Mission Statement

Keep happy dogs in happy homes!  We believe that every dog has the potential to be a Great Companion!   Through our educational training programs, we are redefining the relationship with man’s best friend.   All dogs are welcome no matter their breed, age or behavior.  Push the boundaries of science and education and take your relationship with your dog to the next level!  

Meet Our Team

David Shade, CCDT | Founder and Chief Executive Officer

David Shade’s work extends far beyond traditional dog training. He has been trusted to train dogs for professional athletes, public figures, celebrities, and families of former U.S. presidents. These are clients for whom discretion, reliability, and results are essential. That level of trust is earned through consistency, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to ethical training standards.

David’s expertise has been recognized nationally through television appearances, podcast features, and published articles across the dog training and pet professional space. He is frequently invited to speak not because he follows trends, but because his work reflects a rare combination of real world experience, scientific understanding, and leadership under pressure.

What truly distinguishes David in the industry is range. Many trainers specialize in a narrow area of training. David works successfully across the full spectrum, from first time puppy owners to high stakes behavioral rehabilitation, and from private in home training to complex cases involving safety, liability, and long term management. His background in leadership and science allows him to evaluate behavior with both emotional awareness and analytical precision.

David does not rely on intimidation, gimmicks, or one size fits all systems. His training philosophy is grounded in modern, force free, fear free, and pain free methods, paired with clear structure and accountability. Clients are not sold unrealistic promises. Instead, they are given honest assessments, defined goals, and practical paths forward.

David is a United States Army veteran who served four years as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. He completed a combat deployment to Afghanistan, where he was awarded both the Army Commendation Medal with Valor and the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in action. His military service shaped his approach to leadership, responsibility, and decision making under pressure, principles that continue to guide his professional work today.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, David is a devoted husband and father. His commitment to family life strongly informs his approach to training, particularly when working with households navigating stress, safety concerns, or major life transitions. He understands firsthand the responsibility that comes with caring for both children and dogs, and he prioritizes solutions that support stability, trust, and long term success within the home.

David is also an author. He recently completed his first book, which has been accepted by a publisher and is scheduled for release in the near future. The book reflects his broader perspective on leadership, responsibility, and personal growth shaped by his military service, professional experience, and family life.

As the founder of At Attention Dog Training, David has built more than a business. He has built a standard. Every trainer on his team is carefully selected, mentored, and held to the same expectations of professionalism, continuing education, and ethical practice. This ensures clients receive consistent, high level guidance regardless of which trainer they work with.

At his core, David is a teacher, a leader, and a protector of dogs, families, and the human animal bond. His work is trusted at the highest levels because it is built on integrity, experience, and results that speak for themselves.

View our Founder’s Tedx talk about dogs!

Alicia P., CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT | Behavior Specialist

Alicia brings both heart and expertise to every training session she leads. After graduating from Penn State with a B.S. in Marketing, she spent time in the corporate world before realizing she wanted something more fulfilling. That shift led her to follow her instincts—toward animals, purpose, and a career that made a real difference.

She began as a professional dog walker and pet sitter, where she noticed something important: so many dogs were struggling with basic, day-to-day life. That question—“How can I help?”—eventually led her to At Attention Dog Training over 5 years ago, where she found her calling as a behavior-focused trainer.

Alicia is a graduate of Victoria Stilwell’s Dog Training Academy, a certified CPDT-KA trainer, Fear Free certified, and a licensed Pet Dog Ambassador Instructor/Assessor. She is also an instructor for Canine Good Citizen. Her approach blends patience, skill, and structure—helping dogs and their owners build strong, lasting relationships.

She shares her life with Bentley, her golden retriever and constant companion.

Vania H., CPDT-KA | Behavior Specialist

Vania has been a part of At Attention Dog Training for over five years, and her passion for helping dogs and their families shines through in everything she does. With a professional background in fashion merchandising and international hairstyling, she brings a creative, people-focused energy to her work—but it was dog training where she found her true calling.

After earning her certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®), Vania dedicated herself to making a real difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them. She’s guided countless families through their training journeys, combining compassion with a deep understanding of dog behavior.

Vania believes dogs are family—plain and simple. Her approach centers around helping owners learn the subtle, nonverbal ways dogs communicate. By interpreting body language and working as a team, she helps families turn frustration into progress and build lasting trust.

At home, Vania is happily outnumbered by her dog Vincent, who proudly claims his spot as a full-fledged family member (even if he can’t say it out loud).

Carli B., CCDT | Professional Dog Trainer

Carli’s journey into dog training started with one powerful moment: watching her own dog learn. During her senior year of high school, she brought her puppy, Dooley, to a professional trainer—and something clicked. She fell in love with the process, the connection, and the transformation that training made possible. Not long after, she enrolled in CATCH Canine Trainers Academy.

With Dooley as her training partner and constant companion, Carli earned her CCDT certification and is now also proudly Fear Free Certified. She’s committed to helping people better understand their dogs—not just through commands, but through trust, communication, and clarity.

Carli believes that dog training is more than just behavior modification—it’s about creating stronger bonds and calmer homes. Her work focuses on helping families build the kind of connection with their dogs that leads to lasting success and true harmony.

Andrea D. | Professional Dog Trainer

Andrea’s passion for dogs started early—competing in agility, obedience, and confirmation as a junior handler with her 4H club. Her work with therapy dogs began just as young, earning her first title after 500+ hospital and assisted living visits with her cocker spaniel, Buddy.

She later earned degrees in Human Services with a focus on geriatrics and became a certified dementia care practitioner. Her service dog Bliss was trained in fall risk and diabetic alert, and together they helped launch therapy dog programs across northern New Jersey—placing working dogs in dementia units to assist residents and staff.

While in college, Andrea also ran a pet sitting business and worked closely with veterinarians and trainers to provide compassionate care and puppy education. Over the years, she’s titled dogs in agility, dock diving, scent work, rally, obedience, and canine freestyle, and taught group agility classes at a performance dog facility in NJ.

Her love of behavior and health led her to work as a veterinary technician in emergency medicine and later in canine rehab and holistic care. She’s earned certifications from Fenzi Dog Sports Academy and has studied directly under David Shade, CCDT.

Today, Andrea shares life with Little Bear, her 6-year-old cocker spaniel and service dog. She specializes in task training for medical alerts (seizure, mobility, cardiac, PTSD, and more), and continues her education in animal behavior and the canine brain.

On her days off, you’ll find Drea and Bear hiking trails or curled up together in the sun.

Bentley | K9 Assistant

Bentley is a Golden Retriever and belongs to our trainer Alicia. She has raised him since he was an 11 week old puppy. Through proper training using positive reinforcement techniques, he has grown to be a happy, obedient and loving companion. He loves playing catch, roughhousing with his brother and swimming in the ocean. As a worker, he has helped many dogs learn how to feel more confident when encountering another dog in public and has helped set an example for many of our client's dogs how to properly maintain focus on their owner while in a stressful or distracting environment. Bentley is an asset to our team and will continue to show up for duty as long as treats and belly rubs are provided.