Hi, I’m Marth Murakami, the founder of Avid K9. My work with dogs is rooted in education, structure, and building real relationships between dogs and their owners.

My journey into dog training began early. While in high school, I completed an Animal Science program through East Valley Animal Shelter, where I gained hands-on experience working with shelter dogs. It was during this time that I realized something critical: many dogs are surrendered not because they are “bad dogs,” but because owners are never taught how to properly understand, train, and communicate with them. That realization shaped the foundation of my work and continues to guide everything I do today.

I later trained in Japan under my uncle, who specialized in service dog training and the rehabilitation of fearful and unstable dogs. This experience deepened my understanding of canine behavior, genetics, and the importance of meeting a dog’s mental and physical needs, not just correcting behaviors.

Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide range of dogs, including rescues from difficult backgrounds, owner-surrendered dogs, puppies, working dogs, and service dog prospects. Alongside training, I’ve also studied canine nutrition and grooming, allowing me to take a more holistic approach to supporting a dog’s overall well-being.

At Avid K9, my approach is play-based, relationship-first, and education-driven. I focus on helping owners build clear communication, confidence, and structure so dogs can thrive both at home and in real-world environments. Whether I’m working on obedience, behavior modification, service dog foundations, puppy raising, or in-home grooming, my goal is always the same: to set dogs and owners up for long-term success.

If you’re looking for guidance, structure, and a training approach that prioritizes understanding over quick fixes, Avid K9 is here to help.