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About  
K-9 Coach

K-9 Coach^TM is not a “doc in the box” dog training company. We take time to listen to our clients needs and to address those needs with effective training solutions. This means that you will receive the one-on-one attention you and your dog deserve. We do not operate with a “one size fits all” approach.

• We are professional, experienced, certified trainers who maintain continued education in cutting-edge training techniques and methods.

• We are bonded and insured.

• We are privately owned and operated.

• We are recommended by numerous veterinarians, doggie daycares and rescue organizations throughout Atlanta.

• We offer flexible options to suit you, including group, private and in-board instruction.

• We use simple, effective training techniques tailored to you and your dog.

Our Mission... 

Our mission is twofold:

• To provide our clients with simple and effective training methods designed to make their dogs reliable, enjoyable companions.

• To contribute to the dog training profession by developing and hosting educational seminars and conferences for our colleagues, rescue and other dog service organizations as well as the general public.

Our Beliefs...

• We believe that every dog and handler team is unique, so our training methods are customized to suit your specific situation.

• We believe that no dog is un-trainable.

• We believe in training your dog the way your dog learns.

• We believe in providing simple and effective methods designed for you to get the results you need, fast.

• We believe that if you are a K-9 Coach client, you are our number one priority.

Our Trainers...

All of K-9 Coach’s trainers are certified professionals who have a passion for dog training. They each participate in at least 20 hours of continuing education every year and have worked with virtually every type of dog, behavior issue and training technique.

We are active members in IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals), APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), and numerous other volunteer organizations.

Amber Burckhalter, Owner

K-9 Coach is owned and operated by Amber Burckhalter, a Certified Master Trainer in canine obedience and behavior modification. Amber began her dog training career as a child and after graduating from Georgia State University, decided to pursue a career in dog training.  Amber received her certification after completing over 360 training and classroom hours at North State K-9 Academy, one of the nation's premiere pet obedience, behavior modification, and police K-9 training centers. This education solidified Amber's belief that every dog and handler team is unique and that training should be designed to address these diversities.

Since 1995, Amber has successfully trained dogs ranging from toy to large breeds. She has worked with numerous behavioral problems, including aggression issues. In addition, she has successfully trained numerous rescue dogs and, among her other volunteer work, is a volunteer trainer for Carolina Boxer Rescue, Atlanta Pet Rescue (APR) and is an evaluator for the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen® test.

Her dog, Maggie is recognized as an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen®, and, before becoming a senior citizen pup, was active in both pet assisted therapy and in obedience competition with MBDCA. Her other dog, Mulligan, also a senior citizen, was trained for both AKC obedience and agility competition.

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Lisa Brodhead, Trainer

Lisa's passion for animals and animal behavior was evident from childhood.  By the time she was seven, she had trained her collie puppy to play dead, shake, and speak, and she had tamed and trained a litter of feral kittens (even teaching some of them to ride on skateboards).  Although Lisa pursued a business degree, she spent her spare time working with her own dogs and keeping up to date on the latest training techniques.  After 15 years in the corporate world, Lisa saw an opportunity to combine her passion for dogs, her keen interest in animal behavior, and her people skills into a new and enriching career.  Specifically, Lisa completed the necessary training and requirements to earn her certification in pet dog training from the Animal Behavior College.  Her experience in the boardroom directly translates to her ability to present and explain necessary concepts for basic training needs as well as behavioral issues.  On a personal note, Lisa and her Dogo Argentino, Luna, have passed the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen® test and are currently working together on agility and tracking exercises in the hope of competing in these areas in the near future.

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Kat Cunningham, Trainer

Kat - You may know Kat from Wag-a-Lot Midtown where she worked for the last several years. Kat's love for dogs and her active involvement with sheep herding competitions got her involved in the industry. According to Kat "My 6 yrs. of sheep herding experience with Dawn Boyce (US Stock Dog Trials) is what formed and shaped my future in the dog world.  What  honed  my craft was the many years I managed yards with dogs of every size breed and temperament." In 2008, Kat attended Animal Behavior College and mentored under K-9 Coach Founder Amber Burckhalter. From this, she received her Certification in Dog Training. K-9 Coach and Wag-A-Lot, now Dogaroo, have always had a positive relationship with each other and when Kat decided she wanted to train dogs full-time, it was important that we maintain that relationsip and so you may even still see Kat at Dogaroo from time to time. Kat has a special bond with dogs and specializes in working with our Nervous Nellies.  She is also extremely talented in teaching dogs and their owners doggie games to play and develop a better relationship.

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Ken Dupcak, Trainer

Since August of 2000, Ken Dupcak has been working with dogs focusing on Pack Dynamics in a structured setting.  Ken has learned to regularly maintain a stable environment in groups of 50 dogs or more.  Over the past 7 years, he has developed a keen understanding of Canine Psychology and has been putting it to good use bridging the gap between many dogs and their owners.  Ken has also successfully overseen the operations in several of Atlanta’s larger boarding facilities.  “Working for many years in the boarding facilities has exposed me to the many different behavioral issues that can complicate the simplicity of communicating successfully with your dog.”

Ken has volunteered at many functions benefiting animal health and welfare.  He also possesses a strong passion for wolves and wealth of knowledge on their behavior.  This in turn helps him to understand and evaluate common issues in domestic dogs. Ken and his family, with the help of his own pack of 5 canines, regularly foster and rehabilitate dogs in need.  Ken’s dogs vary in size and breed; their names are Sequoia, Stella, Hope, Trump and Coco Bueno.  Ken and his chow mix Sequoia have passed both American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen® and Therapy Dog evaluation exams.

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Susan Vaughn, Apprentice

Susan - Susan Vaughn grew up showing and training horses. After volunteering with Lifeline Animal Clinic and Atlanta Humane Society, Susan became fascinated with animal behavior. Her own pack grew to 3 dogs and Susan began working with several local trainers looking for help with her pack. Four years ago, she began her own dog walking and pet sitting business and wanted to learn even more. She began attending local dog training seminars and met Amber Burckhalter as a volunteer with the HSUS's End Dog Fighting Campaign. Susan's main interest lie in rehabilitating aggressive dogs. She is currently a "trainer-in-training" under K-9 Coach mentorship.