Rent safe and private dog parks hosted by locals

David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

Christina Shusterich

Dog trainer in New York

#837 in United States, #34 in New York, #1 in New York

United States

New York

A little about me: Becoming a recognized Dog ExpertMy life mission and passion to literally save dogs' lives and prevent them from going to shelters and likely euthanization, behavior problems the number one cause and free their struggling, devoted owners. Creation of my Total Harmony Dog Transformation System Welcome! I started studying and training dogs when I was 12 with my first dog, immediately beginning to read as many dog training books as I could find. Our favorite trick was to have him sneeze on command, which always got his tail wagging! I now have over 20 years of experience. 'After he died, I volunteered at a shelter to help walk the dogs. This shelter , the Animal Behavior Center of New York (ABCNY), also had a certification program to become a Canine Behavior Specialist and Dog Trainer. The program consisted of the intense study of behavior modification techniques to treat behavior problems in dogs, dog psychology and dog training, with over 230 hours working directly with shelter dogs.It was an exceptional and renowned program, attracting students from all over the world. It is close to impossible to find that caliber today. I chose ABCNY because it allowed me to work directly with dogs relinquished to the shelter and who were under great stress, the most difficult cases. As a great bonus of the program, from our work with the shelter dogs we were directly able to help get them adopted! I was also certified as a Canine Behavior Counselor (CBC) through the International Association of Companion Animal Behavior Counselors. My BA in Psychology Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa and numerous additional honors proved extremely helpful as I was very familiar with behavior modification techniques. Can view more of my CredentialsI have also volunteered in several shelters, and worked with For Our Friends Rescue Group for over 4 years, performing countless behavioral evaluations to provide the best match between dog and potential adopter, and identify and treat any behavior problems present that would prevent adoption or cause a return of the dog to the shelter. I also trained the dogs and volunteers in some obedience commands, again to increase their adoptability. During my work there I was able to reduce the dog return rate from 1/2 - 1/3 of the dogs to 1 dog - an unheard of level with dog rescue, saving many dogs. See Rescue ReviewsWhile an acclaimed, named Top Dog Trainer by the APDT, the largest dog trainer association world wide, the majority of my business over my 20 years has consisted of preventing and successfully treating all dog behavior problems and becoming a leader in the field. Along with extensive study of all aspects of dog behavior, I have immersed myself continually in experience with the most problematic, complex and challenging dogs that had been given up on.I saw a better method of treatment was needed than simply training and created my trademarked Total Harmony Dog Transformation System to permanently eliminate behavior problems while also creating the most harmonious relationship possible dog and owner, ensuring a happy life together. Further and very critically my system works for all dogs regardless of age, breed, complexity of problem, multiple problems and in the most trying environments like the urban streets of nyc.Many verified Reviews include: "Saved my dog's life"; "Amazing"; "Christina is incredible"; "Beyond Gifted"; "Christina is a Miracle Worker" Most Effective Environment For Treatment of Dog Behavior Problems - Your Real life, your home and walking environment where canine behavior problems are created, develop and where they actually occur is critical - not in an artificial, facility setting and never virtually. Why? Behavior Problem treatment is not Obedience Training (see Methods) and the majority of behavior problems can't be treated successfully and permanently eliminated outside of the real environment creating them and where the actually occur. Further many occur solely in the home - such as separation anxiety, territorial/stranger aggression to guests, inter-dog aggression dogs living together, abused dog rehabilitation, puppy mill dog rehabilitation, fear of stimuli in the home etc.Walking environments vary widely among clients greatly affecting frequency and severity, the most accurate and expedient treatment plan must be tailored to your individuals dog's fear on walks / leash aggression and the number and frequency of triggers in your environment.Finally, dogs act different in different environments - can be friendly to strangers/guest at home and leash aggressive or fearful on walks or vice versa, can be fine with dogs they live with but aggressive at dog run, can be mildly aggressive or frightened by sounds on walks in a quiet, suburban walking environment and highly aggressive or terrified in urban areas where triggers are very frequent.Successful, permanent treatment must be tailored to each individual dog and in their individual, real life environments.I cannot describe virtually to you how to treat a canine behavior problem and agree wholeheartedly with the American Kennel Club that virtual "sessions" are thoroughly inappropriate and ineffective. Must be "hands on"I believe it is imperative to provide the best possible quality care of your dog and most effective, permanent treatment as quickly as possible including the worst cases both failed at or rejected previously. I provide in home behavior problem treatment and take on the travel time, cost and effort to travel to your specific location - at no additional charge to you.Further, and solely due to the very critical importance of successful treatment of behavior problems all treatment is done exclusively with acclaimed Dog Behavior Expert Christina Shusterich, not a lesser accomplished employee. Christina's 20 yr determined mission continues on successfully, keeping countless dogs and owners happy and harmonious together by eliminating all canine behavior problems with her proven Total Harmony Dog Transformation System!Uniquely, Christina does not follow any "business model"All Sessions are directly conducted with Christina Shusterich and specifically tailored and designed by her to you, your dog, as well as your location, Christina traveling in person to your location, essential to effectively treating canine behavior problems, verified by the American Kennel Club.You and your dog are not a number to be accumulated by using lesser accomplished employees, attempting to use easy, no travel and totally inappropriate virtual sessions for behavior problems and very importantly lacking the credentials of an actual dog behaviorist, which are not those of a dog trainer -proof of dog behavior education, certifications, and proof of experience working effectively with your dog's behavior problem of aggression and/or fear.

Dog training services include

  • Aggressive dog training
  • In home training
  • Reactive dog training
  • Puppy training

See The Best Dog Trainers In New York


See The Best Dog Trainers In Other Cities Near New York


See The Best Dog Trainers By Type In New York

Sniffspot Dog running on field

Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you

David Adams photo

David Adams

July 10, 2024

Dog Trainers

Most recent articles

Explore the American Staffordshire Terrier: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnailExplore the American Staffordshire Terrier: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners
Explore the American Staffordshire Terrier: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnail

Explore the American Staffordshire Terrier: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners

Explore the Miniature Poodle: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnailExplore the Miniature Poodle: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners
Explore the Miniature Poodle: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnail

Explore the Miniature Poodle: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners

American Airlines Dog Policy: Complete Guide (Fees, Sizes, Rules) thumbnailAmerican Airlines Dog Policy: Complete Guide (Fees, Sizes, Rules)
American Airlines Dog Policy: Complete Guide (Fees, Sizes, Rules) thumbnail

American Airlines Dog Policy: Complete Guide (Fees, Sizes, Rules)

The Ultimate Guide To Flying With Large Dogs: Airline Policies and Tricks thumbnailThe Ultimate Guide To Flying With Large Dogs: Airline Policies and Tricks
The Ultimate Guide To Flying With Large Dogs: Airline Policies and Tricks thumbnail

The Ultimate Guide To Flying With Large Dogs: Airline Policies and Tricks

Comprehensive Guide to Skijoring With Dogs thumbnailComprehensive Guide to Skijoring With Dogs
Comprehensive Guide to Skijoring With Dogs thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Skijoring With Dogs

How To Enable a Reactive Dog To Live A Full Life thumbnailHow To Enable a Reactive Dog To Live A Full Life
How To Enable a Reactive Dog To Live A Full Life thumbnail

How To Enable a Reactive Dog To Live A Full Life

Top dog guides per area

Dog training guides

  • How to Deal With Food Aggression in Dogs (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

    How to Deal With Food Aggression in Dogs (Facts + Infographic)

    Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.

  • Comprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

    Comprehensive Guide to Scent Training for Dogs (Facts + Infographic)

    As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.

  • How Much Does it Cost to Train a Service Dog? thumbnail

    How Much Does it Cost to Train a Service Dog?

    More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.

  • What is and How to Handle Potty Training Regression thumbnail

    What is and How to Handle Potty Training Regression

    You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?

  • Coprophagia: Why Does Your Dog Eat Poop? thumbnail

    Coprophagia: Why Does Your Dog Eat Poop?

    Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!

Dog enrichment guides

  • The Best Dog Water Parks in the United States thumbnail

    The Best Dog Water Parks in the United States

    Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.

  • Best Toys for Herding Dogs thumbnail

    Best Toys for Herding Dogs

    * All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

  • The Best Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

    The Best Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers (Facts + Infographic)

    Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?

  • Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need? thumbnail

    Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?

    You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.

  • Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs thumbnail

    Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs

    * All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Dog reactivity guides

Sniffspot community guides

  • The State of Public Dog Parks Across the United States thumbnail

    The State of Public Dog Parks Across the United States

    From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.

  • How This Family is Affording Their Dream Property Through Renting it Hourly to Dogs thumbnail

    How This Family is Affording Their Dream Property Through Renting it Hourly to Dogs

    Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.” 

  • Host Tips: Ellen K. What Makes Sniffspot Successful for Me thumbnail

    Host Tips: Ellen K. What Makes Sniffspot Successful for Me

    Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.

  • How this Oregon Farmer is Making a Business From Renting Her Land to Dogs thumbnail

    How this Oregon Farmer is Making a Business From Renting Her Land to Dogs

    Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.  

  • Host Tips: Fran T. Providing Great Guest Service at our Spot thumbnail

    Host Tips: Fran T. Providing Great Guest Service at our Spot

    Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.

Top dog trainers in the US

City dog parks guides

  • The Best Indoor Dog Parks in the United States thumbnail

    The Best Indoor Dog Parks in the United States

    Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.

  • The Best Off-Leash Dog Parks in the United States thumbnail

    The Best Off-Leash Dog Parks in the United States

    Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.

  • The Best Las Vegas, Nevada Dog Parks thumbnail

    The Best Las Vegas, Nevada Dog Parks

    Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.

  • The Best United States Dog Parks thumbnail

    The Best United States Dog Parks

    Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!

  • The Best Portland, Oregon Dog Parks thumbnail

    The Best Portland, Oregon Dog Parks

    Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.

Dogs breeds

  • Explore the German Shepherd Dog: Genuine Tips from Owners thumbnail

    Explore the German Shepherd Dog: Genuine Tips from Owners

    Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.

  • Explore the Labrador Retriever: Real Tips from Owners thumbnail

    Explore the Labrador Retriever: Real Tips from Owners

    Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.

  • Explore the Golden Retriever: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnail

    Explore the Golden Retriever: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners

    Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.

  • Explore the American Staffordshire Terrier: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnail

    Explore the American Staffordshire Terrier: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners

    Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.

  • Explore the Australian Shepherd: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners thumbnail

    Explore the Australian Shepherd: Genuine Tips from 9,000+ Owners

    Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.

Top dog names in the US

  • Top 1,000 Most Popular Dog Names thumbnail

    Top 1,000 Most Popular Dog Names

    Looking for the perfect dog name for your new pup? We have created filterable lists of dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative dog names.
  • Most Popular Male Dog Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Male Dog Names

    Looking for the perfect dog name for your new male pup? We have created filterable lists of male dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative male dog names.
  • Most Popular Female Dog Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Female Dog Names

    Looking for the perfect dog name for your new female pup? We have created filterable lists of female dog names from our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users. You can filter by gender, breed and state to find the most cute, unique and creative female dog names.
  • Most Popular Golden Retriever Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Golden Retriever Names

    Welcome to our comprehensive list of Golden Retriever dog names, curated from our vast database of Sniffspot users. Filter through hundreds of thousands of options by gender, breed, and state to discover the most adorable, original, and imaginative names for your beloved Golden Retriever.
  • Most Popular Labrador Retriever Names thumbnail

    Most Popular Labrador Retriever Names

    Welcome to our Labrador Retriever dog names page! Here you can browse through filterable lists of names for your beloved furry friend, ranging from cute and classic to unique and creative options. Our database of hundreds of thousands of Sniffspot users ensures you'll find the perfect name for your Labrador Retriever, whether you're seeking a name for a male or female, based on breed or state.

Top dog rescues in the US