Kansas City Dog Trainer
I got my first dog at 12 — a Doberman mix named Frisbee who never caught one. Every dog I've owned since does. Twenty years ago a pitbull got dropped off at my door and changed the direction of my life, and I've spent the years since on play yards, in training schools, on dock diving platforms, and in living rooms across Johnson County learning what actually works. Today I train the hard cases — reactivity, aggression, the dogs other trainers pass on — for families in Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Olathe, Prairie Village, and across the KC metro. If something needs to change, start with a conversation.
About Chris
My first dog was a Doberman mix named Frisbee. I was 12. He never caught a frisbee in his life — but he pulled me on rollerblades through the neighborhood on a harness, and he knew left, right, and whoa. Every dog I've owned since catches frisbees. I like to think he'd approve.
The dog that changed everything showed up about twenty years ago: a Pit Bull Terrier somebody dropped off. I was fresh out of a breakup and he turned out to be exactly the friend I needed — sweet, playful, nothing like what the news had told me about his breed. He'd jump on the bed over and over until I gave up and let him sleep next to me. He was also too smart for his own good. He figured out how to let himself out of his kennel, then let the other three dogs out, then open the front door. He came with the classic problems too — separation anxiety, same-sex dog aggression — and working through them with him is what pulled me into this for good.
I spent five years working dog daycares across the metro, back when the industry took training seriously and put in real hours before letting you run a yard. I logged countless hours on play yards and built a track record for defusing dangerous situations before they became bites. From there I went through service dog training school, spent a season teaching dogs to swim safely through dock diving, and when COVID hit, I took the leap — full-time, fully independent. I haven't looked back.
I've been sober 14 years — the same 14 I've worked professionally with dogs, and the same 14 I've trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I'm a black belt now at TMC Team Marcus Cunha. All three taught me the same lesson: real change comes from structure, patience, and showing up every single day. That's what I bring to your dog.
My current dog Romulus holds AKC titles and took me to expert level in disc dog — we also compete in scent work, rally, and obedience. Junior, my younger dog, helps me train dogs for families with young kids. I volunteer at Wayside Waifs, and I keep up continuing education because this field doesn't stand still.
Most of my clients are in Johnson County — Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Olathe, and Prairie Village. My board and train program serves families across the Kansas City metro, both sides of the state line. If something in your house needs to change, the first step is a short conversation. No pressure, no pitch — just an honest read on whether I can help.