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.

badge

Facility & Environment

Stonehill Kennel offers a secure, climate-controlled environment with both indoor and outdoor runs, daily exercise opportunities, and a quiet rural setting ideal for training. Dogs stay in a safe, well-supervised environment while receiving consistent, professional handling. We live on site and have fresh well water and a commercial backup generator.

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

C J Byrne
C J Byrne

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.

read more

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 Becker
Cory Becker

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.

read more

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.

Cassidy Stone
Cassidy Stone
Cassidy Stone is a graduate of our professional program for dog trainers and has been training dogs with us for 5 years. Cassidy is a new mom; her husband is a professional LE dog handler for the state of Connecticut and together they have 5 dogs along with their newborn daughter. Prior to joining our team Cassidy was a social worker and brings with her an incredible set of communication skills when working with our clients. In her spare time Cassidy enjoys an adventurous life, hiking, traveling, and always with her dogs and baby in tow.
read more
Cassidy is a great asset to our team and her passion for dogs is recognized by everybody that has the pleasure to work with her for dogs and training.

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.

View Training Programs

Trusted by Hundreds of
Dogowners