Where I started
The first time I saw a working dog was during my time serving in the Marine Corps. I’d never seen a Malinois in real life, let alone in a working capacity, and I was immediately obsessed. Even more captivating than the dog’s performance and work ethic, the relationship that the dogs had with their handlers, and what they would do for them without a moment of hesitation, left a permanent impression.
I wanted a Malinois from that moment on. Everything I was reading said they don’t belong in regular homes and need a full-time job. Knowing I couldn’t provide that, I reluctantly shelved the idea.
Almost ten years later I was looking for a family dog, and that research led me to working lines versus show lines, then to dog sport, then to regular people who owned Malinois, giving them real outlets through protection sports, and living what seemed like great lives together. After visiting clubs, talking to handlers, and meeting some of these dogs, in 2023 I got my first Malinois, a one-year-old “green” female named Judith, and I haven’t looked back.
Where I've been
Judith came into my life by way of a PSA club, where I spent about a year learning to safely catch and work dogs. During that time I attended decoy development courses with Dave Pappalardo (Bushido K9), Shawn Edwards (Deadpool Decoy), and Joeri Veth’s Helper Engineering Garage.
Joeri’s HEG changed how I looked at protection training. When my PSA club closed, I went looking for people who trained with that mindset. That search brought me to a husband and wife, both serious IGP competitors, and the husband also has an extensive background as a training and trial helper. They quickly became close friends and the mentors I never knew I needed. To this day, I consider them family.
From there I moved into American Schutzhund, where I thought I could apply these training concepts at a deeper level. Judith earned her BH in AS, and shortly after, she was injured. We have spent almost a year in a recovery program with Angela Ahern of The Biokinetic K9, and we are still working toward a clean bill of health.
Where I'm going
When Judith returns to work, we’ll pursue IGP titles. While she recovers I’ve kept active with suited decoy and IGP sleeve work, developing dogs for PSA and IGP. I continue to study under the guidance of the couple who introduced me to the ways of IGP, and under Joeri Veth, who after attending numerous HEGs and workshops has become a brother and mentor to me as well.
