K9KEY in Baldwin
Site: http://www.k9key.com/
- Monday:9AM–9PM
- Tuesday:9AM–9PM
- Wednesday:9AM–9PM
- Thursday:9AM–9PM
- Friday:9AM–9PM
- Saturday:9AM–9PM
- Sunday:9AM–9PM
It has been 4-months since my dog Elliot came home from his 7-week long board and train with Steve and his team at K9 Key. When I enrolled Elliot into the board and train, I asked Steve to work on very specific things with Elliot. All I can say is Steve heard me, and our life has been changed since Elliot has come home. Every month since being home, he becomes a more balanced dog and more in tune with me. I would recommend Steve to anyone. Steve also has training sessions on Saturdays for alumni that are super helpful to help you keep up with your training.
I sent my Dachshund Napoleon to Steve’s training on recommendation from a friend. He was responsive and helpful throughout the whole process and Napoleon came back a changed dog. He also offers weekly group training after to keep up the training undertaken during the program which has helped me understand what I’m doing wrong so I can correct Napoleon at home. I am very pleased with Steve and love the dog that’s come back to me as a result.
Steve is a very knowledgeable person when it comes to dogs. I was very pleased with K9key and their outstanding work with my 6 month old GSD Hunter. He wasnt showing that many problems, but I wanted to make sure he had a good foundation. I thought he knew sit and stay before, but after the training he was completely transformed. I would recommend K9Key to anyone from puppies to seniors.I did not want to send my dog to a bigger training school, and have him grow up in a kennel enjoinment. I wanted him to learn in a home environment. Steve seems good at managing multiple dogs at a time. All in all, he stayed for approx 8weeks.
Max, our adopted 90lb German Shepherd, was a handful when we first met pre-COVID. Im no stranger to large dogs, coming off my third 120 lb+ Bouvier de Flanders, but this guy, with absolutely no real supervision pre-adoption, had a serious mind of his own, not to mention he needed to be attached to our hips at all times. He regularly lunged at dogs on the street, no one else could even walk him and having visitors to our home or boarding him for a vacation were pipedreams.After unsuccessful attempts to handle it on our own and a few forays into established and expensive training programs, we had no luck. At the end of our rope and considering some serious and unpleasant options we were introduced to the team at K9KEY. We met at their new offices and within minutes I knew this was going to be different. Steve asked some specific questions, immediately identified habits and patterns, and by the end of the consultation agreed to take Max on.We left Max with K9KEY for what was planned to be a three to four week program. It turned into a ten week long session and upon our return we literally had a new and improved super-Max. Our GSD follows basic commands without hesitation, takes a spot when guests arrive and acts like a gentleman, heels like a champion (no more lunging), retrieves, and is learning new skills every week.Max has never been happier now that he has a real job and we have a new lease on life, using a dog walker, boarding him for vacations and generally walking the streets in NYC with our quadruped bodyguard and off-leash at the beach with no drama.The bottom line is that K9KEY literally saved our dogs life and delivered a best friend that is a joy to spend time with. The fee was reasonable for the agreed upon proposed four week program didnt change when it extended to ten weeks. They are real life dog whisperers and we continually witness their professionalism during the regular Saturday complimentary group training sessions. Our experience was not unique as we meet other families that share their stories of success.
K9key was the second program we called to ask for support around our dogs reactivity and guarding behaviors. We were excited to find such a family-oriented training program, and had a wonderful experience in the boarding program as well as the follow-up weekend classes!Steve met with our pup in January for an evaluation, and he provided the most thorough assessment of our dogs aggression. He gave affirming and honest feedback about the ongoing training that would be needed post-program and explained the strategies and tools used throughout the board-and-train program. He was really great with communication, and our dog came back significantly less aggressive with us, and with reliable knowledge of the basic commands. Machi has also been responsive to the ongoing daily training and we feel more confident as dog handlers. We highly recommend k9key for anyone in need of training their dog as well as building their relationship together!
I took my1 year old adopted pitbull mix, Santi, to Steve because I was having a hard time controlling her. Its not that she was mean or aggressive, but she had problems with going to the bathroom outside, tearing up shoes and furniture, and just overall having no manners. I cant express how much Steve has meant to Santi and I. Because of Steves training I can now fully enjoy the relationship with my dog. I dont have to worry about coming home to ripped up items and seeing Santi relieve herself in the house. I put Santi in his month long board and train program and she came back a completely and totally new, amazingly behaved dog. The best part is that with signing up for the board and train, you are able to go to every saturday group lesson for free after. It is actually very much encouraged to attend them. All in all I am so grateful to of found K9 Key and would not trust anyone else with my precious Santi.
K9Key & Steve Hong changed my familys life! We have a rambunctious, highly energetic, overstimulated Labrador and could not get her to listen to basic commands, stop barking at everything, and pulling when being walked. She had no off-switch and we tried many different trainers within the NYC area (even the famous ones) and it did not work. We were left feeling dejected and stressed to the point where someone ALWAYS needed to keep an eye on her. We literally could only get groceries, cook, and do basic household things when she was sleeping in the early morning or later at night. It was the opposite of what I thought being a dog owner would be and made me doubt if having a dog was a good decision.We connected with Steve based on the high reviews and had our dog join the 4 week boarding program after a consultation. Steve is VERY thorough in this consultation and shared the plan along with what our dog needs work on. He explained things that we didnt even realize could be a trigger and how he would train Penny. He also shared that its very important to keep up the training AFTER the boarding is over. Long story short, we received our dog back after 8 weeks (she really needed a lot of work, hence the extended training) and she is AMAZING. It has honestly made us love her more (lol) and we have continued to keep up with the training. Our neighbors didnt even realize our dog is back until weeks later because she does not bark at all anymore!!!!! I can honestly say that working with Steve has made me contemplate even getting a 2nd dog (lol) because my dog has been such a dream since. I have recommended Steve & K9KEY to everyone I know (including random dog owners I bump into) as well as friends who are thinking about getting a dog.THANKS SO MUCH, STEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our experience with Steve and K9Key has been really excellent! We sent our Chocolate for training because he is a very anxious dog and was showing some signs of aggressions. We were really concerned about this and took the decision to have him properly trained.He stayed at K9Key for longer than anticipated (and this was really not easy for us because we really missed him) but the result is nothing short of astonishing! He is much calmer now, behaves really nicely when walking on leash and does not show any signs of aggression anymore!Steve runs classes for all graduates on Saturday (free of charge once you have completed the program) and those are also extremely useful to help Chocolate relax in a busy setting.Our life has been completely changed by Steve and K9Key and we will always be grateful for this! THANK YOU!
Working with Steve and K9Key is probably the best decision we made. We were looking for boarding for our trip abroad for our female pitbull. She has some behavioral issues and we were very concerned with leaving her in a boarding facility where she wouldnt be let out enough and would hurt the progress we had made thus far with her behavior. Steves assessment of her issues were spot on. Prior to her leaving to K9Key, she and I (female) had a rough relationship.. mostly with owning my position as the woman of the house. Since returning, our relationship has dramatically improved. Her response is dramatically improved. Her listening, attitude, walkability, literally everything we were struggling with improved. I have told everyone about Steve and K9Key. After boarding, we recieve weekly classes (paid for ONCE with boarding) and advice whenever needed. They truly care about the wellbeing of your pet - we HIGHLY recommend them and are so so thankful to have had them work with our girl.
I sent my 4 year old pit bull mix Ingrid to Steve at K9Key to work on basic commands and some emerging dog aggression. I wanted to be a better dog owner and to have a better relationship with my dog - and to be able to keep her and other dogs she interacts with safe.Steve and his team worked with Ingrid for a total of 8 weeks - about four weeks longer than what we paid for - and I cant say enough about how much better things are with our dog.Ingrid knows all basic commands, walks beautifully in the leash and we are so much better equipped to handle her occasional dog aggression.Sending your dog away to training is NOT a quick or magic fix and you have to keep training your dog once they are home. I think of it almost like sending the dog away to language school: while she was away, she learned how to speak a new language and now that shes home, I have to learn that language too. It takes continued effort, but its well worth it. K9Key was able to give our dog and my family an excellent training foundation that we can build on together.If you are a dog owner who will need constant updates, videos, pictures etc. about your dog while its away, you should be aware that Steve is a busy guy and generally was in touch about once a week with short text updates.One of the best aspects of sending my dog to K9Key is the ongoing, weekly classes that Steve holds every week. Our dog is always happy to see Steve and the weekly training sessions with other dogs that have been through his program are helpful in keeping our dog (and us) on track with her training.I strongly recommend K9Key if your dog (aka YOU) needs training and if want to be a better and safer dog owner. Thank you Steve and the K9Key crew!
Our 4 year old corgi, Leo, started showing signs of dog aggression and separation anxiety at around 1.5 years old. Even with help from other trainers, his behaviors got worse over the years. We couldn’t walk Leo without him lunging at other dogs and redirecting his aggression towards us. We couldn’t leave our apartment without Leo biting us and barking desperately. It was so hard because, aside from those situations, Leo is the most loving, loyal, and affectionate dog. By July 2020 we were finally at our wits end feeling stressed and defeated. Board training was never something we felt comfortable doing (I called 4 different places) until we found K9KEY. After meeting with Steve at our consultation, I felt a level of trust and comfort that I didn’t feel with any other B&T. Steve was honest and realistic about his expectations of Leo’s success. We spoke to Steve weekly and would get update videos and pictures of our boy’s progress. Leo was with Steve for 7 weeks and is now home. He is the same dog, just better. He is more obedient, no longer has separation anxiety, and we now have complete control of him on our walks (no more pulling or lunging). What Steve has taught us is that we cannot change Leo’s instincts and character. The most valuable thing we have gotten out of this experience is a foundation for us to work on with our dog. We are now able to communicate with him effectively and have complete control of him at all times. We just went to our first group class and Leo did AMAZING (proud dog mama). If you are in a similar situation that we were in, look no further. We are so happy we found K9KEY when we did. Thank you Steve and his team for changing our lives.Tom, Victoria, and Leo
Highly Recommend - Through a referral of their previous client I met in the park, I took a chance to enroll my puppy to K9 Key. What a blessing.I was struggling with my dog on behavioral (barking, nipping, crate, eating and chewing everything in sight as well as no leash control when in the street) and separation anxiety (unable to step away more than 3ft).When connecting Jay, he has been very professional, responsive, explained the full process and an excellent coordinator. Meeting Steve with my family, we immediately knew we made the right decision. He is a professional, knowledgeable and caring. You can definitely tell he has the love (passion in training) of pets and commitment to make his clients happy. A very clean, organized facility that is safe and training pets enjoy each others (playful) company.Thank you Steve, Jay and the rest of the crew in taking great care and discipline of my and other pets. Cheers!!! 🐕🦺👍
K9Key was a godsend to us. Our boy Harley was exhibiting signs of aggression (towards other dogs) and excessive barking. This was a problem since we have another dog at home. We really were not sure if we would be able to keep him. We than found Steve and K9Key. He explained the process and Harley was put into the training program. Upon his return he is much calmer and his barking is significantly less. Steve was a godsend to us. On the weekends Steve holds a training class that all the graduates are invited to. This keeps them on track and also trains the doggie parents. I would recommend K9Key and Steve to everyone.
Steve is professional, knowledgable, calm, patient and above all, I knew immediately I could trust him with my three year old furry family member, Tucker (a Village Dog / Mix pup).Tucker is as fearless, adventurous and independent as they come! After moving back to NY from abroad, I didnt have access to the same hikes and his exercise was greatly reduced. Tucker did not have recall in the past (and a huge obsession with squirrels, rats, etc), but it became a greater issue now living near high traffic roads. The lack of recall caused me a great deal of stress to the point where I couldnt let him off leash for regular exercise ultimately causing Tucker a great deal of anxiety due to the reduced exercise. Eventually Tucker escaped a dog park in Manhattan trying to chase down a squirrel and I could not stop him. That is when I knew this could not continue as I wanted a better life for Tucker to channel his energy appropriately and safely; after researching and interviewing several trainers, Steve was the right fit.Tucker returned from training calmer, disciplined, and what I appreciated the most was that he is the same happy go lucky pup, just a better version of himself. The ongoing training sessions are an excellent resource, too.I highly recommend Steve, Tucker wasnt an easy case and it was clear Steve is able to train all types of dogs at all levels.There is no better feeling than the trust he has fostered between Tucker and I, so we both can have a great life together. Tucker is now off leash wherever he is allowed, and I always receive great compliments about how well behaved he is!
My dog Fletcher, a purebred 20lb Pomeranian, was 3 years old when I was first introduced to him at the Southampton Animal Shelter. At the time, Fletcher was not adoptable as he was aggressive towards people. I decided to foster him and started him on medication to address his behavior disorders. Fletcher also needed a Board and Train school, led by someone who specializes in aggressive dogs, small dogs and has an understanding of how to balance medication with behavior training. That’s how I found K9KEY Dog Training School. Steve and his staff evaluated Fletcher and were able to train Fletcher despite the challenging circumstances. Today, Fletcher is no longer aggressive to me and is obedient when I utilize the principles Steve has taught us. As an advocate for the adoption of sheltered pets, I believe every animal deserves a second chance. K9KEY Dog Training has made that possible for Fletcher.Richard Schefer, PresidentHave A Heart Adopt A Pet Foundation Inc.
My dog Banks and I moved to Brooklyn in June. He has always been fairly anxious, nervous, sensitive to sounds and once we move to New York everything was amplified. Our block is fairly active, and one night a little girl threw a popper (not on purpose) right behind him, and after that he would not go outside. It was always a struggle, he would pee on the stairs going outside, we would either have to drag him or physically pick him up to bring him outside and it was not enjoyable for either him or us. We had him in training in Atlanta, but we weren’t consistent with it so he was not learning how to deal with new people, new animals, and new surroundings. After a couple of months, we knew we had to do something. Because of his breed (pit bull) we needed someone with some experience with strong dog breeds. Banks does not like new people or dogs right away. We contacted a few places, including K9Key, and came to the decision to go with Steve and his team for a number of reasons. 1) During the consultation, he was a very calm presence. He didn’t try to approach Banks, or have Banks approach him. He talked to us and was able to see Banks would be a challenge but he had high hopes. 2) the price of what you receive from this service cannot be beat. It is an investment to train your dog, and to know that your dog is in good hands is worth the money. After the board and train, you continue to get support through trainings every Saturday. 3) The board and train gives your dog the opportunity to be introduced to different people and be around other dogs (other clients and Steve’s personal dogs). With that said, your dog is never put into a situation that they are not ready for.The board and train is a 4 week program, but dogs may stay longer if they need the additional training for no extra cost to the owner, which is amazing also. Banks stayed with Steve for a total of 7 weeks. No, he did not forget us!!! Steve kept us up to date with pictures and videos the whole time, which was greatly appreciated. Since we have gotten Banks back, we continue to work with him daily, but we are now able to control him outside and get him to walk further than 15 feet past of our front door. We are able to go on walks to and through the park, which is a part of the reason we moved to where we did!! Even just yesterday on a walk, Banks had a positive interaction with another dog on a walk. This is something so small that is such a huge improvement in his behavior that I don’t think we would have gotten to without Steve and his team. I was so excited I texted Steve to tell him the good news!!Steve has very reasonable goals for dogs, and he also trains you as an owner on how best to lead your dog. He is very patient with me, a very nervous person which leads to a nervous dog, but he makes the training fun and personable even if there are 7 other dogs and owners in the class and he does that for everyone!!I can truly say that with Steve’s help, having Banks in New York is now fun and I am excited to see how much more Banks continues to improve. I recommend Steve with confidence to anyone!!
I can’t thank Steve and his team enough for what they have done for Rio. Living in an NYC apartment especially with large dog breeds is something many people wouldn’t consider due to the potential of scaring other tenants or even worse hurting someone if left untrained. German shepherds are known for their fierce loyalty and protective nature. By the time he was 6 months old, he had a huge problem with biting furniture, barking excessively, and leash aggression especially if it was another family member trying to walk him.Thankfully I found Steve who pinpointed key points to his behavior and how to correct them. During our first session, Steve explained how overconfidence can also be a potential risk for dogs since they wouldn’t hesitate to bite someone, which Rio came close to few times. Rio will always be a protective dog he was bred this way, but as an owner I need to be able to control him at all times, which is why I enrolled him into boarding. It was hard giving him up, but Steve made this whole process easier to deal with by providing updates via text and videos throughout the process.I did not expect such a positive change in Rio’s attitude in such a short period of time. He came back a reformed dog his behavior around the house is excellent he no longer destroys furniture, walking him on a leash became much more controllable for my family, they now come to my house and look forward to walking Rio, in my absence. Everyone loves him but of course, I always keep an eye on him to ensure bad habits don’t come back.Even more importantly Steve continues to provide training on a weekly basis so I can better control Rio under a stressful situation. He’s made so much progress since meeting Steve and I can honestly say I didn’t expect it so quickly. Meeting Steve was a he’s someone I would recommend if you’re serious about improving your dog’s behavior or simply want to elevate training to a higher tier. I look forward to future training sessions and advanced protective work with Rio in the future.
Steve was most understanding and compassionate upon first meeting him at our orientation. In meeting Steve, I knew we had sought out the right individual for training our dog Ziggy. At nine months of age, Ziggy was becoming more than a handful with an infant at home. With the thanks of Steve and the rest of the K9Key family, Ziggy is a pleasure to spend time with again. Having kept Ziggy for more than six weeks, we now have a dog that listens, walks like a gentleman, obeys commands, and greets his little companions with ease. We no longer have fear of Ziggy becoming too anxious and bolting out the front door upon opening it. Ziggy has only been home for a week and half, but we already see so much growth in him. Thank you so very much to the dedication and commitment from the K9Key family.
Steve did a wonderful job training Benji. We got Benji at 2 months and from then on we saw signs of aggression, and alpha. At around 9 months it got worst and we needed to get him trained asap. He would bite my rugs, not listen to us, attack my boyfriend when ever he got near me, attack anyone that came near him while he had a bone and just hands down controlled us. Steve sent pictures and videos of his progress and even kept him for 4 extra weeks!! When Benji came home he had no aggression at all and listens when we say no. Steve really put Benji in his place and has made him into a great dog that we can now have under control. I would recommend his training to anyone that has a dog out of controlled.
Coco has been a handful since I got him at 9 weeks old. He has shown signs of fear aggression since he was a few months old. I was not able to take him to dog parks or even pet stores as a puppy as he was very aggressive towards people, and especially other dogs. Walking him in my neighborhood was always challenging as he tried to chase cars, and lunge towards people and every dog he saw. I had tried CBD oil, Adaptil collars, clickers, Calming treats, thunder shirts, bark collars, ultrasonic dog whistles, prong collars, etc., but nothing seemed to work.I enrolled him into doggy daycare for more than 6 months, but he would not participate. Instead he isolated himself from the other dogs and acted aggressively towards them when they would approach him. He went through several trainers, and even a stay away camp where he was forced to interact with other dogs, but to no avail. At my wits end, I decided to try one more time with K9Key.It has now been over a year since Cocos stay away training at K9Key and the growth he has made is remarkable. I have been pretty diligent about the follow up group sessions that are offered on the weekends, which has been key to his success in building his confidence as a fear-based aggressive dog. Though he still has his moments, he is more relaxed, approachable by people and other dogs, and does not feel threatened every time he sees another dog.I would highly recommend K9Key. Every animal is different and has different needs, and Steve and his group of trainers listen to you and your dogs needs and respect their personality differences in developing a successful individual training program. It is evident Steve loves what he does, and every weekend when the dogs at group sessions see Steve, you see the love and respect they have for him.
I am the owner and parent of Prince, my 3 year old pit-bull mix who I love with my whole heart. When he was about one year old, he started showing very concerning signs of aggression. He became possessive of random objects, food, and space in my home. He showed guarding behavior and would growl and snap if anyone came close. I am sad to say that he bit multiple of my family members and friends. He became the “alpha” while I lost complete control of the situation. I was completely depressed and saw no way I would be able to keep Prince and keep him safe. To me, he was an unpredictable and dangerous dog who I simply could no longer control. His behaviors escalated and I began to expect the worst possible outcome.The moment I met Steve, this all changed. He instantly radiated calmness, authority, and focus. I felt at ease. His demeanor and professionalism gave me the first glimmer of hope that somebody might be capable of handling and teaching my dog. When I came to pick Prince up from the 4-week boarding program, he was transformed. Off the bat, he listened to every command, stayed right by my side, and clearly understood right from wrong. Being able to simply tell him “no” and “drop it” and have him instantly obey was an amazing feeling. His “episodes” became completely manageable and there was no longer a standoff in my apartment every day. I could finally enjoy my time with my dog and the stress faded away. Steve made it clear that his method isn’t “magic” and that Prince’s training would be a process that required my dedication. Prince will always have his quirks but Steve taught me how to be a better leader and I finally have control over my dog’s behavior.While other trainers straight up told me that they couldnt help me or work with my dog, Steve immediately provided the support and guidance we needed. He is an absolute pro. He knows these dogs better than anyone I’ve ever seen and I will be eternally grateful for what he did for me and Prince.
Serious game changer! A year with another local trainer and the fighting just wouldnt stop! We reached out to Steve from K9Key about a year ago. NO FIGHTS SINCE! Granted it works if you work it, but if you do as Steve says and dont give up I have no doubt in his ability to rehabilitate any dog. Reinforcing the training he does when he boards and trains is the most crucial part. My guys love going to training classes also, that is how i know Steve and all the people at K9Key are great! The relationship he creates with your animal while he has them is personalized. Both of my boys are rescues, and 1 was put off by men. He just doesnt respond well. But with Steve he slowly built up a bond and now both of my guys adore this man! I would recommend everyone to go here!! A trainer who genuinely cares is hard to find!!!!
We enrolled our two puppies (both around 7-8 months old), Coffee and Cola, into K9Keys board & train program. Raising two can be a handful so to make sure theyd have a good foundation in discipline, we decided to enroll them. They stayed with Steve and his team for approximately 7 weeks, which felt like an eternity but it was well worth it. Both of our pups came back more obedient and more manageable (as manageable as puppies can be of course!). K9Key sets the foundation, but you have to commit and do the work at home.The weekly group sessions are definitely an added plus since its structured in a way where your dog will not experience the type of environment at home. Were really glad that our pups were in great hands, and are looking forward to the even greater dogs they will become.Thank you K9Key!!
Petey is my eight month old English Bulldog who is our second from our breeder. Our previous beloved Bear had spoiled us with a well tempered easy to train dog for 11 years. Petey on the hand is more of a handful. We looked for a trainer to help us out and I found Steve. Steve was able to read Petey and gave us advise on how to handle him right from the start. We entered him into the Board and Train program and was given updates on Peteys progress and challenges. Steve suggested a longer stay to work with Petey and kept us in the loop as Petey progressed. We reunited with Petey ,after 6 weeks, who was much more balanced and he fit right back into the family only with a new positive attitude.The training of my family was as important as Peteys progress and this program will provide weekly support from the group for future challenges as Petey goes through adolescence. This support is currently on hold due to the virus concerns but Steve is available for our questions. We are looking forward to a long relationship with K9Keys thanks to this positive experience.
Steve and co at K9KEY are worth every penny! I cannot begin to express my admiration of Steves talents and commitment to giving dogs and their owners a better life together. If you’re considering putting your doggo in board and train because you’ve exercised multiple other trainer options in NY, like me, Steve is your guy. I will be honest, while my dog was away (please note that this was during the initial outbreak of COVID19) I was panicked that I had made the wrong decision, because Steve was not being as communicative as I had hoped and I was worried that my dog was not in good hands (because I didn’t have many updates at first). HOWEVER, I’ve now come to learn that Steve is a perfectionist, a professional, and a straight up guru. He kept Scooby for an additional few weeks to make sure he was satisfied with the training, and sent me videos to show me Scooby’s progress once I had expressed my concerns as an anxious dog dad. It’s hard being away from your dog (they’re like a child!) and you just hope that they’re being well taken care of. I can assure you that Scooby was attached to Steve’s hip when I went to retrieve him and seemed like he had learned a lot the obedience that he lacked before the board and train. The real win of this program is the complimentary group trainings that Steve offers for alumni after they finish the board and train process. Not only does this help you learn how to be a better trainer for your furry friend, but you are able to see how talented Steve truly is with dogs (he somehow keeps an eye on all 10+ dogs at the training at once and gives individual tips to us throughout the lesson- it’s very impressive). Before Steve I didn’t think I would ever be able to control Scooby, but now I have the tools and resources to give my dog the companionship he deserves, as well as the continued brushing up on his training at the group lessons. Thank you Steve!
My dog Fletcher, a purebred 20lb Pomeranian, was 3 years old when I was first introduced to him at the Southampton Animal Shelter. At the time, Fletcher was not adoptable as he was aggressive towards people. I decided to foster him and started him on medication to address his behavior disorders. Fletcher also needed a Board and Train school, led by someone who specializes in aggressive dogs, small dogs and has an understanding of how to balance medication with behavior training. That’s how I found K9KEY Dog Training School. Steve and his staff evaluated Fletcher and were able to train Fletcher despite the challenging circumstances. Today, Fletcher is no longer aggressive to me and is obedient when I utilize the principles Steve has taught us. As an advocate for the adoption of sheltered pets, I believe every animal deserves a second chance. K9KEY Dog Training has made that possible for Fletcher.Richard Schefer, FounderHave A Heart Adopt A Pet Foundation Inc.
Steve did such a wonderful job at training my one year old German Shepard dog Sheru. Sheru was his own boss and did NOT listen to us one bit, he would run after the mailman, other dogs and people. He was very mischievous and it was just getting harder for us to get him under control. After Sheru spent a month and a half with Steve, he came back as a whole new dog. He listened to my every command and walking Sheru was like walking an angel, not once did he leave my side or drag me. He also stopped running after people and other dogs. He is such a good dog and he is very well behaved. Steve made our life so much easier by training Sheru so well. I would recommend Steve 100% to anyone that is having trouble with their dog. He knows dogs extremely well and I felt so comfortable leaving Sheru behind with him.
Where do I start.... we sent our 1 year old dog Enzo to K9Key because he was CRAZY! He was our first dog so we gave him so many bad behaviors. Enzo is a mini golden retriever so he is very high energy. I wasn’t completely onboard with sending him away, but my husband did a lot of research and found Steve. We met with him and he was awesome and very knowledgeable so it was an easy decision. Being away from him for 6 weeks was very hard but SO WORTH IT! I was somewhat against an E-collar but at the end of the day that is the only thing that worked. We got to visit Enzo once and Steve sent us videos and pictures as much as he could. I can honestly tell you it was worth, Enzo came home and he is amazing!!! He is still his spunky crazy self but he is obedient. He knows heel, come, down, stay, out and so much more. He is sooo much more manageable. It changed our lives for sure. You of course have to keep up with training and stay on him and really change yourself from making the same mistakes. Also for the E-collar I was so scared to use it but it is so easy and honestly we really just do vibrate and he listens. But when he’s really bad or not listening then we use it and he’s completely unharmed. He got off the leash the other day and all I had to do was say Enzo come and he came and let me put his collar back on. We’re also able to take him places like restaurants, the wineries and he just sits there like a good boy, it’s amazing . I 100% recommend their training program because it really worked for us!
TL;DR: Steve and his team are hands down the best trainers weve tried and helped us with a situation we thought was hopeless. If you struggle with your dogs behavior Steve can 100% help you and your pup lead a better calmer life!Our dog, Satchmo, is a 5-year-old shiba inu. He was never friendly with anyone but my partner and I, and our closest friends, and exhibited fear aggression to people and dogs by the time he was 1. He barked and snapped when he got scared, and he would never listen to a command once triggered. He is an incredibly picky eater and not motivated by food or treats - - which made it even harder for us to draw his attention away from his object of aggression.Over the years, we tried multiple trainers and vet-prescribed medication but Satchmo never got to a stable point. Finally, we thought it was time to look into special aggression programs, and after weeks of research my partner and I decided to call K9KEY and Steve for an evaluation. Steve was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us clear goals and expectations that reassured us. His focus on addressing not only Satchmos behaviors but also our relationship with him was clear since the initial evaluation meetingWe signed up Satchmo for the board and train program as soon as Steve had availability. He warned us that Satchmo would likely have to stay longer than the average 4-weeks as shibas usually take longer to bond with the trainers - - mind you, we had not really seen Satchmo bond with anyone new prior to that. Steve ended up keeping Satchmo for 7 weeks, at no additional charge. Throughout he sent us videos of Satchmo that we couldnt believe - - we saw a dog that was completely obedient to trainers that he had only met a few weeks prior!We took a significantly calmer dog home. After his training, Satchmo was not only more obedient but also a lot more relaxed and less anxious. The biggest change however was that after spending close to two months with Satchmo, Steve had a clear understanding of his personality, behavior and triggers and gave us very direct instructions on how to behave with him in different situations. Before we had no way to reprimand him or let him know when he did something wrong, since he became aggressive. Steve setup a system with which we could teach or dog and control him in situations when he was anxious and aggressive.The follow up group training sessions on weekends have already been extremely useful. Steve provides us with a controlled environment with other dogs, where we can safely train Satchmo in situations which trigger his aggressive behaviors. Not only is Satchmo feeling better, but we have a better understanding of him and ways to work towards alleviating his anxiety.We recommend Steves program for anyone who struggles with controlling or understanding their dogs behavior! None of the other trainers we tried even came close to helping us as much as Steve did! Make yours and your dogs life better by reaching out to Steve!
My dog Kai, a 6 yr old husky-pitbull mix, started showing aggression towards other dogs once she turned 3yrs. After failed attempts to curb her growing disobedience myself and with a help of a trainer (weekly sessions) I started thinking of finding her a more qualified owner. As a last resort, I researched board & train classes and found Steve. What convinced me was good reviews, Steves experience and the post-training weekly sessions geared towards owners learning how to avoid slipping back into old habits. I was warned it may take more than 4 weeks as Kais already 6yrs old (it took 7 weeks), but its been a life changer. From simple little things like no more pulling, to having her come back when off leash and distracted by wildlife, its been amazing to see her do so well. There are things we are still working on, but with Steves help I know how to do that properly, and we can enjoy more time outdoors.
After months of research and hesitation(nervous to board) I finally decided to send my 2 rescue pups Gunner and Bandit to K9key. I adopted my 2 boys right before covid and boy did they keep me busy. They are both fearful of strangers and I tried my best to break them of that but quarantine did not help. Gunner around 1 year old showed fear aggression and started biting people who would enter home. Also they were always so focused on each other that it was hard to get them to train. Wild dogs from Texas They needed help with overall obedience and structure and Steve gave them that foundation. They stayed with him about 8-9 weeks which was hard but I knew they were in good hands. This is in no way a quick fix but something you have to continue to work at with your dog. The Saturday morning class Steve offers for free (to train the humans, poor guy lol) is a great help but you also have to keep up the training at home. My boys are still a work in progress, I’m hoping to walk both at the same time one day, for now separate walks, but I get compliments all the time when out and my dog is heeling at my side. They are overall more obedient and confident which helps with their fear of strangers. I’m forever grateful that Steve gave my dogs and I a better quality life and look forward to working with Steve..if you are reading these reviews over and over hesitating like I did to send your dog away, just do it you won’t be sorry and neither will your pup!🐶
We found Steve when our Doberman Pinscher puppy, Lady, was about 6 months old. She was already getting pretty big and we were having trouble walking her. We also wanted to nip any signs of aggression towards others before they worsened. When we found Steve, he gave us a detailed description of his training process. He sent pictures and video updates often. What we loved the most was that if Steve felt that a dog wasnt ready to be sent home, he would keep them for more time without charging extra. Steve kept Lady for an extra 4 weeks. This just showed how much Steve cared about his work.That was about a year ago. Ever since we picked Lady up from Steve, she knew sit, stay, heal, down, place, and overall was much more well behaved. We go to Steves free group training every Saturday to reinforce the commands, and to socialize her with other dogs.I would 100% recommend Steve to anyone experiencing behavioral problems with their dogs. My family and I are very thankful for the thoughtfulness and care Steve put into Ladys training and the care he continues to have for us and his past clients.
Thank the universe for Steve and his team. When we adopted Charlie we were unaware of her aggressive behavior towards other dogs. Six weeks with Steve and Charlie is on the right track! She’s more obedient, more attentive and, most importantly, her dog aggression behavior is under control. I highly recommend Steve as a dog trainer. He’s professional, caring and an absolute pleasure to work with.
K9key took our two year old shelter Pit Miles who was having behavioral issues we couldn’t tackle on our own. He was extremely anxious and would constantly guard shoes and clothing to the point that if you got near him, he would snap or try to bite. We read books and watched videos to try to help him but we had no previous dog experience and frankly, some of us were afraid so that made it worse. We realized we needed professional help - we first saw a behaviorist that was referred by our vet who said that Miles’ behavior could not be fixed and he needed to go on medication or be put down. We were devastated because we knew that he was a sweet boy but definitely needed help. While doing research, I came across K9 academy and decided to give them a calI. I am so thankful that I did! Steve is truly a dog whisperer & his team is amazing, too! We got updates on Miles while we was with them and we really enjoyed to see that he was bonding with the team very well (it comes to show that your dog is well taken care of). Miles came back a completely different dog, he is confident and well behaved. We recently hired a house cleaner and have construction going on inside our home and he listens to all commands and stays in place while they are working (never would have occurred before, we used to have to lock him in our bedroom). My family and I are amazed at what this smart boy is able to do! Thank you so much Steve & the K9 team!! If you’re thinking about bringing your dog here, do not hesitate, trust me, you will not regret it!
K9KEY Steve is an excellent trainer. He is highly professional with good knowledge and experience. My Nana came home after 8 weeks camp and she is obedience and well trained.
Steve was and is hands down the best trainer weve had. K9Key is incredibly professional, reliable, easy to work with, and has proven results through a dedicated training regimen and many years of experience. Theyre dedication to training is unparalleled from coming up with an effective action plan, providing feedback throughout, curtailing said plan as needed, and continuing training as an ongoing method of assuring you and your dog understand practicing these new found behaviors are not a one time fix. They not only train your dog, but they also help you understand the psychology of your dog, its behaviors, how to break them, and the steps you need to take as an owner to be the true pack leader your dog seeks. We will continue to go to K9Key, and we absolutely love and adore Steve and family. Every time I have to go away on vacation or for work, I have zero worries that Mar will be taken care of. Not a lot of people have the ability to handle him due to his very grumpy nature at times/need for dominance/specific aggression, but I never have to worry as I know he is ALWAYS in the best of hands. There isnt a better trainer around, and I wouldnt recommend anyone else for any type of dog training needed. Stop looking for training, and call K9KEY! Itll be the best decision you ever made for you and fido!
Rocky is a Victorian Bulldog. That means he has all the characteristics of an English Bulldog (including stubbornness) but is about one third bigger and heavier. So when he sets his mind on something it’s hard to persuade him otherwise. As you can imagine this led to all sorts of bad behavior, including pulling on walks, jumping, and mouthing. We took Rocky to a pet store trainer and got little result.K9 Key was recommended to us by friends who had their dog trained by Steve and his team. They raved about the positive results. We talked with Steve and he recommended the board & train course. Rocky spent five weeks with the K9 Key trainers this summer while we were on vacation.He came home a changed dog. He is obedient and responsive to commands. No more pulling on walks, no more chewing or mouthing.We recently had Rocky along on a Halloween walk accompanying some friends who have a small child. They couldn’t get over how well behaved he was, heeling without pulling away, sitting when we stopped, and staying when folks wanted to pet him (in the past he would jump up on them). There were other dogs on the walk and although Rocky did take notice he did not bark and pull as he would before K9 Key training.We continue to take Rocky to train with Steve on Saturday mornings. Rocky looks forward to these training / socialized sessions.K9 Key came highly recommended and we enthusiastically echo the recommendation.Rev. Robert and Sue Grimm
I’ve sent 2 dogs to Steve. I trust Steve completely train and care for my dogs and both times, my dogs came back as the absolute best versions of themselves. My most recent dog went to Steve as a puppy. I knew already Steve takes very good care of your dog while they’re there and he was in good hands. I have a corgi which when we got him, we knew they were smart, independent energetic and a herding breed. We struggled with getting him trained because of his stubborn and independent personality. We literally had to wear oyster shucking gloves to put a collar on him because he’d bite as hard as he could when we put a collar on. He also would whine and cry the second he went in a crate at night (because he was big on chewing up our couch) Steve helped us navigate the fact that yes, our dog will always be independent but he can be taught whos in charge. Our dog does not chew anything besides his toys and bones, willingly goes in the crate and no, we don’t wear gloves to put a collar on anymore! Steve is the best hands you can put your dog in to get trained. Our dog is an absolute angel and joy and we CONSTANTLY get complimented on how well behaved he is and that’s all thanks to Steve !
I have a two-year-old Border Collie named Charlie, who at 1 years old started to show signs of aggression towards anyone who did not live in our household. As time went on her behavior became worse and worse. She would try to bite anyone who came into our home, and when we walk her she would lunge at people and other animals. Due to her behavior I was afraid to walk her, and she wasn’t getting the exercise she needed and loved. At almost two years old Charlie bit our 13-year-old cockapoo, and I knew I needed to find help.I found K9 Key while searching the internet, and calling was the best decision I ever made for my dog. Charlie did the board and train program, and Steve had her for seven weeks. He sent us pictures of her the entire time she was gone, and she came back to us a different dog. The Saturday morning classes after the board and train program have made me a better owner. Steve helps me understand how control Charlie, so that I can walk her without fear and she can live with us without taking over the house. I would like to thank Steve and K9 Key for all of their help with Charlie. It has really made a tremendous in our lives.
I highly recommend k9 key for training your dog. I have a 3 year old Cavalier King Charles that needed some “manners” and needed to be trained from being a weewee pad dog to being a walkable dog, and they did a great job with him! They are honest about what can and cannot be learned and the best part is that when you get your dog back the relationship with k9 does not end. They even host weekly group sessions and I’ve seen some other amazing dogs they’ve worked with. Such nice people, and that means a lot! Some of you may be considering cheaper alternatives but nothing beats allowing them to board and focus on training your dog for some time (Cody was with them for a month). You get what you pay for and the support afterwards is more valuable then you can imagine. Ive learned just as much as Cody!Funny quick story to end this review. Cody was recently acting very weird in my backyard. Some time went by and i sent Steve some video (of cody pacing around huffing and puffing nonstop). He diagnosed that i had a critter in the yard. I said no way, i had searched everywhere. He insisted. Lo and behold i went to move my sons basketball hoop from the backyard to the front of the house, and somehow a baby possum had worked its way under there to live. He scampered out and away and ever since then Cody is happy in his yard again. This is just an example of the valuable support you can expect.
Steves work with our dog Ziggy was incredible. Ziggy is a 70lb siberian husky who came from a shelter as a rescue; hed been surrendered by his owners at age 1, and had lived in the shelter for six months. Presumably he had not been adopted successfully because Zigg is a big, energetic hyper dominant male. He loves people but was a handful and a half to try to control. I have had Sibes before, and am very confident, but this was a next level case. On leash he was a mad puller, in the house hed leap all over everyone who entered, and he claimed space and was territorial/aggressive even though he loved us and wanted to be close all the time. He was suspended from his doggy day care for being aggressive with other, smaller dogs and for snapping at a handler. He bit me in an altercation over our couch at one point. We were at our wits end after this biting incident - it was obviously just a dog being a dominant dog, he wasnt ever taught how to behave properly, and living in a backyard for a year, and then a shelter, had not installed any discipline or rules in him. This is when I found Steve / K9key, and reached out. After chatting through these issues with Steve, we sent Ziggy out for his boot camp. One month is the usual period of re-training time, but Steve (for the same price) kept Zigg for a further two weeks to ensure that he was properly re-trained. Ziggy is a changed dog now; while he still has the same bubbly, energetic personality and love of people, he is now controlled on the leash, well mannered in the house and controllable (thanks to Steves training and the ongoing use of the e-collar) in any situation. I feel safe and in command, and Zigg has rules to live by that help him behave in a settled and calm way. We barely have to use the e-collar anymore, as his habits have settled down and he knows his rules. I couldnt recommend this program - and this trainer- more highly. We also use Steves facility whenever we need to travel - Zigg gets to go hang with his pals there and always comes back well behaved thanks to his refresher courses! We are so grateful for this amazing help - the boot camp meant that we could keep our crazy rescue boy and in fact have WAY more fun with him than we were before. Thank you Steve! From Ziggy, Jesse and David.
When I found K9Key, I was looking for a miracle. Despite the work of other trainers, my 8 year old Shiba Inu, Casey, had become increasingly difficult to deal with, and my family was at our wit’s end. I knew we needed a professional. My father and I met with Steve and told him everything we had been experiencing with Casey. Immediately, I felt assured that we had finally found the person who was going to help us.While Casey was in the Board and Train program, Steve kept us updated with pictures and videos of Casey’s progress. Watching these videos was almost like watching a different dog! He even kept her past the standard 4 weeks until he thought she was ready to come back, with no extra charge. Upon Casey’s return, Steve helped us get her accommodated to a new home in a co-op apartment, where she passed her doggy interview with flying colors. Casey was the same dog I had always known but she was in a much better state of mind to receive training and love.Having hit the reset button on Casey, we now attend free group training with Steve and other Board and Train alumni. During these sessions, Steve adjusts the training to deal with every dog in the group, each with their own past and current issues. He checks in on how progress is going at home and offers suggestions to questions we may have. I even sent Casey to live with Steve while my husband and I went on vacation. I had complete peace of mind leaving her with him and hope to do so again in the future.I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank Steve and his team properly for everything they did for Casey. She is a much happier, calmer, confident version of herself, and therefore, so am I.
Hiring Steve to help me train my dog has been the best decision. I have owned dogs all my life but the perspective of training a new puppy was a bit overwhelming. Althou she is a very smart and highly trainable puppy, I didn’t feel confident in my skills. Steve was patient and worked around our expectations and worries and provided a great program for our puppy to learn the foundation of dog obedience. We did the boarding program with k9key. And now we are following up w weekly group classes. Totally worth the investment, but you also have to go in understanding dog training is not a few weeks and done, you have to put in the work after with consistency.
UPDATE: Almost three years after Steve kept our dog Shea, we still are in contact with him continuously with questions about behavior or how to better Shea. Shea went from being completely unmanageable to being our beloved baby who is the best big sister to our two human babies. She used to have many many triggers and now really only a couple, which we manage very closely. We feel like we communicate with her so well truly because of Steve and teams education - I truly cannot say it enough but K9Key saved our girl and I cannot recommend them enough!!!!I can not recommend Steve and his colleagues enough. We have a 20 month old mixed breed who we rescued last March. Our dog is very timid and her fear ended up leading to behaviors such as resource guarding with other dogs, barking at every single noise, barking and lounging at strangers, and the list goes on! Not only did Steve take Shea for 8 full weeks, but she came back a much more confident, happy and disciplined dog. We are still working to be more controlled owners, with Steve’s continued help, but overall would recommend Steve to anyone out there! Shea is also now SO calm and well behaved with our newborn baby, something that I was very nervous about! Thanks again to Steve and everyone at K9Key - you guys are the best!
My two pit bull mixes were having aggression/dominance issues and we were in a very desperate situation. I came across K9KEY after Aden and Bosco had a bad fight one evening while we were having dinner. Steve and the K9KEY team took both our dogs for 8 weeks total! The program was meant to be 4 weeks and even though they had learned their obedience commands already, he kept them on to ensure that they would get used to interacting with each other. Now, they are getting along with each other and have learned to co-exist! On walks, Aden and Bosco would lunge at other dogs, people, and sometimes each other before Steve worked with them. Not only has K9KEY given the dogs a foundation for us to continue to work on but they have also brought peace to my household. On top of that, Steve hosts weekly group training sessions so that he can see how we are progressing and give us much needed feedback! If you feel that you need help with your pups behavior, do not hesitate to contact Steve and K9KEY!
Our family adopted Carmen from a rescue organization who told us she had been kept by someone in Texas with over 40 dogs. After being rescued from that situation and driven across the country to us, she was extremely fearful. She would freeze in fear out on the street, and she would bark and urinate if anyone came into our house. She was too scared to follow any commands outside of the house. As soon as we met Steve, we could see how good he was with Carmen. He was able to put her at ease immediately and start interacting with her on her terms and determine what she could and couldnt handle.After going through K9Keys boarding program, she has gained confidence and stability and learned commands (and we also learned how to deliver the commands effectively and provide reinforcement). Now, she is able to walk on the street and accept guests in our home. Most importantly, getting through her fear has allowed her natural personality to come out and she is the sweet and spirited dog we hoped she could be. We are all extremely grateful to Steve and K9Key for helping Carmen become her best doggy self and helping us learn how to take care of her!
K9KEY did an AMAZING job with my english bulldog Lucy!! Steve took her on soon as she had all her shots. Throughout the entire training process he kept me in the loop with pictures and updates on her progress. I couldnt imagine doing any of that training on my own with my work schedule. He was a life saver and now I have a perfect little bulldog. Not very little, but sounds better. Also knowing that he can watch her when I travel is a major stress relief. She loves going to see him. Thanks K9KEY!!
Steve Hong is a one-of-kind dog trainer. Hes passionate about dogs and will put 110% into your pup! He really helped us with our rescue dog, who is a big 90 lb rottie mix. Anxiety, Fear and Aggression were the main issues. Highly recommend!
Very amazed and pleased with my dogs behavioral progress. K9Key is very communicative, and professional. Our family knew instantly that our Pitbull Terrier was in good hands and would get the proper training we could not give him at home. We especially love that our pup gets to go to Saturday training classes to keep his memory refreshed with all that he learned in the program. We are knowledgeable now in how to handle our dog in all different situations. Thank you to Steve and the team at K9Key. We are very glad we took the time to do our research and make sure we were making the right decision on sending him to your camp.
We sought out K9Key for our 5 year old French Bulldog, Tippy, due to her aggression with other animals in our house as well as family members. From our first meeting with Steve he clearly understood Tippy and her behaviors and the dynamic between her, our other animals, and the humans in our house. Tippy spent 7 weeks with Steve and I am so impressed by the progress that she made in that time. Each time he sent a video of her progress we were amazed at how well she was doing! He gave several video updates of her training while she was with him and was available to answer my questions and check ins about my dog via text. Since coming home Tippy has been behaving much better around our other dog and our cats. She has made great improvements walking on the leash as well, when we go on walks she walks nicely by my side without pulling. I’m so glad that we made the decision to send our dog to K9Key and we are looking forward to continuing to work with Steve in the group training classes to help Tippy be the best dog that she can be.
Our King Charles Cavalier mix Toby started showing aggression toward visitors when he was about a year old. It worsened over the next year where he bit some of our guests and we were unable to control him in situations when unknown people came into the house. When we tried to keep him in another room he would bark and cry and throw himself against the door. We loved Toby so much but we were feeling desperate because we could not live our lives normally. We tried some training and medicine which didn’t work. When we consulted with Steve he understood how seriously we needed help and we felt confident that he understood dogs and their behavior and that he could help us and Toby. Toby stayed with Steve for 5-6 weeks. Toby now understands and obeys commands heel, stay, down, come and no most importantly we understand how to control him. While we still need to work with him we have the tools we need so we can have a peaceful home. We are happier and we believe Toby is happier. The Saturday trainings are so helpful and Will keep us from backsliding on the training. If you need help I highly recommend K9 Key.
We are so glad we found K9KEY and Steve. Our dog, Quinn, started showing signs of aggression at around a year and a half old. The aggression finally came to a head when I was bitten on the nose when he was just over 2 years. Steve instinctively understood Quinn and the dynamic of our household and very honestly and plainly explained how we could train Quinn to understand his limits and to learn better habits. Quinn was in training with Steve for 5 weeks, and though it was hard, we knew we were doing the right thing. Quinn came back to us as the dog we always knew he could be! He is obedient, engaged, happy, and eager to please. Steve truly changed our dog and our lives. You MUST continue to train at home; it is so important to keep up all the good work Steve and team have put it in. The more consistent you are with daily training and follow up sessions, the happier you and your dog will be. Thank you Steve, and the K9Key team!
We purchase a GSD at 8 weeks old. Her name is Martha. She came with an already established fear of dogs but was attacked at about 3 months at a rest stop on a peepee break. The dog came out of nowhere! After that she was REALLY terrified of dogs and it spread to people. I felt terribly guilty about sending her for training because she was my baby but it was the best thing we could have done. She is no longer terrified of other dogs, just a bit hesitant, but then... watch out! All she wants to do is play as long as they are a bit smaller or the same size and don’t show ANY aggression. She is still fearful of people but warms up. We wouldn’t have been able to get here without Steve’s initial training and ongoing Saturday classes. I’m the student who picks his brain at the end of each class! I tweak how we are introducing new people and she gets better all of the time. Martha is a work in progress and she knows who follows through and who doesn’t; a real weasel. I’m not sure where we would be without his training. She is the family dog we hoped for. And we’re all obsessed!! If you are on the fence, you can be sure with Steve at K9Key!
Steve and his team are outstanding as my husband pointed out below (Michael Leboff), Jimmy was a very difficult dog. He was seen by many trainers and Steve was the only one who didn’t give up on him. We were so lucky to find him and although Jimmy ended up having several other issues, none were related to the intense rehab and care that Steve provided him. Now, our pup Elvis, has been working with Steve and after only 1 session, there was an immediate improvement. I couldn’t recommend him more! He’s a DOG WHISPERER :)
We are so lucky to have found Steve! Our rescue dog suffers from issues stemming from her anxiety, including leash aggression on walks. Living in a crowded NYC neighborhood, this was a very challenging issue for us to manage. It was so bad that just seeing another dog across the street would easily push her past her threshold. We were desperate to find a solution and tried everything - multiple trainers, group classes, anxiety medications, using different types of collars and harnesses - to no avail! We found Steve by chance, after our original dog boarding plans unexpectedly fell through. We were scheduled to leave the country for a business trip a few days out and were suddenly left with no one to take care of our special-needs dog.We were so relieved to find Steve! He was extremely accommodating about the drop off and pick up dates and he kept us informed about our dog’s progress. Throughout her stay, he sent us several photos and videos of her interacting with other dogs - we couldn’t believe our eyes! He even weened her off her anxiety meds, after letting us know that he felt that she was ready for this. He ended up keeping her for an extra week, which gave him extra time to work with her and also worked great for us due to a conflict that had arisen in our travel schedule. When we picked her up, he had recently given her a bath - and she was so fluffy and clean, we couldn’t have been more thrilled to be reconnected with our happy pampered pooch!We now make it a point to drive over an hour on a weekly basis to attend Steve’s group training class, which allows her (and us!) to gain more confidence around other dogs. These free classes are a complete godsend! It is incredible to watch Steve handle so many difficult dogs with so much poise, confidence and expertise. He has an individualized approach, and takes time to ensure that the techniques he demonstrates are well understood by and adapted to each dog and owner. After each class, he sticks around to answer any questions.Steve is endlessly patient and compassionate and he truly understands how difficult it is to commit to bringing a special-needs dog into your life. Although one would hope that this would be more common, Steve is the only trainer that we have worked with who has prioritized the success of our dog’s training over opportunities to make extra money (the free classes and the fact that he kept her for an extra week in the board and train program are both a case in point!). He is clearly driven by his passion and gift - Steve is truly rare pearl in the dog training world!Because of Steve, we’ve become much better owners and understand our dog so much more and are so much closer to her. We highly recommend K9Key to anyone with a difficult to train dog!
Steve did a great job with our energetic Australian Shepherd. Our friends and family immediately noticed how much more calm and obedient she is after training with Steve. She no longer gets on furniture or chews things around the house. Steve even kept her an extra week in his program to make sure she was fully prepared to come home. We could tell how much our dog enjoyed being around Steve, too. When we went back for owner training sessions, she was so excited to see him! He clearly treated her with care while also training her and setting behavioral boundaries. We highly recommend his program for any dog!
Our dog Chewy has been trained by Steve since we first got him. We are extremely pleased with the temperament of our dog and his behavior. He has done a great job training the dog as well as give us tips on what to do with him at home. Fast forward two years later and we still send Chewy to Steve when we are away. Our dog always comes back happy :). Highly recommend Steve and his team for the training of your dog.
Steve has been nothing short of amazing to us and our 2 year old pit bull Rambo!We adopted Rambo I early July. He had severe anxiety and had absolutely no manners. We had a trip up panned for 2 weeks in September and when we decided to adopt Rambo we secured a trainer that would board and train him during our vacation. 4 days before we were set to leave the trainer called and had to cancel due to a broken ankle. That’s when a friend recommended Steve. Steve met us the next day for an evaluation of Rambo and he decided to take him into his 4 week board and train program.Steve kept Rambo for a total of 7-1/2 weeks (no extra charge for the additional time). Rambo came back to us a different dog. Steve helped Rambo get his confidence back. Steve set the foundation and gave us the education needed to continue his training. His weekly group classes are an opportunity for us to learn from not only steve, but from a group of other people that are in the same position as us.I highly recommend Steve to everyone who asks. He truly cares about the dogs he trains and the results speak for themselves.
I had my GSD Thor trained with Steve for advanced obedience. Not only did Steve keep him for extra weeks at no charge to make sure the training was perfect but the results are impressive. Steve will not only train your dog he will train you into understanding the specifics of the training so that you can read your dog better, develop a stronger bond with him and become a better owner yourself. Steve has also been very available for follow up questions and organizes weekend training sessions that you can attend for free to keep the training going. Amazing experience!
We have a 2 year old male French Bulldog who has been anything but easy since the day we got him. Our dog, Leo, started to show early signs of aggression around 4 months old. His aggression began as small growls when we picked him up or when we got near his food bowl or a preferred bone/toy. We shared our concerns with trainers at our puppy classes in NYC, but his aggression escalated pretty quickly. At this point, Leo had bitten us, my mom and a dog walker a handful of times and he was getting worse everyday. We had two outside trainers come into our home to work with Leo after completing the obedience classes. The training was reward based and we worked with trainers for about 6 months. The training helped us manage his issue, but Leo would have good weeks and bad weeks. My husband and I felt pretty hopeless and started to have the difficult conversation of what the future would look like if we continued on this path. After days of googling board and train programs, we found K9 Key. Within minutes of Leo meeting Steve, he came to the conclusion that Leo was a super alpha male that would definitely be with him for longer than the standard 4 weeks of his board and train program. Leo ended up staying with Steve for 2 months and I can honestly say he came home a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT dog. Steves balanced approach of positive and corrective reinforcement is exactly what Leo needed. Not only has he not shown any signs of aggression since he came home, but Leo is also a completely obedient dog. My husband and I went from feeling like we would not be able to keep Leo to gaining full control over him and his aggression. We continue to use Steves training methods at home which include an e-collar, prong collar and a strict feeding regimen which has really changed our lives for the better. We also have attended some of his group sessions and have found them to be extremely helpful to maintain Leos skills. We will be forever grateful to Steve for all of his help with Leo! We highly recommend Steves program for any difficult or aggressive dogs!
Steve and the team at K9 Key are superb. We asked them for help training our 6 month old German Shepherd after having unsuccessful experiences with three other trainers. Not only did our dogs behavior improve tremendously over a few weeks, he absolutely adores Steve. They regularly sent videos and photos of the progress and have been very easy to communicate with. Furthermore their weekend classes are fantastic for brushing up his skills and a great way to discuss the fun challenges of dog training with other people in similar circumstances. Weve also used K9 Key for dog boarding twice and will continue to use them when we head out of town.I strongly recommend K9 Key!
K9 Key is amazing! I literally couldnt believe how well-behaved my dog was when we picked him up. We went to Steve because we werent sure we could keep our pitbull - bordercollie mix because he was extremely dog aggressive and we live in NYC where there are small dogs at every corner. It was impossible to walk and exercise him properly which compounded all his aggression issues. After Steve, our dog Bodie, no longer pulls when we walk him, sits and stays on command, focuses on his handler during walks rather than other dogs or distractions and can even go to dog parks with no problem. He even has dog friends now! The best part is his spirit was never broken during his training. He is still a spritely happy dog, he just learned some puppy manners and was cured of his fear-based aggression toward other dogs. We are literally complimented on how well-trained he is all the time. No way this would be possible without Steve and his K9 Key family. Best decision we ever made!!
Steve and the trainers at K9KEY have done an incredible job helping us with our 4 year old toy Australian Shepherd! We are so glad we decided to do the board and train program, she now immediately listens to our commands and is just much easier to control. We knew we needed some professional help with our Riley once she began showing aggression towards people and certain dogs, so after searching the internet for a board and train program we came across K9 Key and set up our consultation. Considering Rileys stubbornness and energy level we knew she needed a very structured program and plenty of attention, which is exactly what she got with Steve and has clearly paid off. Riley still has her quirky personality and all the traits we love about her, but she is just overall a better behaved dog who now listens to us consistently. We also love the Saturday classes available, and know it will be critical in keeping Rileys training current and in helping us learn how to better control her behavior going forward.
If you have ANY issues with your dog, give Steve a call now. He has changed my dog for the better and I wish I had done this years ago. She no longer fights us about going in the crate, she knows her place in the pack now, and is not as reactive around other dogs. I used to cry daily trying to get my dog to go in the crate so I could go to work-it was so stressful and not a good situation for any of us. Steves training has alleviated so much stress in our household. Worth every penny trust me.
Steve is AMAZING! We were not sure what to do with our German Shepherd as he was displaying a lot of anxiety causing our family and friends to be afraid of him. After working with Steve he came back a new dog! Steve was able to educate us on our dogs anxiety issues and identify triggers while teaching us the best ways to approach stressful situations. As a result our dogs anxiety levels drastically decreased. Steve provides you with all the tools you need to make sure you have a happy dog!
Steve was the best thing for our dog Kato and also for my husband and I as owners. We adopted Kato from a shelter a few years ago and found that once we would leave our house to walk him, he would act out towards strangers and other dogs. Kato would show aggression, he would lunge and eventually redirect on the leash. It was very difficult and frustrating because we worked with other trainers with no show of improvement after the sessions were completed. Steve had Kato in the board and train program and after his training was completed, it was like Kato was a new dog. He was still the dog we always loved but with a better handle on his emotions and aggression tendencies. Without Steve and his team, my husband and I would still be struggling to handle Kato but now we are more confident taking him out for walks as wellas having people over to our house.
K9Key and Steve really helped my dog. Before the list of his issues couldnt even fit on the page, but after training I dont have any that I would even write down. The additional free training and guidance after the whole process was also extremely helpful in keeping up my dogs training. Would highly recommend to anyone with a dog
Steve is one of those truly amazing trainers. He has been working with and taking care of my dog since he was just a puppy. I now have the smartest most obedient well trained dog I have ever owned. I highly recommend K9Key to anyone who has a dog. The results are remarkable and they take such great care.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steve has been incredibly helpful in the last few months with the initial and ongoing training of my 5 year old Brittany Spaniel. He has helped with numerous dog behavior issues including signs of aggesssion, separation anxiety and major leash pulling. We appreciate his approach to creating the right training plan for each dog and the regular training sessions to reinforce the good behavior for both dogs and their owners.Many people who have known our dog for quite some time are shocked by the positive change, especially our dog walkers who battled with Scotch daily. Whoever said ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ hasn’t met Steve!
Steve Hong did an amazing job training me and my German Shepherd, Roxy. Roxy was bred from solid working lines and she is very intense. I live in NYC so I needed a very obedient dog. Roxy displayed some aggressive tendencies at around 12 months so I took her to Steve. Steve worked his magic with Roxy and coached me on being a better owner. Needless to say, I now have a happy and obedient dog today. I am a fan and highly recommend Steve and K9Key.
I would highly recommend using Steve and his team for your dog training needs. We got our German Shepherd “Jade” at 6 weeks old and tried to train her early on, going to classes at Petsmart and using training videos. She was digging holes in the yard, not listenting to basic commands, was jumping on people and was being mischievous in every way. We sent her to board and train with Steve for 4 weeks. Upon meeting with Steve, he asked about what our issues were, how we were handling her and what we wanted to get out of his program. He provided updates and videos during the training. He even kept her a couple of extra weeks (at no extra fee) to ensure that she was ready to come home! When we picked her up, it was an extremely noticeable difference in her demeanor. Steve went through everything on how to handle her with us and we have been extremely pleased with her ever since! Jade has become the dog we always wanted! We can’t thank Steve and his team enough for their work!
K9key has trained our Gigi since we got her. As amateur dog owners training her was essential. K9key had her listening and behaving so impressively. We were taught how to Embrace our puppy as well as be able to have some sense of stability with her behavior in the house as well as outside in public. The experience was amazing and we thank them!
K9key trained my Japanese Akita, Niko, & they did an AMAZING Job! I would have never thought he would be trainable due to aggression & really bad habits he had. But now he is a totally new & improved dog! I can’t thank them enough for all the hard work they put into Niko. I have already recommended them to all my family and friends because they were impressed by Niko. I HIGHLY recommend them! Best trainers in Long Island and NYC!
We cannot recommend Steve Hong enough for the work he did with our two year old Pomeranian Bear Bear. When we reached out to Steve, we were really frustrated by Bear Bears behavior. She was leash aggressive, very territorial and would bark uncontrollably at anything and everything. We had issues with our neighbors and were avoiding guests coming over the house because of how Bear Bear was behaving. After 5 weeks with Steve, Bear Bear is a new dog! She walks great on the leash, is comfortable around other dogs and her barking has gotten significantly better. She seems so much more calm and is a joy to be around. Steve is truly a miracle worker and would recommend him to anyone that is in need of Dog training. In addition to being a great trainer, we felt Steve truly cared about Bear Bear and her well being. Cant thank Steve and the group at K9 Key enough!
I was running out of ideas of how to deal with my bulldog puppy Yogi. We moved into Manhattan and he didt like it at all. He was becoming aggressive and started to fight for his leash every time we went for a walk. He would do it in my crowded lobby and was making it impossible to take him out for walks.I was looking at aggression videos on Youtube and saw the K9key video. I set up an appointment for a consultation and Yogi went to K9KEY for 2 months. Yogi is truly a different dog now. The first time we entered my lobby after training he instantly went for his leash again. But one zap with the e collar and he stopped and listened to me. He still goes for his collar at random times, but will instantly stop with a simple verbal command.Yogi is s very fit and athletic bulldog with a lot of anxiety. He is much more calm now and is showing a very playful side at times. He really seems to enjoy the Saturday morning training as well as he is in a great mood when we gets home.I trusted K9KEY because they have a long history of dog training. If you have nowhere else to turn, give them a call, hopefully they can do the same for your little family member.
K9 key has been instrumental in the training of my German Shepherd. Steve has been training my furry baby Perseus since he was less than a year old. As a result, I have a very well adjusted and obedient companion. Training has been excellent and has made being a dog owner an even better life experience. Thanks k9key!!!!!!!
Wonderful , Steve is the best . He trained our dog from pulling , & jumping. We take our dog to work & everyone loves him. He is so protective & gentle with our grandchildren. You will never go wrong with Steve’s training. We love him & so does our dog. We never worry when we leave our dog at Steve’s pet hotel.
My dog was impossible before she worked with Steve from K9 Key. After spending a month in his program she (Maya) completely transformed into an obedient dog who treats everyone with respect. I was blown away by the results, and I highly recommend this service for anyone who is looking to transform their dogs behavioral patterns.
Bringing my dog to training was the best decision weve ever made. The boarding program definitely improved my dogs behavior over the course of a few weeks. Do note however its as much of a learning experience for the dog and the owner. Stephen does a fantastic job teaching us the techniques and exercises vital to obtaining an obedient well behaved dog. My only regret is not enrolling sooner.
We got a 3 month old puppy from the shelter that was out of control! We had such a difficult time trying to house train her and could not control her ankle nipping or eating everything in the house. Our pup stayed with Steve for 8 weeks and when we got her back she was house trained, stopped eating walls and stopped herding us around the house. We couldnt have been happier with her training! Thank you K9 Key!
Where do I start?Gatsby, my one year old labrador, is a wonderful ball of energy. I have had him since he was seven weeks old and we live in Manhattan. I went through the very expensive at home training with another company in NYC, but nothing really stuck. Maybe it was me not following through all the time due to my demanding schedule but nothing really got better.Now I did some research as he got huge and was getting more and more aggressive -- Steve and K9 had some amazing reviews for board and train so I decided to do an evaluation...The second I saw Gatsby with Steve, its obvious that he knew what he was doing. I was very scared that Gatsby wouldnt remember me, that he felt abandoned etc... Steve put all that worry to rest and we scheduled (around my needs) for Gatsby to go do the board and train.Steve was very responsive while Gatsby was there -- always returned my helicopter dad texts and would send pics and videos. I got to visit him two weeks in and it melted my heart.Gatsby spent 5-6 weeks with Steve and when I got him back - WOW. I really dont know how I can put into words what kind of amazing best friend I have back now living with me. He is still a 100lb 1 year old lab, but the amount of focus and tranquility he has now is mind blowing. Every single thing I wanted out of this came true, and it is truly priceless getting your best bud back like I did.The first night back, he slept at the foot of my bed, then moved over to the floor right next to the bed - protecting me. I have never seen this before and it was a dream of mine that came true. Im already recommending him to my friends with dogs with any problem...I cant thank Steve and his company enough for everything and would recommend him to anyone who wants to see a drastic change in their best friend!Thank you Steve!!!!
Steve is AMAZING!!!He trained my German Shepherd Bex for a month while we went away on vacation.I was worried the whole time I was away only to come back and to my surprise Bex was the happiest dog ever. I think he might have even loved Steve more then he loves me lol.Bex came home disciplined , eager to listen and obeySo much more relaxed and calm. I’m finally am able to leave him out of the crate full time in my home even when I am gone. So so many positive changes along with keeping his fun loving personality was exactly what we wanted.It is always on ongoing process but with the help of Steve and his father on Saturday training classes which they do for free weekly, helps me constantly learn more and continue success with Bex.Every time we go to training Bex is so excited and eager to see Steve and his father. They both treat him as one of their own.Steve will help you with any issues and answer any question you have.If you are looking for a top quality, KNOWLEDGABLEtrainer K9Key is for you and your dog
I brought my 1 year old lovable German Pinscher named Pia. Although very sweet she had a few aggression and obedience issues which made it difficult to have visitors come to my apartment. After doing some research and meeting with Steve, I knew right away Pia would be in good hands with Steve and the people at K9key. After a number of weeks Pia came back the same sweet Pia but now much more obedient and disciplined. Steve patiently asked all my questions and worked with me to further Pias development. I highly recommend K9Key to anyone looking to improve their dogs obedience wth discipline and love.
When I first bought my 90 pounds bulldog Vinny to K9 Key it was my last option before have my dog euthanized. Vinnys aggression towards strangers had begun to turn on to me as well. I had been turned away by numerous trainers who claimed to deal with dangerous dogs and didnt know what to do. Thanks to Steve Vinny is still with us, 3 years later. Steve taught me how to read my dog and how to be a successful leader, which apparently I wasnt. Vinny will never be the kind of dog who runs up to strangers with kisses but I can now have people round to my house and take him away with me. Working with Steve and K9 Key is the best decision and best money Ive ever spent and for anyone who thinks that their dog is beyond help, talk to Steve first.
I had a German Shepard puppy mix that I loved. It was nipping, chewing and digging me out of my home. I found Steve through a neighbor and was so happy. He took my dog into his boot camp program and my dog came out a well behaved, loveable and fun to be around. We cant imagine life without our Dog and we have only Steve to thank for it.!
Steve probably saved my dogs life. I was at my wits end with my rescue pit bull that I had for 2 years. Ive had a Brooklyn Terrier before - so knew the breed and what I could be getting into. But Francis was different. Not only was he super cute and high energy, but aggressive and possessive of me. Why? His not-really-the-alpha-dog owner is a single mom who works long blues and doesnt spend enough time w him. I had a trainer in Brooklyn. And hed get a couple walks a day but I just wasnt there enough. And my trainer/boarded who is awesome - just didnt have the time to spend w him that he needed.And we had a really bad patch where he bit a couple of people including someone in my building. And I thought for sure they were going to report him and hed be gone. And thats what finally got my butt in gear. A friend of a friend recommend Steve - and hes out on Long Island but WORTH it! So he met me and Francis.At this point - after biting someone in my building - I just didnt think I had he strength to keep him. I know. That sounds horrible. I love dogs! But things were bad so I told Steve I was thinking of getting him trained and then giving him away. My job was getting crazy. Im single. No time and didnt see that changing. After Steve met Francis he was like ok, hes dominant, assertive... all those things but clear-headed. Knows what he wants. And thats a good thing. We can work with that. Ive had much worse. So lets just TRY this.I swear Steve is the Yoda of dog owners. And if he can fix what was wrong between me and Francis he can help anyone. Hes so calm and focused. So try, we did.Francis enrolled in Steves board and train. And at first it seemed like a lot of money. But it wasnt. He saved his life. Made me a better owner. And you cant put a price on that. Francis needed so much extra work that he kept him just over 7 weeks - instead of the regular 4 - and didnt charge me extra. He cares that much about the dogs and their owners. Of course he needs to and should be paid A LOT for what he does. But it showed me how dedicated he is to training and the dogs. And that meant the world.Steve also has free Saturday classes for his former train/board pupils. He just asks for a donation for the school where he holds the Classes. The best part, though, is its all former pupils so they tend to be aggressive dogs or dogs w extra issues - and their owners who often have as many issues! So its like group therapy.I cant say enough about Steve and his business. He loves dogs. all of them. Not just the easy ones. And he makes us owners better dog owners and better people. You cant put a price on any of that. But you can and should let Steve help you and your dog.Jennifer
K9key has done an amazing job with training my German Shorthaired Pointer. Steve has been a godsend. If not for this company I am afraid we would have given up on our beautiful dog. I highly recommend this company for any of your dog training needs. He truly loves what he does and it shows!
Ghost was a very shy and cautious puppy when we adopted him at 5 months old. He was afraid of everything - from mailboxes to Halloween pumpkin décor to the yellow plastic Kid Alert warning stands that resembled a small child. Ghost was an anxiety-ridden puppy and, as he grew older, that fear cycled into aggression. Going for walks was now a nightmare once another dog was in our path, with Ghost lunging and barking at the oncoming intruders. Thus began my search for a trainer and I stumbled upon K9Key. We met with Steve and Ghost greeted him with the usual affection he saved for strangers, but when Steve took the leash and a chair beside him, Ghost laid at his feet – no barking, no growling, and no lunging. After my shock wore off, I looked and saw my dog at ease, though still reserved and suspicious. Ghost started the board and train program in January. We knew it would be a slow process and I texted Steve for updates every week, pleased that each week Ghost was experiencing positive interactions with strangers, dogs, and even vacuum cleaners and hair dryers. Now, Ghost listens and responds to commands, tolerates seeing dogs out the front window, and enjoys a playful relationship with our family members.When I look at Ghost, I see a calm, happy boy who loves to explore and I feel an insane amount of gratitude to Steve and K9Key. Steve deserves all the credit in the world, yet his humility would prevent him from accepting it. From his composed demeanor to unwavering care, Steve has a natural gift. Thanks to Steve, Ghost has found his inner confidence when confronting new situations, and most importantly, has learned to look to us for guidance when he is scared and unsure. Call Steve today if you find that your best friend isn’t feeling that great. In working with Steve, your dog will be a priority and shown all the attention, respect, and patience (lots of patience) he or she deserves.
Steve did a boarding and training program with my two dogs for approximately three months. After three months of training, one would expect that their dogs have been trained out of any bad habits and properly taught any commands they did not know. As an aside, my dogs were already well trained on commands, but they were transitioning from living in a house with a yard to a small nyc apartment and one of my dogs has dog aggression while the other was starting to pick up those tendencies. I needed them to be rid of any aggression before moving into the apartment and made that very clear to Steve.Throughout the three months of boarding and training them, he was not very flexible on visiting the dogs and only allowed me to come visit once and only one of the dogs in a school yard not at the “training facility”. His communication was sparse; I only received two videos of their progress over the three months. Before releasing them back to me he said he wanted me to take one first for a week then the other so I had time with each one individually. That never ended up happening in the end and he just wanted me to pick up both without any time with just one. There was no going home training session with the pick up either. He didn’t go over any of the commands they had learned.The only command they didn’t know going into the training was “place” and they still don’t know what this command is when I say it and direct them to their place area. On the first day of being home with me, the Dog aggressive dog attacked another dog on the street. She is still 100% Dog aggressive and seems to be worse than before I sent her for boarding and training. It was so bad with both dogs that I had to rehome one of my dogs so that I could deal with the aggressive one.All in all I would say it was an epic waste of time and money. I wish I could get my money back and actually send my dog to a real trainer that knows how to train Dog aggressive dogs and produces results. My advice to anyone considering using Steve’s service: look elsewhere.
Steve Hong is the best! He trained our dog and changed our life. We were about to give up on being able to keep our very difficult German shepherd. Steve said he could train him and he did. I would recommend him highly.
With all the people out there who claim to be dog trainers, the real ones are few and far between. Steve is the real deal. He is more than a trainer. Most trainers try to bandaid the problem. Steve is able to figure it out the root cause and work the dog past the problems. I am pleased to say that with Steves guidance we were able to get our dog under control and make him a great pet and member of the family. If it werent for Steve we would have most likely had to rehome him. Thank you again Steve for all your dedicated hard work, we would be lost with out you.
I am excited to share the happy news of how my rescue dog Madge started the healing process of becoming the beautiful Mastiff that she deserves to be. Madge was found on the streets of Georgia, pregnant and with puppies by her side. God knows what her experiences were but based on her behavior towards men I could only imagine how badly she was treated. We rescued her from Ruff House Rescue and realized very soon that she/we needed help. K9 Key was on Baldwin Animal Hospitals recommendation list and I am thrilled with Madges progress. First we attended a very informative and thoughtful evaluation with Steve. Madge took to him instantly (the first male she ever approached without fear and anxiety). She attended a seven week boarding school type training program and during that time we were provided video footage and updates regarding her progress. We also visited once. Now that Madge is home, we have a much better handle on how to walk her, manage her , reward her and help her continue on the road to healing. We attend an excellent group clinic regularly as part of the continuing training process. This is an opportunity for us to re-inforce what Madge has learned as well as help us reinforce the skills we need. Madge is a dream. We love her. But we also know that without K9 Keys continued support we wouldnt be able to do it. Thank you Steve and your wonderful team!!!!
FRAUD & LIARS!!!BEWARE SHOCK COLLAR TRAINERS!!This place is all nice and welcoming when you first come to meet Steve Hong to give him money for your “dog training” in my case it was $2,500 usd..The whole point of this is when you sign the contract, a part of it says On completion of the dog training you as the owner can bring your dog to k9 key when you go on vacation! “Free of charge”Well my dog completed the training (Shock collar training) beware people shock colllar training!!!!!When it was time for me to go on vacation about 7 months after the training I called Steve Hong to ask if I can bring my dog for 7 days. He said sure no problem you just have to come down on a Saturday (for an hour) with your dog once or twice before I leave, so my dog can Remember him! I said sounds great! THAT WAS IT HE NEVER ANSWERED mine or my wife’s phone call Ever again!We called and called few times a day and left voice and text messages ! Nothing not even a call back or Explanation.That’s not how you run a business!
K9 key is a truly professional dog training service. It is refreshing to find a trainer that has not only your realastic goals in mind but also sees the true potential in your dog. Having trained horses for years, I can appreciate a gifted trainer which is what Steve and Ki are - remarkable talented trainers. I highly recommed K9 Key for any of your K9 needs!
I couldnt take my dog King anywhere. He would lunge bark at everything and anything. He was just to much to handle. Until i found K9KEY the first time he met him he took to him right away I was shocked . He listened and now i have a great dog . Thank you Steve I recomend your program to everyone. 👍👍👍
Id recommend Steve hands-down. He helped me work through all my dogs aggression issues. Steve is also there if you need follow up training. Hes helped me take my dog to the next level in dog sports.
Steve is absolutely AMAZING! Ive send all 3 of my dogs to him. i had a very difficult time getting them to stop having accidents all over the house and one would even roll around in it! they didnt listen at all no matter what i tried but after they went to steve they are perfect. i can walk them without a leash in new york city and they can do their business both outside and on the wee wee pad. i give his contact to everybody i run into that say they have trouble with their dog and they all thanked me for it
K9Key is great! They took a flat fee for training Noodles and kept her for more than 4 weeks to make sure that she was properly trained. However, the classes after the board and train are the most important aspect in my opinion. This is where the knowledge transfer happened. I can see so much improvement in Noodles already.
I was having trouble with my 4 months old American bully since I got her. From peeing and pooping in the house, leash pulling, and aggression towards my toddler at times. I wasn’t able to train her myself. I became desperate. I was searching online for trainers and I came across Steve’s board and training service. I read great reviews and saw that he is also in competition himself. After 8 weeks of board and training, my American bully came back a new dog literally. I couldn’t be more happier with the change. I would highly recommend anybody that needs a good dog trainer!!!
ABSOULTE WORST EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD. $3000 IN THE GARBAGE. WISH I COULD GET MY MONEY BACK. I EXPLAINED EVERY SINGLE PROBLEM WITH THE DOG. USED ELECTRIC SHOCKER. USES PRONG COLLARS. COMPLETELY RUINED THE DOG. WOULD NEVER RECCOMEND TO ANYONE. TRAINING WAS DONE LAZY WAY.
Steve has been a great trainer towards Rocky
The best trainer in the tri-state area.
Very knowledgeable staff...
Great staff
Total reviews rating 4.9
114 Reviews for K9KEY 2023:
Review №1
2021-11-29After completing training with Steve at K9Key, Tucker came home a changed dog (in the best way possible). I had adopted Tucker from another family at 10 months old during the pandemic - he had behavioral issues with resource guarding, getting very territorial & being aggressive. He would constantly pick up things off the floor & eat them. If you tried to take it away, he would get aggressive & snap at you if you tried to get near him. Tucker was incredibly affectionate & loving but it became very stressful at times. I had researched for weeks & went on other consultations, but I didn’t feel confident in other programs. After meeting Steve & hearing what the program had to offer, we were immediately relieved - you can tell that Steve really understands dogs & cares about them. The program is 4 weeks, but can be extended as Steve will continue to train the dogs until he believes they are ready. After we brought Tucker home, we were also provided a training video & guide so that we could practice & maintain Tuckers training. Steve also holds weekly training session on Saturdays for graduated dogs to maintain the progress - another bonus. Tucker is still the same affectionate dog, but SOO much more well behaved & manageable. We are no longer worried about him biting or getting aggressive. It has completely changed our lives & we 100% recommended Steve & the K9Key Team.
Review №2
2022-02-10K9KEY is the best training our dog Ace could have received. Steve and the team are so patient and eager that Ace had to stay an extra 3.5 weeks with them and they wanted to make sure that he was trained to perfection for his new little brother. The Saturday classes are so helpful in making sure you are keeping up with the trainings. Ace is an 80 pound German Shepherd who we know get so many compliments out about his behavior. For the price this training is completely worth it and it is an investment to have a well trained dog especially it was important for our growing family. We will definitely be bringing our next dog to Steve and K9KEY.
Review №3
2022-05-17Our dog Winston is a two year old, 45 pound Goldendoodle. We decided to enroll Winston in K9KEY Dog School because he exhibited aggression / resource guarding behavior (especially over socks!) and we were expecting our first child. We also wanted to develop some consistency with Winston responding to commands. After several weeks and a few updates in between, our boy Winston came back home a completely new dog. While he still exhibits his vibrant personality, he is much more relaxed and subdued in nature. He also has not exhibited anymore resource guarding behavior, responds to well to the “drop it” command, and even disregards objects on the ground that do not belong to him. Winston is now able to consistently heel, sit, down, stay, come, and go to his “place”. Winston’s success at K9KEY has really helped open up the communication line between Winston and the rest of the family. As new parents, we have so much joy watching Winston develop a safe and comfortable relationship with his new baby sister! We really love reinforcing and building on the baseline training Winston received from bootcamp by attending follow up training classes on the weekends. We as a family cannot be happier with the results and incredible bond we have built with Winston during the training process. Thank you Steve and K9KEY Dog School for making that happen!
Review №4
2021-10-04We are incredibly grateful to Steve and the K9 K9Key team. We adopted a 3 year old mutt during the pandemic as a buddy for our corgi. He was sweet as can be but incredibly protective/territorial and fairly anxious unless right next to us. He began becoming aggressive towards other dogs unless he was in the safety of our home. After our consultation with Steve we were excited to move forward with the program. We were nervous to leave our dog George for a month but the time he spent with K9Key was the best thing we could have possibly done for him. He is a much happier and safer dog. His obedience continues to improve and both his confidence as well as our confidence have grown incredibly. Steve emphasized that the first four weeks were for George and the weeks to follow would be to train us. He offers weekly refresher courses which are absolutely crucial. We get the opportunity to continue working on things as asking questions with other dogs and owners that have gone through the program. We werent sure we would be able to enjoy the routine we had hoped with George because of the early aggression, and while we still have work to do Steve and his team gave US the tools and resources to make positive changes and achieve the relationship with our dog that we had hoped for.
Review №5
2021-10-30Steve at K9KEY is a true professional who is totally committed to helping dogs and their humans to live together comfortably and joyfully. He is kind, understanding, and knowledgeable. As a psychologist myself, I know all about the scientific principles of learning. However, my dog, Finn, needed training. Of course, Steve knows all about learning too. He also really understands dogs - dog behavior, motivations, developmental stages, typical vs.atypical behaviors…he can explain why a dog is doing what it’s doing. He has a true gift. He listens to the owner and observes the dog. And then he gets to work! He works so hard to address the client’s concerns about any behaviors and he also teaches the dog all the commands. When I received my pup back after his board and train time was over, he was a new dog. No more counter surfing, jumping up, barking at dogs and people, pulling me down the block on the leash…he was a happy pup who actually loves practicing his skills. Our family is happier and we are grateful to Steve.
Review №6
2022-02-23Steve Hong at K9KEY is a professional dog trainer who gets results where others have failed. We mention Professional because there are a lot of amateurs out there willing to sell you their services, some work solo and come to you while others work at training facilities with stores attached to upsell their products. We know because we hired both types before we found K9KEY. Steve has a gift for training dogs, great insight on why your dog is doing what theyre doing, and a sense of humor. Hes honest and doesnt make promises of easy fixes or miracle cures. Dog training is hard. Its even harder when the dog has an obsessive-compulsive disorder and is reactive to other dogs. When our dog Suzie was about 4 months old, she developed spinning and tail chasing behaviors. Not the cute kind you might see in a happy, excited dog. She was unable to focus on anything but her tail, didnt care about eating, playing, and was never at rest. Heartbreaking cannot begin to describe it. Research suggested medication along with a training program could be beneficial in helping ease her extreme anxiety. We found K9KEY and Steve suggested a vet familiar with behavior issues to complete the equation. The K9KEY process begins with an evaluation and is followed by a 4-week board and train program. If your dog needs more time, K9KEY will keep them longer at no additional charge. After board and train, you bring your dog to Steves weekly class to train the humans. The class is free to those whove completed the board and train program. You dont develop a business model based on giving away your time unless you are really passionate about what you do. Steve had our dog for 8 weeks and she is doing so much better now. Were so impressed with Steves commitment to help our dog and to help us be better dog parents. If youre looking for a dog trainer you wont find better than K9KEY.
Review №7
2021-10-19We brought our 6 year old Labradoodle, Scout, to train with Steve at K9KEY in July 2021. When Scout met Steve she was very anxious, had separation anxiety and had no real exposure to other dogs which resulted in fear aggression. As a first time dog owner, we were a bit anxious as well. Scout stayed with Steve and his great staff for about 7 weeks. From the time we picked her up we noticed a tremendous change. Her stress level was lower, she did not bark when we left the house, she listened to our commands and walking past dogs became a non issue. The true test came when our daughter visited with her dog. Her puppy and Scout were able to be together and there were no issues. I think the biggest benefit was the guidance Steve provided to us that made us better dog owners. Scout senses our confidence in how we handle her and we are all the better for it. His patience and kindness with Scout was very evident. We could not recommend Steve more.
Review №8
2022-03-15For some reason, my first review (posted from a different account) is only visible to me when logged in on that account, so Ill try from this account as well. This is the short version.Were *incredibly* grateful to Steve & the K9Key crew-- they took our anxious, reactive, bossy rescue who for over 3 whole years would lunge at passing dogs and people but cower at the sound of any passing truck, and who would sometimes turn on her handler as they handled her collar or harness. She had become something of a nuisance in our building and on our block, and we felt over our heads in managing her. We had been working with professional, well-respected trainers, our vet, and the behavior vets, and it all helped to some degree-- but she would still lunge and attempt to bite, sometimes, and after she bit a dog walker after a walk, we reached out to K9Key.K9Key offers a 4-week board and train that sometimes gets extended as needed (more weeks, no additional charge) so that they can give each dog the time it needs to acclimate and work through their behaviors and learn new foundational skills. Our pup ended up being there for 10 weeks total (lol/sigh. shes a knucklehead), and the wait was... really hard? They sent a few videos, but we really didnt know what to expect when we went to pick her up.What we found when we picked her up was a dog who was her same goofy self indoors, and, outdoors, a dog who was completely nonchalant around dogs she used to lunge at (she now in fact looks at them like *theyre* nuts when they lunge at her as she trots by), stays in a heel when passing between TWO garbage trucks (unbelievable!), and is able to hold a down on a relatively busy corner a few blocks from Barclays Center that used to be a huge stressor for her. She no longer needs her muzzle in the hallway and elevator of our building (though we still use it occasionally to keep her comfortable with it-- and she no longer causes a fuss when we fiddle with the buckle), and hold her down in the elevator without an issue. Her new foundations are *amazing*.One of the best aspects of working w/ K9Key, though, is the ongoing weekly lessons. Weve only had one since picking up our pup, but during that session, we continued the work of building Baileys focusing and heeling skills around other dogs and also received personalized feedback that has continued to help our leash communication skills.We are incredibly grateful to the K9Key team-- they may seem magic, but theyre not. Theyre just great with dogs, and are committed to helping everyday people become more skilled with their dogs, too.
Review №9
2022-01-21Steve and his team at K9KEY did an amazing job with our young German shepherd Houyo. The training went very well and gives Houyo more confidents, more control of himself. The only rule : Keep going on the training. Steve train your dog but also train you as the coach of your dog. if you dont continue to practice EVERYDAY, you just throw your money out. its simple.its been few month that houyo is back from K9KEY and still responds very well to commands and always ready to train. We are very happy that we trusted Steve and will never regret our investment.Thank you K9KEY
Review №10
2022-01-19Our 1.5 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi came as a spunky, intense puppy who was both funny, clever and difficult. He was easy to house break but he decided that if he wanted his own way he could nip or bite, bark or become extremely difficult. His behavior got to the point that we considered rehoming him but felt he simply needed training that was beyond our expertise, despite owning dogs for 30 years. Steve did an amazing job getting Nigel to listen and respond appropriately. He is the first dog weve ever owned that feared any kind of wheels, thunder, some sounds (look at his ears!) and resorted with aggressive biting, nipping or intense barking to avoid situations. We met with Steve who felt confident he could make things a lot better...WOW! Hes back at home and his behavior is so much better. He continues to improve. If you have a troubled dog or simply a dog that needs solid training, I would recommend Steve over and over again! It takes special skills to deal with really difficult dogs...and ours was! Thank you K9key!