The instructors at SDTC are experienced dog trainers with backgrounds in conformation, obedience, agility or other performance events. Many have pursued advanced study in dog behavior and are members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and/or the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI).

	Esther Cassatt 716-337-3811 Esther has bred and trained Smooth Fox Terriers for more than 25 years and German Shorthair Pointers for more than 12 years. She successfully competes in the conformation, obedience and Rally rings as well as field and hunting venues with her dogs. Esther teaches competition obedience classes from beginner through advanced, pinpointing specific areas and the needs of each student. She also teaches specialty classes such as "Retrieving for the Non-Retriever."
	Sarah Connaughton CPDT 716-655-3891 Sarah specializes in problem behavior of canines. She is a certified instructor (#2040735) of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Sarah has trained and shown multiple breeds in obedience, tracking and agility. She is a past president and board member of SDTC. She offers Puppy Classes, Beginner Obedience, Competition Obedience and Agility. Private lessons are also available.
	Sue DiBianca 716-941-5499 Sue has trained and shown in competitive obedience for many years with titles at all levels. She was previously a 4-H dog obedience group leader and is still active as a 4-H judge. She currently competes in Rally, Obedience and Herding. Her collie, Lad, was the first collie in the nation to complete the Rally Advanced Excellent title and placed in the Rally Advanced and Rally Excellent classes at the Collie Club of America's 2007 national trials. She is a member of APDT and the American Working Collie Association. Sue believes in using positive, motivational training techniques geared to the individual dog and handler. Sue teaches SDTC's Rally classes.
	Carol Harty 716-655-4720 Carol Harty has been helping people understand dogs, train dogs and solve dog behavior problems using kinder, gentler methods since 1996. An endorsed member of NADOI (#956), she has learned about training by working with many talented dog trainers, attending numerous seminars and working with her own dogs. A Canine Good Citizen evaluator (#2964), Carol has helped many people achieve their CGC certification for their dogs by teaching CGC preparation classes and holding more than 40 CGC tests in various locations. Carol's own dogs have participated in Agility, Flyball and herding and one was a therapy dog. Her greatest love is the challenge of making dog training fun and enjoyable for families, so they can get the most out of their beloved dogs. Carol is currently vice president of SDTC.
	Patricia Nagel 716-549-0851 Patricia is a successful and well-known breeder of champion Irish Setters and has many years of experience as an active competitor in obedience and the breed ring, as well as an instructor of obedience, conformation and 4-H classes. She offers training for handlers of all ages, including junior showmanship. She is an SDTC board member.
	Noelle Nasca 716-649-2473 Noelle believes that leadership, learning and love are the keys to creating a successful relationship with your dog. Enjoy a fun, motivating, positive, respectful approach to training your canine. Noelle has instructed pet obedience classes since 1997. She is a fully endorsed NADOI member, as well as a continued member of APDT. Maintaining current knowledge of dog behavior and training techniques is paramount to Noelle's success, and she attends numerous seminars and continually adds to her library, striving to obtain the most effective information. Noelle's classes are geared for individuals and families who want to establish manners, reliability and control with their pet. Puppy classes and adult dog classes are available on a regular basis, as well as private lessons for scheduling needs or behavioral concerns. Noelle has enjoyed being involved with Bully breed rescue and foster for more than nine years, has been certified as a NYS wildlife rehabilitator, and has also had success competing in agility, obedience and Rally with her dogs, earning titles swiftly and with high scores. Noelle believes that training should be fun and successful for both ends of the leash!