West Michigan K9

05/28/2026

Please help us share sweet Princess

Our Head Trainer, Paige, was out the other day to evaluate Princess, and we truly believe she has so much potential in the right home. Princess is a beautiful GSD looking for an experienced German Shepherd owner who lives an active lifestyle and understands the breed.

She is a very sweet girl who does have some manageable quirks with dog reactivity, but with structure, consistency, and continued guidance, those behaviors are absolutely workable.

Princess deserves a chance to find her perfect match. 🐾

If you are interested in learning more about Princess, please do NOT message West Michigan K9. Head over to Big Lake Humane Society’s website and fill out an application directly through them.

🐾Adoptable Pet Spawtlight!🐾

🌼It's inconceivable that Princess Buttercup has no applications!🌼

Hi, I'm Princess Buttercup, a gorgeous 2 year old German Shepherd looking for my Westley and forever home!
I started out life with aspirations of joining the thousands of German Shepherds before me in the field of police work but being the Princess that I am, that was not the life for me. I was taken in by a very friendly man and it was pretty much just the two of us for about a year before his living situation changed and he had to give me up to Big Lake Humane Society.

I have been pretty quick to warm up to the staff here and love going for walks. I can be a little bit goofy with throwing toys and stuffies around the room.I do require that hats be removed in my royal presence; if you don't comply then I'll happily remove it for you as soon as you sit down.
I would also insist on being the only animal in the home and no children.

I am working on my social skills (I've kind of been kept in a tower) around other animals but it's still a work in progress and as mentioned I have done well meeting the staff and volunteers here but I can get overly excited and jump and bounce around the room so I would likely knock children over and I haven't had much interactions with them so they kind of weird me out.
City living or apartment living is likely going to be a challenge for me since I need space to run or reliable outlets for my energy. I am crate trained and eager to please, I try my best to do as you wish, but I do need training to help me become the amazing Princess that I can be. Won't you please be my Westley!?

If you're interested in adopting me, please submit an application at
https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=2713200&name=Princess+Buttercup

05/08/2026

We recently learned that our veterinarian, Dr. Swift, underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. During this incredibly difficult time, a GoFundMe has been created to help support her and her family with medical expenses and everyday needs.

If you have ever had your dog trained through West Michigan K9, chances are Dr. Swift has played a part in your dog’s care. She comes to our facility weekly, is always available to answer questions or concerns regarding our dogs, and goes above and beyond to make sure every dog receives the care they need. Her compassion, dedication, and willingness to help others truly make her a blessing to our team and the families we work with.

We are asking our community to come together and support someone who has spent so much of her life caring for others and their animals. If you are able, please consider donating to her GoFundMe. If donating is not possible, sharing this post would mean just as much.

https://gofund.me/a9fef19e0

Thank you all for your support, prayers, and kindness during this time.

03/31/2026

2026 Peoples Choice Winner for Best Dog Trainers!

We’re incredibly honored to share that West Michigan K9 has been voted the 2026 People’s Choice Award Winner for Best Dog Trainers.

This recognition means everything to us—not just because of the award, but because it comes directly from our community. To everyone who nominated us, took the time to vote, and continues to trust us with your dogs… thank you.

To our clients—past and present—you’re the reason we do what we do. Watching the transformation in your dogs and the relationships you build with them is what drives our team every single day.

We don’t take this lightly. We’ll continue to show up, work hard, and deliver the level of training and results you expect from us.

Thank you, West Michigan 🙏

Congratulations to all of the other winners as well as those nominated!

https://www.peopleschoicewestmi.com/2026-peoples-choice-results/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ49ItleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe8Dk_8OgSkj0kTR2xcoXpYxCyUckm4jvD4-k8tvPdoLKw3pKl6sFdt_xmvMI_aem_xb0oe0q3Bvf7iYIJ_JbrZw

03/12/2026

It's that time of year again!! Don’t just board your dog — set them up for success while you’re away! 🐾✈️

Our Stay & Train Program is the perfect solution for busy dog owners who want their dog cared for and trained while they’re on vacation.

While you relax, your dog will be working with us daily on important life skills including:

✔️ Basic obedience
✔️ Loose leash walking
✔️ Good manners in public

We offer 2, 3, or 4 week programs, depending on your goals for your dog.

You can also customize your dog’s training with add-on options such as:
• Door manners
• Off-leash recall
• People socialization
• Dog socialization
• Reactivity or aggression work

Your dog will receive structured training, exercise, and professional care the entire time they stay with us.

When you return from vacation, you’ll come home to a better behaved, more confident dog. This program also includes report cards 3 times a week so you can follow their journey as well as follow up visits after so we can work together to ensure a smooth transition.

📞 Call us now to reserve your dog’s spot or to learn more about our Stay & Train programs! 616-953-3504 Mention this post to hear about saving $500 off your stay! ⭐️

03/03/2026

Today, we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Whiskey — our beloved mascot and the face of our company for so many years.

Whiskey was our very first demo dog. Trained in service work, patrol, tracking, and advanced apprehension, he didn’t just showcase what a working dog could do — he showcased what we stood for. He traveled the world demonstrating both his remarkable ability to perform and our commitment to training at the highest level.

Over the years, multiple agencies called on Whiskey to assist in missing person cases because of his extraordinary tracking ability — at times even choosing him over their own K9 units. Whiskey maintained a 100% success rate. Every single call-out ended with him locating the person.

One winter night stands out. A young boy with autism left his home in the middle of the night. When the call came in, we responded lights and sirens. Within twenty minutes, Whiskey located the child walking toward a partially frozen pond on a golf course. Five minutes later, that little boy would have been in the water. Whiskey saved his life.

Whiskey was also invited to participate in K9 training exercises with the ATF, where his unique working traits were studied and later replicated in their own programs. His impact reached far beyond our company.

But for all his accomplishments in the field, his most important role was at home.

Whiskey was fiercely devoted to his Dad, Stephen, and to his kids. He was vigilant — always watching, always positioned between them and the world. He never took his eyes off his children and would have protected them without hesitation. That was who he was.

This is a tremendous loss for our company. But for Whiskey’s family, it is immeasurable.

We know so many of you have your own Whiskey stories and photos. We would love to see them. As we mourn together, we believe the love and memories shared by this community will help carry his family through the days ahead.

02/28/2026

We have waited to post these guys! We have a few amazing Malinois puppies left. These guys are perfect for work, play, and everything in between. PLEASE contact Red Acres Working Line K9s for information. This is first come first serve!

02/25/2026

7 years ago we had a film crew come and document the work we do at West Michigan K9. This was one of those videos, and it's always fun to revisit and share as we have many new followers that perhaps have never seen it.

02/24/2026

Former K9 Handler Vinny Rivera — a great guy, friend, and someone who played a key role in our journey — was recently involved in a major accident. His wife, Chanin Rivera, has been an incredible supporter of our company for over a decade and was instrumental in helping us build and strengthen the WMK9 brand in the early years.

Vinny and Chanin now have a beautiful five-month-old daughter, and during this incredibly difficult time, they need their community behind them.

As many of you know, we are very selective about using our platform to raise funds. That is intentional and important to us. When we ask for support, it’s because we truly believe in the need and the people involved.

If you’re able, please consider donating, sharing, or offering support in any way you can. Every prayer, share, and contribution makes a difference.

Let’s show up for the Riveras the same way they’ve shown up for so many others.

Last night, our beloved Vinny Rivera was involved in a horrific accident that left… Sam Martin needs your support for Prayers and Support for Vinny’s Recovery

02/04/2026

We were nominated for Peoples Choice Best Dog Trainer!!

Now, we need your help! If you could click the link below and VOTE (Don't forget to enter your email address).... Then comment below letting us know... share the link and tag us on your page.... You will be entered to win $500.00! This nomination, and recognition would have a profound positive impact on our business. We already believe we have the best clients in the world -- as we wouldn't be here and survived this long without you. Now we need this favor! Click the link below!

Welcome to the 2026 People’s Choice Ballot! Nominate your favorite business, person or place to be on the 2026 People’s Choice final ballot. The nomination period goes from 6 am on January 7th through 11:59 pm on January 21, 2026. The top nominees for each category will move on for the final vot...

01/27/2026

With the crazy weather we are having we had a couple stay and train reservations have to cancel. That means we have a couple kennels available at a discounted price for you!

⭐️$500 off a 2 or 3 week program to the first 2 people to call and book to start by February 10th!

☎️ 616-953-3504
💉 Must be up to date on required vaccines
🐶 At least 5 months old