About Us
Amber Innes - Kennel Manager and Assistant Trainer
Hi there! I'm Amber, and animals have captivated me since I was a kid. My passion for dogs ignited when I witnessed my great grandfather's incredible training with his dog, Foxy. I knew then that I wanted to follow in his footsteps.
My dream became a reality when I started working for Francine in the fall of 2019. From the moment I observed her training dogs, I was hooked, and dog training quickly became my primary focus. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with hundreds of dogs and their owners. I've immersed myself in understanding canine body language, exploring various training methods, and tailoring approaches to each unique dog.
Beyond learning from Francine, I've dedicated countless hours to studying top dog trainers, devouring books, and attending training classes to expand my knowledge.
Recently, I've embarked on a new journey with my Malinois, Kiddo. We're both thrilled to be training for agility, IGP, and AKC Obedience competitions. It's been an incredible learning experience!
What Our clients Say
"Fran is a a miracle worker! Our Bernese mountain dog puppy was much larger than she was well behaved. We were struggling with basic commands like “come” and keeping her from jumping on guests and our small children. When we went to our training session with Amber, our dog was transformed! Fran even came to our home to help us encourage Artemis to enthusiastically walk down our basement steps (before she had had an irrational fear of the steps). Both Amber and Francine were excellent to work with- we really appreciated Amber’s communication during the weeks they were caring for Artemis. Our dog is so well behaved & happy. D.O.G Board N Train has benefited our entire family. We will certainly bring all future dog family members to Fran and her excellent team."
-Jessie P
"I can't even begin to say how happy and impressed I am at how D.O.G Board N' Train has transformed my dog, Benny. Before going to training, Benny used to bark at everything - people, dogs, leaves blowing past him, and even fire hydrants. He was so embarrassing to take out to public places and even taking him out to use the bathroom would give me anxiety. So Benny never went out to places because I would die of embarrassment every time.
The twice a week "pupdates" sent out during Benny's 5 week stay really keep you on the loop of how your dog is doing. But the best part of the program is when you get to go visit and see for yourself how your dog is progressing. After finishing the 5 week program, Benny is a whole new dog. He is no longer distracted when walking, listens to commands at home, and is just all around a much better dog. Amber and Francine did a great job in training him. I told Amber and Francine that my main goal for sending him to D.O.G Board N' Train was to have a dog that I can enjoy spending time with. And that's exactly what they gave me."
-Sarah Y
"We had the best experience having our 6 month old German Shorthaired Pointer trained at DOG Board n Train. It was a challenge for us to think about being separated for over 4 weeks but the time flew by and they were so good about giving us regular updates and pictures. Our main concerns were running out the door into the street and not coming back when called. When our pup returned from DOG, she was so well behaved and had learned to return when called, heel on leash, sit/stay in place, wait (no more rushing out the door) and more. And honestly the best review is that when we took her back for boarding while we traveled she ran right in and didn’t look back - so clearly she enjoyed her time there too! The staff was wonderful and you could tell they care as much for our pup as we do! We’re so happy to have worked with Francine and her team!"
-Carl F
Kate Schiaffo - Agility Instructor and assistant Trainer
Hello, I'm Kate! From a young age, I've been passionate about animals. I started my career at fourteen, working as a kennel attendant and veterinary assistant in Dutchess County. There, I cared for a variety of pets, including cats and dogs.
In 2011, I graduated from Ulster County Community College with a degree in Veterinary Technology and became a licensed technician. With experience in both general and emergency veterinary care, my top priority is ensuring the well-being of every animal I encounter.
My love for dog sports began with my first Doberman, Roux. We started training in obedience and agility in 2013. Now, when I'm not caring for clients' pets at D.O.G Board n' Train or teaching agility classes, you can find me training and competing with my own dogs (two Belgian Malinois and a Border Collie) in a variety of sports including Agility, IGP, Tracking, and even some dock diving.
To stay up-to-date on the latest training techniques and dog sports trends, I regularly attend seminars and workshops across the country.
Now that you've met our Trainers, check out our programs!
We are dedicated to providing the best training experience for you and your four-legged friend! We have three programs tailored to your dogs' age to ensure they have the time they need to learn and practice their skills before going home!
Right now your dog might be driving you a little crazy... it's not what you imagined when you first decided to bring them home!
Imagine knowing your dog will listen to you reliably, instead of only when they feel like it or when they're not distracted or when you have a treat. Imagine being able to simply tell your dog "come" and they immediately and happily run over to you.
What if walks with your dog were relaxing, fun and easy? You can even calmly and confidently walk past other dogs, people, squirrels and bouncing giant balls... with no worries.
Visit the programs page to get your dog started on the path to success!
