this 5 acre property. He started out as kennel manager and soon Patrick was mentoring under the top animal trainers in Hollywood. An untapped talent emerged. Almost immediately he was a member of the Studio Animal Trainer's Union presenting talented creatures to top Hollywood productions with A-list actors. Patrick later took a position as Education Director/Trainer with Hollywood Paws, a unique animal acting agency teaching people and their pets the "tricks of the trade," and representing them to the entertainment industry. It was here that he began to discover that people and their pets were mis-communicating with each other and creating fundamental behavior problems that kept them from the full rich relationships they could have. He began to focus his energies on bridging that gap. From there Patrick went on to work with shelters and rescues creating volunteer training programs to prepare dogs for adoption, and certifying them through the American Kennel Club's "Canine Good Citizen Program". Patrick and his dog Hero, a 22-pound Wheaten-Poodle mix, are a Therapy Team with Therapy Dogs International. They enjoy visiting people in places that could use some puppy love and helping people and their pets to create a bond that will last forever. Together with Hero and Oden, a 75-pound Pitt-Boxer mix, Patrick continues to educate people and their pets that the relationship they've always dreamed about having is more than possible and not out of reach. Patrick thanks Hero and Oden for what they teach him on a daily basis. He is proud to be a Behavior Counselor at Biscuits & Bath and is always excited to share his talents with the awesome dogs and parents of New York City.

Meet Trainer Natasha Bozsoki
Natasha is a passionate dog trainer who loves working with animals while giving back to her community by helping dogs and owners live great lives together. She has been rescuing pets for over a decade, most recently adopting her own dogs, Abby and Sergeant, from the ASPCA and the Mayor's Alliance. Natasha believes that volunteering at animal shelters and working diligently to pair the right dogs with the right homes is an invaluable contribution to our communities. She completed a four-month intensive apprenticeship with Walk This Way Canine Behavior Therapy before offering her own private lessons for puppy and adult obedience in Brooklyn. Natasha also spent a year walking dogs for Prospect Bark in Brooklyn, training every dog she walked. She then became an Assistant Trainer at Biscuits & Bath to continue advancing her training education, hone her teaching skills, and experience dog behavior in every way possible. Natasha's natural talents with people and dogs, in addition to her diligent study of animal behavior, led to her promotion to Behavior Counselor. Her love for training shows in every dog she works with and her appreciation for each individual dog-owner relationship helps her to provide the best care and instruction to fit each family's needs.

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