Leader of the Pack Keeps Summit's Dogs in Line

If you are around downtown Summit during the middle of a weekday, you have surely seen him: Speeding down sidewalks on inline skates while holding on to the leashes of six or seven galloping canines is the man some call the "roller skate guy."

He is actually Nick Valentino, co-owner of , a pet boutique and dog spa that has served the community from its location at 26 Maple St. since June 2006.

Co-owner Jessica Valentino, Nick's sister, said she and her brother opened the shop because, quite simply, they fell in love with dogs.

"I managed a dog boutique for five years," she said. "I knew that this was all I wanted to do."

And the Hill City resident is thrilled to be doing it here.

"I love Summit," she said.

The Valentinos describe Urban Paws as a lifestyle store for dogs and the people who love them. The shop offers numerous services for dogs and their owners.

As a retail establishment, there are all kinds of items on sale for Man's (and Woman's) Best Friend: dog beds, leashes, shampoos, toys, baked treats, dog cookies and more.

The shop features a dog spa that offers grooming and styling services to keep one's pet looking his or her best.

Dog adoption is promoted here as well–the Valentinos are on the board of Home for Good Dog Rescue, a nonprofit effort that finds loving homes for dogs who need them.

"We also have canine behavior training," Nick Valentino said. "We call it boot camp."

The dog boot camp service came into being a little more than a year ago. The camp is offered from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. every weekday except Thursday.  A full-day package including boot camp plus grooming is also offered.

"At boot camp, the dogs get a chance to just be a dog for a while. The goal is to help balance the dogs and drain out excess energy," Nick Valentino said. "It also builds up fearful or shy dogs.

"'Dog' is a unique language. A lot of owners treat their dogs like babies," he added. "Boot camp gives them a chance to get a little rough play, bark and make noise, get some exercise, and be part of a pack."

He said the three things dogs need are exercise, structure, and affection. In the Urban Paws boot camp, dogs get plenty of all three. 

That is evident watching a group of dogs interact before boot camp begins one Tuesday morning. The dogs, all of various breeds, sizes, and ages, seem to bond as they wrestle, sniff each other, and play. 

"There is a big socialization aspect to it," Nick Valentino said.

Dog socialization was the thing that brought him to the field of behavior modification. Already a dog lover–Jessica shared fond memories of the beloved Valentino family chihuahua, Earl–Nick became a fan of the Cesar Millan television show, "Dog Whisperer."

"It taught me that psychology is a big part of having a dog be happy and healthy," he said. 

He tried a version of Millan's methods on his own dog, who was fearful around people. By becoming his dog's "pack leader," Nick was able to give the pooch more self-confidence and better social skills.

That is a big part of the approach presented in Urban Paws' doggy boot camp.

First, Nick Valentino said he relaxes the dogs and puts slip collars and leashes around their necks. Next, the dogs are made to sit.

"We breathe, they breathe," he said, noting, "Humans' energy directly relates to the dogs."

Once the dogs are relaxed, sitting or lying down, the walk calmly begins.

"When I take the dogs out with the skates on, I'm the pack leader," he said, adding that he reminds the dogs that not every human behaves like a human. "If they want to pull me, that's fine, but that doesn't last long."

Watching Nick and the dogs as they make their way across and through the surrounding streets, it is quite clear who is in charge. During Patch's visit, he had seven dogs in his charge, and Nick, high atop in-line skates, fearlessly led the way, organizing dog bathroom breaks, instructing his charges to sit at intersections, and keeping them focused.

According to Nick, the camp makes for more obedient pets for their owners.

"By the time we come back, everyone's exhausted and we go over sit-heel-stay commands," he said. 

"It's easier [to do training] after the walk, because they're tired," added Urban Paws staffer Liz Kaupp, who helps Nick and is studying for certification as a dog trainer.

Customer Lisa Konzelmann of New Providence, whose dog is Bandit, raves about the service.

"I am very particular about where I take my dog," she said. "Here he gets great exercise in a controlled, loving environment. I know Nick and Jess and Liz have it under control, so I can go to work."