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 14 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
• Fun, positive group classes
• Clicker training
• Therapy dog classes (AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator)
• Private, in-home training
• 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 volunteered at the Connecticut Humane Society in Westport.

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 center came true in September 2003, when Paws Up Positive Dog Training opened its doors.

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 therapy work, and herding and competitive obedience. 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