-Steve Hill

Steve Hill’s life has revolved around around dogs for as long as he can remember. As he reflects on the ups and downs of starting his own dog training business, Steve said that many of his early passions centered around dogs and the ways that they function in our society. He said, “Dogs have been a part of my family from the time I was a little kid… When I was young, we had dogs that I trained at whatever level I was capable of,” he said. He remembered sitting in bookstores for hours while his mother ran errands; he would sprawl out on the floor surrounded by informational books about dogs. This exuberance for K9s never dulled -leading Steve to fulfill a lifelong dream to attend Michael Ellis’s school for dog trainers; Michael Ellis is the best known dog trainer in the world, Steve said. he will forever be indebted to what Michael put in him as a dog trainer! Steve has been blessed to learn from other amazing trainers and has graduated from their prestigious schools as well. Bart Bellon’s NePoPo School , Silver and gold graduate, as well as Ivan Banavelov’s “Training Without Conflict Schoo"l school that has transformed dog training. Steve knew that the dog-training journey would not be easy or inexpensive, but his deep respect for dogs led him to dedicate his career to K9s. “I used my life savings to do this, and used much of my retirement to go to these schools. It was a real gamble, but I thought: ‘If I'm going to do it, I’m going to do it right,” he said. But dogs are not just a means to an end; he said that respect is the foundation for his training. Steve has worked with the best trainers in the world, and believes, as many of the best trainers do, that dog training starts with a meaningful relationship. He said that he never pressures dogs to do things that they are not inclined to do, and doesn’t use “heavy handed tactics” to produce short-term results. “I don’t just get a dog where the owner wants it to go while leaving it a sad animal; I do it in a way that makes them deeply happy and in a way that heightens the dog’s understanding of itself,” he said. “They are logical, thinking creatures who are also highly emotional; they have the capacity to think in many of the same ways that we do.” Steve said that the first dog he ever taught professionally was one of the most challenging experiences he ever worked through, but that the experience taught him valuable lessons that carried him to where he is today. The owner of that first dog drove up to Steve’s house, dropped the pitbull mix off, and simply said: “good luck.” Steve said that he remembers that the owner simply “handed me that leash with a look of terror in his eyes…. That first dog was completely shut down. It had no food drive, no toy drive, and did not like other dogs.” Steve was at a loss as to what to do, but took a risk that taught him a crucial lesson: he simply sat with the dog in its cage to show the pitbull mix that this was not to be a transactional relationship. “I just crawled in the kennel and sat with the dog. I just let him know that I wanted to know him, that I didn’t want anything from him. From that, I saw a spark in his eye, an opportunity that opened up the rest of the training.” Since taking those risks, Steve’s dog training business has grown immensely; he considers himself the best-trained dog trainer in the region. He has trained hundreds of dogs since, and said: “I remember not knowing if people would ever trust me with their dogs at all… But now, I wake up every morning and realize I am so blessed to be where I am today.”

Commitment to Compassionate Training At K9 Nation Training Center, our mission is to transform the lives of dogs and their owners through compassionate, science-based training methods. Guided by Steve Hill’s extensive experience and education from the world’s leading dog training institutions, we are dedicated to building strong, positive relationships between dogs and their families. We believe that every dog has the potential to be well-behaved and happy, and we strive to unlock this potential through personalized, respectful training. Respect and Understanding We are committed to a training philosophy that prioritizes respect and understanding. Steve’s journey, from his early passion for dogs to his advanced education at the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers, Bart Bellon’s NePoPo School, and Ivan Balabanov’s "Training Without Conflict" Academy, has instilled in us the importance of treating each dog as a unique individual. Our approach avoids heavy-handed tactics, focusing instead on building trust and cooperation through positive reinforcement and relationship-centered methods. Empowering Owners and Dogs Our mission extends beyond training dogs; we aim to empower owners with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain and enhance their dog’s training. By providing ongoing support and education, we help families create harmonious and fulfilling relationships with their canine companions. Whether addressing behavioral issues or enhancing obedience, we are committed to achieving lasting results that improve the quality of life for both dogs and their owners.

Steve Hill’s training method is a culmination of his extensive education from the world’s leading dog training institutions and his deep respect for the canine-human bond. At K9 Nation Training Center, Steve applies the principles and techniques learned from the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers, Bart Bellon’s NePoPo School, and Ivan Balabanov’s "Training Without Conflict" Academy to create a comprehensive, compassionate, and effective training program. Science-Based Techniques From the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers, Steve embraces a science-based approach to dog training. This institution is renowned for its emphasis on positive reinforcement and the use of motivational techniques to shape desired behaviors. Steve utilizes these principles to encourage dogs to perform tasks willingly and joyfully, ensuring that training sessions are both productive and enjoyable for the dog. Precision and Consistency Bart Bellon’s NePoPo School taught Steve the importance of precision and consistency in dog training. The NePoPo (Negative, Positive, Positive) system is a highly structured method that builds reliable behaviors through a balanced approach. Steve incorporates this methodology to ensure that dogs understand and respond to commands reliably, making the learning process clear and effective for both the dog and the owner. Relationship-Centered Training At Ivan Balabanov’s "Training Without Conflict" Academy, Steve learned the value of relationship-centered training. This approach focuses on building a strong bond between the dog and the trainer through mutual respect and understanding. Steve believes that the foundation of successful dog training lies in establishing a meaningful relationship with the dog, which fosters trust and cooperation. He avoids heavy-handed tactics, instead opting for methods that align with the dog’s natural instincts and emotions. Tailored Training Plans Combining these diverse yet complementary training philosophies, Steve creates tailored training plans that address the unique needs of each dog and owner. His method is flexible and adaptive, capable of handling a wide range of behavioral issues from basic obedience to complex behavioral modifications. Whether working on aggression, anxiety, or obedience, Steve’s goal is to develop well-behaved, confident, and happy dogs through respectful and effective training techniques.