Howard Finkelstein's path to dog training took an unusual route. According to his website, he began in 1956 after apprenticing with Volney Phifer, a trainer who had worked on Tarzan films and owned MGM's famous Leo the Lion. Before settling into companion dog training, Finkelstein trained animals for Broadway, television, and what his site describes as Francis Ford Coppola's first film. He relocated to South Pasadena in 1989, where Obedience Please Dog Training now operates as a kennel-based facility also offering in-home services.
The business works under a motto they phrase as "Train With Love Not Treats," describing their approach as positive reinforcement through affection rather than food rewards. They emphasize that training the owner matters as much as training the dog. Their programs span a six-session in-home course covering basic commands, multi-week boarding packages that progress through three obedience levels toward off-leash reliability, and specialized tracks for service and therapy dogs.
Finkelstein runs the operation alongside co-owner Greta Finkelstein, with trainers David Swaner and George Marino also on staff. The facility includes boarding, daycare, and a playroom for socialization. Their site claims they pioneered in-home dog training as a format—a model they say others later adopted. In-home sessions cover a 30-mile radius from their South Pasadena location.
