Amani K9 Tacoma, Washington

We brought home our golden retriever, Tobu, early in the pandemic when he was 8 weeks old. He didn't have a lot of opportunities to socialize with other people, dogs, and in other environments. We thought that we would be able to train him into a well behaved dog by spending lots of time with him and training him with tips learned from youtube videos. Tobu is a lovely ball of fun but it wasn't until my wife started working full time again that we realized he can be a very demanding brat sometimes. Despite walking him for nearly an hour twice a day, he couldn't settle down and was constantly disrupting my work. He was also displaying leash pulling, anxiety, and over-stimulation behaviors that made it difficult for him to stay neutral in cars and other environments. On top of that, he would also playfully jump onto little kids at dog parks and we were so afraid that our lack of training would one day get him into a situation where he would hurt someone. As first time dog owners, we couldn't figure out what we were doing wrong or when things began progressing this way. After the free consultation with Marianna, she was able to immediately point out what Tobu needs to work on and recommended the 4 week board and train program. When we met up with them for the first time after 2 weeks of boarding, we were so surprised at how attentive Tobu was to us during our walks in home improvement stores and parks. It was no longer a work out to go anywhere with him and this has definitely made any outdoor activities with him more enjoyable. When Tobu came home, we also realized how life changing the place command is. We were able to cook and work without worrying about him chewing up slippers or counter surfing somewhere else in the house. Before seeking Amani K9's help, we were frustrated with having to supervise Tobu at all times at home and being pulled around by him in public. Tobu's transformation has given us hope that as long as we continue the training, our daily life with Tobu will be so much more enjoyable. What we love about AmaniK9 is that they focus on changing the overall mindset of the dog instead of attacking problems individually. They were also very patient and gave us detailed advice whenever we had any questions. We would definitely recommend them to anyone who needs a dog trainer.

Highly recommend! We worked with Marianna and chose the 9 week board and train program for our two year old German shepherd. Our dog struggled with mouthiness, leash pulling, and overall lacked engagement. We chose to do the 9 weeks so that we could really hone his obedience training and correct some bad habits. We are now two months out and our relationship with our dog is better than ever, thanks to Marianna and her team. We learned a lot through the process and 10/10 would recommend.

We highly recommend Amani K9! We were struggling with our 1 yr old labrador, Opie, who was unruly on a leash, reactive to everything (people, dogs, cars, even falling leaves!) and impossible to leave alone. We tried every no-pull harness we could find, special toys to burn energy, day care, and other trainers, all of which failed. In the end, we resorted to medication because it was the only thing that allowed us to take him out of the house. We were honestly hesitant about using a prong or e-collar with our sweet boy, but when his reactivity became dangerous, we knew we needed help. Marianna and Nicolette told us the hard truths we needed to hear, and laid out a plan to give Opie the tools he needed to get back on track. During his 4 wk board and train, they taught him how to manage his anxiety, follow a handler's lead, and how to be a confident, responsive companion. He went from a medicated beast who ripped my arm off lunging at neighbors, to a med-free dog who walks calmly by my side into a park. There's still a lot of work to be done for us to grow into skilled handlers, but Opie knows what to do now, and Marianna and the team have supported us all along the way. We are so grateful for the amazing work they do and for the care they gave our boy. Our home is a calm and happy place again, and Opie a respectful gentleman. We hired Amani K9 to save our sanity, but they turned out to be a gift to our dog. He's so much calmer and happier with the skills they gave him, and that will last him a lifetime. Thank you for everything! Carrie, Joe and Opie

Marianna and team are so incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, and passionate when it comes to dog training. We had just recently adopted a rescue from Costa Rica that had a lot of rescue baggage - she was terrified of everything, hated change/uncertainty, and would resort to fear based behavior. She was also very undersocialized in her past life so everything was stressful to her. We knew that we had to invest early on in her training to build a strong foundation, and stumbled upon Amani K9. After a super thorough 90-120m intro session, Marianna essentially nailed all of her behavioral problems and how us humans unintentionally contribute to them. It was a big wake up call! She gave us some homework to help us build our engagement with Maple while we waited for her board and train, and worked together to create a super individualized training plan based on what Maple needs and what works best for her. Marianna was also super communicative and willing to help as we had endless questions along the way prior to her training. During the board and train I loved the weekly updates that we got, and we had the opportunity to come to training so we could learn what’s being applied and how to do it ourselves. This was super helpful to build our confidence in training her correctly! Maple, now about 2 months since coming back, has transformed into a much more confident, well behaved, and super engaged dog. She used to barely listen to us, wasn’t taking food on walks, and just did whatever she pleases. Not only is she now super eager to train, she actually loves the structure and looks to us for guidance in uncomfortable situations, which is incredible. Training is always a work in progress, but the foundation Marianna and team have given us is incredible and adding in new skills or navigating other behavioral challenges just gets that much easier to address because Maple knows what to expect now. We’re excited to continue on this lifelong journey of helping Maple become the best and happiest dog.

Amani came into our lives at the right time. With a baby on the way, we had a pitbull that had severe reactivity and bit to other dogs, including one of our own at home. Itis a lot of work for us, but they gave us the foundation to do everything we need to do with King in order to have a safe environment at home. I am the type of person that believes if you get a dog you should follow through with taking care of that dog no matter what circumstances, I’m not a big fan of rehoming pets. I was determined, to do what it took to save my boy, I really did feel like he would have been euthanized if Amani wasn’t there for us. King went from being reactive and aggressive and dominant to following commands and redirecting his energy into playtime or structured walks. He isn’t perfect and neither are we, but now he has a chance. I don’t know what we would have done without them, they truly did change our boy for the better and as long as we keep up the work he will continue to do well. If you are looking for a quick fix, Amani is not your style. You must put the work long term in in order to get the benefits from this amazing group. Marianna and Niquollette are extremely thorough, and it shows in the results that we saw in King. And also in us. You are not only paying for the work they do with your dog, however you are also paying for what they teach you as an owner. Thank you so much to this wonderful team for truly changing our lives, you can definitely bet that I cried when I saw King‘s behavior change. Now we are comfortable in our house knowing that our baby is safe

Amani K9 has been a game changer for us and our 2-year-old German Shepherd/Australian Cattle Dog. From a young age he exhibited extreme anxiety which gradually turned into pretty extreme fear reactivity and like many smart working dogs he requires a ton of exercise and engagement. We tried other training methods which he always took to quickly but being a really smart dog he always figured out how to outsmart us and break the rules...setting us back even further. Marianna taught us how to set boundaries with our dog and guide him through difficult situations. Since completing the 8 week board and train we have met up with Marianna again for refresher training and for boarding and every interaction with her is a true pleasure. We love you AmaniK9!

Our dog, Lucy, came to us with severe anxiety, which left her terrified of the outside world. After a year of different medications and trainers, we finally decided to try the board & train option. That's when we discovered Amani K9. We knew after our first 90-minute session that we wanted to board Lucy with Marianna. Her instructions proved to us that we were reinforcing Lucy's avoidance response, and with her help, we have slowly trained ourselves to be a more assuring and reliable presence for Lucy. Leaving your beloved pet at an unfamiliar place can be daunting, but we knew Lucy was in EXCELLENT hands. What is especially remarkable about Amani is that each dog has individualized care depending on their unique needs. And it is also clear just how much Marianna and Niquolette dedicate their time and energy to improve not only the lives of these dogs but also of their families (they are ALWAYS training!). They are truly and fully committed to the success of your family. After completing the 9-week program, Lucy is able to go outside on structured walks WITHOUT trying to dash back home. She eats from our hands outside and goes to the bathroom without effort. She can sit out in our backyard without panicking. She does not hide in corners, trying to make herself smaller. She is a different dog. Do remember that the process requires continued effort from the owners, but we are so glad to have Amani K9 as our trusted guide. Thank you thank you!

I highly recommend Amani K9! I reached out to them when it became clear that I would need help training my 10 month old cockapoo puppy. After assessing Bentley’s behavior with their team, we decided that the 4 week board and train program was the best route for us. Trainers Niquolette and Marianna helped set my expectations for the training, and worked hard to ensure that we reached those goals. The changes I saw in Bentley’s behavior were amazing. I loved receiving weekly email updates on his progress, as well as having the opportunity to visit and be trained on what he was learning. Most of all, I really appreciate that the Amani K9 team is still there for us. They answer my questions and have been available at group sessions to work on and discuss my training concerns. Bentley is now a more socialized and happy dog. Thank you, Amani for giving us the tools to be successful. I am very happy that I chose Amani K9 and look forward to continuing our training journey with them.

Eddie is our first dog. Even though he is a golden retriever, we had challenges to handle him well. We sent him to Amani K9, and this is one of the best choices we made in our life. Eddie completely changed his behavior. From a dog pulling leash and has 0 attention for us, Eddie starts paying attention to us, excels at structure walk and could place for the entire morning. Training is a life-time thing, and we feel grateful to have Amani K9 along the way!

Their Board and Train program really turned things around for my dog. He was having aggressive reactivity to othe dogs and now he has a healthy friendship with one. Amani gave me the tools to continue helping him become a happier, more social, and more confident dog.

The trainers at Amani K9 are incredibly knowledgeable and very professional. I called when my Rottie pup ended up being a lot more than I could handle. Without proper training, there was a chance her behaviors would have evolved into aggression. Trainer Niquolette evaluated our situation and quickly identified areas that needed work, and provided detailed instructions and tools to make sure we could give it our best shot. There were times when it got hard, and throughout those times Niquolette was there to help us through and because of her, my pup and I have an incredible relationship. I chose to enroll my pup in their board and train program when she was old enough, and that was a game changer. She is well mannered and can safely travel everywhere with myself and my son. We owe so much gratitude to Niquolette and Amani K9, without them our situation most likely would have turned out much differently.

We are so grateful for Amani! Since adopting our rescue, Teddy, he has struggled with severe separation anxiety and prey drive. We weren’t able to leave him alone for longer than 20 minutes without him becoming panicked and destructive. After he got to the point of self injury and his escapes became increasingly expensive we knew we needed a more sustainable solution. From the very first assessment Niquolette walked us through ways we could better communicate with our dog. She was able to explain the rationale behind each method they employ and was realistic with what we could expect and the work we would need to put in to help Ted succeed. We learned how to be consistent at home with all he had learned while in training and had hours and hours of support from Niquolette. Teddy is more confident, he has impulse control, he fits in to our life now that we can leave him alone safely, we know how to keep working with him and he brings so much more joy to our lives than ever before. We are astounded by his progress daily. We wish we had found Amani sooner, they are incredible at what they do!

Benson, my 2-year-old GSD went to Amani K9 due to having reactivity in public, as well as for a lack of basic obedience. He was with the trainers for 4 weeks where I received many updates on how he was doing. I especially loved the fact that Amani K9 took time to answer any and all questions that I had. Near the end of Benson's board/train program, they made sure that I understood how to use the tools that I had to ensure the success of both Benson and me. It has been roughly a little over a week since I have had Benson back and the change is insane. I am able to have Benson be in a room of people without needing to worry he is going to bark his head off. I actually have a bond with my dog now that he has a calmer state of mind. While he may still try to test me, I shall stay consistent as I was taught to with his training and I know we will achieve many great things together. So if you are considering finding a trainer for your dog, look no further, Amani K9 has your back. Thank you so much to all the trainers involved Love, Synclair, and Benson

We enthusiastically recommend Amani K9 to anyone needing expert dog training. Like many who have a dog with serious behavioral problems, we’d worked with quite a few trainers, and had been unable to resolve our dog’s worst issues. Thankfully, we now have a training plan for our much-loved dog; we’d been afraid that we would not be able to keep him. We got Benny, our Landseer ECT, at 8 weeks old, from a reputable breeder. He completed the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen classes. At 6 months old he began showing resource guarding behaviors. We worked with a behaviorist and with several other trainers to address this, and his reactivity to children and other dogs. Although he made some progress, he was never reliable with our grandchildren and some of his behaviors were worsening. We realized that positive only/ “force free” training was not working to let Benny know what was NOT an appropriate action or mindset. We started looking for a balanced board and train program, and the first balanced trainer we worked with, although very helpful, turned us down for his board and train. (At age 2, Benny is 155 pounds and is a very strong, athletic, powerful dog.) That trainer recommended we call Amani K9. We are so glad that we did! From the no-fee phone consultation with Niquolette Rodriguez, during which a very thorough assessment was done and all of our initial questions were answered; through the initial training session in Lakewood, when we were able to meet the whole team, and they were able to observe us and Benny; we were so impressed by the dedication and knowledge of these trainers. We were especially appreciative of the team approach, with “back up” trainers, if our dog required that or if a team member was unable to be there on a given day. It became clear that our dog required their four week behavioral program. The Amani team said they would need to special-order a crate big enough for Benny; another example of their commitment to helping an individual, and difficult, dog. We’re not inexperienced dog owners or trainers; Benny is our 14th dog. But we realized the depth of our ignorance with reactive/aggressive dogs and were desperately looking for the skills and knowledge to make life with us work, for Benny and for our family. Working with Amani K9 changed us as much as it did Benny. We realized that we were unintentionally reinforcing some of his behaviors, and we were taught how to remedy that. Throughout the board and train, Benny’s trainer Niquolette was patient and respectful of our many questions. She kept us apprised of Benny’s training journey, and when he had a minor medical issue in the first week, let us know about it immediately and updated us on its treatment throughout. During the “go-home” session, the whole team came to our house, and included our multigenerational family (ages 5 to 63) in Benny’s training plan. They evaluated the layout of the house and gave suggestions as to how to manage Benny safely as we continue to train and work with him. Benny still needs a lot of structure, management, and consistent training to have his best life. But we know that Niquolette, Marianna, and Nick will be there for Benny and us, and we can see the path ahead of us much more clearly.

Called this company almost a month ago to request to speak with someone to see if our new puppy would be a good fit for their training and vice versa. I never received a call back from anyone. Supposedly someone there randomly set me up for a trainer call, yet no one ever informed me of this. I received a call today during the middle of my work day to which I could not answer, then a text message stating I missed the scheduled call. I let them know that I was never scheduled for a call, and that I had never received a call back from anyone to schedule a call. They did not offer to reschedule their mistakenly scheduled call. From their reviews, it sounded like their training is high quality, however the customer service aspect lacks significantly.

I adopted Samwise in May 2020, after getting him home he started becoming reactive towards other dogs. I called Marianna at the recommendation of the rescue I adopted Sam through. I met with Amani K9 and they immediately made some changes to how I was interacting with Sam at the initial session and took the time to educate me about working with him and how dogs brains are wired. They actually recommended a board and train at that time, but I was hesitant because I had just brought him home and was convinced everything was going to be fine. Fast forward a year and Sam had become more comfortable and then also picked up a bad habit of resource guarding thanks to my roommate’s dog. I went on vacation for a few days and came back to having Sam bite me over a bone. A few days later Sam bit another dog. I reached back out to the Amani team and they got Sam into their 4 week board and train program. Now he’s been home for almost 3 weeks and I get compliments on walks about how well behaved he is! He doesn’t react as much to seeing other dogs, so I can now take him out for walks in parks as well as taking him hiking with me! I feel like I can finally give him the life he deserves now thanks to Amani K9.

Our dog Chance had severe anxiety and aggression towards other dogs to the point where me and my wife could not leave the house due to his destructive habits. After looking up all the great reviews for Amani K9 we decided to do the 4 week board in train. Not only did Amani K9 teach Chance how to behave properly and to accept that being calm is better, they also taught us how to train chance and utilize tools that have been absolute game changers. Marianna and her team go above and beyond to work with you and the overall quality of training really is a step above the rest. They also provide instruction for months after the board and train. If you truly care about your dog and need assistance, go with Amani K9 you will not regret it.

Our Bear just returned home today after a 4-wk Board and Train! We can’t thank Marianna and the other trainers for the help and guidance at getting Bear to a better place where we can continue to build on that foundation! Bear was very reactive (fear aggressive) to other people. With their help, we now can be be around people and know how to help him and guide him through those scenarios. The guidance and opportunities for us to learn along the way has helped so much! I look forward to continue our training with Bear and reaching out to them in this journey!

I've been meaning to write this review for a few months now. I cannot say enough good things about Marianna and Nick. Before training, we could not have our Great Dane in the same room as our infant. Consistent training has made a huge impact. Our dog absolutely adores our son. He is gentle, patient, and loving. Life is so much better now that we can spend time with our dog and our son at the same time. We are so grateful for all the time and energy Marianna and Nick spent training us on how to work with Hoss. Thank you!

We sent our Labradoodle Bodhi to the three week Board and Train back in November 2020. At the time he was a reactive, headstrong and BIG pup with a huge heart. We did not have the tools and guidance we needed to set Bodhi up for success, particularly with two little kids at home. We tried a few different training options before finding Marianna and team. Finding Amani K9 was the best thing that could have happened for Bodhi and our family. From the beginning Marianna and her team were clear, supportive, and patient. When Bodhi came back from his three weeks, he was a pup transformed. We were amazed to see the incredible progress he had made in such a short time! It has taken an investment of time and energy to support Bodhi's continued progress and stay consistent but wow - it has paid off! At just under a year old, Bodhi is learning the rhythms and expectations of our family and integrating everything he learned at Amani. We are learning how to set him up for success so we can have the best relationship possible with our newest family member. We are so grateful we found Marianna and her team. They are here to support us no matter what and are amazing at what they do. Bodhi's training journey continues, but Amani K9 helped us build a great foundation for his success for years to come. Thank you!

Words can’t begin to describe how grateful I am to have found Marianna and her team at Amani. My dog has struggled with fear his whole life, and it got to the point where I couldn’t take him anywhere due to the risk he was to myself and others. I was desperate to help him, and tried different trainers and other methods on my own, but in the end nothing worked. Reaching out to Amani was in many ways my “last chance” with my boy before seriously considering rehoming him. As anyone who has loved a dog knows, the idea of saying goodbye to this creature who has become part of your family is heartbreaking. Thankfully Marianna and her team know their stuff—it is seriously a blessing to the world. Uno and I have a long road ahead of us, but I now know how to manage and communicate with him, and I know how to be his advocate. He went from a dog who was a nightmare to walk to one who is absolutely a pleasure. I cannot speak highly enough of Amani K9. If you are struggling with your pup, don’t hesitate to reach out. You won’t regret it.

Our corgi just got home from a 3-week board and train to deal with reactivity. We are already seeing major improvements and are committed to the (extensive) training plan created for her. We’d both had previous dogs but had run out of ideas on how to solve thus one’s problem behaviors - they patiently explained how we could improve

My 5 year old mixed black lab, Jake, just returned home from his 3 week Board and Train session at Amani-K9, and I have to say we are thrilled with the results and the entire experience. Jake had been a starving street pup in Puerto Rico when he was taken in by a local rescue and sent to a rescue organization in Virginia. At the adoption event where I found him, he was so fearful of everything that the volunteer was outside the PetSmart with him on the sidewalk. He was too afraid to go into the store. He was terrified of stairs, automatic doors, elevators, going from carpet to tile floors, and he was awful on the leash. Over time and with more socialization, he overcame a lot of his fears, but he still was afraid of anything new and walking him on a leash, especially around other dogs, was miserable, so I had pretty much given up. My sister had found Marianna after she adopted her dog, Odie, who we soon discovered was unpredictable, reactive, and had bitten us three times. Amani-K9 was his last chance. After his 4 week Board and Train at Amani-K9, Odie returned home confident, at ease, respectful of the rules, and an affectionate and sweet boy. So when Marianna met my Jake and told me that what he needed most was a structured environment and consistency to build his self-confidence, I knew he would flourish with her training. And he has! He’s a pleasure to walk now, calmly staying at my side, ignoring other dogs and skateboarding kids. It’s a pleasure to walk him now. There’s no more chaos in the house when someone rings the doorbell because both Jake and Odie stay in place. Jake’s been home for less than a week and has tested me a few times, but with Marianna’s patience, knowledge, and guidance, I’ve been able to provide structure and consistency, and we’ve both become more self-confident. My experience with Marianna, Nicolette, Nick and Amani-K9 is one of the best investments I’ve ever made, and I would recommend them without hesitation. Martha Shapiro

I just got my boy Jake back from Amani K9. He is a different dog than 4 short weeks ago. Jake is a very anxious white German shepherd. We also have another WGSD at home as well. We got him as a puppy and shortly after my husband got really sick and training and socialization went by the wayside. Our older female and Jake became codependent on each other. That sometimes happens when you’re dealing with life and death. Jake listened to my husband better than he listens to me. My husband passed away last February and Jake seemed to get even worse. He started barking, snarling, and growling at people and other dogs. He was awful on a leash, I couldn’t take him anywhere. He was very misunderstood as he is just a very anxious dog but I was very afraid someone would push him to the edge or someone would hurt him because they are scared. He is also a flight risk dog and a master escape artist. I promised my husband I would keep the dogs together before he passed away but it was starting to look like that was not going to be a promise I could keep. He really is a sweet dog but really only we knew that. That’s when I went searching for a trainer. A lot of trainers do not offer board and train and I knew that would be the only thing that could save my relationship with Jake. I had looked for trainers before then my mother in law actually found Amani K9. I had never heard of them before but I read through customer testimonials and a few of them hit me right in the gut. Yes! This is what we need! It took some time to get from our initial session to Jake’s actual board and train but he was a 4 week case so it’s understandable and so worth the wait. I was nervous to let my little buddy go for an entire month but I did get to train with him 3 times before he came home. The come home session is probably the most important of them all. Consistency is the most important thing in maintaining this new found communication and relationship. Marianna and Niquolette are amazing. Clear communicators, patient and kind. I feel like I have a family in Amani K9. They saved my relationship with Jake and are helping me form an even stronger one with my other dog. It is clear they do this because they are passionate about dogs but they are also passionate about people. They want you to succeed. They want to help. They understand set backs and are always positive and give gentle yet clear guidance and reminders. This whole experience was a roller coaster of emotions. Especially when I was able to take Jake out around strangers and have him be a perfect dog. I cried out of joy. I never thought in a million years he could do that. Jake will always be an anxious boy but now he knows to look to me for guidance. This was definitely just as educational for me as it was for Jake. They help you implement the tools you need to have a beautiful relationship with your dog. I put all my trust into Marianna and the crew. Best thing I ever did for my family. Thank you!

I can't say enough. Our dogs took over our lives. Waking them was such a task and taking them out in public was horrible. Both Luka and Baxter were dog reactive, barking at everything and everybody. They pulled us all over the place while walking on the leash. They were out of control. Thank goodness we met Marianna and Nick. When I called her I knew instantly she knew what she was talking about. We signed up Baxter for a four week board and train and Luka for a four week day school. Marianna gave us all the tools we needed to bring peace back into our home. Our dogs now walk at heal on the leash, no more barking at other dogs, go and stay at "place" on their cots when told and are crate trained now. We still continue to keep up the training they received from Amani K9, it has become a way of life for all of us, and it is GREAT!! I highly recommend Amani K9.They are great, understanding, patient, caring, and worth every penny. Ellain , Tim, Luka and Baxter

Marianna has been a staple in our lives ever since we met her and began learning about dog training. Growing up with dogs I thought I had it down. After my girlfriend and I brought home a large breed puppy we decided we wanted to teach him …

When we adopted Josie we became her third home. She was afraid of everything and everyone and we were concerned that she might hurt someone. We thought of trying to rehome her to someone else but we were pretty sure that would make things …

We brought our 2 year old Rottweiler, Ika to Amani k9 for behavior modification. She became aggressive towards her sister Kau, our 3 year old French Bulldog. They are both amazing pets but the aggression was becoming an issue. Her obedience …

Marianna is truly wonderful. She is truly in the right profession. She cares deeply about you being able to communicate with your pup. I highly recommend anyone that has a dog, puppy to adult, that needs guidance should absolutely reach …

Thank you to Amani K9 for enabling us to keep the dog we adopted! I couldn't be more grateful for the work they've done training our dog and also training us. We turned to them after Daisy ended up being very reactive to strangers, to the point where we did not know if we could keep her. They were informative, non-judgmental, and quickly honed in what was going on. We put her through their day school program and have seen huge growth. I think my confidence has gone up just as much as Daisy's has, which has enabled me to imagine a world in which I can take on this challenge, create clear boundaries, and still live my life. Marianna and Nick are down to earth, straight forward, and funny. It is clear that they love what they do and care about their clients. We will continue to use their services for years to come. If you are looking for help with your dog, do not wait. Schedule an assessment and be ready to learn and hear the truth. Amani K9 will provide sound guidance along the way and support that continues well past the length of the program.