Keri Siry Dog Training
YOU LOVE YOUR DOG!
Some days, however, living with them in the city feels harder than you expected.
Barking, pulling, reactivity, fear, or messy habits don’t show up out of nowhere, especially in busy neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and the West Village.
City dogs are navigating a world that asks a lot of them.
With over 25 years of experience, I love helping dogs & their people problem solve real life challenges and I support you, not just your dog, through the process.
About Me
Living with a dog in the city can be joyful, challenging, confusing
& often all three at once.
I’ve spent over 25 years working with dogs and their people, helping them navigate real life challenges with clarity, patience, and respect for the individual dog. I’m a certified trainer through the Academy for Dog Trainers and a certified Family Dog Mediator, and my work is grounded in modern behavioral science, not quick fixes or one size fits all solutions.
What I care about most is helping dogs and humans understand each other better.
How I Work
I don’t start with a training plan. I start with understanding the dog in front of me.
Before recommending any next steps, I take time to learn about your dog’s history, genetics, daily life, environment, motivations, stressors, and preferences. Behavior doesn’t happen in a vacuum, especially in a city, and effective support depends on seeing the whole picture.
My work is informed by a Family Dog Mediation (FDM) framework, which means I focus on why a behavior exists and what a dog needs in order to cope, adapt, and feel safe, rather than trying to suppress behavior without context.
This approach allows us to build support that fits your dog, your household, and your actual life.
Real Life, Real Environments
Because so many challenges show up outside the home, I work where behavior actually happens:
-
apartment interiors and shared hallways
-
building entrances and stoops
-
sidewalks, corners, and nearby parks
-
everyday walking routes
Working in real environments gives us better information and more meaningful progress than trying to recreate city life in artificial settings.
Neighborhood-Focused Support
My practice is intentionally local. I primarily work with dogs and families in Greenwich Village and the West Village, and I also serve nearby downtown Manhattan neighborhoods including Gramercy Park, Union Square, and the East Village.
Focusing on a specific area allows me to stay familiar with the environments my clients move through every day, and to offer support that truly reflects city living.
What I Help With
I commonly work with dogs who are experiencing:
-
leash reactivity or frustration on crowded sidewalks
-
overstimulation outdoors despite being calm at home
-
difficulty navigating other dogs or people in close quarters
-
stress related to noise, unpredictability, or limited decompression space
-
challenges adjusting to apartment living or busy routines
These are common, understandable responses to dense urban environments—and they’re not a reflection of failure on anyone’s part.
Getting Started
All new clients begin with a Comprehensive Assessment & Direction Session. This allows us to build a thoughtful, realistic path forward based on who your dog actually is, not who they’re “supposed” to be.
You don’t need a perfect dog to live well in the city. You need support that makes sense for the life you’re actually living.
The Thoughtful Start
(new clients start here)
Comprehensive Assessment & Direction Session
Up to 90 minutes - $350
The thoughtful start is a structured, in-depth assessment designed to understand your dog as a whole individual, not just the behaviors that are bothering you right now.
During this session, we spend intentional time gathering information about your dog’s:
-
history and past experiences
-
breed mix and genetic tendencies
-
daily routines and environment
-
motivations, preferences, stressors, and deterrents
We then observe your dog in real-life contexts (home, hallway, sidewalk, or nearby outdoor space) and explore how small changes in handling, setup, or environment affect their behavior.
You leave with:
-
a clear explanation of why your dog is behaving the way they are
-
realistic priorities (not an overwhelming to-do list)
-
a curated path forward based on your dog and your life
This is not a quick fix or a generic evaluation.
It’s the foundation for thoughtful, effective support.
Required for all new clients.
Real Life Reset
Short-Term Focused Support
for Urban Challenges
3 sessions | $975
4 sessions | $1,250 (recommended)
This offering is designed for dogs who struggle once the world shows up.
Real Life Reset provides focused, time-bound support for challenges such as leash reactivity, overstimulation outdoors, frustration in close quarters, or difficulty navigating busy city environments.
Sessions take place where challenges actually occur:
-
sidewalks and corners
-
building entrances and stoops
-
nearby parks and walking routes
Rather than working in isolation, we build skills gradually—responding to what your dog shows us in real time.
This level of support works well if you want:
-
continuity without long-term commitment
-
professional guidance without crisis scheduling
-
support that respects your dog’s nervous system and pace
How I Can Help
Ongoing City Dog Support
Consistent, Thoughtful Support
Monthly support | $450–625
This option is for dogs who don’t need intensive intervention, but benefit from ongoing structure, exposure, and professional oversight.
It’s especially helpful for:
-
dogs transitioning to city life
-
dogs in developmental phases
-
families navigating changes (moves, schedules, new routines)
Options:
Sessions or outings may include in-neighborhood walks, real-life exposure sessions, or guided practice based on your dog’s needs.
-
2 sessions or outings per month — $450
-
3 sessions or outings per month — $625
This level of support allows for steadiness without constantly rebooking or reassessing from scratch.
Curated Dog Social Hikes
Small, Thoughtful Group Outings
$200 per hike | 4 dogs max
My Curated Dog Social Hikes are intentionally small, carefully matched outings designed to support healthy social skills, decompression, and companionship in a calm, structured setting. We drive to New Jersey to hike for an hour, the full outing is approximately 3–4 hours, including travel. Must be okay driving in the car for one hour with other dogs.
Dogs are selected based on compatibility, not availability.
Pre-Dog Counseling
Thoughtful Guidance Before You Bring a Dog Home
75 minutes | $250
Bringing a dog into your life is exciting—and it’s also a decision that shapes your daily reality for years to come. Pre-Dog Counseling is designed to help you think through that decision with clarity, honesty, and real-world context before a dog enters your home. This session is about prevention, not fear.
This session is especially helpful for people living in apartments or busy city environments, first-time dog guardians, or anyone feeling unsure about what kind of dog will truly fit their life.
What We Cover
During this session, we talk through:
-
your lifestyle, schedule, energy level, and routines
-
your living environment (apartment size, building setup, neighborhood)
-
realistic expectations around time, cost, and daily care
-
breed traits, mixes, and common mismatches
-
adoption vs. breeder considerations
-
puppy vs. adult dog realities
-
how different temperaments tend to show up in city life
This is not about “perfect” choices—it’s about informed ones.
How This Helps
Pre-Dog Counseling helps you:
-
avoid common mismatches that lead to stress and regret
-
feel confident in your decision-making
-
understand what challenges are likely and which ones are not
-
choose a dog whose needs align with your actual life, not an idealized version of it
Many behavioral issues can be traced back to early mismatches between a dog’s needs and their environment.
Who This Is For
This offering is a good fit if you:
-
are considering your first dog
-
are returning to dog ownership after a long break
-
live in an apartment or dense urban neighborhood
-
are deciding between breeds, ages, or adoption paths
-
want an honest, pressure-free conversation with an experienced professional
There is no judgment here, only information and support.
What This Is Not
This is not a sales pitch, and it’s not a guarantee that everything will be easy. Dogs are individuals, and surprises happen. What this session offers is clarity—so you can move forward with open eyes and realistic expectations.
Getting Started
Pre-Dog Counseling is offered as a standalone session and does not require ongoing training. If you later bring a dog home and would like support, a Comprehensive Assessment & Direction Session is the natural next step.
Client Corner
Letizia S.
"Working with Keri was absolutely amazing! When we first welcomed our Great Pyrenees Border Collie mix, Wolfie, he was a true handful. His energy was boundless, walks were a challenge, and I honestly felt at my wits' end, especially after a previous trainer hadn't helped.
Keri was a lifesaver. She immediately brought a sense of calm, patience, and incredibly positive energy into our lives. She didn't just train Wolfie; she taught us how to truly understand him.
Thanks to Keri's expert guidance, Wolfie has transformed into a well-behaved furball and a complete joy to walk! Beyond her incredible training skills, Keri is genuinely one of the best people I've ever met."
"Keri is amazing with dogs—and people too! She really takes the time to understand what works best for you and your pup. She's been helping me train my dog and is always ready with thoughtful solutions as new challenges come up. After each session, my dog is more relaxed and happy, and I always walk away with simple things to keep practicing. Keri truly listens, cares deeply, and has become one of my dog’s favorite humans. That says it all!"
Rita D.