NY Clever K9, Inc.
NY, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, NYC Dog Trainers, New York City Dog Training, Dog Behavior Expert

Christina Shusterich BA, CBC, CPDT-KA

Highest Quality, Care
Free Phone Consultation
917-589-6296
info@nycleverk9.com
"Amazing! Rosie, our rescue pit bull, is a changed dog thanks to Christina. In August we adopted Rosie, who was estimated to be 2 1/2 years old. Soon we observed she was severely dog aggressive. Could dog aggression be treated, were pit bulls really dangerous and was she safe to keep, especially with our 17 month old son? We scoured the NYC area for a reputable and very experienced dog behaviorist until we came across Christina... and thank goodness we did! Rosie went from a dog that lurched, lunged and barked at every passing dog (to the extent that we had to walk around cars to avoid dogs on sidewalks) to a dog that could pass a pack of dogs barely noticing. Christina is an incredible behaviorist and completely rehabilitated her by teaching us, Rosie's owners, how to use positive, reward based training (in carefully planned out stages) to change Rosie's psychology of other dogs. It was amazing and not something my husband or I thought possible. We also can't thank Christina enough for educating us on how misunderstood pit bulls are and showing us how wonderful they can be. Rosie is an amazing, affectionate, beautiful dog."
– Vail Weymann, NYC
"Christina changed our world. It is because of her that my husband and I were able to keep our black lab mix, Teddy. Teddy was terrified to be on the leash in the city and was nearly impossible to control - it took all of my strength to avoid being dragged down the streets of Brooklyn. Even worse, although incredibly loving and friendly anywhere else, he showed signs of aggression toward other dogs and sometimes people when leashed. We went through two trainers before meeting Christina, and had nearly given up hope. But Christina changed everything! She taught him to walk next to us on the leash (something I never thought was possible) and worked with us to change his emotions while on leash. Now, he rarely ever barks at other dogs and never at people. She even helped teach Teddy's older brother useful commands while teaching Teddy. She is a true expert in her field: smart, kind, encouraging and utterly professional. I would highly recommend Christina to anyone who has a dog with behavior issues, big or small. She gave me faith that any behavior issue can be corrected with the right training and some patience and time. Now that Teddy has "graduated", we already miss her!"
- Julie Lauch, Brooklyn, NY
"INCREDIBLE! I could not say enough good things about Christina, the behavior specialist who owns this business. Our 1 year old lab was suffering from severe separation anxiety and we had wasted time and money going from trainer to trainer with minimal results that didn't last and included confining her to a crate. We kept listening because we felt helpless, exhausted and had been told this was the "only way" to treat separation anxiety. Thankfully, due to a wonderful vet tech we knew, we were informed of the difference between a trainer and behavior specialist and that we needed to speak to a dog behavior expert, someone truly qualified, educated and specialized to work with behavior problems in dogs. Not only did we love working with Christina, our dog loved her and we all learned so much from the experience, She is beyond gifted and truly loves her work which shows through in her dedication and commitment. Separation anxiety is a very difficult thing to deal with in a dog and it can be exhausting and push you to the limit...but if you find someone as great as Christina and follow the plan - you will get your life back. I really cannot say enough great things about Christina and her work - meeting her changed our lives and gave us back our freedom. We can actually leave our apt now and not worry about our pup barking or panicking ...we never thought we would get here...but we did with the right help."
- Jenn SanClemens, NYC
"My wife and I adopted our beloved Maltese, Georgie, who soon began exhibiting some small signs of aggression. It escalated one morning to the point where Georgie growled at and severely bit my wife in the hand. The bite was bad enough to warrant a hospital visit and some serious re-thinking about Georgie’s place in our household. Our options were limited: either find a new home for this adorable little dog, or find out what the problem was and address it thoroughly and quickly. Christina’s work with Georgie has been transformative for both him and us. She was able to teach us where the aggression was stemming from (resource guarding) and develop a comprehensive course of corrective actions. After behavioral modification we have noticed a completely positive change in Georgie; he shows very little sign of the aggression that greatly worried us and has become a more loving and docile animal. Equally as important - we have learned much about ourselves and how to handle many different types of behavioral issues. None of this would have been achieved without Christina’s help and guidance. We highly recommend her services. With much appreciation."

- Jamie, John & Georgie Devall, Queens NY

"Miracle Worker! I adopted Poe, a 3½ year old neutered Pit Bull mix. I quickly discovered he was sweet as can be but was completely out of control. Jumping on kitchen counters, living room tables, my stove and any other furniture you can think of. He desperately needed training and he also showed signs of dominance aggression, where he would uncontrollably corner and mount non stop anyone who came in my home as well as my couch cushions. I found Christina and within the end of the first of my 5 sessions with her there was already a HUGE difference with Poe. She really understands dogs and knows how to read them. Christina uses nothing but a calm demeanor and positive reinforcement and it truly works with the animal. I really thought nothing would work with Poe and I have had animals my entire life. I have had him almost a year now and he is such a good boy thanks to Christina and her miracle work!!‎"

- Erika Waxman, NYC
"We highly recommend Christina!  From the very first meeting, she came into our home and pointed out things that were stressful to our beloved dog Fergus, and when we made those changes he became a completely different dog.  He loved to see Christina every time she visited and was very receptive to her positive direction.  Before Christina, we were afraid to walk Fergus because of his unpredictable aggression toward other dogs and some humans.  Christina is very intuitive when it comes to aggression issues, and with her positive training techniques his behavior immediately changed. We were very drawn to Christina because of her vast knowledge of Animal Behavior which we feel made such a difference with Fergus. Without Christina’s help we wouldn’t be able to keep Fergus in the environment he was in much longer without something terrible happening.  Today, we are now confidently taking Fergus for walks and are forever grateful to Christina for helping our family and for helping Fergus become the loving dog we always knew he could be.  His aggression issues have virtually ceased to exist and today Fergus is a happy, well adjusted dog who “plays well with others". 


~Alan, Heather, Rubin & Fergus Doorly, Queens, NY


TV & Radio
A&E Bloodwork: "Canine Crime Solvers" Christina discusses the various aspects of a dog's ability in performing police work in the international series Bloodwork, frequently airing on the A&E Crime & Investigation Channel
A&E Bloodwork: "Hidden Graves" Christina discusses how search and rescue dogs perform on the international series Bloodwork, frequently airing on the A&E Crime & Investigation Channel
CBS Channel 2 News: Calming Dogs/Herbal Supplements. Christina discusses herbal supplements for dogs and demonstrates her techniques as she successfully calms a dog and the non-efficacy of a holistic pill advertised to calm dogs, aired March 3, 2009, re-broadcast March 8, 2009
Inside Edition: The Secret Lives of Pets. Christina appears as a Pet Behavior Expert providing Tips to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety in Dogs, aired November 18, 2004, re-broadcast August 25, 2005.
Christina was the Spokesperson for Kijiji.com NYC Pet Fitness and Nutrition Campaign of April 2009 which included a Live Radio Interview on the "Frank Truatt Morning Show
Articles, Books
Christina's article "8 Ways to Fitness" published nationally in the August/September 2010 issue of Animal Wellness Magazine
23 of Christina's Tips included in the 2010 book "The Association Of Pet Dog Trainers Top Tips from Top Trainers: 1001 Practical Tips and Techniques for Successful Dog Care and Training.
The APDT is the most highly regarded professsional Dog Trainer Association
Ms. Shusterich's article "8 Ways to Soothe Separation Anxiety" was published nationally by Animal Wellness Magazine in August/September 2007
Christina was the Spokesperson for Kijiji.com NYC Pet Fitness and Nutrition Campaign providing "Pet Weight Loss and Fitness Tips" April, 2009
Christina's letter to the editor against Breed Specific Legislation and a proposed Pit Bull ban published by the NY Daily News on 1/8/07 and the Queens Chronicle on 1/11/07
Christina's letter to the editor regarding unleashed dogs published in The Queens Tribune 2/16/06.
Christina's article on the treatment of Stranger Phobia in a Beagle "A Case of Desensitization, Counterconditioning, Modeling and Obedience (DRI)" published internationally by the Association of Companion Animal Behavior Counselors 2004
Quoted Advice, Press
Christina quoted in AOL Paw Nation: "Pet Nail Biting - Is this a Necessity or Worrisome Behavior?" May 10, 2010
Christina quoted in NY Newsday September 19, 2008 and amNewYork September 24, 2008. "Beating Fido's Back to School Blues"
Christina quoted in NY Newsday July 6, 2008, reprinted in Northwest Herald. "Water in Dog Bowl Not Good for Child"
Christina and NY Clever K9 featured as a top story in the newsweekly The Queens Chronicle Central Queens Edition on August 25, 2005
NY Clever K9/"Dog Whisperer" Christina Shusterich named in Best of Queens 2006 Queens Tribune, Christina named "Trainer Extraordinaire" in Best of Queens 2007, Christina named "Best Dog Trainer & Behavior Specialist" in Best of Queens 2008, Christina named "Best Animal Training" in Best of Queens 2009, Christina named Best Dog Trainer/Behavior Specialist in Best of Queens 2010
NY Clever K9, Inc.
NY & NYC Dog Trainer, Dog Behavior Specialist
(917) 589-6296
Dog Training
info@nycleverk9.com

Named Dog Whisperer, Trainer Extraordinaire and Best Dog Trainer and Dog Behaviorist in Best of Queens 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Dog Behavior Expert, Effective Treatment
All Dog Behavior Problems
Private and Group Obedience Classes
NYC, Queens, Manhattan, Long Island, Brooklyn
All Breeds, Puppy and Adult Dog Training
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