Michael Schaier
Owner & Head Dog Trainer
- Michael Schaier, owner/head trainer of Michael’s Pack, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Animal Behavior College (ABC-D.T.) and Certified Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-K.A.). He is an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizens (CGC) test. Michael is also the author of Wag That Tail: A Trainer’s Guide to a Happy Dog and What Can You Expect When You Are Expecting A Puppy. He has appeared on News 12 Long Island, Animal Planet, and FiOS1 Long Island’s Money and Main$treet and has had featured articles in Long Island Business News, as well as Newsday.
Philip Smith
Head Dog Trainer
- Meet Philip Smith, our premier Suffolk County dog trainer. Phil embraces the Michael's Pack philosophy of behavior modification which focuses on positive reinforcement and consistency. Philip has been adopting rescue and shelter dogs since childhood. His passion to train dogs came to be when he started preparing his Border Collie Mix, Pepper, for a drive across the country. Being able to safely travel 3,000 miles with his canine buddy by his side is what inspired him to learn everything he could about the Art of Dog Training.
Nikki Matos
Dog Trainer
- Nikki developed her passion for helping and training dogs based on her own personal experience with her rescue dog Dobby. This is her story: "When I found Dobby he was abused, neglected and still had open wounds. He constantly chased my cat, pulled me into bushes on walks, barked at everyone, tore my house to shreds and I was slightly frightened of him. I wanted to give him back to the shelter many times.
Gabrielle Cantileno
Dog Trainer
- Gabrielle Cantileno, a graduate of Animal Behavior College (ABC-D.T.) is Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She went to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield CT majoring in Psychology with a focus on animal behavior. Her studies included working with marine mammals. She was an intern at Long Island Aquarium in the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue program. After enrolling in Animal Behavior College, Gabby mentored under Michael and decided to focus her experience in animal behavior on dog training. Dogs have a special place in her heart and she is excited and enthusiastic about focusing on full time training.
David Russell
Dog Trainer
- David Russell a graduate of Animal Behavior College, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. He volunteered his time at Ruff House Animal Shelter and his experience there prompted him to follow his passion full time. David mentored under Michael's Pack founder and owner Michael Schaier and Head Trainer Phil Smith. He proved to be a dedicated and skilled trainer and joined the Pack last October. David's very first client was so pleased with the work he did that they reenrolled immediately when their first set of lessons were done. David is currently our Trainer/Supervisor at Sunday Play Time and is assisting in the Beginner Group Class.