“In the time I have spent with Steve, he has unfailingly impressed me with his intense focus on animals and their behavior. His observation skills are sharp, constantly honed, all serving his deep curiosity about animals. Able to grasp both the practical and the theoretical, Steve is a careful and critical thinker who evaluates new information and integrates it thoughtfully into his own approach.  Above all, I consider him to be a true “animal person” who I believe will make significant contributions to the field of animal behavior in the years to come.”

“Steve brings so many talents to the table. In addition to his hands-on expertise derived from working with dogs, he is highly dedicated to understanding what makes dogs tick; as a result of his own empirical and scholarly research, Steve is an expert on the scientific literature on animal behavior and the dog-human connection.”

“Steve DeBono has extensive experience working with owners and with shelters and rescues to help dogs whose behavior poses a challenge. He can help with a consultation about an individual dog, or with setting up a behavior modification and management program for a shelter or rescue.”

“I couldn’t have asked for a better trainer/behaviorist than Steve to have worked with when I adopted a dog with fear-based aggression. Before working with him, I was overwhelmed just by the thought of taking my dog on a walk, where we were certain to encounter strangers. Through my sessions with Steve, he gave me the tools I needed to help both me and my dog be more confident and calm out on walks and in other situations she might find scary. Thanks to Steve, my dog and I developed a deep, loving bond as we worked through these challenges together – a bond far deeper than I’ve had with any other dog. In addition to being very skilled at what he does, Steve is also incredibly compassionate and respectful, toward both dogs and people. I’ve referred him to several friends, each with different goals for their dogs (basic training, reactivity to other dogs, etc), and they’ve all been very pleased with their experiences with him as well. It’s clear from the start that his top priority is making both you and your dog happier, and he has the capability to figure out how to do that under your and your dog’s particular circumstances. His approach gets results without resorting to anything that would harm, frighten, or intimidate your dog, focusing instead on supporting your dog as they navigate their world.”