Stress. Anxiety. Aggression.
These aren't routine training problems —
they're behavior
problems.
And they need a
behavior specialist.
Behavior Modification Consultations
Not all great trainers are the same — and in the professional dog world, that distinction matters enormously.
Some trainers specialize in puppies. Others live for dog sports. But a specific, rare kind of trainer dedicates their work to the dogs that keep their humans up at night — the ones who guard their food bowl, lunge at every jogger who passes, fight with other dogs, or live in a constant state of anxiety.
These behaviors don't just need training. They need healing.
That's where Behavior Modification comes in — and it's not something every trainer is equipped to do. At Amanda Gagnon Dog Training, our B-Mod work is led by Melissa Arbitman, a dog behavior consultant who has spent her career working with some of New York City's most complex, fearful, and reactive dogs. She brings deep expertise and genuine warmth to families, shelter dogs, and busy professionals who love their dog — but find themselves at a loss for how to help them.
For most clients, the work becomes something unexpected: not just solving a problem, but rebuilding trust. A chance to understand your dog more deeply, communicate in a new way, and come out the other side with a bond that's stronger than before.
How Does it Work?
Get started by booking your initial consultation.
All initial consultations are virtual. This allows us to assess your case completely and prepare for in-person sessions without creating unnecessary stress for you and your dog.
During your consultation your trainer will carefully assess your needs, and design a customized plan for you and your dog.
Most behavior modification programs require multiple private sessions complimented by professional training dog walks. Your trainer will give you a sense of what is needed during your consultation.
It is always necessary for the humans who spend the most time with the dog to participate in the behavior modification and training processes.
More questions? Contact us!
Melissa Arbitman has spent her career working with the dogs most people have given up on.
A lifelong New Yorker, Melissa's path into dog behavior began at fourteen — volunteering with rescue organizations and developing the kind of instinct for troubled dogs that no classroom can fully teach. She went on to formalize that instinct with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hunter College, followed by specialized training at the San Francisco Academy for Dog Trainers, where she graduated with honors.
But what truly sets Melissa apart is the depth of her real-world experience. For seven years, she served as Canine Behavior and Outreach Trainer at Animal Care Centers of New York City — one of the most demanding behavior environments in the country. There, she worked daily with fearful, reactive, and dangerous dogs, helping countless animals become adoptable when others had written them off. Before that, she spent years contributing to the behavior department at the Monmouth County SPCA, adding shelter expertise across two major systems.
She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, and brings a rare combination of academic grounding, shelter-forged expertise, and genuine compassion to every client she works with.
If your dog is struggling, Melissa has almost certainly worked with a dog like yours — and she can help you find the way through.
Melissa lives in New York City with her Pit Bull mix, Pippa.