About Us

For families and singles, homemakers and professionals, clients requiring expert assistance with problem behavior and those interested in selecting an appropriate puppy for their lifestyle, Mary-Jo Duffy brings a wealth of knowledge to these topics. With 15 years of experience working with dogs and owners, Mary-Jo has earned a reputation for providing skilled and practical guidance as a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT).

Mary-Jo believes that every dog should be a well behaved and integral part of the family and the community. Further, she feels that positive training is the foundation of a mutually enjoyable relationship between dogs and their people.

Her areas of expertise include:
• Puppy selection
• Private, in-home training
• Clicker training
• Therapy dog training (AKC Canine Good
   Citizen evaluator)
• Shelter dog evaluations and temperament
   testing

Background & Experience

In 1991 a life long love of animals led Mary-Jo to the country’s oldest animal shelter, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in New York City. At the ASPCA she held a series of volunteer and staff positions involving all aspects of the shelter system. While there, she adopted her beloved pit bull, Ellie, and began to take her through obedience classes. She came to realize that behavioral issues are the primary reason that dogs end up in shelters. Mary-Jo set out to do what she could to change this sad fact and thus her dog training career was launched.

While training Ellie at the ASPCA, Mary-Jo met a wonderful and experienced instructor, Michele Siegel, who became her mentor. She began to observe and assist in Michele’s classes to gain experience. She started reading training and behavior books, they went to seminars together, and she became a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) in 1996.

Additionally, while living in the Washington DC area, Mary-Jo ran the training program for a large boarding kennel and simultaneously held a variety of volunteer and staff positions with the Montgomery County Humane Society and the Washington Humane Society. Since moving back to her home state of Connecticut, she has also become involved with Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue (ROAR) and joined their board of directors in January of 2008.

Mary-Jo strongly believes that her shelter experience has been her single greatest hands-on educational opportunity, giving her exposure to almost every type of dog and behavioral issue.

Mary-Jo’s dream of having her own training business came true in September 2003, when Paws Up Positive Dog Training was established.

Mary-Jo holds a BA from William Smith College. She earned her CPDT designation from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) in March 2004. She regularly attends seminars and diligently reads training literature in order to stay on top of the latest techniques. Mary-Jo has dabbled in everything from flyball to agility, the conformation ring to herding and competitive obedience. She actively competes in Rally Obedience, having earned numerous titles, and also participates in therapy work with two of her dogs with the ROAR Therapy Program. She loves to try new and fun things with her dogs and pass along her knowledge to her clients.

Mary-Jo shares her life with her wonderful husband, two human children and four canine children in Wilton.

Mary-Jo Duffy CPDT
Owner, Training Director