A Farmingdale Business That's For The Dogs

was founded by Frank Bonomo in 1999 and since then the company has helped train more than 6,500 dogs. Their headquarters, indoor training, and kennel facility are located at 114 Marine Street in Farmingdale.

Best Friend's Dog Training offers weekly group classes in Farmingdale, Wantagh, Wading River, Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan. Their team of trainers offer private training all over Nassau County, Suffolk (including the Hamptons), Queens, Brooklyn, New York City and Westchester.  

"Training dogs started as a part-time business that was able to grow to the thriving company that it is now," Bonomo said. "Prior to becoming a professional dog trainer, I worked as an EMT, in addition to other professions. My house is full of dogs. The furry family includes a Belgian Malinois, a Lab-Malinois mix and a Bichon Frise."

The company trains family pets, canine police and protection dogs, narcotics detection dogs, hunting dogs, therapy dogs, bed bug sniffing dogs, as well as Westminster Kennel Club competitors. They offer private training in their client’s homes, a signature "board and train" program, puppy "kindergarten classes," and group classes on a weekly basis.

Best Friend's Dog Training trains both large and small breeds, fearful and aggressive dogs, and well-adjusted pets that just need brushing up on their manners.

"The economy has affected many small businesses, and we are not immune," Bonomo said. "Of course, with disposable income being tight for many families, we also had to tighten our belts. However, we found that as people cut down on expenses such as movies and restaurants, they spend more time with their families, including their dogs. It made sense to invest in great training so all the time spent with the family pets were as great as they could be."

Robert Mouallem has been a client at Best Friend's Dog Training client for the past eight years.

"I love the fact that my dog is the most well-trained dog I've ever seen," he said. "Even though when you think your dog is trained, it really is not. You learn more and more every single time that you go to class."

Janice Costa is a pet therapy professional and long-time client.

"Best Friend's Dog Training saved my dog's life," she said. "They make long-term commitments and they are fully devoted to helping dogs. I am an evaluator for a dog therapy program and they send us many dogs. Best Friend's Dog Training supports us and helps prepare dogs to participate in our program."

"I consider the incredible Best Friend’s Dog Training community to be my proudest accomplishment," Bonomo said. "Clients have become long-time friends not only of mine, but of each other: they go out to dinner, help each other train, meet up and socialize. Two members of the Best Friend's Dog Training community even fell in love and got married."

Bonomo said the most difficult aspect of his job as a dog trainer is balancing his professional and personal life.

 "This is a labor of love," he said. "If you are doing it for the money, you won’t get far; however, if you put a significant amount of time, effort, and passion into learning how to become an effective dog trainer, the money will follow."

"Everyone is capable of having a great and well-trained dog," Bonomo said. "It’s just a matter of finding the type of training that works best for you, your dog and your family. Our motto is as follows: 'if your dog needs a leash, your dog isn’t trained.' Most people do not realize how great their relationship with their dog can be, and we want to help fix that."

For more information on Best Friend's Dog Training, visit their website.