The Trainer Behind The Grey Method
Bobby Bartolomeo
Meet Bobby
After graduating from High Point University in 2009, I built a successful career in real estate and development. While the work looked good on paper, it eventually lost its sense of purpose. That realization became a turning point, pushing me to pursue my lifelong passion for dogs and channel my real world experience, discipline, and perspective into professional canine training. It remains the best decision I’ve has ever made.
A major influence in my journey has been my mother, Audrey, the owner of Top Dog K9 Training. As a highly respected local trainer for many years, Audrey provided me with a front row seat to the realities of professional dog training. I spent years watching her work with dogs, guide real clients, and consistently produce reliable, lasting results. When I reached a crossroads in my own career, she was the first to encourage me to take the leap into training full time.
Today, I approach each day with a clear sense of purpose. My background in demanding, high pressure environments taught me how to stay calm, read situations quickly, and make thoughtful, practical decisions. I bring that same mindset to my work with dogs and their owners, blending those life lessons with my natural instincts around dogs to create training that is structured, calm, and designed for real everyday life.
How Bobby Works with Dogs and Owners
Clients tend to notice two things almost immediately. First, my ability to read a dog and understand what’s really happening beneath the surface. Second, my ability to clearly and honestly explain that to the owner. What matters most to me isn’t just what a dog can do during a session, it’s whether the owner truly understands the process and can confidently continue the work at home.
My approach is calm, direct, and practical. Im able to break training down into simple, achievable steps and explain the purpose behind each one, so clients leave feeling informed and empowered rather than overwhelmed. My patience and willingness to answer questions are a big part of what sets me apart. I take the time to coach owners through the details, ensuring they always know exactly what to do long after the session ends.
What is the Grey Method?
The Grey Method is my approach to training, shaped by real life experience working with both dogs and people. At its core, is a belief i have always held: most of life exists in the grey, not in rigid black and white rules, and dog training is no different. No single method works for every dog or every family.
Much of modern dog training is designed to be sold at scale. It relies on big promises, mass marketed programs, and company first, pyramid style systems where volume and branding matter more than the individual dog. The Grey Method stands in direct contrast to that model. Instead of running every dog through the same script, I blend intuition, clear structure, and real world application.
I pay close attention to energy, body language, and cause and effect as they show up in everyday situations. From there, I’m able to draw from multiple training philosophies to build a plan that fits the specific dog in front of him, not a generic template.
At the heart of The Grey Method is a simple belief:
The highest standard comes from
• the sensitivity to truly read the dog
• the humility to remain open to many approaches
• the discipline to follow through until the work shows up in real life
The result is training that feels calmer, more personal, and genuinely sustainable for the long term.