Our
Team
Kara IACP-CDT | Head Trainer + Owner
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Kara is a professional dog trainer who is honest, enthusiastic and passionate about helping people live a better life with their dog. The true focus of her dog training is to train people and make it a fun and supportive environment for all. Dogs have always been at the forefront of Kara's life and she has dedicated over 17 years training, working and understanding them. Kara established DK Canine in 2017 and she is so proud of what she has created and the amazing dog owners who make up the community. Kara fully believes that dog training is not what you learn out of a book or through the internet, but through spending the time hand-on working with dogs and their people. Dogs and their owners are her biggest teachers. Kara started training her own dogs for 4-H at the age of 10 years old, started her own dog walking/sitting business at 12 years old, volunteered at the Humane Society for years throughout grade school and then landed her first dog training job at the age of 13 years old, where she worked weekends, holidays and then full-time out of high school. Averaging 60 hour work weeks at the training facility with board/train, private lessons, behavior modification, classes, grooming and lots of the day-to-day grunt work. Kara is grateful for her thorough education in dogs but always continues to learn and grow with the profession by working with other professional trainers and attending continued education and seminars.
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Kara is a balanced trainer. A balanced trainer uses both rewards and corrections to communicate with dogs. No two dogs learn in the same way which is why each client and dog receives a personalized approach. She is experienced in using a variety of training equipment and methods. Tools are only as good as the handler, and any tool can be abused when used incorrectly. Through education of the four quadrants of dog training, Kara will work with each dog and their owners to implement a training plan that the owner is comfortable with and the dog can thrive from.
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Kara is a Certified Dog Trainer through International Association of Canine Professionals and certified Dog CPR and First Aid.
Koda | Professional Good Dog
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Koda is a 11 year old purebred German Shepherd, despite his color and dopey ear. Kara rescued Koda from a difficult situation at 4 months old. His previous owners kept him in a garage with his littermate. He had not met any dogs or people, leaving him very undersocialized and terrified of most things. Upon meeting Kara, he growled and even expressed his anal glands. He had a long way to go in learning how to live happily in our world. Koda started to understand that he could trust Kara in every situation and developed a strong faith in her, as his handler. This relationship comes from clear communication and training as well as a strong focus on mutual respect and understanding of human-dog relationship.
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At 11 years old, Koda remains an integral part of the day-to-day operations of DK Canine Training. He is great at setting clear boundaries, providing neutral dog support and being a lovely demo dog… but with his own speed and flair these days. Koda suffers from severe allergies, degenerative lumbosacral disease and hip dysplasia that Kara mangages through holistic and integrative veterinary care and nutrition. Koda now lives his best life as a happy, social, sweet, soft, well-adjusted German Shepherd.
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Koda loves: Kara, any body of water, hiking, playing with Sam, ball, prairie dogs, neighborhood walks, comfy dog beds and cuddles.
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Koda’s current favorite command: Wave “hi”.
Sam | Professional Good Dog
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Sam, Samwise, is an incredible dog in every way. He has a rock solid temperament, loving all dogs, people and activities. He loves to train, is extremely honest and highly motivated by food and toys and enjoys anything new Kara throws at him. He gives sweet, intense eye contact to anyone training him and is an absolute joy. He is everything Kara was looking for, plus so much much. For obvious reasons, he is a very well-loved dog by the DK Canine community.
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Though Sam is a super star, his rock star personality was not an accident. When Kara decided it was time to bring another dog into the fold, it was a decision not taken lightly. Kara was looking for a dog that was social, confident, trainable, driven to work and a dog that would be a good fit for Koda. Koda’s favorite dog friends? Labradors. After working with a client dog (Grizz, Sam’s half brother), who was exactly what Kara was looking for, she contacted Hidden Springs English Labradors.
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Sam is from hunting lines and possesses a strong drive to work but is simultaneously clear headed with a calm attitude. His parents were temperament tested, health tested, titled and proven to be exactly the dog that Kara was looking for. Sam is this dog and so much more.
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Sam loves swimming, playing with Koda, training, hiking, FOOD, tug, agility, fetch, tall grass zoomies, snuggles
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Sam's current favorite command: Play dead “phew phew”
Introducing...
Pippi Longstocking ​
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16 week old Scotch Collie
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*pictured 11 weeks
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Willow | Team Lead, Trainer,
Instructor, Handler & Research
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Willow joined DK Canine as a client in 2022 with her dog, Milo. After attending numerous training classes and lessons, her dedication and passion for canine training led her to become an intern under Kara. By summer 2024, Willow officially became part of the DK Canine team. She now assists in classes and offers affordable day training and individual sessions for dogs and their owners.​
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Willow is an exceptional handler with clear communication skills that resonate with both dogs and their humans. Her enthusiasm and expertise make her a beloved part of our team!​
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WE ARE SO PROUD OF WILLOW for graduating from Durham University, UK July 2026; Bio-Medicine. We are offering Willow a full time position with DK Canine and will support any decisions for her continued education in the future.
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Congratulations Willow! We are thrilled to have you back but enjoy your time in Europe, have fun, take chances and live your best life. The dogs can't wait to see you.
Joe | Operations, Trainer, Instructor & Handler
Joe has recently joined the DK Canine team after experience with hearing service dogs. Joe has a passion for the people side of the leash and finding ways to support our local dog community. Joe enjoys instructing, teaching and anything to do with the dogs. He handles our scheduling system, administrative and our internship program. He is able to offer consistent support for all current and new owners looking for training and wondering what type of program an options will work best for them. Joe loves finding ways to challenge our dog/owner team in classes and give tangible homework owners can practice daily.
Erin | Trainer, Instructor & Handler
Erin started with her dog Walter as a client with DK Canine and more and more experienced her passion for training and the human/dog bond. Erin has been immersing herself in everything dog and graduated from Starmark Academy in 2025. She brings a calm, kind and insightful energy to our team offering private lessons, assistant handling, hiking lessons and more. Erin operates her own training business focused on helping local emergency responders with their own dogs and what it can do for everyone nervous system.
