23/05/2025
Hello LYK9 family!
It’s been a number of years now since I started this journey, 9 to be exact. I am amazed at what Lead Your K9 has become as well as what I have been able to accomplish in those years. It all started as a plan to bring better dog training to our area. That quickly turned into offering some of the best training and socialization you can come across period. That has had a lot to do with my endless pursuit of better education and traveling the country to learn from the best around.
I’ve never stopped learning in all the years. You can always gain more knowledge or get better at the skills you’re already practicing. This has led me to get myself in front of and next to some of the best training and education in the world. It is my belief that the dogs and people that come to our facility deserve the very best from our programs and our staff.
As I have become the primary source for education, coaching, and mentorship to our staff, I find it important to continually educate myself and improve my own skills so they can benefit. This in turn creates programs for all types of dogs that can grow and be successful towards the goals their owners may have.
It is because of this that I was able to launch The Stokes School For Dog Training in 2023 where other trainers and working dog handlers come to get coached and educated on countless areas of dog training. From students coming here to learn, to traveling out of state to give seminars, SSDT has become another extension of the LYK9 family that offers nothing but the best.
Thinking back on all the educational courses and events I’ve attended, I decided maybe it was time to share it with you all. I’ve taken something away from ever workshop, seminar, or class I’ve attended. Some more than others, but every event was attended with intention. The pursuit is far from over. But here’s a look at what I’ve done to get us all here.
Leerburg Online
Tyler Muto - Loose Leash Walking - March 2016
Tyler Muto - Leash Reactivity - March 2016
Forrest Micke - Teaching Engagement Skills - March 2016
Ed Frawly - How We Manage Dogs In Our Home - April 2016
Live Events
Tyler Muto Reactivity Workshop - May 2016
Kathy Kear Dog Training Class - June 2016
IACP Education Conference - 2016
Chad Mackin & Jason Vasconi Socialization Workshop - April 2017
Chad Mackin Group Class Seminar - July 2017
Chad Mackin Biology of Behsvior - July 2018
Michael Ellis 3 Day Workshop - Nov 2019
Michael Ellis 3 Day Workshop - Nov 2021
Mike Suttle Puppy Development - Jan 2022
Crouse Canine Workshop - July 2022
Maryna Ozuna Movement Markers - Oct 2022
Deb Zappia Obedience Workshop - Dec 2022
Ford K9 2 Week Detection Dog Trainer School - Feb 2023
Ford K9 Canine Cognition Instructor - March 2023
Michael Ellis 3 Day Workshop - May 2023
Heather Beck Workshop - June 2023
Kynology Symposium 1 - July 2023
Mia Skogster Workshop - Nov 2023
Ford K9 Puppy Cognition - March 2024
Deb Zappia Obedience Workshop - April 2024
Forrest Micke & Stewart Hilliard Workshop - April 2024
Kynology Symposium 2 - July 2024
American Schutzhund Helper Seminar - Aug 2024
Certified AS Helper Front Half - Aug 2024
Helper Engineering Garage 1.0 - March 2025
Helper Engineering Garage 2.0 - May 2025
