David's dog training story started almost 10 years ago when he got his very first dog, Vera. As someone who has never had dogs growing up and didn't really know what he was doing with one, the first logical step seemed like finding a dog trainer to learn everything he could from. After working with three different dog trainers and working under another for over two years, he started to realize that there was a huge hole in the dog training world for TRUE behavioral rehabilitation.
Shortly after David started his first dog training company, Heights Canine Dog Training, and proceeded to spend the next three years traveling the country to meet other world renowned dog trainers and dedicated himself to creating dog training programs geared towards helping the everyday dog owner to be successful long term with dogs that have more serious behavioral issues. In those three years, David helped to build Heights Canine into a thriving business with three locations across Ohio gaining national recognition for the work they were doing.
In January of 2019, David left the company to scale back and get back to what he loves doing. Training dogs. That’s when he formed Miracle K9 Training. A more specialized dog training facility that was first and FOREMOST, a dog training center. That means more specialized staff, a larger group of trainers, and additionally services like daycare, boarding, and grooming that have an emphasis on keeping the dogs mentally stimulated and structured during their stay here. Over the last 3 years, he has grown Miracle to a thriving 15 person company and one of the most respected dog training centers in the area. He now spends his time training dogs, owners, and other aspiring trainers across the country.
Kayla, our Facility Manager, utilizes her extensive skill set to keep all of Miracle K9 Training’s day-to-day operations running smoothly and efficiently. Kayla provides a unique management style that draws on her careers in the dog, retail, and customer service industries spanning over a decade! Kayla comes from a background in management and customer service having previously managed two doggie daycares in the Cleveland area. Miracle K9 Training, and your dogs, are in great hands with this skilled and competent professional.
Michelle joined the team in the fall of 2021 and brings with her 8 years of experience training dogs professionally. Her passion for animals has been a consistent part of her life having also owned and worked with horses before starting her dog training career. She has four dogs of her own: Cash (Bernedoodle), Lumos (Dutch Shepherd), Snoop (Chihuahua), and Barney (Hound mix). She loves helping dogs and their owners become the best versions of themselves so they can unlock their fullest potential!
Bridget started working for Miracle K9 in 2019 as a socialization specialist but quickly showed a desire to learn more about dog training. She began training and fell in love with the difference training could make in a dogs life. She studied Animal Behavior and Biology at Ohio University and received her degree in 2016. She continues to expand her dog training knowledge everyday. When she’s not training at Miracle, she devotes her time training and rehabilitating foster dogs in her home. Her goals are to help you grow and build a stronger relationship with your dog.
First starting with us in 2023, Merci has grown with us furthering her knowledge while in multiple positions at Miracle K9 starting as kennel technician, then daycare associate and now as the board and train training assistant! Merci has always had a love for animals starting as a young girl, as she got older she realized dogs was where her passion truly was. She has grown up with her family dog Sasha with hopes to get her own dog soon! Working at Miracle has given her a safe nurturing environment to pursue her goal as dog trainer! She loves each dog as her own and wants to help dogs reach their full potential! Pictured is Merci with two of her board and trains. (Luna and Rome)
Check out some of the feedback from our happy clients.
David has truly changed our entire experience with our dogs. We had various pieces of knowledge and have utilized tons of positive training and some trainers, but a couple of behaviors were not improving. My family had to do something to change the energy of our household and we have learned SO much from David! He is willing to share tons of things online for free (amazing) and our at-home training was equally as helpful. Our rescue dog who came from a hunting background coexists so well with cats now (had extreme prey drive before) and we feel more confident handling various situations with our dogs; e-collars are wonderful as well! We all highly recommend David and thank him for how he has changed our lives (we also are SO sad we didn’t find him sooner as he could’ve greatly helped in rehabilitating one of our dogs we lost last year 😢).
David has been a wonderful asset in helping me with my fear aggressive lab. I had another trainer that was a little too heavy-handed and only brought out the worst in my puppy. David is helping us work through it all. I highly recommend him to anyone!
Our 14 month old family dog had become a monster at home and especially during walks: lunging, barking and snarling at other dogs, and even nipping and biting US when he saw another dog! He spent 3 weeks at board and train and now has become the wonderful family pet we knew he could be!! We feel so much more in control and Safe. We encounter So many walkers, dogs, joggers, bikers, joggers with dogs, etc... in Shaker and I have no more worries about how my dog will behave. Even if we encounter another dog that is aggressive and whose owner is not in control, I know I can keep mine safe. Our whole family and even guests to our home enjoy him so much more now. Thank you!!
Took my dog there back in November for their 4 week training program, my dog had aggression towards both people and other dogs. I couldn't even have people walk outside my apartment without him losing it. I had to muzzle him everywhere we went just to be safe. Ever since he's been home, he's been very calm and is less scared of new people. I can have people over without him freaking out and we can go out in public without me having to put the muzzle on him. The training and the people are top of the line, worth every penny!!
I am an avid trail runner and I adopted a beautiful trail running dog partner a year ago. I was referred to David by One of a Kind Pets after I rescued my new girl, Penny, from there. Penny is a 5 year old Australian Cattle Dog/Golden Retriever mix. She is so smart and transitioned into our family easily. She knew many commands already, however, she came to us with high, nearly unmanageable, dog reactivity issues and after a year with two other reputable trainers and no progress (in fact, I think she got worse), I decided to go to David and enrolled Penny in a 3 week board and train. Prior to her training she lunged, barked at, and aggresively tried to get at other dogs. She pulled me over in several situations. While with David, they worked on new obedience commands and her dog reactivity. Penny is like a new girl. She is gaining confidence every single day. We practice her obedience everyday... just in regular living and we can pass any dog with ease and confidence now. I can take Penny into any situation and have control. We pass other dogs on trails, on walks, and in public settings with no problems. It is not easy to leave your dog with a trainer for a month. I missed her so much. HOWEVER, now we have another 10+ years together with no dog aggression and a huge bank of reliable commands. The more training a dog has, the more peace comes into the relationship. I highly recommend David and his company.
It is hard to put into words how truly thankful we are for the work they have done with our Basset Hound, Dobbs. Our main concerns were excitability, play biting & jumping, as we have two young daughters. Not only were these behaviors corrected, but he also has a better understanding & respect for basic obedience commands in general. We have been telling everyone how much Heights has helped us incorporate Dobbs into more of our daily activities, and our kids are thrilled to have a calmer, gentler playmate. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to David & the rest of the staff for giving us the tools needed for a dog we can take anywhere. We appreciate you all & the countless hours you dedicate to helping our canine friends. You guys are the best!
Keep up to date with our latest posts!
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One of the biggest questions I receive all the time is why would I use prong collars, e-collars, or anything else when I could just use positive reinforcement with my dog.
On leash greetings with people and dogs are the number one cause of behavioral issues on the walk. Let's break this down.
