Dankroft K9 Services

Nathan and the entire team at Dankroft K9 has been absolutely fantastic to work with. My husband and I enrolled our Cane Corso puppy in their puppy foundations program and it was the best decision for him and ourselves. We learned so much about how to properly handle him and set him up for success. It has really helped to build a great foundation of training that we are continuing to build upon every day. We would not be where we are today without the help from Nathan and the Dankroft K9 team. Thank you guys!

After months and months of looking for the right trainer for our 5 year old boy Angus, we 100% found the right place! We want to thank the team at Dankroft K9 Services especially Daniel for the great work they did with us and Angus.

We walked in with an aggressive, anxious and reactive dog that we couldn't control and were at a loss as to what to do moving forward. Throughout the 10 class program we learned just how much structure and repetition could help us gain control over our boy Angus. From class to class we were in awe as to just how much Angus was learning and how it transitioned to our home life. Even though Angus was older than most dogs we met at the facility we could see how confident they were that no age was too old to be corrected.

We left the 10 week program as confident owners with a belief and trust in Angus that we thought we'd never feel.

I would 100% recommend Daniel and his team at Dankroft K9 Services to anyone looking for dog training!

Thanks again Daniel!

We are so thankful for all the information Dan & the staff provided us @ Dankroft. From the first appointment to the last 10 week class the experience was extremely helpful! We continue to use all the steps that we learned. Carly thanks for helping us understand so much! Creed is doing very well & we couldn’t be happier
Allan, Marcelo & Romina

We called Dankroft K9 for an inhome assessment because our new German Shepherd puppy will not stop attacking our cat.
Dan was punctual with his arrival and really took the time to help us understand the driving factors behind her high prey drive.
Within an hour we had established a solid plan moving forward. I'm happy to say that while we do most definitely still have more work ahead of us we are already starting to see some progress 2 days in.
It's clear that Dankroft K9 knows what they are doing. We are so pleased that we have decided to sign up for the puppy foundations program. Looking forward to learning more.

A great experience and worth every penny.
The Dancroft team was very knowledgeable and passionate about their work. They helped us become better handlers for our dog and increased our confidence in managing our dog’s reactivity.

We want to say a BIG Thank You to DankroftK9! We started our 18 month old Rottweiler with The Dog Manners and Obedience Training for 10 weeks and the difference is like night and day! Our trainer Nathan was amazing and so knowledgeable! Our Rottweiler was leash reactive and we knew we needed expert training with a balanced approach. We looked no further than DankroftK9!

After working with Nathan, he is like a new dog and our walks have become so much more fun! His obedience has improved tremendously and we learned so much from Nathan. The 10 weeks of training was such a great experience for us and Maui and we will definitely continue with group classes.

For anyone looking for expert training we highly recommend DankroftK9. The entire team is so professional and makes you feel like family!

I cannot overstate how effective and enjoyable it’s been to train my dog (and myself) at Dankroft K9!

The staff are friendly, highly experienced, deeply knowledgeable, and incredibly passionate about their jobs and of course they love dogs. The facility boasts an impressive selection of training tools and equipment, and can facilitate broad range of different kinds of exercises.

We mostly worked with Nathan, but by chance we also had the opportunity to train under Carly and Dan. They were all terrific, and it was both nice and interesting to get the same consistent quality and content of instruction and guidance but from slightly different perspectives and experiences.

Through their 10-week program, my recently adopted Rottweiler has grown tremendously in his obedience and confidence, and although we weren’t considering it when we initially enrolled we’re looking forward to returning to start training in protection work.

These folks are pros, in every sense of the word. Training a dog takes work, but Dankroft K9 has done the hard work of making it straightforward and rewarding for both dog and handler.

Going to Dankroft was really great experience. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable! We did Puppy manners and socialization classes. I brought my CC here to not only get familiar with training this breed but to really do well in handling my dog. Learned so much from them and im enjoying every second with my dog thanks to them. Getting compliments from strangers on how well mannered my dog is on a daily basis.other dog owners are jealous of how obedient my dog is around other dogs.compliments i get are "why cant my dog do that", "Wow your does everything you say", "your dog is so well behaved whats the secret" and of course your dog will be the star of the show where ever you go. This experience with them has been everything i would want in a trainer. When i get a second dog ill be right back to DK to help me again. I cannot thank them enough!

This training was above and beyond what we were looking for!

For context:
We adopted our dog (lab mix) from a farm at the age of 4. She's now 7. We did all of our training at home with the help of Google, and Youtube and Tiktok videos. We also believe in ongoing and continuous training.
Our dog was bitten at a dog park a year ago and started to resource guard and have quicker reaction times (going directly to scruff grab vs.bearing teeth or growling).

1. The assessment with DK9 was super easy to book and the assessor Nathan, who became our trainer, was super knowledgeable and informative. I felt like I had something to go home with and work on right away.

2. We loved the tailored approach! Most trainers and facilities we spoke to wanted to put every dog into a cookie-cutter program. While DK9 might recommend a similar program for your dog, we only needed 3 private sessions and 2 group sessions since we had been training with our dog every day for the last 3 years.

3. The sessions were phenomenal. Our dog was having so much fun and was always ready to work - so were we! We were able to ask questions and get feedback on things like diet, reactivity, daily routines, pet beds/accessories, etc. We also learned how to properly use a slip lead and prong collar, which we now only use for corrections (hardly ever now).

4. We were able to take the knowledge we learned and apply it to fears we never thought our dog would be able to work through - like police horses. Now we're so astonished by her lack of reaction to said things.

We can't thank Dankroft enough and we honestly talk about it and recommend it to everyone we know. An absolute game-changer!

Well worth the effort and cost. Over the last 30 years we have always had a dog and this training experience was all around the best ever. Dankroft was recommended to me by one of my patients and I would willingly pass on the recommendation

Dan is one of the greatest people I know not just as a trainer but as a person. He looks out for the well being of both the dog and their owners. His years of experience and time he has put into Dankroft is beyond measure and the service is impeccable. The knowledge you gain is the best out there, and he always want you to succeed so as any good trainer you have homework to do for not just your pup but yourself so you both can go and evolve together. I recommend him to anyone who needs training or anything to do with dogs.

We just completed the “Dog Manners & Obedience” program with our 1 year old boxer, Benny. The trainers at Dankroft K9 are exceptional and the facilities are top-notch. We’ve learned so much and are very grateful to the team (shouts to Dan, Britney, Nathan & Carly) for helping us grow as handlers by developing and refining our technique. Benny absolutely loved attending the sessions! We look forward to coming back for pack walks and more!

My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Dan and his team on a 10-week 1v1 Behavioural Correction training course. We have an (almost) 2-year old Sheepadoodle that was skittish when introduced to new people in the neighbourhood, would jump on friends/family that opened the front door when they visited, and would bark her head off if one of us ever came into the house after 9pm.

We learned quickly that we needed to spend more time trying to correct this, but had no idea where to start again (background context: we completed puppy training a year before which went successfully). So, the first thing anyone in our situation does is Google 'dog trainers in Toronto'.

After going through an extensive list and even having consultations with some trainers throughout Toronto, I learned that a lot of the training programs were still done over Zoom and involve group classes - this was NOT what we were looking for. If we were going to spend the money retraining, it needed to be in-person and one-on-one (to get the best results!). Needless to say, we found Dankroft K9 that was close to our area, offered 1v1 training, and it was all done in-person (plus it had GREAT reviews and was actually much cheaper than other trainers offering similar programs OVER ZOOM). We figured we would give it a shot.

We did our in-person consultation with Dan initially and started our 10-week program. To be clear, although it is technically a dog modification program, it is honestly more of a program for owners on what to do, how to react/reward, and set boundaries to regain the trust of your dog again - exactly what we needed.

Week after week we would attend our sessions (you need to commit to this, Dan actually gets you to sign off on the training for that day) but most importantly YOU NEED TO CONTINUE PRACTICING EVERYTHING AT HOME after your sessions. Initially it's a bit tough because dogs are re-introduced to their crates which ours didn't like (but did come around to it!), it is also a commitment because you need to pay attention to what your dog is doing throughout the day and taking the time to correct it, but it 100% pay off (I couldn't believe it myself).

We cannot recommend Dankroft K9 enough, our dog now pays strict attention to us on walks, is much more confident when meeting new people (and for those she isn't, we as owners now know exactly what we need to do to help her out), and is better at home when guests come over.

Once we completed the course, as clients, it's also great to know we can take a one-off training session down the road should anything else come up that needs to get corrected.

Thanks for everything guys, we really enjoyed ourselves (and so did Lennie!).

Best Dog training and service in Toronto! Very dedicated personnel and fanstastic staff, always providing optimal service equally to every customer.

Will definitely recommend them to any one. A very experienced team will ensure your pet overcome anxiety, acquiring at the same time great discipline and still being the same loving pet.
5 Stars!

These people shouldn't be near dogs. They actually should be shut down. They punish dogs into behavior and are extremely rude and abrasive to their customers. Highly recommend staying as far away as possible from this company.

We had a horrible experience here for many reasons. Not only did Dan cuss at me (using the F word), but accused me of 'babying' our dog just bc she wasn't listening to me at a new facility; doing a new command. To make matters worse, Dan gave our dog a verrrry firm correction due to this which I didn't think was necessary and continued cussing, sent us home that day and said not to come back if we're not taking things seriously. Excuse me? We came here for help and this is how you treat your clients? We should have went elsewhere but reluctantly returned since we already started. Our dog started to get anxious every time we pulled up at dankroft and for majority of the classes would just shut down and hide under the bench. Instead of working with us/her they MADE us force her to do the commands and didn't take into account what we wanted to work on. We were just given the same cookie cutter puppy foundations program every other dog that goes there does. Waste of money as we did not get anything from going here nor gain any knowledge. If anything it taught my dog to be afraid of 'big guys'. We wished we knew what we know now so warning others. Do yourself a favor and take your money elsewhere. They do not care about you or your dog.

I brought my puppy here in 2021 for help with the basics as this was my first time training a dog that young. This facility encouraged such harsh corrections on dogs that do not even know what a correction is without even teaching the owner what the dog is being corrected for. When we did group classes and my puppy was having a hard time, all trainers were screaming at me to correct my dog “harder, harder, pull harder” it wasn’t her fault and it’s my fault for thinking that this was the place for us. This facility is not for your everyday pet home dog. Two years later when I took training my puppy into my own hands and with properly educated and understanding trainers, my dog is living a very good and comfortable life. I will add this, because of some of the practices this place pushed onto my puppy then, my dog now will forever be traumatized and cowl because of the amount of fear. It’s a shame you ruin dogs with so much potential. Stay away from this place if you don’t want your dog to be afraid and a robot.

We really can’t say enough good things about all the trainers at Dankroft K9!
We had a dog that was difficult on walks, always pulling and erratic. We didn’t know how to enforce rules for her. It culminated with her showing aggression to our older dog.
After our 10 weeks with Dankfroft, it’s like we have a different dog! She is a joy to take on walks, she listens to commands, and she is so much calmer and happier! While our dog Alabama has graduated her manners and obedience course, it definitely isn’t the end of our time training at this facility. Alabama loves going there and she loves all the trainers we’ve worked with. Thank you guys for providing us with the tools to begin to unlock Alabama’s potential as a dog! Looking forward to seeing you again.

This review is the genuine appreciation from our family Khaleel, Lynn, Bruno and Loki. Bruno was an extremely reactive dog who used to bark at everything (squirrel, birds, cars, bike,) you name it. I have already paid another training facility which costs less than Dk9, but something about them training my puppy Loki changed my mind. I then did my research and registered for both Loki and Bruno at Dk9. After only 3 sessions, Bruno is a different dog, no more reacting to anything, listens to commands, behave like how a dog should be. His mental health got way healthier by engaging with us on our daily basis. I never know Loki has so much potential if I didn’t go to Dk9 for Puppy course. He knows many things and is a very confident puppy, looking forward to his training every week (special thank to Nathan). I can never thank Daniel enough for what he has done to Bruno and our family. Please keep up the good work and help more dog owners.

We saw so much progress with our dog Sora in our 10 week training with Dankroft. The trainers are real with you since it’s not just about training your dog - it’s about the pet owner’s consistency with training as well. They’re fun, genuinely care about us, and are quick to celebrate with you on your success. We’re coming back for more!

I cannot say enough good things about Dankroft K9! Don't let their rough exterior fool you, these guys want what is BEST for your dog and are willing to go the distance to get it!

I came in 10 weeks ago with an incredibly reactive dog. We could not go on walks, let alone see any person around my building without her reacting and looking quite aggressive.
After working with Dan, and Nathan, I am able to take my girl on long walks in our neighbourhood! Her people reactivity is completely gone and she can safely walk near another dog on the sidewalk. She understands when I say "No! " and not to react.
In terms of obedience, my dog knows exactly what I want from her, when I want it.
She enjoys quiet time in her crate now, even when I am home!

I had the opportunity to board my dog with Dankroft as well and we had such a positive experience. I received pictures and videos of the trainers and employees working with my dog through walks and obedience training!

Would recommend time and time again!

We enrolled our one-year-old dog, Alpha, before our big east coast road trip last month. Our goal was to teach him the perfect heel and reduce reactivity for our big trip. I remember one of the trainers telling me that he should be ready after completing the 10-week program. I didn’t believe it for a second knowing I’ve enrolled him to multiple other dog schools. I don’t exaggerate it when I say he was a completely different dog after only two classes. My husband and I had the opportunity to work with all of the trainers. They were all consistent, friendly, knowledgeable and we always looked forward to the next class. We learned an incredible amount of things that we will carry with us for a lifetime. We plan to return to try out other programs they offer!

We had such a great experience training our American Bully puppy. Stella was always so excited for her training sessions and we loved how passionate each trainer was about finding what was best for our dog. They have an excellent team of professionals and we highly recommend them to anyone looking to train their dog. We truly felt we were part of a community, and have learned very valuable things from this experience.

We completed our training program with our rescue dog, Dallas, in the spring. We had a great time and learned so much from all the trainers we worked with! The training program was tailored to our dog's needs. We definitely have seen a change in our dog's demeanor and our communication with him has improved. Highly recommend! But be prepared to put in the work to see results! So worth it!

Me, Rico, our family and Bella we just need to say thank you!
We learn something different about dogs!
I’m so happy we meet the team Dankfort K9 services!
We love you and we appreciate all the love and the days we spend there!
We will miss you guys!
Thank you! ️

Huge thanks to Dan & his whole team for the work they do! We brought our 6 month old puppy in for the obedience and manners classes & I cannot recommend it enough. Dan will teach you how to communicate and train your pup with structure, reward and appropriate correction. The facility is great!

Dankroft K9 training has made a huge difference in my pack of dogs!
In the last few months of going there I have learned so much! Not only have my dogs been loving it so have I.
Learning how to teach my dogs to work for me has been an amazing experience.the team at DK9 is awesome, friendly, to the point.
I love that! There’s no messing around we get the problem sorted out and they tell me exactly how to do it and keep me accountable.

I can’t thank them enough for the help, support, motivation.
Keep doing what you guys are doing.
Highly recommend this team, for all training. They have it all!

I only went in for a consultation, but I definitely will be returning to train my dogs here. The owner and other trainers are very honest and although we haven't started, we were treated so well and given advice that has already helped us with our pups a lot. Will update my review when we return!

We enrolled in the 15 week Puppy Manners and Socialization class and found that Dankroft is a great training facility with excellent trainers who supported us through the most challenging phases of puppyhood! This is our fourth dog, and we can confidently say he is the best trained out of all the dogs due to the knowledgeable staff, who were always willing to engage with us and answer our many questions! Each training session built on the skills from the previous class to create a progressive training program for our big puppy. Thank you so much to Sarah, Nathan and Daniel for all your help with Cooper, we are very grateful to have the support given that he is our first large breed dog! We’ve learned so much and will continue to train Cooper every day with all the tools and skills you gave us to be his primary trainers! We would recommend Dankroft to every new puppy owner looking to have an excellent and effective training experience!

We weren't sure where to take our dog Flex to, to regain back his confidence after being attacked by another off leash dog. We looked around and after all the good things we have heard and read, we took Flex to Dankroft. It's been several months, and we've seen nothing but great things in Flex. He's definitely regained his confidence but ours as well. He not only provides great feedback and instructions, but he's explained why certain things should be done allowing this to be translated to other family members at home. Dan is very knowledgeable, patient and I highly recommend him to anyone!

I decided to adopt my foster dog (approx. 1yo bull terrier mix) after a very short time of having him, and knowing he was going to need A LOT of training and guidance. I had heard really great things about Dankroft K9 through the rescue, and WOW I have not been disappointed. My dog is stubborn with tons of puppy energy and loves to do his own thing, so I knew we were in for some work.

I was really impressed with how Dan understands dogs and their needs. It was made clear to me right away that I was the one who needed training to best support my dog, from boundaries to the way I interacted with him, and even down to how I was holding the leash, which FYI was completely wrong! Dan is a balanced trainer with an “I don’t care about your feelings, I care about your dog” philosophy, which is the way it should be. He taught me day 1 that a dog’s emotional state guides their behaviour, and I am in charge of managing that.

After just 4 private sessions I have a different dog. Of course his goofy and affectionate personality is still the same, but now he is so attentive and tuned in to me, and he LISTENS. We went from him yanking me down the street in every direction (I don’t think he had ever been on a leash before) to now him walking alongside me, and intuitively following my body language. It’s incredible. We still have more work to do but I can’t believe the progress we’ve already made. I highly recommend the Dankroft K9 team if you are looking for balanced training that truly cares about the well-being of your dog, and understand that training starts with the handler. We will definitely continue going back!

Dankroft has been a saving grace for my new rescue dog who came with severe dog anxiety and fear aggression. A few sessions with Daniel and he has improved immensely & continues to improve after every week. Not only are you given the tools to improve, you also get the confidence to implement the changes needed. Cannot recommend them enough for any dog training needs or connection building.
Well worth every penny & love that they get to the route of the issue rather than putting a bandaid on the problem with just increased equipment like some places do! 10/10!

Zoe was 15 weeks on her first class & skittish to an extent where she didn't want to enter the facility. Since she is so strong willed it was difficult to train her. She just wouldn't listen.

Daniel through his expertise, dedication & continuous feedback has helped transform Zoe into a confident & strong pup. Dan is honest & very clear with his instructions. He has always been available for guidance.

Also, irrespective of my schedule, I worked with Zoe for a hour every day & it will continue as dogs need stimulation for a healthy mental, physical & social life.

I highly recommend Daniel & his team at Dankroft. Thank you

I highly recommend DanKroft K9 to all dog owners regardless of your pup’s age or behavioural challenges. I invested in the 16 week puppy manners & socialization course for my Cane Corso puppy and right from very start I saw immediate improvements. My puppy also continues to excel weekly with each structured session. 2.5 months later my dog is a relaxed, happy, confident and well behaved boy and I receive compliments daily on his level of obedience at 7 months of age. The best part is that my puppy loves going to DK9 and never wants to leave!:) I’ve worked will several of their trainers over several weeks and they all know their stuff. They are a practical, sensible and a very friendly bunch. They’re one of the very few people I would trust to care for my dog even if I am not around. Five stars all the way!

I have a 10 year old Jack Russell Terrier who was becoming aggressive and towards me, wouldn't listen, bit me, and would lunge at me when I tried to take things away from him. Desperate to find help for my little guy, I came across Dankroft K9 Services. We are halfway through our sessions and my dog has completely transformed into a well behaved, patient dog. I thought my dog was too old and too aggressive to change, I was wrong! I am so grateful for Dan and the Dankroft team for helping me bond with my dog and for helping me create a happy and peaceful environment at home:) Coming here was the best decision I made for my little guy and I!

I don't even know where to start with how much Dan and the Dankroft team have shifted my mind set about being a pet owner, if i could give more that 5 stars i would! Enrolled in the 15-week Puppy Manners and Socialization with my 14-week-old APBT. She was experiencing quite a bit of anxiety but figured it was nothing, and thought she will just grow out of it. First class she was so overwhelmed and over stimulated she spent most of time hiding under a bench. Slowly over the weeks we have watched our scared puppy gain confidence and trust in us. Dan gave us a tailored training program just for my puppy's needs and we've watched her change in just a few weeks. He has given us undivided attention, encouragement, and support. The training is concise and practical and Dan provided us with the tools to continue training at home.

My partner and I enrolled our dog Finn through obedience and behaviour training at Dankroft K9 Training and it has been the best decision we made to help Finn be the best dog he was always meant to be.

In the first month of adoption and before enrolling Finn into training, Finn was beginning to display resource guarding and aggressive behaviour. I was constantly having to physically push him away from me, and he would go from 0 to 100 in moments where he got over stimulated and didn’t know how to cope or properly redirect his energy. He’d start nipping at ankles and hands, jumping up, baring his teeth, barking/yipping. Before training started, I had bruises up and down my legs from his nipping (his herding) he did not have much respect for commands or myself, he would bark/lunge at garbage trucks, cyclists, and people walking without dogs. He would pick up things off the street and when I would take it from him he would react by biting as if he were resource guarding. I guess some people would consider it embarrassing for a dog to react in public this way. I thought it was heartbreaking because every time he would get reactive it was a sign he didn’t yet trust me or his surroundings and I can only imagine how tough it was for him living as a stray in Texas.

A week went by and walks became less frequent because he became more leash reactive and would turn on me and go for a bite without warning. I was at my breaking point with his herding and need for dominance. He was so insecure. I knew if I didn’t nip this behaviour in the bud, his life and the safety of myself and others would be in jeopardy. Then we put him through training bootcamp with Dankroft K9, where tough love and structure was the solution. Finn was able to learn his place in our pack, and week by week we worked with him continuously to get him to where he needed to be. Now Finn responds to commands, has respect for his home and humans, doesn’t bark or lunge at garbage trucks or people, doesn’t bite or lash out, has impeccable recall, and jumps up into our laps for cuddles or to lick our faces. On walks he looks up into my eyes, stays by my side, and has a big smile, the one where the tongue hangs out. It was like night and day to where he started and where he is now and that is thanks to the support and training by Dan and Amber.

If you have recently adopted or rescued a dog and are facing behavioural or obedience issues, I fully recommend taking the 10-week training course that Finn was enrolled in. He’s such a good dog now because of the structured lessons. We even noticed during the training sessions what skills and activities Finn really excels at. I thought I was a great owner before we started training. You will become a better dog owner and more educated on dog behaviour than you ever thought was possible during the 10-weeks. I feel more equipped and more confident too. Amber and Dan have taught us to see through the eyes of Finn and gave us the tools we needed to help him excel and live his best life. Evan and I are so very thankful to Dan, Amber and the team. You guys are the best!

Emilee and Evan

I own a 2 year old Border Collie mix. My sister and I were so happy to finally own a dog after begging our parents for so many years for one. During our walks though my sister and I started getting annoyed at the fact that our dog would constantly pull on the leash and that everytime he would see another dog, he would bark. We had no idea what to do. My sister then told me about a place she found online called Dankroft K9. We decided to give it a try and I am definitely pleased with the results. My dog no longer pulls on the leash and has stopped barking at other dogs. He has been doing excellent not only on his individual classes but in the group classes as well. Thank you to Dan and all his staff at Dankroft K9 for helping me, my sister and especially Sammy.

I love this place my puppy is been learning and behaving so well since I started his training at Dankroft

I have a 1 year old St.berdoodle and she's a bit of a handful when she wants to be. The classes I have had so far (halfway through now) have helped A LOT.
They explain everything for you and WHY you need to do it that way, which is the key for me. It's great to be taught something but I like to know the reason behind.
Daniel is very knowledgeable when it comes to training your dog and I feel like I have learned a lot so far.

Thanks Dankroft!

Excellent customer service. Such an amazing experience working with Dan, he really knows and understands dogs. He truly is the best trainer. My dogs just love him, they always get so happy when going to his facility! I highly recommend Dan to anyone looking to train their dog, so worth it you won’t regret it!

Amazing experience for dogs and owners looking to strengthen their relationship. I can not say enough good things about this place.go there now.

Dan is a great trainer and no-nonsense when it comes to being honest with you about your goals and your dog. He's really helped my dogs reactivity by just helping me have more confidence in taking the lead with him - generally its the owners who need the training anyway. Even though I had and used some of the tools introduced in our sessions I realized I wasn't always using them to their full capacity, and I've seen a massive difference from when we began. I'd definitely recommend Dankroft, specifically for confidence building or reactivity.

DankroftK9 is awesome! They have been so helpful to me and my pup! Cannot recommend them enough! Will continue with this awesome group!

Knowledgeable & professional. I have sent a few dogs here for training and all have done amazing!
Complete turn around. Definitely recommend!

Dan was our second dog trainer we found, as the first one did not help at all! And i cannot be happier to have found Dankroft K9 Services! We have completed trainings with Dan for 2 of our dogs now. One a severe behaviour issue, and the other one a puppy’s foundation program. I could not be happier with the service! It is incredible how with the right tools and information Dan has completely changed our dogs! The amount of knowledge is unmatched! Our family is now fully confident and educated on how to raise a respectful, obedient, and polite dog. I recommend him to absolutely everyone. The drive from Hamilton is a totally worth it, and we can’t thank him enough for all the help with Baby and Turbo.

Amazing facility for balanced dog training! They care for every dog that comes in, as if it was their own. 10/10 recommend.

Daniel and the Dankroft team are the best! Our Dogo Argentino puppy Harley has been enrolled in obedience training for roughly one month and his progress has been amazing. At only 3 months old he’s already better behaved than most adult dogs we know. The Dankroft team has a hands on approach with owners which we really appreciate. Other dog owners are always shocked at how well behaved our puppy is and how well he knows his commands already - thanks to the Dankroft team!

I had the opportunity to work my personal dogs with Dan owner of DanKkroft k9. I consider myself lucky to have met someone as kind, knowledgeable and supportive as him. As a dog trainer, myself, I was throughly impressed with the professionalism, cleanliness and layout of his facility. If you are looking for somewhere to train you dog, I highly suggest choosing this company.

We were recommended by a friend as our pup has exhibited signs of resource guarding and pulling while walking. We had our first training session today and let me tell you.they definitely live up to the reputation and comments below! Dan and his team welcomed us and is very knowledgeable, answering all our questions while instructing us and our pup! We have already seen an improvement with walking and look forward to learning more. We are so glad we made the decision to continue our dogs training at Dankroft! If your going to invest the money with training, do it here and you will not regret it. They also offer structured boarding which is a huge plus for those wanting to reinforce your dogs learned behaviours while away.

TLDR: I have never in my life experienced such rudeness and unprofessional behaviour from anyone - let alone a business owner! I asked about the training outline and about a payment plan and got yelled at yelled at repeatedly!

It started with a call with Chafica, one of the volunteers at DK9, and she was amazing! So friendly. I explained to her where I’m at with my training my 6m old pip and what I wanted to improve - focus and the bond. She suggested either 10 or 15 sessions but to figure out which is best that I should come in for a free assessment with my pup.

I was also told about a discount if paying cash but we didn’t get into the details over the phone. I received an email shortly with our time for the 30-minute assessment.

When I arrived, Dan asked “What’s the problem with your dog? ” - no hello, no introduction. I’m not one for small talk either, but ok. I explained that she get’s really excited and loses focus on what I ask of her.

After an uncomfortable silence, I asked “So…? ” Dan - who still hasn’t turned to face me - asks to see me walk the dog. I mentioned that she will likely not listen as it’s a new area and full of strange smells and sounds for her. Sure enough, my pup was super excited and I didn’t correct her for the 25ft or so we walked.

“So…? ” I asked after yet another uncomfortable silence (he still was staring in the distance). He asks me to hand him the leash. Dan proceeded to do repeated level 10 corrections (yank on the leash hard enough that the dogs front paws come off the ground and it loses orientation). My pup was in shock and sat calmly after the fourth pop. Hell, I was in shock too to see such good behaviour!

After I picked my mouth up the floor, he finally looks at me, and says “Look at her. She’s behaving. It’s not her that needs training, it’s you. ” I replied, “That’s why I’m here. The training is only as good as the trainer. I need to learn this. ” He hands me back the leash and tells Chafica “Fifteen. Give him the contract. ” Dan leaves Chafica and I alone and she handed me a contract for 15 sessions.

But before I was ready to sign I had a few more questions - start date, what we'll be learning, and about the discount (“no tax if you pay cash”).

But when I pressed about curriculum or what we were going to learn, there were no details beyond hand feeding, leash skills, noise socialization, and prong collars.

Considering we are in and out of lockdowns for Covid and I had a total of 20 words with Dan, I asked if there was more info or a payment plan. Chafica said all those questions are best answered by Dan and called him over.

Dan replies that “You’ll only get results if you do the homework. If you’re already asking about this then you will likely not do the homework". Rude, but I still gave him the benefit of the doubt since he's speaking factually even though his attitude is derogatory. (Might just be his style)

But then Chafica asks him about a payment plan, Dan became angry and STARTED YELLING AT ME FOR SEVERAL MINUTES about how he is a professional and professionals don’t do discounts. He mentioned how I should check his reviews, his social media, or go to Hamilton, or Progressive K9.

I was so confused about what just happened. While he was walking away, I calmly asked “Dan, how was I unprofessional? ” He turned around and BERATED ME FOR A SECOND TIME FOR SEVERAL MORE MINUTES.

After he walks away, both Chafica and I were both shocked. After 10-15 seconds of heavy silence I had to make sure I didn’t just imagine things, so I asked her “Do you think I was being unreasonable…? ” She answered “I personally don’t think so…”

And then, God bless her soul, she tried to salvage the sale, saying how Dan sometimes has issues with his clients but they always get resolved. (So apparently this has happened before).

Needless to say, I'm not a customer. I don't know if he woke up on the wrong side of bed, or the pressures of Covid are mounting. I would have loved to work with Dan because it does seem like he knows what he's doing, but there's no excuse for such unexplainable rudeness.

I went with my dog Bandit to meet with Dan for an intro. Let me say I was floored. Within 5 minutes Dan knew exactly what my dog needed. He listened and did not freak out with another dog right beside him. I almost cried in my car after. I’m so excited to be working with Dan and his team. Thank you so much! I want to say that in that 30 min lesson Bandit listen amazing to me when we got home as well. Best decision I’ve made for my dog and my family. Can’t wait to get going.

Not only do I want to tell everyone how incredible I think Dan at Dankroftk9 Services is but I also want to bring awareness to the responsibility and challenges that come with rescuing, fostering and/or adopting a rescue dog. Last year, I became a first time foster mom. In the application/interview, I advised that with no experience, I could not take in a dog that was "aggressive. " So in November, when I got a call asking me if I could foster a dog that was "only fearful of men" but very lovable otherwise, I happily accepted! From the moment I met Blu he was great with me, but it wasn't even 24 hours when I saw his aggression towards everyone else come out, not just men. He lunged and barked at everyone, whether it was on the street or in my house. I spent the next month begging the rescue for help. I sent videos, and I messaged them with daily updates, yet, they did not take any of my concerns seriously. After failed attempts to get any real support from the rescue, I could not allow Blu to go without the help he (and I) so desperately needed, so I looked for a trainer myself. Fortunately, I found Dankroftk9 Services online and sent a message. Dan responded to my inquiry within the hour and made time for Blu and I to see him the following day for an assessment. As soon as we met Dan, Blu lunged, barked and did everything he could do to try and attack Dan. Dan took control of his leash and within 15 minutes had managed to get Blu into a heel sit position. During the assessment, Dan understood right away what was going on with Blu and what was required to rehabilitate him. We agreed to start working together. I cannot begin to explain to you the overwhelming feeling of gratitude and hope I felt from just the initial assessment with Dan. I knew that I was finally in good hands and that Dan could and would help us. This is also the day I decided to adopt Blu. I knew that I needed to rescue Blu from the so called "rescue" organization who had failed him tremendously. Being his third home in one month, their mishandling of Blu makes me so angry! During the assessment, Dan gave me rules and boundaries for Blu and I put them in place right away. I did not waiver on those boundaries, I applied them as directed. I mention this because I think it's worth noting that as long as you truly follow Dan's direction, you (and your dog) will succeed. You have to do the work at home too!
It's been just over five months since I've had Blu, and I am so proud of him. I fell in love with Blu from the moment I met him, and my hesitation to adopt him was only because I did not feel I had the support, experience and capability to properly care for and rehabilitate a dog like Blu. But, with Dan's guidance (even through COVID when classes were shut down for 3+ months) Dan gave me the confidence I needed. Blu has now transformed from an incredibly reactive, aggressive and insecure dog who trusted no one, to a much more confident dog who has not only learned obedience and basic commands but also a variety of tricks, and does well when challenged in agility training. Blu no longer barks and lunges at anyone or anything on the street. He's become comfortable with trusted people and dogs and has even made some friends.
So, for any rescue organization who truly wants to help and actually "rescue" dogs, whether it's for rehabilitation needs or basic training, you won't find anyone better than Dan to work with. It's evident that Dan loves dogs and he is the biggest advocate for their needs. I have tremendous respect for Dan for being their voice. For anyone out there like me who fell in love with a dog that is in need of rehab, and if you don't think you're capable of helping your foster/adopted dog, please call Dan. I promise you, with the right trainer/guidance you can help your dog be happy, healthy and confident too. I can't thank Dan enough for going above and beyond for us, and how much he's changed Blu (and me) over the last few months. I know that Blu and I will always be members of the "Dankroftk9 family"!

My name is Crystal and I have nothing but praise for Dan, his facility, and dedication to helping dogs and their families to learn how to love their dogs properly and create guidance and structure! DanktoftK9. I couldn’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for Lucky, and my family!

I was so lost & absolutely hopeless before meeting Dan. He’s super knowledgeable, has a great facility & has shown me (within a couple classes) what myself & my dog are capable of achieving. Honestly best decision I ever made. I highly recommend Dankroft K9.

Dankroft K9 has an incredible facility that includes various physical and mental outlets for our dogs to be exposed to. We are very happy that we came across Dan to help us with our two dogs. He provides different exercises at each session, builds on the previous exercises or commands already learned, and gives “homework” for each week. He explains his theories thoroughly to form a foundation of understanding to the owner/handler. He tailors training based on individual dog needs. Both of our dogs are always excited and comfortable when we walk through the door. Looking forward to our continued work with Dan!

Incredible facility. The set up is amazing and there is so much for the dogs to do in the space. My puppy is enrolled in the Puppy Socialization and Obedience package - her confidence is soaring and she is easily conquering new things each session, all while having fun. Dan gives us "homework" to work on between sessions, and his balanced methods really help build the bond between you and your dog. Can't wait to join the group classes!

Simple fact that as new pup parents we have a dog who behaves and listens well, thanks to Dankroft's work with our family.
Our pup's tail wags at 1000 wags per second when he gets there, he loves his training start to finish and once home he's content and out like a light too.
Can't thank or recommend Dan and his team enough. Before, during and after training he provides us with great insight and knowledge which continues to help our pup and us each and every day.

Great facility and training for our large working line dog. Firm but kind approach with owners and dogs. We saw immediate improvements in behavior and demeanor.

We highly recommend Daniel and Dankroft Services to all our friends & loved ones, esp those with medium to large breed dogs. Dan has helped immensely with our Boxer, Buster! Dan has taught my husband and I to better understand Buster's behavior and needs so that we can give him the highest quality of life! I love the training he had done with US as owners to help educate us on our breed and Working Dog specific needs. Daniel Aular is a knowledgeable trainer but most of all he is a person with a ️ for animals and works with the highest integrity.

Dan is a genuine, passionate, consistent, educated dog trainer. Not all dogs are the same neither are their situations. Dan was my last resort for my 2 year old Chow Chow. I drove across country to meet him after several vets/behaviorists and trainers advised me to put my dog down. Dan was the only person who saw potential in my dog. Take it from someone who had the most traumatic dog experience, I trust Dan. I witnessed the true leadership and guidance required for my dog and amongst several other breeds at his facility. I’ve tried several trainers in the past and spent thousands of dollars. This facility is not only ethical but it highlights the true definition of what dogs are meant for. Not only did Dan work with the dog he also worked with me.
P. S he does incredible work for rescues.

Danny and his team are highly dedicated and passionate individuals. The center is such a great place to bring your dog's, keep up the great work Daniel!