Chris and Lia, the passionate owners of CTO Dog Training, operate with an individualized approach and a belief that each dog and dog/owner team deserves the best tools available for all levels of training. Every dog and situation are different and a realistic custom approach to in-home structure and communication is vital.
Chris, spent 4 years in the Marine Corps, deploying several times, and transitioned directly into Law Enforcement, where he served for 20 years in South Jersey. In addition to being a member of the SWAT team, Chris built and led the agency’s current K9 unit. He quickly became the K9 Unit Supervisor and ended his duty time with three active working dogs (bomb, narcotics, and patrol). Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after trainers in the region, Chris has competed in and won awards in numerous regional and national United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) obedience, agility and criminal apprehension trials. He is also a certified scent detection trainer and has achieved national recognition for narcotics and explosives detection work.
Lia, also a Marine Corps veteran, brings years of experience and expertise in dog training, specializing in Schutzhund, and serves as an AKC Evaluator. Her educational background and corporate leadership experience has fueled the rapid growth of CTO, consistently reinforcing high standards of quality and customer satisfaction. Together, Chris and Lia have four dogs, including K9 Gunner, Chris’ retired patrol dog, are dedicated to helping our clients write life-long success stories.
Abby has been passionate about animals from an early age. Growing up in Mantua, New Jersey, with her parents, older sister, and her beloved American Bulldog, Brutis, Abby’s love for animals was a key part of her life. She began her career dedicated to helping animals by working at an animal shelter, which sparked her passion for animal advocacy. Abby then ventured into veterinary medicine, gaining extensive knowledge about the animal world. Her journey led her to join CTO Dog Training as an apprentice, where she worked her way up to become a full-time trainer. When Abby isn’t doing what she loves at work, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and hiking with her chocolate Labrador, Waelon.
Kara is the creative force behind CTO’s brand and social media presence. Combining her love for animals with a strategic, engaging approach to business growth, she helps shape a community that truly connects with pet owners. As a dedicated dog owner herself, Kara understands the importance of trust, respect, and effective training in strengthening the bond between pets and their people. With a background in customer service and management, she is passionate about crafting meaningful content and experiences that inspire fellow animal lovers while driving CTO’s success.
Kara is the creative force behind CTO’s brand and social media presence. Combining her love for animals with a strategic, engaging approach to business growth, she helps shape a community that truly connects with pet owners. As a dedicated dog owner herself, Kara understands the importance of trust, respect, and effective training in strengthening the bond between pets and their people. With a background in customer service and management, she is passionate about crafting meaningful content and experiences that inspire fellow animal lovers while driving CTO’s success.
Professionalism extends beyond training dogs – it’s about delivering exceptional service to you the client
You and your dog will receive the service you deserve, built on trust, respect, and excellence
Integrity, transparency, and a commitment to the unique needs of clients and dogs alike
CTO will help you lay the foundation, improve your relationship, or advance your goals.
