The Best Dog Trainers in Hoboken: A Dog Walker’s Perspective
- Will Ferman
- May 31
- 14 min read
Updated: Jun 1
After 15 plus years of working with dogs, one of the questions I get asked all the time is:
“Will, do you know a good dog trainer?”
Usually the question comes after a puppy has chewed through a charging cable, turned every walk into a CrossFit workout, or declared itself head of neighborhood security despite being 15 pounds.
The short answer is yes.
Over the years I’ve gotten to know a lot of trainers, either directly or through clients. One of the advantages of being a dog walker is that I often get to see the before and after. I’ll meet a dog when things are a mess, then see them again six months later after training and think, “Wow, that’s a completely different dog.”
I’ve also seen plenty of owners become more confident. Sometimes the biggest transformation isn’t even the dog. It’s the person holding the leash.
This isn’t a ranking.
It’s not a sponsored article.
Nobody paid to be included, and nobody paid to be left out.
These are simply trainers I’ve come to respect over the years through personal experience, client feedback, and seeing the kind of results they produce.
Before We Start…
I’m not touching the positive reinforcement versus balanced training debate.
You guys are on your own with that one.
The dog world has somehow managed to turn training tools into something that resembles a political argument. Mention a prong collar in one room and somebody will look at you like you just kicked a puppy. Mention positive reinforcement in another room and somebody else will tell you you’re creating chaos and anarchy.
I’m exaggerating.
A little.
The truth is that good trainers exist across different philosophies, and bad trainers exist across different philosophies too.
My goal here isn’t to settle an argument that has been raging on the internet for longer than some of the people reading this article have been alive.
I’m simply highlighting trainers I’ve heard good things about, trainers I’ve worked alongside, trainers I’ve referred clients to, and trainers who seem to genuinely care about helping dogs and their owners.
That’s it.
No flame wars.
No comment section bloodbath.
Just a few dog people I respect in no particular order.
⸻
I first came across Otto Monchez sometime around 2018 through social media.
What immediately stood out to me was how serious he was about dog training. There was no fluff, no gimmicks, and no attempt to make the work look easier than it actually is. My first impression was that this was someone who lived and breathed dogs.
And after getting to know his work over the years, I don’t think that impression was wrong.
When I started my own dog care business in 2020, a lot of my clients were dealing with behavioral challenges that seemed to explode during and after COVID. Dogs that were used to having their owners home all day suddenly had to readjust to reality. Separation issues, leash reactivity, anxiety, poor impulse control—you name it.
Over the years, I referred a number of those clients to Otto.
What stood out wasn’t that every dog became perfect overnight. That’s not how dog training works. What impressed me was how often I saw meaningful improvement. Dogs that were difficult to walk became easier to handle. Dogs that seemed stressed and overwhelmed became more confident. Owners who felt frustrated suddenly had a game plan.
That’s ultimately what good training is supposed to do.
A Real Dog Person
One thing I respect about Otto is that he’s what I would call a genuine dog person.
You meet people in this industry who like dogs.
Then you meet people who are completely fascinated by dogs.
Otto falls into the second category.
Even when he’s technically not working, he’s usually doing something dog related. Working with dogs, studying dogs, talking about dogs, helping owners with dogs, or spending time around dogs.
Some people have hobbies.
His hobby seems to be more dogs.
As a fellow dog nerd, I mean that as a compliment.
Training Style
One thing I’ve always appreciated is that Otto doesn’t seem overly attached to ideology.
The dog training world loves its camps and tribes. Positive reinforcement people. Balanced trainers. Tool debates. Internet arguments.
Otto has always struck me as someone who is more interested in solving the problem in front of him than winning an argument online.
His programs are tailored to the individual dog and owner. He takes into account the dog’s temperament, the owner’s goals, and what will realistically work for that particular household.
Some people may not agree with every aspect of his philosophy because he is willing to use tools such as prong collars when he believes they’re appropriate.
What I’ve observed, however, is that he isn’t the type of trainer who blindly reaches for the same solution every time. It seems to be a case by case decision rather than a one size fits all approach.
He also respects owner preferences and does a good job explaining the reasoning behind his recommendations.
Services and Experience
One of the things that separates Otto from many trainers is the sheer range of dogs he works with.
His services include private lessons, day school programs, and board and train options.
He works with everything from puppies that need a strong foundation to rescue dogs that are struggling to adapt to their new homes. He’s also comfortable taking on more serious cases involving reactivity, anxiety, and aggression.
Many trainers tend to stay within a particular lane.
Otto has built a reputation for being comfortable across the entire spectrum.
Whether you’re trying to stop your puppy from eating drywall or working through years of behavioral baggage with a difficult dog, chances are he’s seen something similar before.
Holding Owners Accountable
One thing that doesn’t get talked about enough in dog training is the human side of the equation.
A lot of dog problems aren’t solved by teaching the dog one magic command.
They’re solved by helping owners become more consistent.
That’s an area where I think Otto does a really good job.
He’s honest with people.
He’ll tell them what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear.
But he manages to do it without making people feel dumb, judged, or attacked.
That’s a difficult balance to strike.
Watching the Business Grow
It’s been interesting watching Otto’s business evolve over the years.
What started as one trainer working with dogs eventually grew into a Sprinter van program, a team, and a dedicated facility.
Personally, I don’t think that growth happened because of clever marketing.
I think it happened because people got results. People told their friends. Those friends told their friends. And eventually the reputation took on a life of its own.
Final Thoughts
If I had to describe Otto in a few words, I’d say he’s passionate, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to his craft.
Not every trainer is the right fit for every owner, and that’s okay. Dog training isn’t one size fits all.
But if you’re looking for someone who takes behavior seriously, works with everything from puppies to aggression cases, and genuinely seems obsessed with understanding dogs, Otto Monchez is absolutely worth considering.
What I respect most is that after all these years, he still seems just as interested in dogs as he was when I first came across his work.
In an industry where burnout is common, that’s something I admire.
⸻
I first became familiar with Kevin Zerpa through his connection to Otto Monchez and Supreme K9. The two worked together in the past, which is initially how Kevin came onto my radar.
While I don’t know the ownership side of Logic Unleashed Canine as well as some of the other businesses on this list, I’ve had enough interactions with Kevin over the years to form a pretty strong impression of the kind of trainer he is.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Kevin is that he’s incredibly approachable.
Some trainers can feel intense. Some can feel overly technical. Some know dogs extremely well but struggle to explain things in a way that everyday owners can understand.
Kevin has a gift for making complicated concepts feel simple.
The Teacher
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Kevin is his ability to break down dog behavior into language that makes sense to regular people.
Dog training can get technical quickly.
Thresholds. Reinforcement histories. Arousal levels. Environmental management. Displacement behaviors.
You can watch people’s eyes glaze over pretty fast.
Kevin has a way of translating all of that into practical advice that owners can actually use.
Instead of making people feel like they’re sitting through a college lecture, he helps them understand what’s happening with their dog and what they can do about it.
That sounds simple, but it’s actually one of the hardest skills for a trainer to develop.
The smartest person in the room isn’t always the best teacher.
Kevin happens to be a very good teacher.
A Different Kind of Energy
One thing I like about Kevin is that he brings a slightly different energy than a lot of trainers.
He’s knowledgeable and professional, but he’s also incredibly easy to talk to.
The best way I can describe it is that talking with Kevin feels like catching up with an old college buddy who happens to know a lot about dogs.
There’s no ego.
There’s no intimidation factor.
You don’t leave conversations feeling judged.
You leave feeling like you understand your dog a little better than you did before.
For many owners, that’s exactly what they need.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
The impression I’ve consistently gotten from Kevin is that he’s interested in finding the “why.”
A lot of people come into training looking for a quick fix.
How do I stop the barking?
How do I stop the pulling?
How do I stop the jumping?
Those questions matter, of course, but Kevin seems more interested in understanding what’s driving the behavior in the first place.
Rather than simply addressing symptoms, he digs deeper into the underlying causes.
That curiosity is something I respect.
Good trainers don’t just change behavior. They help owners understand behavior.
Kevin does a very good job of both.
Professional Without Being Pretentious
One thing I’ve noticed in the dog industry is that some trainers accidentally make owners feel like they’re being talked down to.
Whether it’s intentional or not, it can leave people feeling overwhelmed or embarrassed.
Kevin is the opposite.
He’s clearly knowledgeable, but he doesn’t need everyone in the room to know it.
There’s a humility to the way he communicates that makes people comfortable asking questions and admitting when they’re struggling.
That’s an underrated quality.
A lot of dog owners don’t need another expert talking at them.
They need somebody who can guide them through the process.
Final Thoughts
If I had to describe Kevin in a few words, I’d say he’s thoughtful, approachable, and exceptionally good at communicating.
What stands out most isn’t a particular tool, methodology, or training style.
It’s his ability to connect with people.
Dogs don’t come with instruction manuals, and many owners are doing their best while feeling completely overwhelmed.
Kevin has a way of making the process feel manageable.
For owners who want someone knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and genuinely invested in helping them understand their dog, Kevin Zerpa is absolutely worth considering.
Sometimes the best trainers aren’t the ones who make dog training seem complicated.
They’re the ones who make it finally start to make sense.
⸻
If you’ve been a dog owner in Hoboken long enough, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the name Joana Watsky.
I’ve known about Joana and Sit and Stay Dog Training for years, mostly because her name comes up over and over again when talking to local dog owners. While I don’t know her personally, I’ve probably spoken to dozens of people through the years who have attended one of her classes.
And honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say a bad word about the experience.
That’s saying something.
In the dog world, people are usually pretty quick to share their opinions.
A Hoboken Tradition
For years, Joana has held puppy classes at the Elks Lodge in Hoboken, and at this point they’ve almost become a rite of passage for local dog owners.
If you get a puppy in Hoboken, sooner or later somebody is probably going to say:
“You should check out Joana’s class.”
I’ve heard that recommendation countless times.
A lot of people get their first real introduction to dog training through one of her puppy programs. For many owners, it’s the first time they start learning how dogs think, how dogs learn, and how much easier life becomes when you have some structure and communication in place.
That’s an important role.
Not every dog owner needs a behavior specialist.
Not every dog owner needs a board and train program.
Most people simply need guidance.
They need someone to help them navigate puppyhood without losing their mind.
A Friendly Introduction to Training
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Joana’s reputation is that she seems to make dog training feel grounded and accessible. Not gatekept.
A lot of new puppy owners are overwhelmed.
They’re sleep deprived.
Their dog is biting everything.
The house training isn’t going according to plan.
They’re wondering if they somehow adopted a tiny furry criminal.
Walking into a training class can feel intimidating when you’re already questioning every decision you’ve made.
From everything I’ve heard over the years, Joana does a great job creating an environment where people feel comfortable learning.
She introduces owners to the world of dog training in a way that feels supportive rather than overwhelming.
Training Philosophy
Joana’s approach is rooted in positive reinforcement training, which many modern dog owners actively seek out.
The dog training world loves arguing about philosophies, methods, and tools, and I’m not going down that rabbit hole here. What matters is finding a trainer whose approach aligns with your goals and comfort level.
For owners specifically looking for a positive reinforcement trainer, Joana has built a strong reputation over many years in the Hoboken community.
More importantly, she seems to have earned the trust of the people who work with her.
What Stands Out
What stands out to me most isn’t any particular technique.
It’s consistency.
Year after year, new dog owners attend her classes.
Year after year, people recommend her to friends.
Year after year, her name continues to come up in conversations about training in Hoboken.
In a profession where trends come and go, that’s not something that happens by accident. Good reputations take a long time to build.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a first time dog owner or you’ve just brought home a new puppy, Joana is absolutely someone worth knowing about.
From everything I’ve heard over the years, she provides exactly what many new owners need: guidance, structure, encouragement, and a welcoming place to learn.
Not every trainer needs to be known for solving extreme behavior cases.
Sometimes the biggest impact comes from helping people get started on the right foot.
Joana seems to have done exactly that for a lot of Hoboken dog owners over the years. Judging by how often her name comes up, I suspect she’ll continue doing it for many years to come.
⸻
If you’ve spent enough time around the New York dog world, eventually you’ll come across the name Andrea Arden.
She’s been training dogs since the early 90s, which means she’s been helping people and their dogs for longer than many trainers have been in the industry altogether. Over the years she’s written books, appeared on television, been featured on Animal Planet and various morning shows, and built one of the most recognizable dog training brands in New York City.
But honestly, that’s not what stands out to me most.
What stands out to me is Andrea herself.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with her personally, and if I had to describe her in one sentence, I’d call her the fairy godmother of dog trainers.
She’s warm, bubbly, kind, and incredibly personable. Despite everything she’s accomplished, she has none of the ego you sometimes see when people become well known in their field. You get the sense that you’re talking to someone who genuinely loves animals and genuinely enjoys helping people.
An Animal Person Through and Through
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Andrea is that she’s not just a dog person.
She’s an animal person.
Dogs may be her profession, but they’re only one part of a much bigger passion. She’s a dedicated equestrian who loves horses, but honestly, she seems fascinated by just about every animal imaginable. Dogs, horses, birds, reptiles, rare breeds—you name it.
The impression I’ve always gotten is that if you put Andrea in a room with almost any animal, she’d be perfectly happy spending the afternoon learning about it.
That curiosity feels completely genuine.
What Stands Out
One of the things that has always stuck with me is how genuinely excited Andrea still gets about animals.
I’ve seen her geek out over a puppy before.
Think about that for a second. This is someone who has spent more than thirty years training dogs, written books, appeared on television, worked with thousands of clients, and helped shape the profession itself. Yet she’ll still light up when she meets a puppy.
I’ve also watched her get excited over unusual and rare breeds the same way a car enthusiast might get excited spotting a vintage Ferrari.
That level of enthusiasm is surprisingly rare.
A lot of people eventually become jaded after spending decades in the same industry. The novelty wears off. The excitement fades. The work simply becomes work.
Andrea has never struck me that way.
She still seems genuinely fascinated by animals and behavior, and I think that’s one of the reasons she’s remained so effective and respected for so long.
You can’t fake that kind of curiosity for thirty years.
Beyond Dog Training
What many dog owners may not realize is that Andrea’s influence extends far beyond the clients she’s worked with personally.
She was a charter member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and served on its Board of Directors. She was also part of the team that helped create the certification program for professional dog trainers that many trainers still pursue today.
That’s the kind of behind the scenes work most dog owners never see, but it has had a lasting impact on the profession.
Her involvement with animals has also extended well beyond training. Andrea served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Animal Legal Defense Fund and has served on the boards of organizations including Pets for Patriots and Animal Haven in New York City.
To me, that says a lot.
Some people work with animals because it’s their career. Others become lifelong advocates for animals.
Andrea has always struck me as someone who falls firmly into the second category.
Training Style
As a trainer, one of Andrea’s greatest strengths is her ability to make learning feel fun and engaging, never boring or arduous.
A lot of dog owners are intimidated when they’re first getting started. They worry they’re asking dumb questions. They worry they’re doing everything wrong.
Andrea has a way of making people feel comfortable and lighthearted while still giving them the knowledge and structure they need to succeed.
Her company offers puppy classes, private training, and behavioral support throughout New York City. While Andrea herself primarily works in New York City, her organization also has trainers serving Jersey City, making her programs accessible to many local dog owners on this side of the Hudson.
Final Thoughts
The dog training world changes constantly. Methods evolve. Trends come and go.
Yet Andrea has remained respected through all of it.
Part of that comes from experience. Part of it comes from knowledge. But I suspect a large part of it comes from the fact that people genuinely enjoy learning from her.
She brings an energy that makes training feel exciting instead of stressful, and after more than three decades in the industry she still seems just as enthusiastic about animals as ever.
If I had to sum up Andrea in a few words, I’d say she’s knowledgeable, accomplished, endlessly curious, and one of the warmest people I’ve met in the dog world.
If you’re looking for a trainer with deep roots in the New York dog community, decades of experience, and a personality that makes learning feel fun, she’s absolutely worth knowing about.
⸻
In Closing
One thing I’ve learned after all these years is that there isn’t one perfect trainer. There isn’t one perfect dog, either.
Every dog is different. Every owner is different. Every household is different.
The trainer that changes one person’s life might not be the right fit for somebody else.
The good news is that we have some genuinely talented trainers in Hoboken, Jersey City, and New York City.
My advice? Talk to them, ask questions and see who you vibe with.
Because at the end of the day, dog training isn’t just about obedience. It’s about communication. It’s about understanding the weird little animal that’s currently sleeping on your couch, stealing your socks, and pretending not to hear you when you call its name.
And when you find the right trainer, that relationship usually gets a whole lot easier.
This article is based on the author’s real world experience and professional observations. AI tools assisted in formatting the article for readability, organization and flow.
