Barrett defeats primary challenger
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Judith O'Hara Balfe
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Treats, tricks and training that sticks: 6 smart tips for training a new puppy or dog
Gary Richter, Ms, Dvm
Apr 22, 2026
Dr. Gary Richter, America’s Favorite Vet, blends conventional and holistic care.
Provided
Bringing home a new puppy or newly adopted dog is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming once the training begins.
The good news is that training does not have to be complicated. Here are six of the best techniques to keep in mind when training a new puppy or dog:
1. Be consistent from day one.
Dogs learn best when the rules stay the same. If one person allows jumping on the couch and another corrects it, your dog will get mixed messages. The same goes for feeding routines, potty breaks and commands. Keep your language simple and consistent.
2. Reward the behavior you want right away.
Timing is everything in dog training. If your puppy sits when asked, comes when called or goes to the bathroom outside, reward that behavior immediately so they can connect the action with the outcome.
3. Keep training sessions short and manageable.
With puppies, attention spans are limited. Training for too long can lead to frustration for both the dog and the owner. Instead of one long session, aim for a few short sessions throughout the day.
4. Focus on routines before perfection.
One of the biggest mistakes new dog owners make is expecting too much too soon. Before worrying about perfect obedience, focus on building a strong routine. Regular mealtimes, walks, potty breaks, playtime and rest all help create structure. That structure lays the groundwork for better behavior because dogs feel more secure when they know what to expect.
5. Correct gently and redirect quickly.
Training is not about punishing mistakes; it is about helping your dog make better choices. If your puppy starts chewing on a shoe, redirect them to an appropriate chew toy. If they start jumping, ask for a different behavior, like sitting. Calm redirection teaches much more effectively than harsh reactions.
Training a new puppy or dog takes patience, but it is also one of the best investments you can make in your pet’s long-term well-being. With consistency, positive reinforcement and realistic expectations, families can make training feel less stressful and more rewarding.
6. When in doubt, seek expert help.
All dogs are trainable given the right technique. If you are unclear how to proceed or are not getting the results you want, consult a qualified trainer or behaviorist.
When looking for the right trainer or veterinary behaviorist, ask whether they follow LIMA (least invasive, minimally aversive) principles. Resources for positive reinforcement trainers include the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IABC), the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the Academy for Dog Trainers and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB).
Dr. Gary Richter, named America’s Favorite Vet by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, is a veterinary acupuncturist, chiropractor and founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition. He is the owner and medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital.
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Independent Bookstore Day
Millerton News
Apr 22, 2026
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Oblong Books in Millerton will mark Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, April 25, joining more than 1,600 stores nationwide. The all-day event features signed books, exclusive merchandise and a drop-in, browse-at-your-leisure atmosphere. Free; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Stanford home prices climb on lower sales volume
Christine Bates
Apr 22, 2026
The home at 1606 Bulls Head Road, set on 44.8 acres, sold for $1.05 million, slightly below its assessed value of $1,116,200.
Christine Bates
STANFORD — Median home prices in Stanford are rising again, with the 12-month trailing median sale price up 14% from a year ago.
The median price for a single-family home in the Town of Stanford was $675,000 for the period from March 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026.
That figure was up from the $590,500 median recorded for the 12-month-period ending Feb. 28, 2025, and up 57% from the $430,000 median recorded in 2023–24. The highest 12-month trailing median price in Stanford over the past decade was $712,500, reached in November 2025.
The number of single-family home sales in Stanford, measured on a 12-month trailing basis, remains on the lower end of its three-year range of 30 to 45 sales annually — well below the pace seen in early 2021, when 80 homes sold in the first six months of the year.
A total of 32 homes were sold in the 12 months ending Feb. 28, 2026, down from 44 sales in the prior 12-month period but up from 29 sales in the 12 months ending Feb. 28, 2024.
Inventory remains limited. As of mid-April, seven single-family homes were on the market. Six were listed above $1 million, with just one priced below that level at $459,000. By comparison, only two parcels of land were listed for sale on the MLS, priced at $275,000 and $300,000.
February transfers
29 Drake Road — 3 bedroom/3.5 bath contemporary home with pool on 2 acres sold to Tyler Headley, Trustee for $2.35 million.
5760 Route 82 — 3 bedroom/2 bath raised ranch on 5.16 acres sold to Tessa Pilon for $435,000.
1606 Bulls Head Road — 4 bedroom/1 bath home built in 1890 on 44.8 acres sold to Barry Jordan for $1.05 million.
Town of Stanford property transfers for February 2026 are sourced from Dutchess County Real Property Office monthly reports. Transfer reporting typically lags the actual sale date. Details on each property from Dutchess Parcel Access. Current market data from One Key MLS and Infosparks. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Advisor with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in Connecticut and New York.
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Dutchess County Sheriff’s Report
Millerton News
Apr 22, 2026
Archive photo
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Harlem Valley area activity report April 12 to April 18
April 14 — Deputies responded to Woodside Street in the Town of Pine Plains to investigate a verbal domestic dispute.Matter mediated by patrol.
April 15 — Deputies responded to the Trinity Pawling School in Pawling for a report of bulk food that was stolen from the school and being sold for retail at a local restaurant. Investigation on going.
PLEASE NOTE: All subjects arrested and charged are alleged to have committed the crime and are presumed innocent until proven guilty and are to appear in local courts later.
If you have any information relative to the aforementioned criminal cases, or any other suspected criminal activity please contact the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 845 605 CLUE (2583) or email dcsotips@gmail.com.All information will be kept confidential.
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Charged up
Millerton News
Apr 22, 2026
Arbor Day tree planting will further Amenia’s Tree City USA goals
Leila Hawken
Apr 22, 2026
AMENIA — Plans are in place for the town’s second annual Arbor Day tree planting scheduled for Friday, April 24, at 5 p.m. The event will be held at the head of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail in Wassaic, near Maxon Mills.
Sponsored by Amenia’s Enhancement Committee, the event is taking place under the guidance of committee member Maryanne Snow-Pitts, a local gardening professional, naturalist and owner of Earthworks Organic Gardener in Wassaic. For the second year, the Amenia Garden Club has donated the tree to be planted.
The tree planting is a required annual event for Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation. That designation is part of a nationwide program that began in the 1970s to promote community trees in public spaces.
For more information, contact Snow-Pitts at 845-877-9013.
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