About Top Dog Training, LLC

About

Top Dog Training serves Louisville and Kentuckiana and is run by John, who opened it in 2014 after

leaving a Fortune 500 career spanning "the military, law enforcement and global logistics." He is

explicit that it is a one-person business — "I try to stay active but it's just me" — and that it is

"KENTUCKY BASED. Not a franchise."

The origin is personal: "In 2014 I didn't start Top Dog because Kentucky needed another dog trainer. I

felt it was needed because in 2010 even after living with dogs for almost 30 years I needed help with

our new dog. What I found left me with more questions than answers."

Method

The framework is called Living With Dogs and runs in four stages — Fit, Structure, Skills, Freedom:

> "First, we make sure we're not dealing with a 'square peg in a round hole' by helping you truly

> understand the dog you have. Then we create structure that reduces confusion. We teach practical

> skills that hold up in everyday life. And that allows them to earn the freedom that every dog—and

> every owner—is working toward."

The philosophy is summarized as "Welfare first. Freedom earned," with a stated refusal to standardize:

"I don't subscribe to the idea that every dog should be trained exactly the same way or with exactly

the same tools … The goal isn't defending a label. The goal is a better life with the dog."

The work described covers raising a new puppy, reactivity and aggression, and everyday liveability,

with an emphasis on training that holds outside the training field.

Background and credentials

John has served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Canine Professionals

(IACP) and was named the organization's 2020 Member of the Year. He led the working division for Kim

Brophey's Family Dog Mediation Group, has presented at multiple dog trainer conferences, spent a month

living at "one of the oldest professional dog training schools in the United States," and has worked

with rescues including orphaned litters and a program pairing at-risk youth with dogs.

Programs include board and train; the site's headline offer is "GIVE ME 60 DAYS… AND I'LL GIVE YOU

A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR DOG," starting from a scheduled evaluation.