Dog Behaviorist in Denver: Meet Dion Studinski

Dion Studinski sitting on a couch with a brown dog, smiling, in front of a framed nature artwork.

Owner and Head Trainer of Ancillary K9

I’m Dion Studinski, founder of Ancillary K9. I work with Denver-area dog owners dealing with reactivity, aggression, anxiety, overarousal, and difficult household behavior. My role is to identify the patterns contributing to the problem, develop a practical training and management plan, and coach you through applying it in everyday life.

What Does a Dog Behaviorist Do?

At Ancillary K9, behavior consulting involves looking beyond isolated commands to understand your dog’s behavior history, triggers, environment, routines, owner handling, and the situations where problems occur.

Training recommendations may include environmental management, reinforcement, structured exposure, clear communication, leash handling, household routines, and appropriate training tools selected for the individual dog and case.

We provide dog training and behavior consulting. We do not provide veterinary diagnosis or medication. When pain, health, or other medical factors may be contributing to a behavior concern, we can collaborate with your veterinarian.

aggressive dog snarls - dog behaviorist Denver

Complex Behavior Cases Are OUR Specialty

Difficult behavior rarely exists in isolation. It can be influenced by learning history, previous experiences, genetics, health, environment, household routines, and the dog’s current ability to cope with stress and stimulation.

We work with owners to identify the situations that trigger or reinforce the behavior, establish appropriate safety and management protocols, and build a training plan tailored to the individual dog and household.

Recommendations are based on the type and severity of the behavior, the dog’s history, the household’s goals, and what can be implemented responsibly.

REQUEST A CONSULTATION
  • Dog trainer and dog owner training their dog by the lake

    OBEDIENCE & MANNERS TRAINING

    Obedience training teaches your dog the essential skills and manners that every dog needs. Our dog training in Denver can improve the quality of life for dog and owner.

    Learn More
  • Leash pulling dog in Denver with behavior issues

    ANXIETY & BEHAVIOR TRAINING

    Does your dog have behavioral issues or anxiety that is causing stress or frustration? We transform challenging canine behaviors into lifelong good habits.

    Learn More
  • Two well-trained pitbulls resting on the bed with their owner

    REACTIVITY & AGGRESSION TRAINING

    As experts in aggression and reactivity, we’ll help reduce your dog’s aggression or reactivity effectively. You’ll see fast changes in your dog that last.

    Learn More

What Makes Us Different

  • We train your dog, but we also train you!
    We work to build the bond between you and your beloved pet. The more your dog trusts you, the more they will listen to you and understand how to behave. We give you the confidence and skills to take what we learn in training and apply it in the real world.

  • Personalized, private training programs
    One-on-one training is among the most reliable ways to see lasting results. We tailor our program to you and your dog’s unique needs. Our private training can improve the quality of life for dogs and owners alike.

  • Expert Dog Behaviorists
    We are Denver’s top dog behaviorists, with over a decade of experience, along with multiple credentials.

  • Hundreds of Happy Customers & Five Star Reviews
    Read Our Success Stories!

dog behaviorist in Denver - Dion Studinski

OUR SUCCESS STORIES

  • Amanda Margolis

    My experience with Ancillary K9 has been nothing short of amazing. Shortly after adoption, my dog Yeti showed fear and sometimes aggression towards other dogs. We tried group training classes but it was a disaster. I was really at a loss and knew I had to do more. I reached out to Ancillary K9 with Yeti's story and in that initial call, I was ready to get Yeti started ASAP. Prior to our first session, I felt Yeti understood the "basics" of obedience. I also felt Yeti's challenges were more social than anything so I wasn't sure how more "training" would really help us. I NEVER would have guessed how much this course would've changed both of our lives. In the first session, Dion was extremely invested in understanding what brought us to the course and what challenges we were facing. Dion was not interested in applying blanket methods or focuses of the course - it was catered to both Yeti and myself. This course has given both Yeti and myself so much more confidence. We laid pivotal building blocks and set goals. I immediately saw a change in both of us - more confidence in knowing how to react to a situation. Yeti has grown so much because of this course, all thanks to Dion!!

  • Philip Rieg

    After completing two separate six week training sessions, at one of the big box pet centers, my dog was just not “getting it”. I decided to give Dion a try and after one lesson my dog made more progress than all the other lessons combined. I couldn’t be happier with the progress he made and signed up for several more sessions. The training was as much for me as for my dog, I learned how to teach him what I wanted from him and he was eager to please me. Dion was very professional and interested in helping me achieve the results I expected from my dog. I would not hesitate to recommend anyone to take their dog to Ancillary K9 and give them a try. Be prepared for results!

  • Michael Richardson

    Absolutely the best trainer I have ever worked with. I had a 14 month old German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Pitbull mix who was off the wall crazy. He was a wrecking ball who didn’t realize how big he was. After 6 sessions I have a completely different dog. He does not pull on the leash at all. In fact, he stays right next to me in line with my hip whenever we walk. Not only does he respond to all my commands like “sit” and “down” but he won’t break his down or sit position until I tell him to. Trust me, if you need a dog trained badly go to Ancillary K9.

Voted one of Denver’s top dog behaviorists year after year, our team at Ancillary K9 has had dogs in their life since childhood. With our diverse background and experience, we are confident we can make a lifelong difference in your dog’s behavior and in the quality of your life.

As dog behaviorists, our approach differs from traditional dog training. We focus on understanding and modifying the underlying emotional and behavioral patterns of a dog to achieve lasting results.

  • ICOES Certificate in Dog Behavior and Training

  • ICOES Certificate in Animal Psychology

  • AKC® Temperament Test Evaluator

  • AKC® Canine Good Citizen Evaluator

  • USCA Protection Helper Classification

  • Dogtra® Field Staff Member

Request A Training Consultation

1. Submit the Form

Tell us about your dog, the concerns you are experiencing, and what you would like to improve.

2. Speak Briefly With Our Team

A team member will call you to confirm your information, answer basic scheduling questions, and arrange a private in-person consultation with Dion.

3. Meet With Dion and Your Dog

During the consultation, Dion will review your dog’s history, discuss your goals, observe your dog, and determine which training program is most appropriate. He will also explain the training format, scheduling, owner involvement, and total investment before you decide whether to enroll.

Tell Us About YOU AND Your Dog