Meet AJ, Founder & Head Trainer of K-9 Solutions Training Center

AJ is the founder and head trainer of K-9 Solutions Training Center, bringing a lifetime of passion, hands-on experience, and continued education to the world of dog training.

Growing up in a multi-dog household, AJ’s love for dogs began at an early age. He started practicing basic obedience with family dogs as soon as he could walk. By the age of eight, AJ was already dedicating hours each day to researching canine behaviour, genetics, health, and learning theory. This passion was sparked even further when his elderly neighbour struggled with her high-energy Border Collie mix, Milo. AJ worked consistently with Milo, helping to address unwanted behaviours and teach new, desirable behaviours, while educating his neighbour on why those behaviours occurred and how to manage them effectively. This early experience laid the foundation for AJ’s training philosophy, understanding the dog first leads to lasting results.

By age 11, AJ launched his own dog walking, dog sitting, and in-home training services. At 13, AJ welcomed his first personal dog, Copper, a working-line Beagle. AJ trained Copper to service dog standards to assist with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Copper remains AJ’s service dog today and is trained in tasks ranging from behaviour interruption to detecting and alerting to elevated cortisol levels. Through Copper, AJ gained invaluable experience in advanced training and service dog work. Together, they explored multiple dog sports, including Flyball, Agility, Barn Hunt, and Scent Work.

At 14, AJ took in his second dog, Todd, a Beagle from a rehoming situation. Todd arrived with significant behavioural and physical challenges, including dog reactivity, resource guarding, leash reactivity, anxiety, handler redirection, and a complete lack of foundational obedience. He was underweight, lacked muscle mass, and struggled with basic movement. AJ dedicated himself to Todd’s rehabilitation, rebuilding both his confidence and physical condition, while also participating in dog sports such as Agility, Barn Hunt, and Scent Work.

At age 15, AJ officially founded K-9 Solutions to further pursue his passion while gaining hands-on experience working with a wide range of dogs and behavioural cases. That same year, AJ added his third dog, Rival, a KNPV-line Dutch Shepherd × Belgian Malinois, specifically selected for competitive dog sports. Rival currently competes in Dock Diving and IGP.

AJ works closely with experienced, world-class mentors and industry professionals, continuously refining his skills and expanding his knowledge. He remains committed to ongoing education and development, ensuring that every dog and handler receives informed, ethical, and effective training solutions.