I'm here to help you train the most important dog in the world. Yours.
My name is Cecelia Sumner. Best Behavior offers personalized private training in your own home, where your dog actually lives and where the problems actually happen.
Two kinds of help
Pet Manners
Everything a dog needs to be a great companion and a joy to live with. House training, polite greeting, loose leash walking, sit, down, stay, come, leave it.
Read more → Harder problemsBehavior Help
Fear, phobias, reactivity and aggression are not obedience problems, and obedience training will not fix them. This is different work: helping a dog change how he feels, not just what he does.
Read more →Education, experience, excellence
Route 213, end to end
Nearly everywhere I train sits on one road. From Elkton down through Galena, Chestertown and Centreville to Easton, plus the Delaware line at Middletown and Dover.
Not sure whether you are in range? Ask. If I cannot get to you, I will tell you who can.
In their words
Cecelia trained my dog Lou, who was protective and had aggressive tendencies. Lou turned out to be an incredible companion.
She died suddenly in early 2026. When I decided to adopt again, I went to a rescue for the same breed and came home with two, Smoky and Belle. I texted Cecelia the day I made the decision, and she started training them on their second day home.
The first time I called her, I had a problem. This time I did not wait for one.
Positive reinforcement is key to Cissy’s training and it works! Great classes in two locations. Just finished the rapid recall class and my dog loved it. So did I! Can’t wait for the next class.
I adopted a rescue dog that turned out to have lots of behavioral issues. I loved her but didn’t have the knowledge or skills to train her. I was at my wit’s end when someone referred me to Cecelia Sumner. Cissy taught us both with patience and kindness. Charlotte is now a completely different dog and getting better each day. And we are having lots of fun!
Cissy is excellent and displays professionalism, structure, and guidance to your pet and owner. She has multiple certifications under the dog training umbrella. I highly recommend her for any training.
At the shelter, Gangster was a sweet, playful dog who loved all of us. Shortly after we got home, his dark side came out. Within a few days, everyone in the family had been bitten. We called Cissy. We did our imperfect best in following her strategies, and with lots of patience and paying attention, Gangster soon learned to trust us.
Call about pet training
Worried about your dog's aggressive, fearful or just generally annoying behavior? Tell me what is going on and I will tell you honestly whether I can help. Veterinarians, shelters and rescues: referrals are welcome.