Meet Our Team
Mike
Owner & Master TrainerWith over 25 years of dedicated experience in the field of dog training and a legacy of recognition from trainers and dog training institutions worldwide, Mike stands out as one of the most versatile and accomplished dog trainers in the Midwestern United States. His expertise spans a broad spectrum, ranging from nurturing common household pets through obedience and behavioral training to the rigorous training of high-level working K9s utilized by law enforcement agencies and the United States Military.
Mike's journey into dog training began with a solid educational foundation, including graduation from prestigious institutions such as the Tom Rose School, STSK9 University, Michael Ellis Professional School, Logan Haus School, and the world-renowned NePoPo School of Professional Dog Training in Brussels, Belgium.
Beyond his prowess as a dog trainer, Mike has demonstrated his commitment to both his community and his country. He served with honor and distinction as a Police Officer and Army Captain Combat Veteran for over 12 years, accumulating a wealth of experience in the realm of dog training and working with service dogs.
In 2017, Mike ventured into the pet training industry by founding KC Dawgz, a company dedicated to enhancing the lives of pets and their owners. After successfully running and selling KC Dawgz in 2020, Mike launched Precision Dog Training, a specialized venture meticulously crafted to cater to the unique needs of dog lovers in the Kansas City area.
Adding to his list of accomplishments, Mike is also an American Kennel Club (AKC) Evaluator. His true passion lies in empowering families with the knowledge and skills essential for nurturing the family-pet relationship and reinforcing the bond between dog and owner.
Mike's commitment to continuous learning and personal development extends to his academic pursuits. He earned a Masters of Business Administration with honors from the University of Mary, showcasing his dedication to excellence both inside and outside the world of dog training.
With a profound dedication to canine welfare and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Mike brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to Precision Dog Training, setting the standard for dog training services in the Kansas City area.
Keaton
Assistant Training DirectorHailing from Overland Park, Kansas, Keaton's journey into the world of dog training was ignited by a lifelong passion for animals. From his early years, Keaton found himself drawn to the care and training of dogs, not only within his own family but among friends as well. As the years passed, what started as a fervent interest soon blossomed into a full-fledged career, as Keaton embarked on a mission to establish himself as one of the premier dog trainers in Kansas.
Keaton's dog training odyssey commenced over five years ago under the tutelage of Michael Sligh, a Master Trainer and the former owner of KC Dawgz Training Academy. He underwent a rigorous apprenticeship program under Sligh's mentorship, laying the foundation for his exceptional skills. Upon graduating from the program, Keaton's dedication to the craft led him to become a Level III dog trainer, specializing in both Obedience Training and Behavior Modification. His expertise further extended to becoming the Lead Group Instructor for Puppy Obedience, Trick, and Agility classes, where he honed his instructional abilities.
Keaton's commitment to excellence extends beyond the confines of a single program. He actively pursued additional education and certifications, earning accolades from Nino Drowaert through the completion of the STSK9 Training program. This relentless pursuit of knowledge and skill enhancement continues to drive Keaton's progress in his dog training career.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Keaton is a devoted father to Brinley, his three-year-old American Black Lab. Keaton's own training prowess extends to Brinley, whom he trained in Bed Bug detection and Advanced Obedience. His approachable personality and unwavering work ethic have propelled Keaton to emerge as one of the preeminent professional dog trainers in the greater Kansas City area.
Complementing his passion for dog training, Keaton also pursued higher education at the University of Kansas, where he focused on Strategic Communications. This diversified background enables him to effectively communicate his love for dogs and share his expertise with pet owners, fostering stronger bonds between dogs and their families.
With a steadfast commitment to the well-being of dogs and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Keaton stands as a testament to what it means to be a top-tier dog trainer in the heart of Kansas.
Kendra
Program AdministratorKendra's story is one deeply rooted in the heart of Kansas City, where her unwavering passion for rescuing and rehabilitating dogs from local animal shelters blossomed into a dedicated career. Her mission: to give these deserving animals a chance to find their forever homes. Kendra's journey from heartfelt devotion to professional advocacy for animals is a testament to her commitment and compassion.
Raised in the Kansas City area, Kendra's love for our furry companions has been a constant presence in her life. She has not only cared for these four-legged friends but has also embraced them as members of her own family. Over the years, she has welcomed a diverse group of canine companions into her home, including a German Shepherd, Great Dane, Pitbull, and most recently, her beloved French Bulldog, Jax.
While Kendra's heart has always been with animals, her academic pursuits led her to study accounting at MCC, grounding her with a solid educational foundation. However, it was her genuine passion for the welfare of animals that ultimately defined her career path.
At Precision Dog Training Academy, Kendra serves as the warm and welcoming face that greets everyone upon entering our facility. With an impressive decade of customer service experience under her belt, Kendra shoulders the vital role of Program Administrator. In this capacity, she takes on the crucial responsibility of planning, directing, organizing, and ensuring that our clients receive nothing short of exceptional care and attention.
Kendra's genuine smile and dedication to client satisfaction create an environment where clients and their beloved pets feel at ease and valued. Her role extends beyond the administrative realm; it's about creating a sense of community and trust within the Precision Dog Training family.
Kendra's unwavering commitment to the well-being of animals and her dedication to fostering meaningful connections between clients and their dogs make her an invaluable asset to the Precision Dog Training team. Her passion for rescue work, coupled with her impressive customer service background, ensures that clients and their pets receive the highest level of care and support.
As a Program Administrator, Kendra stands at the forefront of Precision Dog Training Academy, embodying the values of compassion, professionalism, and excellence that define our mission.
Rob
Owner and CEOAs the Co-Owner and CEO of Precision Dog Training Academy, Rob brings a profound passion for dogs and a wealth of experience to the forefront. His remarkable journey spans over 25 years, during which he dedicated himself to impacting the lives of American students across the globe, serving as an American School HS Principal in four different countries.
Rob's return to the United States from Abu Dhabi seven years ago marked a significant shift in his focus. With an unyielding love for dogs and a background in Biology, he embarked on a new mission: to provide exceptional pet services and training to families in the Kansas City area.
Rob's academic journey includes a degree in Biology, a foundation that beautifully complements his extensive experience in training both horses and canines. With Master's Degrees in Education and Leadership, Rob brings a unique blend of expertise to Precision Dog Training Academy.
At the core of his role, Rob is dedicated to quality control, ensuring that every aspect of Precision Dog Training Academy's programs meets the highest standards. He excels in the art of crystallizing and formalizing the curriculum, contributing to the academy's well-deserved reputation for excellence.
Beyond his commitment to program development, Rob takes great pleasure in delivering outstanding customer service and pet care that consistently exceeds expectations. He takes pride in enriching the lives of families within the local community by providing them with top-notch services and support.
Rob's remarkable journey, combined with his unwavering commitment to canine welfare and exceptional customer experiences, makes him the driving force behind the success and excellence of Precision Dog Training Academy.
Caroline
Professional Dog TrainerCaroline's journey into the world of professional dog training is rooted in her love for animals and a lifelong connection to the canine companions who have shaped her life.
Born in Lewiston, Idaho, and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, Caroline's family included two cherished rescues: Titan, a Rottweiler mix, and the spirited Jack Russell, Scruffy. It was Scruffy's playful antics that ignited Caroline's deep affection for animals from an early age.
Caroline's academic path led her to Emporia State, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Ceramics. Her artistic focus often revolved around animal imagery, with a particular fondness for portraying canines. This artistic journey gave her a unique perspective on the beauty and complexity of animals, especially dogs.
Caroline's role as the proud mother of Burnt Toast, a Czech Working Line German Shepherd, played a pivotal role in her career transition. Owning a high-drive breed like Burnt Toast provided her with a firsthand understanding of the incredible potential that working dogs possess when guided by the right training methods.
Prior to embarking on her dog training career, Caroline spent three years as an Elementary Art Teacher, nurturing young minds and creativity. However, it was her beloved canine companion, Burnt Toast, who served as the catalyst for her passion to evolve into a profession. Inspired by her dog's potential and eager to share her expertise, Caroline made the decision to follow her heart and embark on a fulfilling career as a professional dog trainer.
Today, Caroline brings her artistic sensibilities, love for animals, and a profound commitment to nurturing the bond between dogs and their owners to her role as a Professional Dog Trainer. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of following one's passion and embracing the profound connection between humans and their four-legged companions.
Traven
Professional Dog TrainerRaised in Gardner, Kansas, before relocating to Olathe, Kansas, Traven resides with his wife and their two cherished dogs, Teddy and Marleigh. Teddy has been a part of Traven's life since his birth in 2014, and Marleigh, a recent rescue from the streets of Olathe in 2023, joined the family. Traven's deep affection for dogs motivates his aspiration to build a career around working with them.
Traven completed his education at Centriq in 2013 and initially pursued a career as a web developer. However, after spending a few years in the industry, he discovered his true calling lay elsewhere. His journey into dog training began while he was employed at a doggy daycare, where an opportunity to observe a dog trainer in action sparked his interest in canine behavior and communication. With three years of hands-on experience in kennel work and direct dog care, Traven made the decision to focus on becoming a dog trainer.
He takes great pleasure in applying his dog training knowledge to not only his pets but also those of his friends and family. Witnessing the growth in a dog's confidence through training is immensely satisfying to him. Traven is passionate about continuing his education in dog training, enjoying every moment spent with dogs and driven by the desire to assist each one.
Traven aims to carve out a career in dog training with the objective of helping families maintain a harmonious household with their pets, enhancing the bond between pet owners and their canine companions. He is eager to master a broad spectrum of training techniques, from basic obedience to more advanced skills, and dreams of making a difference for dogs in shelters by making them more adoptable.
Empowerment
We Empower owners with the skills and knowledge required maintain a well behaved dog.
Qualified
Collectively, our trainers have over ¼ million dollars of dog training certifications from professional dog training schools throughout the world.
Personalized
Addressing your dog’s specific issues on a personal level is our specialty. Whether you need puppy training, specific obedience training or anything else, we're here to help.
Lifetime Investment
Invest in your relationship and enjoyment! Training your dog will make a lifelong improvement.
Continuous Training
Our training Academy offers continuous options to work with your dog for clients who seek to further develop their dog’s skillset or participate in more specialized training.
Simplified
Our training system has been broken down into a phased approach that works perfectly with different doggy learning styles.
Modern Training System
Our dog training process is proprietary and unlike anything you will find online, in a book or in a standard class. We have developed our proprietary system through years of training dogs, hands-on experience, and coaching dog owners.
State-of-the-Art Training Facility
On campus, we have 6,000 square feet of indoor climate-controlled training and play space; architected specifically for the comfort and safety of your dog.
Why Choose Us
With years of dedicated experience, our team of master trainers is committed to helping you and your pets succeed. This isn't a hobby for us; it's our profession.
What we offer:
- Boarding your dog at a relaxing and pleasant facility.
- Boarding includes group playtime and comfortable and spacious kennels. Your dog will also get a nail trim and bath at the end of its stay.
- Our 6,000 sq foot training facility is perfect for your custom indoor needs.
- We are professional, experienced, and certified Master Dog trainer.
- One-on-one attention and support for owners.
- Custom-Designed Precision Dog Training System.