Nick Gulisano
Lead Trainer & Founder, Empower U K9
Nick didn't get into dog training because it looked easy. He got into it because dogs fascinated him — the way they think, the way they communicate, and the way a dog that seems "broken" can completely transform with the right structure and trust.
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He's been doing this for 10 years, and the cases that get him out of bed in the morning aren't the easy ones. They're the reactive dogs, the aggressive dogs, the ones other trainers have already turned down. He recently attended a specialized seminar on working dogs and aggression cases specifically because he wants to take the work that most trainers won't touch.
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Nick uses a balanced training approach. That means positive reinforcement is always the starting point — he builds genuine trust with every dog before anything else happens. But he's also not afraid to use fair, well-timed correction, including e-collars when appropriate, because that's what some dogs genuinely need to make a breakthrough. He won't apologize for that, and he won't work with clients who aren't willing to align with that philosophy. If you're committed to positive-reinforcement-only methods, he'll tell you upfront that he's probably not your guy — and he'll say it respectfully.
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He's also not just saying he understands reactive dogs. He lives with one. His own dog is a working dog with her own reactive tendencies, which means Nick deals with the day-to-day reality of what that's like — not as a case study, but as his actual life.
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What sets Nick apart isn't just technique. It's that he genuinely cares about every single case that comes through his door. He's responsive, honest, and will give you a real picture of where your dog is at — not the picture you want to hear. Clients consistently describe him as patient, knowledgeable, and someone who teaches you as much as he trains your dog, because he knows the work has to continue at home for it to stick.
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Every dog that works with Empower U K9 leaves with a post-training maintenance plan for exactly that reason.
"Nick immediately nipped the issue in the bud. Jack now walks much better and is slowly acclimating toward strangers. After only a few lessons — I am very pleased." — Edward Farrell
"He gave me a clear plan, showed me exactly what to do, and I could already see a difference during the session. The biggest takeaway was learning how to get my dogs to respect me as their leader." — Christina Murray
"Nick is incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, thoughtful, and hard working. There is no one we would trust more with our dog. He is a valued member of our community." — Michael Bernardoni
"If you've ever had anxiety about leaving your furry family member, I can assure you Nick understands and will bend over backwards to alleviate that feeling." — Casey Nicholson
Want to see if we're the right fit?
Nick takes every case seriously, and he'll be upfront with you if he thinks someone else would serve you better. Reach out and tell him about your dog — he'll take it from there.