D&T Dog Training
by Jill Duff-Hoppes
For Joy Endsley, there is more to being a good dog trainer than making sure a client’s pup is well-behaved. Joy, who owns D&T Dog Training, says a solid relationship between owner and pooch is important, too.
“I focus not just on obedience but also on strengthening the human-dog bond through communication, understanding, and trust,” says Joy, who lives in Longwood with husband DeWayne and Trinity, their rescue dog. “A strong bond leads to obedience.”
Joy is certified through CATCH Canine Trainers Academy and only uses R+ training techniques – positive, reward-based methods to encourage good behavior. She works with puppies and adult dogs, offering puppy training and lessons in basic manners, and tackling common issues such as counter surfing, jumping, and leash reactivity.
“I’m working with a lot of COVID dogs, which are dogs that didn’t get much socialization during that time,” says Joy. “So, people are having a tough time socializing them now.”
Another of Joy’s specialties is day training, typically done while the owner is at work. She visits the client’s home several times a week to train their dog, and those sessions also include time for a walk and play. At week’s end, she meets with the client to review what the dog has learned so the owner can continue to train their own pooch.
“All my trainings are personalized to you and your dog,” says Joy. “Every dog is different, so I tailor my methods to each one’s personality and needs.”
When initially meeting with a client, Joy makes a point of discussing what they want to achieve with dog training. One of her regular clients is Justin Katsur of
Longwood, the pet parent to a two-year-old goldendoodle named Ibis. Justin wants to ensure that the high-energy pup is well-mannered in public places, from his office to dog-friendly stores, coffee shops, and cafes.
“Since Joy began working with her, I’ve seen major improvements in obedience,” he says. “Ibis has made huge strides.”
Justin also appreciates Joy’s compassionate nature as well as her ability to teach owners how to better understand and work with their dogs.
“Joy cares so much,” says Justin. “She really gets invested in the dogs. She’s a human counselor almost as much as she’s a dog trainer.”