All training is force-free, positive reinforcement.
About
Trainer Steve Porter
Over ten years ago, while still teaching, I got two of my dogs certified with the Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dog organization and immediately began taking them on weekly visits.
Some of the places we have gone on a regular basis are New Hope Community (a center for people with Developmental Disabilities), Achieve Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, and DPOA (Disabled Persons Action Organization).
Great Companion Dog Training
After a successful teaching career, I decided to turn my skills and passion to dog training. So in 2015 I started Great Companion Dog Training. All my training is force-free, positive reinforcement. It includes hand signals, clicker training, voice commands, operant conditioning, and reward systems.
Besides my private in-home dog training, since 2019 I have been the trainer for the not-for-profit Action Toward Independence that is administering a grant through its Vet to Vet program. We train Veterans with PTSD and other military related disabilities acquire and train their own dogs to become Service Dogs for themselves. We provide service to Veterans in Sullivan, Orange, and Ulster counties.
To date (April 2026) we have had over 40 teams of veterans and their dogs successfully complete our Service Dog Training program.
Advisory Role
I am on the board of a local animal rescue (Rocky’s Refuge).
I have consulted on the construction of a new “green” dog park.
Stream likes my cat joke.
Visiting Achieve Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center
I'm the one on the right.
Geo greeting a student at a school event
From concerned to thrilled
“We adopted Harlow as an adult dog who, while very sweet, was too rambunctious to suit our three cats.
We thought we had made a terrible mistake. But, after just a couple of sessions with Steve—who, to be honest, is also training us—we can now imagine a time when everyone gets along.”
— Brad Aaron