Tattooed hearts,
certified hands.
We're loud about the things that matter: rescue dogs, kind training, and doing this job right. Bark at the Moon started with one overlooked shelter dog, and everything about how we work traces back to her.
Erica Piancone
VSA-CDT · Fear Free Certified® Professional · Trainer
It started in 2014 with Morticia — "Tish" — a senior pit bull who'd spent over a year in a shelter with nobody interested. Sparks flew. Tish opened the door to pit bull advocacy, to life with a reactive dog, and to the daily, patient work of positive reinforcement.
Years of dog walking, shelter volunteering, and rescue work later (including Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans), Erica enrolled at the Victoria Stilwell Academy and turned all of it into Bark at the Moon — the name being equal parts night-howl and Ozzy Osbourne tribute.
"Every dog deserves a handler who sees the superhero in them."
Chaz Piancone
Trainer · Disabled U.S. Army Veteran
A disabled U.S. Army veteran, Chaz served six years in communications and military intelligence. He's been a lifelong animal lover for even longer, and a gigging rock musician for more than 20 years. He brings the discipline of his service and none of the drill sergeant — the volume stays on the stage.
He believes in fear-free, positive reinforcement (R+) training. Dogs don't owe us obedience; their trust, respect, and companionship are things we earn through patience and understanding. He's experienced with a wide range of animals and with difficult cases, a proud foster-fail dad, and a passionate pit bull rescue advocate.
Hardworking, punctual, and real to a fault. He'll treat your dog with the same patience and respect he gives his own.
"Great dog training isn't about control. It's about earning their companionship."
Certifications & memberships.
We take the craft seriously so you don't have to take our word for it.
The foundation
Pet First Aid & CPR certified · Dog Trainer VSA-CDT, Victoria Stilwell Academy · IAABC Supporting Member
Doubling down
Fear Free Certified® Professional · Shock-Free Coalition Member — a public pledge that pain has no place in training
Still going
Pet Professional Guild Member · Chaz enrolled at the Victoria Stilwell Academy · fully insured through Pet Care Insurance