2019 Greatmats National Dog Trainer of the Year Contest

Vote for the dog trainer you think should be named the 2019 Greatmats National Dog Trainer of the Year!

Winner to be announced Dec. 13, 2019

AB Canine

For Love of Dogs

Mary K. Whalen

Michigan Search and Rescue

Perfect Pet Dog Training

PetSmart Tullahoma & Madison TN

Rocky Mountain Dog Training

Roman’s Holistic Dog Training

Steadfast Dog Training of the Carolina's

The Barking Dog

Total Recall School for Dogs

Unknown

WonderDogs of West Berlin, NJ

Worsham Kennels

trainer at Incredipaws, pataskla, ohio
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AB Canine

4/25/19

Industry, PA

I would like to nominate Paul V. Anthony from AB Canine in Industry Pennsylvania for trainer of the year. Paul has a topnotch facility that offers a vast assortment of classes , pack walks, rally, frisbee, puppy classes, service dogs ,boarding, day care. He rescues dogs from the pound and takes them to a prison and works with the inmates. He and his Belgian Malinois, Finn, are 3rd in the world for Mondioring. He has the biggest heart, his clients love him. He and his staff are the best.
670 Votes
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For Love of Dogs

2019

Circle Pines, MN

My life would not be the same without PK Shader. She's in a class all her own when it comes to truly understanding dogs and helping them and their families.
218 Votes
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Mary K. Whalen

07/12/19

Atlanta, Georgia

Mary Whalen is a certified trick dog instructor with the Do More With Your Dog program. She is a current student with the Victoria Stilwell Academy In-Person Course. She is a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, a Dognition Evaluator, and a Certified Veterinary Assistant with the ASPCA. For the past 9years she has been working in dog daycares, specializing in behavior evaluations and group socialization. She continues her education by attending online courses, in person workshops, expos and conferences. She is currently in the process of opening up her very own dog daycare and training facility on the coast of Georgia.
84 Votes
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Michigan Search and Rescue

2019

Muir, MI

I'd like to nominate Christine Bean for National Dog Trainer of the Year. Christine rescued a Doberman named JoePete 9 years ago, created an unbreakable bond with him, and turned him into a search and rescue dog who has been on approximately 30 missing person search and rescue missions. She's now expanding her training to include disaster relief. Thanks Christine for all you do!
1000 Votes
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Perfect Pet Dog Training

10/24/2019

Gastonia NC

Alison Pennington is the owner and trainer at Perfect Pet Dog Training, LLC. She is a graduate of Elon University's School of Communications. For five years after graduating from Elon University, she spent much of her free time volunteering at local shelters and rescues. Working with dogs was always a passion for Alison, so she decided to make training her fulltime career. Alison became certified in on and off leash obedience and canine behavior modification in 2009. After graduating from Trainer School, Alison was hired as a Trainer, covering the Charlotte metro area. She began with private lessons, moving into group and in home training programs, and then in kennel training. Alison became interested in Therapy dogs and became a Certified Therapy Dog Trainer. She was involved in starting a local Therapy Dog Club in the Charlotte area. During this time she trained and assisted many of the TDC members on their visits to local nursing homes and schools. Alison is a current member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator, AKC STAR Puppy evaluator and certified in Pet CPR and First Aid. All of Alison's clients love her, and she loves them. She's never too busy to answer questions, provide information, work one-on-one, and go the extra mile for her dogs and her dog parents.
3392 Votes
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PetSmart Tullahoma & Madison TN

05/19

Tullahoma, TN

Happy Allen not only trains dogs but rescues dogs as well. He keeps 10 hospice Min Pins at all times. Happy works tirelessly to educate Pet Parents about positive reinforcement training methods and canine health and wellness. He volunteers for the local animal shelter and uses his skills as a grant writer to help nonprofit rescues secure necessary funds. His care for all his clients and their pets is evidenced in his personal attention and the way he tailors everything to their individual needs. He always says, teach you dog where it is, not where you want it to be. He also does CGC evaluations and Therapy Dog Team certifications. He is a compassionate human with a passion for pets who knows how to get results. He is the go to person in our community for all things dog and he selflessly helps every. His spirit of service is unmatched.
92 Votes
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Rocky Mountain Dog Training

2019

Broomfield, Colorado

Julie Parker has poured her heart into helping families and dogs in our area. She told me once that she wanted to make Broomfield the best place to live for dogs, and she's certainly changed the climate for the better here. She gives it all. She's got a huge heart, her students love her, she's a great teacher, and she never gives herself enough credit so I want her to know we see it too.
331 Votes
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Roman’s Holistic Dog Training

July 2017

Corvallis, Oregon

I first met Roman Gottfried when he worked with me online via FaceTime. I was so impressed with Roman from the beginning as he trained me to work with my dog successfully. Roman is known for his successful work with dogs suffering from trauma. Roman spends countless hours training staff at shelters and working with difficult dogs. He is gentle and sensitive in nature which allows him to gain the trust of each dog. I cannot say enough positive things about Roman and his training, whether training in person or online. He deserves to be recognized for his training abilities as well as his countless hours volunteering his time at shelters.
1014 Votes
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Steadfast Dog Training of the Carolina's

June 15, 2018

Lancaster, SC

It is a great privilege for me to nominate Courtney Wise Higgins for the 2019 National Dog Trainer of the Year award. From childhood to the present, Courtney has had a love and appreciation for dogs, horses, and all types of pets. For 12 plus years, Courtney has worked as a professional dog trainer. At the present time, she has been working with my Catahoula Leopard Dog mix. This rescue dog has suffered physical abuse, neglect, and the trauma of having been hit by a vehicle and left for dead. Courtney took my dog into her home for a 3 week Board & Train. My dog just came back 2 days ago. Courtney has helped her to gain confidence and trust. This dog of mine has been changed for the better. With patience and consistency, Courtney has provided her with a solid base so that further training can continue. Courtney provides a high level of service with her prompt response to her clients needs. She is always honest and trustworthy. Her level of quality work surpasses others in her field because her clients always come back!!!
786 Votes
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The Barking Dog

October 2014

Scottsdale, AZ

Michelle ONeill is a supreme trainer. She truly cares about the success of the dog and bond of dog and handler
11400 Votes
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Total Recall School for Dogs

10-27-2019

Hugo, MN

I have been through classes with other trainers. Grete Krause is very honest and kind and you can tell she really wants to bring out the best relationship you and your dog can have.
382 Votes
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Unknown

2-25-19

Reno, NV

My son was at work when the fire in Paradise Ca. broke out and the entire town burned down. My son was not able to get home to get anything out, including his dog (my grand-dog). His lost everything. His home is nothing, but ashes. His cars all burned up, except his truck which burnt but runs. His company he worked for burned to nothing. So, when they say, "only the shirt on your back," - that's was him. His dog "Chevy" was home when the fire broke out. We had no way of knowing what happened to her. This crushed my son not knowing what happened or if she escaped. My son looked everywhere for her, then my husband and I went down (we live in Oregon) and looked as well. It broke my heart when my son came to me and said nothing else matters, but Chevy." Everything else is just things. Being Mom, I wanted to fix it. I didn't know what to do, so I constantly was posting on Facebook for the missing animals then one day a man said "Have you talked with Kate Blaze and Jax?" So, I contacted her. She told me her and cadaver dog will go by the house and look for "Chevy" for us. She and "Jax", within minutes of getting there, had found my son's dog "Chevy" had been hiding in the bathtub. She passed away do to the fire. Upon finding the dog, she got in touch with my son and he met her at the property, got his dog and took her to cremated. It is a very sad story, but for our family, it better to know, then to always wonder. I have been in touch with Kate and to date, she and her dog "Jax" have found about 200+ animals. She still has about 60 to find, from the fire in Paradise, Ca. Kate and "Jax" live in Reno Nevada about 2.5 hours from Paradise Ca, where the fire occurred. Kate is not nonprofit and gets no funding from outside agencies. Anytime Kate and Jax go to a site, Kate pays for all gas, lodging and food for her in Jax out of pocket. She does it from her heart, because like the rest of us, she believes animals are family too. Kate trained "Jax" herself after finding he had a keen sense of smell and would look tirelessly until he found what he was looking for. "Jax" is a real hero, giving peace to families who would never know happen to their pets is truly amazing. I have looked everywhere and not found a dog that does what "Jax" does. Trainer: Kate Blaze Dog: Jax Trainer ability in Jax: Animal Rescuer and Retrieval
10 Votes
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WonderDogs of West Berlin, NJ

2019

Franklinville, New Jersey

Kathy Nieves believes in positive reinforcement and strengthening the bond between handler and dog. She helps handlers understand and communicate more effectively with their dogs while having fun in doing so.
10 Votes
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Worsham Kennels

October 2019

Easton, MO

Joe Worsham has dedicated more than 40 years to field trial dog training and has more than one dog in the Kansas Field Trial Hall of Fame. He newest dog recently won the National Amateur Chicken Championship in Saskatchewan, Canada. Joe believes in starting the dog right, spending countless hours making it a good hunting dog before expecting it to compete. It's nice to see a trainer willing to do all of the little things to get his dogs off on the right foot.
10 Votes
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trainer at Incredipaws, pataskla, ohio

september 2019

Pataskala, OH

Abbey Beasley is one of the most caring teachers, she takes the time to explain every thing, every time & has never let her accomplishments overshadow her teaching. I'm 63, she's probably a 3rd of my age but that has never been as issue..I still want to grow up & be just like her!
5045 Votes

Want to honor a dog trainer for his/her outstanding achievements, unique style, humanitarian or animal rights efforts, etc.? Then nominate him/her for the 5th Annual National Dog Trainer of the Year Award, sponsored by Greatmats. The award, part of Greatmats National Award Series, is designed to recognize Dog Trainers who have made a difference in the lives of their clients, animals and communities through the virtues of service, integrity and quality.

Learn more about Greatmats National Award Series.

How to Nominate

(The nomination period has ended.)

To nominate the trainer for this award, visit https://www.greatmats.com/2019-greatmats-national-dog-trainer-of-the-year.php or email the following information to brett@greatmats.com before Nov. 1, 2019. Nominators will not be identified.

  1. Trainer's Name
  2. Name and location of the training facility (Must be located in the USA)
  3. A brief description of why you are nominating this trainer, including how he/she meets the criteria of high-level service, integrity and quality
  4. A photo and/or video of the trainer

How the winner is chosen:

  1. Voting will take place at https://www.greatmats.com/2019-greatmats-national-dog-trainer-of-the-year.php from Nov. 14 through Dec. 1, 2019. The two dog trainers with the most votes will be named finalists.
  2. Greatmats will judge the two finalists to determine the winner based on:
  3. Demonstration of Service/Community Impact
  4. Demonstration of Integrity
  5. Demonstration of Quality

Grand Prize

  1. $250 in Greatmats Products (or $150 Cash Option) for the training facility
  2. Trainer/training facility profile to be released with the announcement of the winner on Dec. 13, 2019.
  3. National Dog Trainer of the Year Certificate

More than 41,800 votes have been cast in the first four years of the Greatmats National Dog Trainer of the Year Contest.

Voting instructions:

Visit Greatmats https://www.greatmats.com/2019-greatmats-national-dog-trainer-of-the-year.php during the voting period to vote for this year's National Dog Trainer of the Year. Click vote button next to the photo of the Dog Trainer you'd like to win. Feel free to share the ballot with friends and family and encourage them to vote. The two dog trainers with the most votes will be named finalists. From that point, Greatmats will choose the winner (scroll down to see prizes) based on criteria listed above.

Greatmats is a national dog training, agility and daycare flooring leader based in Milltown, Wisconsin, since 1999. Identified as one of the top 3,000 fastest growing companies in the USA three times since 2008, Greatmats gives back to its local community by donating 5% of its annual profits to local non-profit organizations. It also supports green initiatives through the use of solar energy at its Wisconsin headquarters and by offering a large variety of products made from recycled and renewable resources.

View all of Greatmats' dog agility and dog daycare flooring at http://www.greatmats.com/dog-training-flooring.php.

All media submissions, including text, photos and videos become property of Greatmats.

Read about previous winners of the award:

2015 & 2016 National Dog Trainer of the Year Jeremy Joseph Brown

2017 National Dog Trainer of the Year Sara Carson

2018 National Dog Trainer of the Year Hannah Ernst