Hi, I'm John - Owner and Trainer at Dakota Dog Training
I’ve spent most of my life in Executive Management leading teams, developing training programs, and designing compensation plans. These days, I take the same principles to help people train their dogs.
I’ve been training dogs for 20 years and currently live with three amazing dogs who keep me on my toes: Frida, a foster fail / rescue with a big heart and a bigger attitude; Skye, a deaf working-line Border Collie who’s taught me the power of nonverbal connection; and Dakota, my agility rockstar who earned her C-ATCH (Agility Trial Champion) title in CPE and competes at the Masters level in AKC and UKI. All of my dogs are trained using force-free, fun-first methods—and I bring that same approach to every household I work with.
Yes, I compete in agility (you might’ve seen it on ESPN). At its core, agility is about teamwork, trust, and communication. Whether your goals are good manners, new tricks, or national titles, I’m here to help make training your dog effective, personalized, and most of all…fun.
After 25 years in executive management, I returned to my true passion: helping dogs and their people build strong, trusting relationships.
Competition & High-Level Experience
I’ve trained under top handlers and coaches from across the world: the UK, Italy, Slovenia, Russia, Germany, Czech Republic, and Australia. That global perspective influences every session I teach. We compete in 3 different venues for Agility and competed in CPE Agility Nationals in 2022. I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and have thousands of hours experience in training dogs.
I Read Dogs (and Train Humans Too)
I can usually tell you what your dog is about to do before it happens. But more importantly, I’ll teach you how to see it too. Most long-term behavior problems don’t come from the dog—they come from gaps in communication after a class or board-and-train ends. I bridge that gap by training you to train your dog.
I also volunteer as a trainer at local clubs, and I foster behaviorally challenging dogs from NHS and local rescues—many of whom wouldn’t be adoptable without impulse control training and structure.
One Trainer & Fast Results
When you invite someone into your home to work with your dog, consistency matters. With me, you’re getting a competitive, real world trainer—not an hourly employee—with years of experience, global training knowledge, and a personal commitment to helping your dog thrive.
Why Train With Me?
Competitive agility experience (Titles in AKC, CPE – Agility Trial Champion)
25 years of experience training humans (the hard part of dog training)
I make training FUN!
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Consistency of working with one individual
Clear communication – I’ll break the science down into plain English
Seasoned business professional and communicator
All-positive reinforcement - no fear, no force
Real-life experience with rescues, fosters, deaf and high-drive dogs
You’ll learn too—not just your dog
If you want to do more with your dog, schedule your free consultation today.
Meet My Dogs
Dakota
Dakota is a high-drive Border Collie from serious working lines. If she doesn’t have a job, she’ll invent one - like trying to herd the horses or running the fence line.
She puts that energy to work in agility. Dakota runs over 6 yards per second, responds to 30+ verbal cues, and competes in AKC, CPE, and UKI. She holds her C-ATCH (CPE Agility Trial Champion) title and has placed in the top 10 at CPE Nationals. Her total vocabulary is pushing 100 words—and she knows exactly how to use them.
Skye
My border collie Skye was born deaf, but you’d never guess it watching her run. She navigates full agility courses with precision, has perfect recall, and responds seamlessly to hand signals and body language.
She’s incredibly intuitive and deeply connected, always watching for the next cue. Skye is always happy, has impeccable manners, a loving nature, and shows just how much dogs are capable of when you have a deep relationship built on trust.
Frida
Frida was a day-one foster fail. She came from the mean streets of Oklahoma, and I knew right away she was staying. Her Embark DNA revealed six breeds plus 10% Super Mutt, and her behavior reflects every bit of that mix.
She’s fearless, smart, and an excellent mouser around the farm. Frida is currently learning agility and shows promise in barn hunt, dock diving, and frisbee. She’s one cool dog with a big future.