Hi I'm Ethan Steinberg
I am the founder and owner of NOVA Canine Academy. I am a lifelong dog lover who was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. My passion for dogs began when I was just two years old, as my aunt and uncle brought home their first canine companion. This love for dogs continued to grow, and when I was 11, my mother and I welcomed Juneau, a standard poodle, into our lives. We immediately enrolled in weekly training sessions at a local facility, where I learned the fundamentals of positive reward and correction training methods.
From a very young age, my family placed great emphasis on responsible pet ownership, only allowing well-trained dogs into our homes. This value system inspired me to spend months training Juneau, and I soon found myself enamored with the idea of having a well-behaved dog that could accompany me everywhere.
After high school, I attended Miami University of Ohio for three years. During the summers, I ran a small moving and junk removal service out of my pickup truck. This eventually evolved into a full-fledged moving company, complete with a warehouse and a fleet of trucks. Although the business was successful, I decided to follow my heart and transition into working with dogs.
Shortly after my 21st birthday, I got Kona, a puppy who immediately began her training at what I fondly refer to as ‘Steinberg Boot Camp.’ By the time she was three months old, Kona had mastered an impressive array of commands, ranging from simple ones like ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ to more complex tricks like ‘twirl’ and ‘speak.’ My training methods evolved as I studied various online dog trainers, each with their own philosophies, strengths, and weaknesses.
My journey into professional dog training began quite unexpectedly. Neighbors and friends were so impressed with Kona’s behavior that they began asking if I could train their dogs as well. Within six months, I had helped train dogs belonging to four close friends, each of them a different breed, age, and temperament. The results were overwhelmingly positive, and that’s when I knew I had found my calling.
What sets my training approach apart is its balanced method. While Kona is exceptionally well-trained, she is also often described as one of the happiest dogs people have ever seen. I firmly believe that structure enhances, rather than diminishes, a dog’s happiness.
Today, I have successfully trained over 100 dogs, each one reaching their set goals. I’ve found my passion, my calling, and I wake up every day with a smile on my face. Improving dog’s lives is a life-changing experience. If you choose to work with me, I can assure you that you’ll be delighted with the transformation in your furry family member’s behavior.
So, what are you waiting for? The best time to contact us was yesterday, but today is certainly better than tomorrow. Give us a chance to help you forge a better relationship with your dog.