My name is Mike Dickinson, owner and founder of Chloe’s Classmates Dog Training. My entry into the dog industry began with boarding dogs at my home and training my pup Jasmine. After losing custody of Jasmine in a divorce and struggling personally, I needed an outlet and a purpose.
In 2013, I started volunteering at the SPCA in Briarcliff, walking and exercising the dogs, and eventually, I got involved with the nose-work training program. This program showed me that I can play a huge part in enriching the lives of these dogs by giving them tasks and training, it opened my eyes to the abilities that dogs have to learn.
Eventually I met Diane Bonsignore, the owner of Allied Dog Training, and I worked my way up from Apprentice to Professional Dog Trainer which I have worked full time as since 2017.
By providing in home dog training for puppies and dogs, I work with each owner and family member to personalize our training sessions to address specific needs. I have worked with a wide range of breeds and helped with various issues from housebreaking/basic obedience to fear and socialization, and aggression rehabilitation.
Me with my rescue dog, Chloe.
How my journey began
Chloe’s Classmates was born out of my desire to be a leader to my dog and help her overcome her fears and anxieties. Chloe is an Australian Shepherd mix rescued from the south. She was found by a policeman tethered to a pole in a yard and was rescued by Perfect Pets and brought up for training at Allied Dog Training in Mahopac. I knew immediately that my wife and I would adopt Chloe, we had an instant bond, but it wasn’t easy. She has a fear of strangers and this fear comes out as aggression, growling and lunging, so we had a lot of work to do! Chloe had been fostered several times at different homes and returned because of her issues.
After a month of working extensively with Chloe, she was ready to come home and meet her new family! She connected with my wife and my two cats right away and we have seen immense progress when she is meeting new people as well as her calmer demeanor inside the home when neighbors pass by.
After my success with Chloe, I was inspired to use my knowledge and training, and all of my professional experience from working at Allied Dog Training, to start Chloe’s Classmates. I want to help owners and families get the best out of their relationships with their pets and become leaders to their dogs, so that their dogs can overcome issues that impede them from a happy life. I want to encourage dog owners to do the work to enrich their own lives, so that these pets can remain in their forever homes.
No dog is a lost cause and let me help you see that if we dedicate some time and work to training, everyone will benefit.
