Jim Dellocono

I had trained dogs my whole life, but she was on a whole different level.  That’s when I reached out to Above the Standard Dogs for help. When the training was done, I didn’t even recognize the dog that was in front of me – I watched her walk across a field off leash and later lay calmly watching while other dogs ran and played around her. She followed commands and walked on a leash without pulling. What had happened to the crazy puppy that had been dropped off at my house? I was hooked. I had to find out what this magic was.

I found out it was a process of balanced training; letting the dog know the behaviors you want and don’t want, providing them with feedback, and setting them up to be successful. It’s helping owners to understand their dogs and communicate in a way that allows them to build the same trust and bond that I have been fortunate enough to build with my dog.

So after 22 years in corporate America, I traded training people for training dogs, a love I have had my whole life. With Above the Standard, I have been honored to train a variety of dogs and work with people from all over the country to build my experience with puppy raising, general obedience, dog reactivity, scent work, separation anxiety, service dog training, and many other facets of dog training.

It never gets old and there is no better feeling than watching a dog and their owner start a new chapter in life together. That’s what pushes me to keep learning and to seek out the best in the industry to continue building my knowledge base. My heart has found its home with training dogs - thank you Persephone, the crazy puppy that started it all.