Urban K-9

My husband and I adopted Bowie from a rescue when he was just over 1 year old. At first, he seemed like the perfect dog, but as happens often, once he was comfortable with us some bad behavior cropped up — lunging at dogs and people on the street, not coming when called, tugging on the leash — culminating in him nipping a stranger on the street. I grew up with dogs all my life, watched a lot of Caesar Milan, Solid K9 and other dog training videos, but it wasn’t clicking and having a dog in the city is an entirely different animal.
Cue Dani! She showed us all the fundamentals — how to use a prong collar, place command, down stay, voice recognition, recall — that put Bowie back on track. He’s an even better version of himself. We also got our confidence back walking him and his record has been clean since! She also was great about coming to us in Hoboken too.
Don’t wait too long like we did until things escalate if you have issues — get a great trainer like Dani ASAP!

Dani is — without a doubt — the best trainer around. She came highly recommended from several close friends whose dogs, many years after training, are still exceptionally well-​behaved. Before we even brought our lab puppy home, Dani had shared really helpful tips about adjusting to life with a new puppy and also some of the things we’d definitely need, and others that we definitely wouldn’t.
Dani’s first session with us was just a couple of days after the puppy came home and while it seemed unlikely for a brand-​new puppy, we all felt like he was making progress in the first session. Dani also recommended that we join a local Westchester puppy class for socialization, and while the socialization was important, our puppy learned more in a few sessions with Dani than any of those other dogs learned in months of classes.
What makes Dani really unique is that she spends as much time with the family as she does with the dog. Our family included two young girls under the age of 10 and a nanny who has no experience with dogs. Dani gave everyone the right tools to help our puppy be a well-​behaved, fun member of the family.
We also did the additional board and train after about six months and it was an important part of continuing the training at just the point where our puppy was growing into a full-​grown dog with his own mind and a lot more weight and strength. Dani’s approach to training really helps to maintain and reinforce the lessons over their lifetime.
Moreover, our entire family, dog, kids, nanny, parents, all knew instantly that Dani was someone we trusted. Bringing a dog, particularly a large/​powerful dog, into a family is a terrific way to grow together — but it requires a lot of work and everyone has to be properly trained to make it a wonderful time for everyone… Dani takes enormous care to ensure that everyone has the tools they need and that she’s always there to help along the way. And during those times when we can’t bring our dog with us, there is no one we trust more than Dani to ensure he’s safe and having fun while we’re away… we call it Camp Dani and our guy is always ready to jump into Dani’s car and really misses her after he comes home.

Mingus and I moved from Los Angeles to Brooklyn and it was a bit traumatic for the big guy. So many distractions and so little grass was giving him anxiety and his anxiety was giving me anxiety. From growling at my doorman, to other dogs on the street, to not sitting, staying, and barking at home. I contacted Dani and we met for a consultation, which Mingus barked through. She took Mingus in and 3 weeks later our entire lives have been changed. I take him to the park and the beach regularly, we sit at outdoor cafes and enjoy the summer time, and the best part is, he sits, stays, stops barking, and comes when called off leash, all with the distractions of other dogs, people, children, cars, motorcycles, sea planes, you name it. I would recommend Dani to any and all dog owner who wants to have an amazing and healthy relationship with their dog. Mingus has never been happier and as a result so am I. If I have an issue, which there have been a few, she is happy to help. And, very time I take Mingus off leash to the beach and shoot slow motion videos of him swimming out into the waves I email them to Dani. And she always responds. She cares about the dogs and the owners.

My boyfriend and I had recently moved into together, him never having a dog before and me having a high-​energy yet stubborn bulldog named Maggy who had lived with only me for almost three years. I tend to be a bit of a pushover with her, to the point that she had become very challenging to walk on a leash, scared when strangers tried to pet her without getting to smell them first and wouldn’t allow us to embrace or sit on the couch to relax while watching TV.
From the start, Dani was instrumental in helping us to find the tools to enjoy having a sweet, loyal dog. Not only did she train Maggy and provide regular videos and updates, but she also worked with us on the techniques we were using. She was gentle but firm with us and our dog, and she provided clicker training, leash and treat recommendations as well. For me, it was great to have someone else guiding my boyfriend about what to do and explaining the rationale so it wasn’t coming from me, while also helping me to nip some bad behaviors I had previously allowed in the bud.
One thing that really stood out to me when working with Dani, is that she tailored her trainings to our needs, evolving with us as we made accomplishments, and often asked us how things were going, what was challenging us that week, etc. She really cares about the lives both of her human and canine clients.
I also have to say that Dani made us feel comfortable with having her in our home, spending time with our dog, etc, which is something that’s been important to me when considering a dog trainer, walker or boarder. We feel much better having worked with Dani, and in fact we hope to enroll our dog in group classes with her next.

We can’t recommend Urban K-​9 enough! Dani is an amazing dog trainer and listener. Shea, our 9 year old lab mix, had some behavioral issues that I thought were beyond training at her age. She would lash out at other dogs on leash and in dog parks, would constantly try to play in the apartment, not obey basic commands, bark at children and older adults, and wouldn’t let my partner and I dance without barking. I’m sure there are other behaviors I’m forgetting because all that seems so long ago and like she was a different dog. First, we took the 6-​week boot camp for the misbehaving dog. That class is a deal considering Dani makes sure to give each owner/​dog pairing individual attention. By end of the boot camp Shea knew her «place» where she relaxed at home, had an amazing down/​stay, and was walking better on leash. Most of all, she seemed so much happier with the structure and skills Dani helped us develop. After the boot camp, we asked Dani to help prepare Shea for a cross country drive. Dani, as usual, gave us very thoughtful advice that worked beautifully. That same old dog that I lovingly called ‘Shea Monster’ was the most well behaved road tripper for eight days. Dani is extremely kind and calming, is a great communicator, and provides excellent exercises and demos. She trains humans just as well as she trains dogs, which I really needed. We only hope that one day Dani makes it out to the West Coast to train our future dogs!

I adopted my rescue hound, Adelaide, from Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue a little over a year ago. I knew as soon as I adopted her that I was going to need some support around creating a healthy and balanced training routine for her. I was worried that Adelaide wouldn’t get along well with my cat, Phoebe, and there were some food guarding, leash pulling, and recall issues that I also wanted to work on. The moment that we first met with Dani I knew we had found the perfect support! Dani was knowledgable, compassionate and highly skilled. She immediately began working with Adelaide around learning how to ignore the cat and to allow food to be taken away from her without reacting. It was amazing to see results in just our first session! We went on to work with Dani regularly in Prospect Park, practicing leash etiquette and recall behaviors (which can be difficult with a hound!). I am happy to report that now, having relocated to Vermont, Adelaide is a happy, healthy pup, who has no food guarding issues, comes when she’s called, walks beautifully on a leash, and best of all, she and Phoebe are even friends! I couldn’t be more grateful to Dani. She put my mind at ease at a time when I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to integrate this little rescue hound into my life. She is professional and experienced and has a beautiful manner with dogs. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs support around building a better partnership with their dog!

Urban K-​9 has been a lifesaver for us and our German Shepherd puppy. At 8 weeks, he came to us with coccidia and giardia, which required multiple rounds of medication and testing for nearly 3 months. During that time, we couldn’t take him to class or play groups and risk getting anyone else sick, so he wasn’t able to socialize with other dogs during his critical first few months. We enrolled him in a series of Day School lessons with Dani, who not only gave him and us a solid foundation for training, but went way above and beyond by arranging play dates with her own (perfect model) dog. Once our puppy received a clean bill of health, Dani helped him catch up by setting up more play dates with other dogs, and guided us toward appropriate classes for him (including non-​Urban K-​9 ones). The training itself was highly customized to our puppy’s specific day-​to-​day issues. Dani did a wonderful job of training both him and us in setting expectations and communicating effectively. Her classes are also fantastic. The information, exercises, and demos were tremendously helpful, and she gives everyone plenty of attention. She also makes sure to match up dogs with similar play styles and ages to address each one’s needs, and to make sure everyone’s safe. It’s hard to imagine a trainer more committed to our puppy’s behavioral well-​being. We are so grateful to have found her, and cannot recommend her highly enough!

Dani was the perfect trainer for our crazy pup, Maggie! We adopted Maggie when she was 6 months – sweet as can be, but had loads of untrained energy. Dani came over for a consultation and I knew from the start it would be a great fit. I did lots of research on trainers in the neighborhood, but you still never know if the personalities will mesh. Dani was extremely kind and has the most calming demeanor. We originally wanted to board and train to whip our pup into shape, which was also the most expensive option. After the consultation, Dani suggested we do Brooklyn Day School instead based on our schedules and lifestyle. It was really refreshing to see someone not push you to spend more money than necessary. We booked a 10 session package where Dani would come to the house to train Maggie while we were at work for 2 days during the week and then teach us on the weekend. She would send us videos of her lessons alone with Maggie so we had a reference and then follow up with our progress too. Sometimes we would get lazy with our training, but Dani always caught us! She really took the time to explain the importance of being strict, crate training, and practice, practice, practice… While training a dog takes a lot of time and energy, she was always sympathetic to it being difficult with our busy schedules. Dani never gave up on us – we now we have a very well trained dog that can finally go off leash in Prospect Park!
I can’t speak more highly of Dani – she’s extremely thoughtful, caring to the dogs, and is very relatable. I would recommend Dani for any kind of obedient or behavioral training!

Dani is great. My wife and I opted for five training sessions and that was perfect for us and our pup. I did a good bit of research on dog training before adopting and I was still grossly underprepared. Dani helped me get organized and learn how to train in a stepwise manner, building up to more difficult commands with higher levels of distraction. After five lessons and several hours spent training in the park, we have a polite and well socialized pup. Most importantly, we have a great bond with our dog. We’re able to bring her everywhere and she is a pleasure both on leash and off. At only 9 months I have taken her to beaches, lakes, hiking trails, prospect park and all sorts of fun places off leash. I’d highly recommend Urban K-​9 to anyone looking to build a happy trusting relationship with their dog. Just know that you’re the one who will be trained and expect to put in the work to get there. The outcome is absolutely worth it.

Dani is exactly the trainer I’d been looking for. She has serious training skills — with both canines and their humans. She breaks down complicated behaviors so that the dog quickly learns and succeeds and then helps you reinforce the desired behaviors while phasing out the undesirable ones. She offers several methods adapted to a particular dog’s needs and just generally works magic. So happy to have found her!

Dani is a dynamite dog handler and trainer ! I own and operate GoDoG Walking and Sitting Services, and was first introduced to Dani several years ago through a mutual client. I hired her to work with my Pit Bull rescue, Scarlett, who had some leash aggression issues. Dani’s firm bearing, crisp technique, and yet sensitive «bedside manner» won over Scarlett’s obedience and affection as well as my confidence and admiration. We’ve been friends, and associates, referring pups to each other ever since. Dani has fantastic credentials, but even more importantly, she’s got «it»: A combination of chops, feel and dedication that culminate in a tour de force of love and efficacy ! Dani ROCKS !

Danni is fantastic. I rescued a Maltese at 6 months old. When I got my dog she had been abused by a prior owner. All I wanted to do was take care of him and give him plenty of love. In doing that I created a monster. My dog ate all of our clothes and shoes, he was aggressive and very protective of me. He would attack anyone who came near me including my husband. I kept making excuses for the dog but it was ruining our household. I was referred to Danni. She spent alot of time on the phone with me. She came for 1.5 hours the first time. By the time she left my dog could sit, stay and down. She explained the dogs thinking and psychology of what was going on with him. By the 2^nd training session people were commenting on what a big difference there was. I had about 5 lessons with her. She was patient and understanding. Before Danni, i would not use the crate because I thought it was cruel however I have come to realize the dog loves the crate and now goes in voluntarily and sleeps throu the night. He is not eating any of our clothes and can now walk on a leash without pulling. We dont let him on the furniture or in our bed anymore i have to tell you its hard because i want to cuddle with him, now i get down on the floor to cuddle with him He is stilla work in progress but the difference is amazing!!!

Dani is an absolutely fabulous dog trainer — and person! While we love our rescue dog, Walter, dearly, he has many issues — including fear-​driven aggressive behavior and guarding tendencies. After providing basic training to Walter as a young puppy, Dani helped us work through these problems as they emerged. But for Dani, I honestly do not know how we would have been able to keep Walter. Happily, however, through Dani’s assistance with training, and her help setting us up with a vet behavioralist, we now know that Walter will be part of our family for years to come!
Dani is easy to work with, and incredibly responsive and helpful, going above and beyond the scope of her duty. For instance, when our dog walker was having trouble with Walter, Dani met with him to teach him better practices (and it worked!). Similarly, during our hardest times with Walter, Dani was accessible to us day and night. And, of course, Walter worships her!
In sum, we recommend Dani a million times over.

Dani is absolutely AMAZING!!! We brought her over to our house for private sessions with our 5 month old puppy B.B. who was pulling like crazy on her leash. With in 1 minute of working with B.B., Dani had her walking perfectly. We have since taken 3 private lessons, 2 puppy obedience classes, and tricks class. We have never been disappointed. Not to mention, B.B. can open the back door to go potty thanks to Dani!!! This woman is fantastic.
More than anything though, she teaches the dog owners tools to continue training long after class. She is warm, kind, and knowledgable. You really can’t loose if you call Dani.

Day one: sit/​stay, down/​stay. Clicker is magic!
Week 3: walking with less pulling?1
more, More, MORE! I’m loving it!

Dani is fantastic! She worked with our puppy and, while he had no real behavioral issues, she showed us how to work with and manage his puppy exuberance. He now listens to us promptly and walks politely on a leash. More than anything, we appreciated how she concentrated on showing US how to control and teach the dog so that we can continue to work with him after the sessions are over.