SumDog K9 Training

SumDog K9 Training Dog sport enthusiast who enjoys teaching others how to communicate effectively with their 4 leg pals

The Post I Didn’t Want to MakeThis is a post I honestly didn’t expect to be making just as I was getting things up and r...
07/30/2026

The Post I Didn’t Want to Make

This is a post I honestly didn’t expect to be making just as I was getting things up and running.

But one of the realities of running a dog training business is that there is always some uncertainty about where the next paycheck comes from. And when times get hard for people, the “extras” are usually the first things to go.

As much as we love our dogs, for many families, professional dog training becomes one of those non-essential expenses when money gets tight. I understand that completely, but as a small business owner, I also have to be realistic about what that means.

This Friday, I officially retire from the Air Force after 20 years of service.

As I was figuring out what life after the military was going to look like, a company came across my resume and reached out to me with an opportunity. The money is good, but more importantly, it offers something self-employment can't always guarantee: consistency and stability.

So, after a lot of consideration, I’ve decided to accept the position.

SumDog K9 Training isn't going away, but it is going to look a little different.

I’m still going to train dogs. I enjoy this work far too much to completely walk away from it. However, my availability will be much more limited.

I will continue offering:
• Boarding
• Weekend training “stay-cations”
• IGP-style helper/bite work

For the foreseeable future, I will be stepping away from:
• Private lessons
• Board & Train programs
• Group classes

This wasn't an easy decision, especially after putting so much work into getting things established. But after 20 years of knowing exactly when a paycheck was coming, I've realized that stability matters to me more than I thought it would.

Dog training will still be part of my life. Dog sports will absolutely still be part of my life. And I'll still be around to help people and their dogs when my schedule allows.

It just won't be my full-time job.

To everyone who has trusted me with their dogs, taken a class, sent someone my way, shared a post, supported the business, or simply encouraged me along the way—thank you.

I'm incredibly grateful for what I've been able to build, and I'm not closing the door.

I'm just changing what comes through it.

Here’s to retirement, a new career, and still finding plenty of time to work some dogs.

07/23/2026

Interested in Day Boarding?

You could send your dog to boarding where they will sit in a run, get some time out to do their business and go back into a run...

OR...

You could schedule a Day Board with me, where you can have your dog boarded during the day, get some obedience training in, and they still get to come home at night.

Do what makes your dog's happy. I don't care what you want to compete in or just want a week behaved pet. Last year me...
07/21/2026

Do what makes your dog's happy. I don't care what you want to compete in or just want a week behaved pet. Last year me and my girl ran FastCAT for fun, she loves it! I won't travel far for it, so our runs are limited, but this invitational takes place the day after her 7th Birthday so I think we will go!

Pneuma finished in the Top 5 Dobermans last year.

If you want to find out about local runs check out https://saltydogscoursing.com/

07/19/2026

Too hot... no problem...

Ask about treadmill sessions, can be combined with regular boarding sessions!

Problems With Lack of Exercise

Dogs can be like young children. If you don’t give them something constructive to do with their energy, they’ll find something to do on their own-and you may not like it!

Destructive chewing, digging or scratching
Investigative behaviors, like garbage raiding
Hyperactivity, excitability and night-time activity
Unruliness, knocking over furniture and jumping up on people
Excessive predatory and social play
Play biting and rough play
Attention-getting behaviors like barking and whining

Benefits of Exercise and Play
The good news is that keeping your dog healthy, happy and out of trouble with daily exercise is a lot of fun and provides many benefits, including:

Reduce or eliminate the common behavior problems listed above, such as digging, excessive barking, chewing and hyperactivity
Keeps dogs healthy, agile and limber
Reduces digestive problems and constipation
Helps timid or fearful dogs build confidence and trust
Dogs feel sleepy, rather than restless, at bedtime or when you’re relaxing
Keep dogs’ weight under control

Please talk to your vet before engaging your dog in physical activity if there is a risk of illness or injury.

Just a "Melon" Collie Monday!Thanks for the laughs Bono!
07/06/2026

Just a "Melon" Collie Monday!

Thanks for the laughs Bono!

I see that stink eye Zuri...Yes you can be obedient!Zuri is here for a week vacation, doing a brush-up on obedience, and...
07/06/2026

I see that stink eye Zuri...
Yes you can be obedient!

Zuri is here for a week vacation, doing a brush-up on obedience, and understanding that life doesn't end when your dad goes away. As you can see Zuri doesn't believe me yet, but we are going to be best friends by the end!

It was a hot weekend! The Collie siblings ate keeping cool in the AC! Enya and Bono
07/06/2026

It was a hot weekend! The Collie siblings ate keeping cool in the AC!
Enya and Bono

The last month has been an adventure, and I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out.At the United Doberman Club N...
06/25/2026

The last month has been an adventure, and I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out.

At the United Doberman Club National Specialty, Pneuma reminded me why I love working with her. She earned her UDC-CD Obedience title and her Working Aptitude Certificate (WAC). Watching her show the balance of trainability, confidence, and working ability was incredibly rewarding.

Ænima also had a weekend that made me smile. He took 1st place three different times in his conformation class. He doesn't fit the mold of what many people picture as a traditional show dog, so seeing judges recognize his quality was something I'm especially proud of.

I also got to watch my spouse do what she loves, teach a seminar, run a Sniff and Go and sell custom collars for the national!

I also found out that I was the recipient of the May Jacobson Sportsmanship award. While I never volunteer to win anything, it's always appreciated to be recognized. I thoroughly enjoyed helping prep IGP dogs, WAE, TT dogs, working the random dog in the "down time" learning about being a ring steward, and paperwork involved.

I also got to add to my list of things I can offer! I'm now officially an AKC TT evaluator on top of being a CGC and Trick Dog evaluator!

Change of venue!!!

From there, we headed to Maryland for a NACSW Elite trial, where Pneuma earned her ELT-1. That title represents a lot of long days, tough training sessions, and trusting the process. Every title she earns means a little more because I know what went into getting there.

To wrap it all up, I had the honor of celebrating my retirement after 20 years in the Air Force and spent two wonderful weeks reconnecting with family. It was the perfect way to close one chapter before starting the next.

Now I'm back home, recharged, and excited to get back to doing what I love—helping people build better relationships with their dogs.

July boarding is officially full (thank you all!), but I still have availability for private training lessons for obedience, behavior modification, scent work, and performance foundations.

Whether your goal is a well-mannered family companion or stepping into the dog sports world, I'd love to help you and your dog reach that next milestone.

Here's to the next adventure! 🐾

Pneuma made her NACSW Elite debut this weekend and honestly… I’m so proud of this dog. 💙🐾This trial was held in a high s...
05/26/2026

Pneuma made her NACSW Elite debut this weekend and honestly… I’m so proud of this dog. 💙🐾

This trial was held in a high school with NO AC or at least no one bothered to turn it on yesterdat and by the end of the day every human, dog, and judge looked like they had been personally victimized by humidity. 😂

First search of the day, Pneuma came out swinging, all 5 hides found and some really tough odor pictures worked correctly. The kind where you stand there asking yourself, “is this pooling? trapping?” Thankfully, I listened.

Second search we finished with 4 out of 6 hides. One hide I absolutely should have called, and the other we just ran out of time trying to work through a locker/transition area that was eating odor alive. Still proud of how she kept working through it.

Third search was known number containers and after the THIRD sweep and Pneuma starting to choose violence against the boxes, I made the decision to leave after finding 3 of the 4 hides instead of risking collecting “No’s” chasing a hide we might not get to in time anyway. Elite is a strategy game sometimes and today that was the smarter call. 😅

THEN came the final search… complete with an hour rain delay before the last 12 dogs got rapidly shuffled back inside the school and staged in our own personal sauna rooms. Miserable? Yes.

Worth it? Also yes.

Because that last search ended up being our best one of the day efficient, methodical, confident searching with 100% accuracy… and a 1st place finish in the “End of the Road” search. 🔥

Final score for her first Elite trial:
82.5 points
2 Pronounced Searches
1st Place “End of the Road”

Not bad for a little feral pneudle dog learning how to Elite. 💙
We get to do it again in a couple weeks in Maryland...

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05/19/2026

Everyday getting better.

Address

Deatsville, AL
36022

Telephone

+18017250951

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