About A Wild K9

A WILD K9 works out of 203 Underhill Ave in Prospect Heights and serves Brooklyn and Manhattan. The trainer, Ana, states she has been helping pet dogs and their owners since 2017, holds a dog trainer certification from Animal Behavior College, and took her undergraduate degree in social and sport psychology.

The problems it names

The site opens on the specific frustrations it expects: a dog dragging the owner around, barking at the front door, lunging at dogs or skateboards; wanting recall that works every time; wanting a dog that can ignore squirrels and birds; or raising a puppy into a confident, well-mannered adult.

Programs

There are four. Board and train runs three to eight weeks. A Tutor Program and private sessions cover owners who want to keep the dog at home. Good Manners group classes are held in Prospect Park and are flagged on the site as a newer addition. Everything starts with an assessment, priced at $180, in which the trainer answers questions, gives her read on the dog's behavior and recommends a program.

Method, stated openly

A WILD K9 describes itself as a balanced training company and explains what that means rather than leaving it as a label. Rewards keep the dog motivated and build a positive association with wanted behavior; corrections draw a clear line between appropriate and inappropriate behavior; together they give the dog direct feedback so it actively chooses the desired behavior. The site then lists the corrections it means – a stern voice, ignoring the dog, withholding a reward, a spray bottle, putting the dog back on leash, a leash pop – and the equipment: management gear such as harnesses, tethers and crates; training collars including head halters, martingale, slip and prong; and remote collars, reward-dispensing systems and invisible fences. Owners who want to know a trainer's tools before booking will find them here without asking.

Beyond pet obedience

The site mentions nosework for fun and training for retriever hunt tests with NRHRC and LIRFTC, and a familiarity with bird dogs that one reviewer singles out.