
Why Families
Choose Us
We are a family-owned and operated business with decades of hands-on experience. As lifelong dog owners, we understand the trust it takes to place your dog in someone else's care. We provide personalized attention to every family and treat each dog as if they were our own, focusing on clear communication, consistency, and long-term success. This isn't just a job, it's a life passion.
Founded by
Christopher Byrne,
K9one began offering dog-training services in Stamford, CT in 1988. In 2005, the business expanded to Goshen with the purchase of Stonehill Kennel — now a trusted full-service training and boarding facility serving families across Connecticut and beyond.

Leadership &
Professional Background
Following the events of September 11, 2001, Christopher Byrne was appointed Director of K-9 Bomb Detection Services for FEMA during the World Trade Center Recovery Mission, where he led ten bomb-dog teams in New York City. Over the years, he has supplied trained dogs to federal, state, and local law-enforcement agencies as well as Fortune 100 executives.
This professional foundation shapes every aspect of our training philosophy — from the structure of our programs to the emphasis on calm, confident behavior and real-world obedience.
Our Flagship Program
Six-Week Board & Train Program
(Lifetime Guarantee)
Our most effective program provides six weeks of structured daily training at our facility, focusing on obedience, behavior improvement, and real-world reliability. With private owner lessons and a lifetime guarantee on the exercises we teach, families receive support long after the program ends.


Facility & Environment
Who We Train
We work with dogs of all breeds, backgrounds, and behavior levels — from puppies learning foundational manners to adult dogs struggling with reactivity, fear, or aggression.
Our programs are tailored to help:
- Family companion dogs
- High-drive and working breeds
- Dogs with behavior challenges
- Service-dog candidates
- Puppies needing structure and socialization
Why Families Choose Us
We work with dogs of all breeds, backgrounds, and behavior levels — from puppies learning foundational manners to adult dogs struggling with reactivity, fear, or aggression.
- Real operational experience
- Balanced, proven training methods
- Clear communication + owner guidance
- Professional boarding facility on-site
-
Lifetime Guarantee on Our 6 Week Boarding & Train
- Established reputation since 1988
Meet Our Team
Christopher J Byrne Jr or “CJ” as we call him, is an accomplished dog trainer. Having grown up surrounded by dogs his entire life and helping his father build this incredible business, CJ is far advanced for his years in his knowledge and experience in this specialized industry of Dog Training. CJ’s broad foundation of training skills is a true asset to our organization.
CJ has advanced experience in obedience, service dogs, protection dogs, tracking and detection dog training. In addition, CJ is a graduate of Bart Bellon’s NEPOPO™ Silver & Gold school and is certified to train in this amazing modern disciple of dog training.
While Dog Training is his passion, CJ also has a degree in Engineering and travels the world in his time off. In the past couple years, he has visited New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and Europe.
Cory has been working with us for more than a decade. Starting out as part of our Kennel Staff, Cory has an intimate knowledge of all aspects of proper handling, care, feeding and preventive medicine of the dogs in our care. As Cory’s passion for working with dogs grew, we moved him onto our training staff and put him through our Professional Dog Trainer course here at Stonehill Kennel. Since 2012 Cory has trained hundreds of dogs in our 6 Week In-Kennel Dog Training Program and has proven himself to be a expert dog trainer.
Cory communicates well with our clients by keeping them inform of their dogs’ progress and has an easy going way to instruct owners on proper care and handling techniques that will keep their dog working happy and willing for life.
Resolving behavioral issues with difficult dogs and building confidence in shy and fearful dogs to live a happier more relaxed existence is a strong point in Cory’s skills. Cory also participates in training with our Personal protection and police service dogs.
Cory is married, a father and has a beautiful little boy and two has Chihuahuas, Nolo and Pipa.
Our Commitment to You
We don’t just train dogs — we support families.
From your first consultation to long after training is complete, our goal is to provide guidance, clarity, and dependable results. Many of our clients return for boarding, follow-up sessions, or advanced work because they trust our expertise and the long-term success of their dog.
Ready to Learn More?
Explore our training programs, meet our team, or schedule a consultation to see how we can help you and your dog.

Trusted by Hundreds of
Dogowners
Posted on Mitchell Kelly My Greyhound/Borzoi mix Parlay just completed the 6 week board + train program. Since coming home, we haven’t had a single accident in the house, she sleeps all night in her crate without issue, and every single person who meets her comments on how well behaved she is. They’re always surprised to learn that she’s only 4.5 months old with how well she follows instructions. I couldn’t recommend it more!Posted on Phil Fox Absolutely the best dog care anywhere. My dogs came here after a stressful cross-country move and they went through their in house training program to come out amazing! Now they go back regularly for boarding and refresher tracing and they are so excited when we pull up there. The care and professionalism from the staff is second to none and we won’t ever go anywhere else. Thank you for saving our dogs and us and making all of our lives better!Posted on Julia Mitchell Cassidy was amazing! Our dogs are like new dogs! Her training was transformative! Thank you so much! It was well worth every penny. We are enjoying spending time with them and going out without stress!Posted on sabinamartinelli I can't say enough great things about Stone Hill Kennel and especially our trainer, CJ. My 1½-year-old Cane Corso, Joanna, recently completed her service dog training there, and the transformation has been nothing short of amazing. From the very beginning, CJ showed a deep understanding of both the breed and the unique needs of service dog work. Joanna went into training with a strong personality, but CJ’s calm, consistent, and expert approach brought out her focus, obedience, and confidence. The true test came recently when we flew internationally to Spain. Joanna handled the entire travel process airports, flights, crowds, and new environments with the same discipline and poise CJ taught her. She followed her commands perfectly and provided the support I needed throughout the trip. I received numerous compliments on her behavior, and I owe it all to CJ’s outstanding work. If you're looking for a knowledgeable, dedicated, and professional trainer who truly cares about your dog's success, I highly recommend CJ at Stone Hill Kennel. The investment in Joanna’s training has made a lasting impact on both of our lives, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Sabina MartinelliPosted on claude rioual In February 2025, I brought my one year old female GSD to Stonehill kennel for boarding and training, having undergone heart surgery a few weeks earlier, the Doctor's orders were, six weeks of mandatory recovery. The six week boarding and obedience training program at Stonehill gave me that time. At Stonehill, Coda learned all the basics ... Come, Down, Heel and Sit ... in addition to those she learned Climb (onto the scale at the vet), Place (remain on her bed when visitors arrive or when I'm cooking), Easy, used when walking loose leashed (not to pull or lag behind). And Free! by far the favorite, (her release word from the last command). After the basics, classroom training is reinforced in real life situations, ours was field trips to Lowe's. Heeling at the automatic doors and again, prior to entering the store. Heeling through the aisles, not becoming distracted by people or other dogs. The down/stay when the owner is shopping, asking for assistance, or is at the register. Today Coda comes to the bank, the hardware store, barber shop and grocery store with me. I've brought her to meetings. She hikes trails and on daily walks, doesn't lunge ahead, distracted by smells or the neighbor's outdoor cat. At Stonehill, Cassidy was our primary teacher and trainer, I watched her work with Coda on weekly videos that she sent and could witness first hand the transformation that was taking place under Cassidy's guidance. The last three weeks of training included once a week class with me and Coda. We trained together, with me as the handler, I learned the commands and a lot about canine behavior and motivation. I was probably harder to train than the dog, but I now use those commands confidently, Coda knows them and responds correctly. She's been back at home now for two months, I continue to practice and reinforce her training, and my own. The care and training she received at Stonehill was exceptional and that education has proven itself daily. Today we went for our wellness checkup at the veterinary, the staff was impressed, she stayed down when asked, climbed onto the exam table and behaved throughout. But really, I could never have imagined her along side me at the village's Memorial Day Parade, heeled, in her red service vest marching down Main Street. Unperturbed by the planes and helicopters buzzing overhead, the people clapping or the dogs straining at their lead wanting to play ... when they barked, Coda just soldiered on. At the cemetery with all the Vets in formation, she stayed in her Down throughout. And at the ceremony's end she remained there and listened, the piper piped Amazing Grace and the buglers sounded Taps, she only broke her down when the shots were fired at the rifle salute. I can't say enough about the skills of the folks, at Stonehill and K9one, they understand how much our dogs mean to us. They know how to bring out the best in the dog, allowing us, as owners to have a deeper and more meaningful relationship with our pet. To Chris, CJ, Sarah, (everyone!) you are all great, Thank you. And to Cassidy, you're simply the best, your skill, dedication, love and talent has brought out the Good Dog in, 'Lady' Coda. As we have a few classes remaining, I return every few weeks for follow up's at Stonehill. Cassidy and CJ have been guiding me on how to keep Coda jogging at heel as I cycle the bike path. My daughter as part of Coda's family, will be joining in for a few sessions as well.Posted on Alexander Godoy They are awesome! We’ve done 6 week training which worked great and also used their boarding services which were equally great!Posted on Erik Powers Bring your dog here. After several weeks with CJ and Cassidy our pup Graham came home and we couldn’t be happier. She is so well behaved in the house and outside, it’s a worlds difference from when we dropped her off. She was exactly 1 year old when we sent her to K9 and we had concerns that some some quirks were too old to work on, but the K9one team has enabled us and Graham with everything to make sure she’s not inconsistently listening and that she’s as happy as could be. We’re so excited to be able to do more things with Graham now.Posted on Charlie Fox Awesome time meeting and training onyx with CJ. It was a great experience and gained knowledge to further my understanding with onyx and how he works. They took great care of onyx while in the process and he came back a great dogPosted on mike patton K9 One is a must! If your dog doesn't listen, if they pull their leash, if they jump on people or if they're just super hyper, these are the folks you need. Their incredible team worked side by side with my dog and I and we learned so much together! We learned a number of super easy commands to give our dog and he's amazing now. It's like we got a new pet! The training is guaranteed for life and our black lab has been perfect for years now. He's the only dog who's off leash when we walk at the beach and other places. People can't believe how well trained he is. And it's all because of K9 One. I'll never go anywhere else.Load more

