Westlake Village, CA
Danielle Kathryn Desio
Founder of BadWolf K9s, Dani Desio is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and AKC Approved Evaluator who also holds certificates in canine emotion and cognition, and animal behavior and welfare. With decades of experience in animal care and her background in education, Dani is focused on helping others develop more harmonious relationships with their pets. Dani is committed to providing the most empathetic, effective, convenient, and compassionate solutions to her clients through positive reinforcement training methods. A graduate of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University College Dublin, Ireland, Dani holds a bachelors in psychology and a masters of science in cognitive neuroscience. Along with an expertise in behavior and the psychology of learning, she brings to her work an extensive background in customer and patient care in both humans and non-human animals.
She is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), the American Psychological Association (APA) and its Human-Animal Interaction Division, the Animal Behavior Society, the Dog Trainers Alliance of Southern California (DTASC), and several other organizations focused on education, training, and research in human-animal bonds. She avidly pursues ongoing education and professional development by attending seminars and keeping current on industry research and literature.
Training Philosophy
At BadWolf K9s, we strive to help our animal clients and their human friends thrive by building a relationship of trust and respect through education and empowerment. Each animal is different, and we work to provide tailor-made guidance that creates long lasting change through humane, reward-based training methodology and science based training.
Services
- Puppy Principles: Basic canine psychology, basic commands, and learning how to capture focus.
- Obedience & Manners: Basic obedience, leash manners, and advanced tricks.
- Behavior Troubleshooting: Addressing separation anxiety, leash reactivity, and other behavioral issues.
- Phone Consultation: A 15-30 minute consultation to discuss training goals and challenges.
- One-on-One Training: Customized training sessions for individuals and their dogs, focusing on obedience, manners, and behavior issues. The first session is 1.5 to 2 hours and costs $200, while follow-up sessions are 60 minutes and cost $180.
- Behavior Evaluation & Consultation: A 2-hour evaluation to identify a dog's specific habits, triggers, and needs, followed by a custom training plan. The cost is $200.
- Video/Phone Sessions: Customized private training sessions conducted remotely, lasting 1 to 2 hours and costing $85 to $100. This option is beneficial for those who are immunocompromised or dealing with human reactivity.
- Group Classes: Offered through My Best Friend Obedience.
Certifications
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), AKC Approved Evaluator, certificates in canine emotion and cognition, and animal behavior and welfare
Specializations
Puppy training, obedience training, behavior modification, separation anxiety, leash reactivity, aggression, fear, resource guarding
Training Methods
Humane, reward-based training methodology and science based training
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
