Qualifications
**Click titles to get more information**
Professional Experience
In his
professional career, Mike has trained Tea Cups to
Mastiffs and most of what lies between. Mike got
started in professional training by conducting advanced
classes and In Kennel training for local kennels.
Professionally his experience with large dogs in
Schutzhund clubs and police departments gained him a
reputation for handling tough problems, especially
aggression problems. Dogs that clubs, vets, kennels,
police departments and even other trainers shied away
from frequently ended up on Mike's door step.
Annette's professional qualifications dealing with health, diet and physical soundness issues in veterinary clinics is a valuable asset for our clients. Annette's experience managing the boarding of dogs for veterinarians boosts the quality of care we are able to offer in our day care programs. Addtionally, Annette began teaching classes in conformation and obedience while in her 20's and continues this today.
Annette's professional qualifications dealing with health, diet and physical soundness issues in veterinary clinics is a valuable asset for our clients. Annette's experience managing the boarding of dogs for veterinarians boosts the quality of care we are able to offer in our day care programs. Addtionally, Annette began teaching classes in conformation and obedience while in her 20's and continues this today.
Dog Clubs
Schutzhund
Schutzhund (SchH) is one of the most challenging of dog sports. Competiitors show dogs they own, professional handling is not allowed. A Schutzhund trial contains 4 tests: a general temperament test, tracking test, obedience test and a protection test. Each competitor has to do all tests on the day or days of the trial,. There are three levels of Schutzhund, SchH I, SchH II and SchH III, three being the highest level. Serious competitors in the sport of Schutzhund can and often do buy trained proven dogs to compete with rather than risking years trying to develop competitive dogs from puppies.
Mike raised his first two dogs from puppies to very competitive SchH III's, his near perfect record of raising competitive male and female dogs from puppies is very unusual. Mike served as President and Training Director at an Atlanta club. He held one or both of these positions for around a decade. During his tenure the Atlanta club maintained one of the largest numbers of highly competitive dogs in the country.
Annette has also been active in the Schutzhund community, serving as an officer and dedicated member in a local club. She was also a founding member of a National breed club, as well as serving on the board of multiple local training and breed clubs.
Schutzhund (SchH) is one of the most challenging of dog sports. Competiitors show dogs they own, professional handling is not allowed. A Schutzhund trial contains 4 tests: a general temperament test, tracking test, obedience test and a protection test. Each competitor has to do all tests on the day or days of the trial,. There are three levels of Schutzhund, SchH I, SchH II and SchH III, three being the highest level. Serious competitors in the sport of Schutzhund can and often do buy trained proven dogs to compete with rather than risking years trying to develop competitive dogs from puppies.
Mike raised his first two dogs from puppies to very competitive SchH III's, his near perfect record of raising competitive male and female dogs from puppies is very unusual. Mike served as President and Training Director at an Atlanta club. He held one or both of these positions for around a decade. During his tenure the Atlanta club maintained one of the largest numbers of highly competitive dogs in the country.
Annette has also been active in the Schutzhund community, serving as an officer and dedicated member in a local club. She was also a founding member of a National breed club, as well as serving on the board of multiple local training and breed clubs.
Police K9 Units
A Daunting
Responsibility
Mike has served as the training director for multiple police department K9 Units in the state of Georgia. He trained the original K9 teams for the Alpharetta Police Department and has helped with the maintenance and training of the K9 officers and dogs for many years.
An Exemplary Record
During his tenure with the Alpharetta PD K9 Unit, the record of the K9 teams was exemplary. Dog and Officer teams were all trained to track suspects, search buildings, defend their handlers, pursue and subdue felons and at the same time make a positive impact on the publics impression of the Police Department.
Safe, Reliable Dogs
Training the level of K9 discrimination necessary to deal with dangerous felons one minute and a lost child the next is quite a challenge. WolfBrook's motivational techniques were continually tested and proven in this crucial real life environment. We are very proud of the level of competence and safety the dogs and handlers we trained have demonstrated "on the street".
Mike has served as the training director for multiple police department K9 Units in the state of Georgia. He trained the original K9 teams for the Alpharetta Police Department and has helped with the maintenance and training of the K9 officers and dogs for many years.
An Exemplary Record
During his tenure with the Alpharetta PD K9 Unit, the record of the K9 teams was exemplary. Dog and Officer teams were all trained to track suspects, search buildings, defend their handlers, pursue and subdue felons and at the same time make a positive impact on the publics impression of the Police Department.
Safe, Reliable Dogs
Training the level of K9 discrimination necessary to deal with dangerous felons one minute and a lost child the next is quite a challenge. WolfBrook's motivational techniques were continually tested and proven in this crucial real life environment. We are very proud of the level of competence and safety the dogs and handlers we trained have demonstrated "on the street".
Temperament Testing
We have been
helping Dunwoody Methodist and Roswell Methodist Pet
Ministries test dogs for quite a few years. These
ministries visit hospitals and rest homes with their
dogs in an effort to spread a little "puppy love" where
it might be needed. The pet owners are frequently
plagued with more doubt about how to approach these
delicate situations than the dogs are. We set up
scenarios for the dogs and handlers to practice that
resemble the environments they will encounter at
hospitals and retirement homes. Once the dogs and
handlers have experienced similar environments they are
able to relax and socialize effectively with the
challenged residents.
Mike and Annette's past experience qualifies them to judge AKC temperament tests. We have applied for judging licenses and look forward to conducting regular AKC temperament tests. We are strong believers in temperament testing and urge all dog handlers to consider training for and completing this testing.
Mike and Annette's past experience qualifies them to judge AKC temperament tests. We have applied for judging licenses and look forward to conducting regular AKC temperament tests. We are strong believers in temperament testing and urge all dog handlers to consider training for and completing this testing.
Veterinary Care
Annette worked
as a veterinary assistant through high school and
college enhancing her knowledge of dog behavior and
health issues. From assisting in surgery to managing
the boarding kennels, dealing with dogs in these
stressful situations has taught Annette to "read" a dog
and handle it accordingly. Gaining a dog's trust and
respect goes a long way in making the working
relationship enjoyable and successful.
Competitive Achievments
Annette's first
purebred dog, Rage, was a Rottweiler, not the easiest
breed to compete with in AKC competitions. Annette and
Rage, however, were successful competitors, achieving
the equivalent of a canine hat trick; titles in
conformation, obedience and temperament!
More recently, Annette's competition record with her Beauceron, Java, is unique and distinguished. Very few working dogs compete successfully in both the working and conformation arenas. Not only is Java an FCI (the International dog breed club) World Champion in working dog conformation competition, Java is one of very few Beaucerons to have distinguished themselves in Schutzhund working dog trials. Java is also an American and Puerto Rican Champion as well as a certified Canine Good Citizen. Additionally, Annette earned Excellent ratings (the highest awarded in the United States) with 3 separate Beaucerons in the first National Elevage held in the United States. Annette has also handled dogs for others and conducted classes on showing dogs in conformation and obedience.
Mike has competed with 7 different German Shepherds in Schutzhund. Mike raised all 7 dogs from puppies to successful competitors collecting many trophies for tracking, obedience, protection work and highest total score. Mike has won regional Schutzhund Championships at multiple levels of competition. In his capacity as training director and primary helper for his local Schutzhund club, Mike has helped train dozens of dog/handler teams to the highest levels of competition. Mike has shown multiple German Shepherds in the German style Schutzhund conformation ring.
More recently, Annette's competition record with her Beauceron, Java, is unique and distinguished. Very few working dogs compete successfully in both the working and conformation arenas. Not only is Java an FCI (the International dog breed club) World Champion in working dog conformation competition, Java is one of very few Beaucerons to have distinguished themselves in Schutzhund working dog trials. Java is also an American and Puerto Rican Champion as well as a certified Canine Good Citizen. Additionally, Annette earned Excellent ratings (the highest awarded in the United States) with 3 separate Beaucerons in the first National Elevage held in the United States. Annette has also handled dogs for others and conducted classes on showing dogs in conformation and obedience.
Mike has competed with 7 different German Shepherds in Schutzhund. Mike raised all 7 dogs from puppies to successful competitors collecting many trophies for tracking, obedience, protection work and highest total score. Mike has won regional Schutzhund Championships at multiple levels of competition. In his capacity as training director and primary helper for his local Schutzhund club, Mike has helped train dozens of dog/handler teams to the highest levels of competition. Mike has shown multiple German Shepherds in the German style Schutzhund conformation ring.
Protection
This training
can either build confident, reliable behavior in
dangerous situations or it can ignite aggressive,
fearful behavior. The results all depend on the goals
and experience level of those conducting the training.
Mike organized one of the first sanctioned German Protection Helper seminars presided over by a German Teaching Helper and Judge in the United States. Hosted by the South East Region of the National Schutzhund USA Club this seminar was the first of its type in the region. The majority of the attendees (50+) were trained and certified to be trial helpers in this historic three day event. This training program is now required for all "protection helpers" in Schutzhund clubs all over the US.
Mike has worked hard to improve the training standards for Police K9 Units in Georgia, particularly in regard to protection training. Mike has donated countless hours of his time to help police K9 unit protection programs.
More than a notch on a belt of qualifications, we hold this information to be evident of our deep commitment to responsible protection training. More than methods for teaching canines defensive behavior, we believe "protection training" should be the quintessential test of trust and faith in human/canine relationships.
Mike organized one of the first sanctioned German Protection Helper seminars presided over by a German Teaching Helper and Judge in the United States. Hosted by the South East Region of the National Schutzhund USA Club this seminar was the first of its type in the region. The majority of the attendees (50+) were trained and certified to be trial helpers in this historic three day event. This training program is now required for all "protection helpers" in Schutzhund clubs all over the US.
Mike has worked hard to improve the training standards for Police K9 Units in Georgia, particularly in regard to protection training. Mike has donated countless hours of his time to help police K9 unit protection programs.
More than a notch on a belt of qualifications, we hold this information to be evident of our deep commitment to responsible protection training. More than methods for teaching canines defensive behavior, we believe "protection training" should be the quintessential test of trust and faith in human/canine relationships.