Four Paws Guidance Dog Training LLC

08/31/2026

✨✨I'm excited to announce my new "STARBURST" book! "OH, LITTLE STARBURST, WHY ARE YOU BARKING?" ✨✨Fifth in the series. This book is based on a poem that I wrote about her a few years ago. All of the books are based on true stories about Starburst, my very lovable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Available on Amazon.✨✨🐾🐾
"What does Starburst know that we don’t?
When little Starburst suddenly begins barking toward the woods, her person can’t help but wonder—what does she hear? What does she smell? What does she see?
Could there be a bear hiding in the brush? A groundhog peeking from its burrow? Or perhaps a squirrel watching from the trees?
In OH, LITTLE STARBURST, WHY ARE YOU BARKING?, children are invited to join Starburst on a playful adventure filled with curiosity, imagination, and the special way dogs seem to notice things long before we do.
As Starburst listens, sniffs, watches—and, of course, barks!—young readers can look closely at the illustrations for animals tucked into the scenes. Maybe Starburst really does know something her person doesn’t!
And when the story is over, the fun continues!
Young readers can enjoy special activity pages, including:
• Color Starburst
• Find the hidden animals
• Help Starburst through a maze
The book also includes a special Starburst bookmark for children to use during their next reading adventure.
Sweet, playful, and interactive, OH, LITTLE STARBURST, WHY ARE YOU BARKING? celebrates a child’s imagination, the curiosity of our four-legged friends, and the simple joy of wondering what might be hiding just out of sight.
A delightful read-aloud for young children, dog lovers, and anyone who has ever wondered exactly what their dog is trying to tell them!

06/27/2026

Sometimes we are lucky enough to have a special dog in our lives that inspires us to do things we never thought we could. That's true for my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Starburst. Chadwick Starburst of Sunjays CGC, AKC & C-TKI, Reg. Therapy Dog and Reading Education Assistance Dog R.E.A.D ® bred by Anne Eckersley. Starburst has inspired me to write children's books based on our real experiences together. This ad was created by the very talented Flynn Weeks—thank you, Flynn! And thank you, Anne, for breeding such a wonderful, special dog! Starburst has also inspired me to write a dog training book and a poem. How wonderful it is to have this special little girl in my life! ❤🐾🐾📕📗📘📒

07/01/2024

If you want to learn a great way to communicate with and train your dog, check out my new book!

AHA! Now I Get It! A Basic Guide to Faster, Easier Dog Training Using Markers: Color Edition

10/02/2023

Today we officially completed our Rally Master title. Rumor and I had so much fun navigating our way through Judge Mrs. Joyce Rienzo's Master course. It was very challenging but fair. We scored a 98 out of 100 which earned us a 3rd place. These trials are very competitive but Rumor and I were up for it. Thank you judge Rienzo and Nassau Dog Training Club, for a very memorable trial. "Rumor" AKC GCH CH/CKCSC CH Sunjays Rumor Has It AKC-RM, AKC-TKI, CGCA, C-Versatility Achiever Excellent, C-RE, C-TKA, AKC Achiever Dog. Proudly bred and owned by me. 😃🐾

09/29/2023

This past weekend I chaired a Breed Handling seminar at the Port Chester Obedience Training Club, in White Plains, NY. Our presenter was professional handler Norma Smith. Norma was amazing!! She had all of us, both beginners and advanced, handling our dogs like pros. Here is my write up for the Sit N Stay Newsletter:
On September 23rd & 24th PCOTC held a Breed Handling Seminar presented by Professional Handler Norma Smith. This well-attended seminar included handlers of all levels of experience, but mostly beginners to the sport. I was amazed at how beginners went from hardly any knowledge of showing a dog to showing as though they had shown for a long time. I was shocked to learn that the owner who won the Best in Beginner Class had only just started to show her dog! It was impressive to see how Norma was able to help owners of unruly dogs. By the end of the weekend there was a vast improvement. It was great to see these dogs move around the ring so well behaved, and their owners look of delight. Norma’s seminar was very helpful to experienced handlers as well. These handlers learned how to improve their performance by learning correct ways to show and to be aware of old incorrect habits.

I want to thank the Port Chester Obedience Training Club for giving me the opportunity to hold this successful seminar. Many have benefitted because of this wonderful club!

Group photo
Left to right: Norma Smith, Fran Helman, and participants.

Best in Seminar and First Place Advanced – Laura Glynn and Chase

First Place Beginner –Eileen D’Ercole and Gordi

Most improved - Lyn Bianchi and Smudge

Best Dressed – Kathie Jochen with Bandit

Congratulations to the winners of the seminar! In my opinion, all participants were winners!

Thank you again Norma!!!!!!

08/29/2023

The most important tips I can give to anyone who wants to have a well trained dog are:

Teach them how to communicate with you by using a Reward Marker.
Teach them how to learn. By teaching them how to learn you are setting them up to figure things out on their own.
It's OK if they make mistakes. Give them more chances to figure it out. When they do, use your Reward Marker to let them know they have gotten it right. Then have a party!
Keep it fun! 😀🐾🐾

08/29/2023

Early this morning I was out in the yard with the dogs when Starburst started to bark at something. So I said to her, "oh little dog what do you hear?" Then I continued on, which led me to write this poem. Starburst always seems to inspire me. First, to write three children books about her, and now this poem.
Ode to a Little Barking Dog
Oh little dog, what do you hear?
Oh little dog, what do you smell?
Oh little dog, what do you see?
Could there be bears in the brush?
Groundhogs in their borrows?
Or, squirrels in the trees?
What can I do?
Cry out "Hush!"
Cry out "No!"
Or, just let it go!
Oh little dog, whatever it is, I'll just let you be!

01/15/2023

So proud of my Breezy. She passed her Therapy Dog evaluation today, given by Bright & Beautiful. She was born to be a therapy dog. I know she will enrich many peoples lives with her sweet and gently ways. Good girl Breezy! ❤️

01/11/2023

Training tip for the day: Patience is a virtue. Allow your dog to have some time to figure things out. If he's showing frustration, back up to an easier step where he was successful at, then build from there. Happy training! 🙂🐾

06/15/2022

Attention Rally Enthusiasts!

The Port Chester Obedience Training Club is holding a Rally Match Show on Saturday July 9, 2022. The match will run from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the lower level of the club. Pre-registration is required. Closing date is June 30th. Cost is $10.00 per run, with a limit of 2 runs per dog, and 4 runs per person. Additional runs will be allowed if there is availability.
The nested courses will run from Masters through Novice. Once the schedule is complete it will be emailed to you for confirmation of your time of run.

Send your entry and registration fee to:
Rick Pisani
874 Broadway
Brentwood, NY 11717

Entry info:

Handlers Name
Email
Cell phone number
Breed/Mixed
Class level ( Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellent, Masters)
Jump height if applicable (Advanced to Masters)

Make check payable to PCOTC.
FMI: Contact Rick at [email protected]