Alexandra R.
Alexandra R.
Contact for Drop-In Visits
$28 total per visit
Highlights
Pet care experience
Pitsky Mom, Clinical MSW Student
I have been around dogs all of my life. Growing up in the Hudson Valley, we had two dogs: an American Pit Bull Terrier and an APBT Staffie mix. They were the most athletic and lovey dogs! They completed a five mile hike that has a fairly long and vertical scramble section at 14 years old! In their senior years, they had medical issues so I am experienced with med management and adopting activities to their capabilities. Currently, my fiance and I have a half APBT, half Siberian Husky dog. He is the best! We adopted him from a family that kept him in his crate for so long that he bit off a large portion of the hair on his tail. He was reactive in the beginning, lunging at cars on the road and barking and lunging at dogs on walks. I used Spirit Dog Training’s reactivity course and my education in behavioral psychology and research to fix these issues. He no longer does either things and his hair has grown back in spades! We keep him busy by training him (tricks) and mentally stimulated with sniff walks and games like find it, as well as off leash time, hikes, runs, etc. We love hiking with Oto: he recently completed numerous hikes in Acadia National Park and has done Camel’s Hump in VT and Mt. Osceola in NH: he plans on completing the NH 48! In general, I love being outside and active: hiking, snowshoeing, snowboarding, running, kayaking, rock climbing and going to the gym. I love all dogs, but have a particular drive to keep working dogs happy and healthy! German Shepherds, Border Collies, Huskies, Cattle Dogs, Anatolian Shepherds: it is amazing what they can do and how they have served our communities in numerous roles for decades. I have spent a lot of time with my sister’s German Shepherd and half GSD half Anatolian dogs. I also volunteered at a therapeutic horseback riding center and rode horseback for several years; I find being around horses to be great training for how to interact with, and train, dogs. They are so big that they don’t HAVE to listen to you. Maintaining confidence (even if you don’t feel like it) and a steady hand go a long way, as well as keeping aware of their body language and behaviors. They are very sensitive creatures.
Cat care experience
Alexandra also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Pets
Safety, trust & environment
Please share your dog's behaviors and needs with me before scheduling walks. If your dog is reactive (barks at dogs on walks or lunges) please let me know and I can adjust the walking route and make sure to give other dogs plenty of space. Let me know what their usual distance on walks is, as I can try to adjust my pace accordingly. I have a lot of experience with this (decades). If you have treats for your dog, I can take them out with me if needed.
Ratings and reviews
Ali is so knowledgeable, professional, and kind. She is an obvious animal lover who will treat your fur baby as her own! My husband and I have three German shepherds that she has walked and dog sit. She even taught one of our dogs a new trick! We highly recommend!
Alexandra is a warm and friendly person that is a lover of animals. She has grown up with dogs and cats and has always had a pet in her life. Shes is also very physically strong and active. I strongly recommend Ali for any endeavor that she wishes to pursue.
Ali is my fiancée, and I’ve seen firsthand how exceptional she is with dogs. Shortly before I left for deployment, we welcomed a 1½-year-old Husky/Pitbull mix named Oto into our lives. At the time, Oto was reactive toward people, cars, and other dogs. But when I returned, I was amazed at his transformation. Oto was off-leash trained, calmly ignored distractions, and now waits for a command before approaching other dogs at the park. What impressed me most was how Ali achieved this change, not through force, but through trust, patience, and consistent positive reinforcement. I used to believe that firmness and discipline were the key to dog training, but Ali helped me see that, like people, dogs respond best when you build a bond and reward the behavior you want to see. Ali has a degree in psychology from Wesleyan, and she applies her academic knowledge thoughtfully to her dog training approach. She’s also helped train her sister’s three German Shepherd mixes to be more manageable on leash, and she’s worked with several neighborhood dogs to reduce anxiety and improve behavior. We’re frequently stopped on walks by fellow dog owners asking for her advice! Beyond training, Ali is incredibly active and loves spending time outdoors with Oto and other pets. She has a knack for discovering fun new places to explore and makes sure every dog in her care gets the physical and mental stimulation it needs. Ali is not only knowledgeable and experienced, she’s genuinely passionate about the well-being of every dog she meets. I’m constantly impressed by her ability to adapt her methods to suit each dog’s unique personality and needs. Your pet will be in excellent hands with her.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
In the Fall of 2026, I am resuming my graduate program in clinical social work and have indicated my availability in the details section. However, those times and days don't apply during winter and summer breaks (open availability then).