We’re Dani and Zed, a husband and wife team dedicated to helping dogs and their people live better together.

Zed (CPDT & Canine Good Citizen Evaluator Certified) has a background in psychology and education, and before becoming a dog trainer, he worked with autistic children and adults. That experience taught him how powerful patience, empathy, and clear communication can be. Over the past ten years, Zed has helped dogs of all ages, breeds, and backgrounds. From teaching basic obedience to supporting dogs who struggle with fear or reactivity, he’s learned that every dog deserves to be understood, not corrected. His twelve-year-old Springer Spaniel, Boh, has been his constant companion and greatest teacher. Together, they’ve navigated resource guarding, and Boh continues to remind Zed every day why compassion matters most.

Dani has spent more than a decade managing a busy dog daycare, getting to know each dog and their person like family. Her late Shepherd and Retriever mix, Abbey Road, was her heart dog and guide. Abbey’s unique personality and reactivity taught Dani to meet every dog where they are. Though Abbey passed in March 2025, her spirit lives on in Dani’s work.

We recently got married and are now building our life together in beautiful Oceanside, California. Village Canine Collective is the next chapter in that journey. Our training philosophy is rooted in positive reinforcement, because we believe learning should be joyful, not stressful. We focus on strengthening the bond between dogs and their humans through trust, patience, and understanding.

We’re excited to help you and your dog thrive together.