Meet Anthony De Marinis

Professional Dog Trainer & Behavior Consultant On Long Island

Journey, Quest and Anthony Hiking

A little about me & how I got here.

As a young boy I was fascinated and obsessed with dogs. When my family purchased their first desktop computer, I knew it as a machine that would let me print photo’s of dogs so that I could hang them on the wall in my bedroom. But, my journey really began at the age of thirteen where I got my first job working at a local vet hospital, where I remained until I left to attend college. After I graduated college I knew that I wanted a career that involved dogs. My original plan was to open a dog daycare, and I decided it would be a good idea to learn how to train dogs and truly understand dog behavior if I was going to be responsible for their happiness and welfare as my job.

I started by attending the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Trainers (VSA) where I learned about dog behavior and training. While attending VSA I spent a lot of time shadowing and learning from my mentor who felt I had a real knack for dog training. I enjoyed training and learning about behavior modification so much that I decided to pursue it as a career and pass on my first dream of owning a dog daycare facility.

While on this path I met a dog named Gerber at the local shelter where I was volunteering. Gerber eventually became my dog and quickly taught me what it was like to own a high energy dog with severe reactive and aggressive behavior. He forced me to explore and learn as much as I could about behavior modification so that I could help him. He ended up being my ultimate teacher.

Over the years I have had the pleasure of personally learning from many great dog professionals from different training methodologies in pet training, sports dog training and behavior modification. All of these individuals have influenced my approach and my work, helping me to grow and develop into the professional I am today. I truly enjoy the art of dog training and the science of dog behavior.

I currently have two Australian Kelpies, Journey and Quest. You can learn about each of them and our adventures together in their bios down below.

Quest and Anthony at a training workshop

My approach is simple: I train clients’ dogs the way I train my own dogs. In particular, I believe in taking a compassionate and fair approach when training and modifying behavior.

My training techniques and behavior modification strategies include a variety of methods, mainly focusing on positive reinforcement to reward and motivate your dog. This means using food, toys and play, praise and attention, and/or exploration as rewards for behaviors we want to see more of. 

Though I mainly focus on using positive reinforcement and reward-based techniques, I DO NOT limit myself to one training method. I am open to using whatever approach and training tools you want to use with your dog, as long as they are in the best interest of you and your dog. 

My goal is to help both of you to succeed. Just like humans, dogs are individuals, and they learn, work and are motivated in different ways. Together, we will determine what is the best method to achieve your goals so you can live the best possible life with your dog.

How I Work

My purpose is to help dog owners and their dogs achieve their goals, while helping to develop and strengthen their relationship. I help owners understand more about their individual dog, identify the root cause of any behavior concerns, and work with owners to create a plan to improve their situation. This plan will involve a range of interventions including training, relationship-building, play skills, behavior modification, as well as creating structure and rules for both the owner and the dog. My training exercises are generally provided through training concepts, games and play so that training is enjoyable for you and your dog. I DO NOT offer quick fix approaches. My plans and strategies are all customized for the individual dog and household.

I enjoy helping dog owners learn to be their dog’s teacher and guide. My approach helps improve the quality of life of both dog and owner and I believe that training and behavior modification should always enhance the relationship between a dog and their family.

My Approach

My Education

I got my start by attending and graduating from the Victoria Stilwell Academy For Dog Training (VSA) and went on to attend many other programs. For many years I held numerous certifications such as being a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), Accredited Dog Trainer (IAABC), Certified Behavior Adjustment Trainer, VSA Certified Trainer, and Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer.

As I continued to grow, learn and master my craft as a professional, I continued to see a pattern; dog training and dog behavior was not black and white. Many of the certifications I obtained forced me to look at dog training and behavior as black and white, where I had to adhere and follow one training methodology. I realized I was doing my clients and their dog’s a disservice by following one approach and method. Instead, I started focusing more on who the dog was as an individual. In doing so, I no longer aligned with my certifications. As I continued to grow and develop my skills, I realized these certifications were NOT making me a better dog trainer and behavior professional.

What was making me a better dog trainer and behavior professional was all the hands-on continuing education training, seminars and dog sport workshops I was attending. Including being coached and mentored one-on-one from a variety of dog trainers that I was interested in learning from.

I decided to let go of my certifications and instead focus and dedicate my time and money into improving my skills and abilities as a dog trainer and behavior professional. Today, you can find me regularly attending hands-on dog training workshops and seminars as I truly enjoy continuing my education. I also regularly attend hands-on training classes and private lessons with my own dogs in Agility, Mondio Obedience, Sheep herding and Nose Work.

  • Formal Education

    • Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior (2016)

    • Aggression in Dogs Masters Course

    • L.E.G.S Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation Course

    • The Third Way Dog Training Program

    Former Certifications

    • Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (IAABC)

    • Accredited Dog Trainer (IAABC)

    • Certified Behavior Adjustment Trainer

    • Certified Fear Free Trainer

    • Certified Victoria Stilwell Academy Dog Trainer

    Notable Continuing Education

    • The Big Dog Behavior Seminar w/ Dr. Chris Pachel

    • Defensive Handling & Aggression w/ Michael Shikashio

    • Fear Free Animal Trainer Course

    • International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Conference

    • Brain to Bite w/ Chirag Patel

    • Behavior Adjustment Training 2.0 (BAT)

    • Aggression Mentorship Course w/ Michael Shikashio

    • Chris Bach’s The Third Way- Level 1 Certification

    • Managing Dog to Dog Interactions w/ Sue Sternberg

    • Avoiding Dog Play Dangers w/ Sue Sternberg

    • Assess-A-Pet Assessments & Canine Body Language w/ Sue Sternberg

    • Recallers by Susan Garrett

    • Family Paws Parent Education

    • IAABC 2020 Behavior Conference

    • Aggression In Dogs Conference 2020

    • Living & Learning with Animals w/ Dr. Susan Friedman (2021)

    • L.E.G.S. In Motion Applied Ethology Conference (2022) Presenter

    • Aggression in Dogs Conference (2022)

    • Possession Games w/ Ivan Balabanov

    • Play & Tug w/ Jay Jack

    • Heeling Concepts w/ Forrest Micke

    • The Power of Food Training and Play with Micheal Ellis

Take A Look At How I Coach And Teach Clients!

Meet Anthony’s Dogs

Journey

Journey is a 6 year old Australian Kelpie, bred from sport lines from an agility trainer who competes with her dogs in agility professionally in Canada. Journey is named in honor of my previous dog Gerber, who took me on a “Journey” both personally and professionally.

I got Journey because I wanted a dog training partner with whom I could learn more about high-drive dogs and dog sports. We participates and competes in a few dog sports which include: agility, nose work and sheep herding. Journey also enjoy hiking off-leash and running around the park.

In 2022, Journey was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition called Tethered Cord Syndrome. Due to Journey’s Tethered Cord Syndrome, we had to limit our agility training for a couple of years. In the spring of 2024 Journey had surgery on his tethered spinal cord. In the fall of 2024 we were able to slowly return to agility and are currently training so that we can compete in agility competitions together. 

Participating in dog sports with Journey has really taught me new skills and techniques that I have been able to use with clients and their dogs over the years.

To see video’s of Journey and our training and adventures together, checkout my social media pages: Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook.

Get to know my dog Journey!

Quest

Quest is a 4 year old female working line Australian Kelpie. She was bred for farm work such as herding and farm chores, which she truly enjoys. Currently Quest and I participate in Mondio Obedience training, sheep herding, and most recently nose work. She also enjoys trick training, playing tug and going for off leash hikes. Quest is one of those dogs that can be tossed in the car and is up for anything.

She entered her first ASCA herding trial at 8 months of age and got second place. My goal is to continue to compete with Quest in sheep herding trials and eventually in nose work. 

To see video’s of Quest and our training and adventures together, checkout my social media pages: Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook.

Get to know my dog Quest!

In Loving Memory of Gerber

I am a firm believer that everyone comes into our lives for a reason. This includes our beloved pets.

At the shelter where I was volunteering, I worked with Gerber for a year before adopting him. Gerber was known as my “love at fifth sight dog” because it took me five times of working with him before I started to actually like him. I still laugh at how I wanted nothing to do with him because he was so difficult. Then one day it became “love at fifth sight.”. I saw how so many people didn’t like him and how judgmental and impatient they were with him. It made me think back to when I was in school and I struggled to learn and process the information being taught to me. Some people gave up while others, like my parents and some special teachers, helped me be successful. Eventually I adopted him.

Gerber was not an easy dog to live with, but I learned how owning a dog with severe behavior issues takes a toll on a person and puts limitations on their life. Living with and loving a dog who has behavior issues is one of the most difficult things. As their owner, we are responsible for helping them, teaching them and protecting them. We are responsible for their success.

Gerber taught me so much as a trainer. He pushed me to get out and immerse myself in continuing education courses in behavior and aggression. I am so grateful for the journey Gerber took me on.

Honoring Gerber: One of the ways I honor Gerber is through my logo. The picture of the dog in my logo is Gerber. (You can tell by the ears!)

Want to see what our training looks like?

Take a look at the clips down below!

6 Hiking Foundation Skills

Leash Walking

Benefits of Training

Learning Heel Position

Play Skills

Off Leash Skills