About Us

Steve Del Savio

Owner & Founder

Steve Del Savio, Owner & Founder of Pack Leader Dogs, is a Certified Dog Behavior Expert and Trainer who has turned his passion for animals and their behavior into a flourishing career in dog training. He is a graduate of Pace University where he studied Business Management while playing NCAA Division 1 Baseball. After graduation, Steve began working as Director of Operations for a prominent subsurface construction company in New York City.

During his spare time, he began studying dog behavior and psychology through books, seminars, videos and real life hands on experience working with shelter dogs and dogs owned by friends and family. This was when he discovered his talent and desire to work with dogs.

After leaving his career in NYC, Steve created Pack Leader Dogs with the determination to become a world renowned dog behaviorist and to teach owners how to achieve balance and harmony with their dogs through real world dog training.

Hands-On Experience with Cesar Millan

In 2006, Steve discovered Cesar Millan, “The Dog Whisperer.” He spent years studying the dog psychology Cesar spoke about. Steve’s life changed when he was selected to attend the first ever Training Cesar’s Way Workshop, taught by Cesar himself, at the world renowned 43-acre Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita, California.

During the course, he worked hands-on with Cesar, learning about dog psychology from the most sought after dog behavior expert in the world. After graduating the course, Steve was invited to come back and assist Cesar at his next workshop for a new group of students.

Steve is 1 of the 6 Official Trainers of Cesar Millan

Since then, he has continued assisting at every workshop and is now 1 of only 6 official trainers of Cesar Millan. Steve also accompanies Cesar working backstage as a production manager and primary dog handler whenever he is on tour in the Northeast for his “Cesar Millan Live!” shows. He was also the primary backstage dog handler for Cesar’s live show in Las Vegas which was televised on the National Geographic channel where he handled many extremely difficult dogs backstage along with taking care of Cesar’s personal pack.

Steve has appeared on “Cesar 911” as well helping in rehabilitation and handling dogs on screen. Working with Cesar has been a dream come true for Steve and he now considers Cesar not only a mentor but a great friend. Steve continues to travel and work with Cesar regularly.

Mentored by Cesar Millan’s Head Trainer

Certified in “The Force Free Method”

Steve is a graduate of The Force Free Method of training, developed and taught by world renowned trainer and behaviorist Marc Goldberg.  Steve worked one on one with Marc learning his innovative style of training that has produced fantastic results worldwide.

Memberships, Certifications & Volunteer Work

He has volunteered at the Liberty Humane Society shelter where he trained dogs and reintroduced them into the community to provide real life exposure. Steve also works with the board at Hi-Tor Animal Shelter in Rockland County, NY on changing the entire way the shelter operates by teaching classes and training the volunteers and staff to create a better environment for dogs to exist. This will not only increase adoption rates but also increase the rate of dogs that stay adopted.

“Any dog, any size, any age, any breed, any problem.”

Any dog, any size, any age, any breed, any problem. This motto is something that Steve truly believes in.  He has committed his life to saving as many dogs as he possibly can and changing people’s lives for the better by educating owners and providing them with the techniques and blueprint necessary to produce lifelong, real world results.  His dream is a world where humans and dogs live together through balance and harmony.  He continues to work towards this goal every day and hopes to have you as part of this movement and a member of the pack!